Sri Lanka

michele-p

Hi all,
I've been looking into a holiday later this year (did have a thread about Cambodia/Malaysia). I think we may have narrowed it down to Sri Lanka now though. We can either do 14 days 5th November or 12 days 29th October I think. Ideally I'd like to do last week Nov, first December for the weather, but just can't fit it in.

I'm looking up doing a tour of the south West from Colombo inland to Kandy down to South Coast and back up the coast. There are tours available on the net, but just wondered if anyone has first had experience of this route?

We'd like to do it as a "middle ground" not the cheapest accommodation, but somewhere in the middle - air con and clean type of thing! I'm aware I can make bookings in each place and use one of the tour groups itineraries, then hire a driver. But I'm a bit wary of getting fleeced too!

I read quite a lot on tripadvisor forum, and it seems as soon as anyone asks about routes/tours they get loads of locals PMing or offering tours, or badmouthing others.

Any suggestions gratefully accepted - would a 12 day holiday (10 days on the ground) be long enough if that's all we can squeeze in?

Thanks

bunty109

We did 13 days I think and it was quite full on but doable (we did do 3 days on the east coast to relax). We had a tour through Trailfinders but my OH might remember the name of the company they booked our tour with (I’m away but can check when I’m back). I’d definitely recommend a guide/driver but you could book the hotels yourself.

alwaysskint96

i can recommend http://shangrilankavilla.com/ They also arrange tours

agrinnall

I'd do the 5th November start, you'll arrive just in time for the first Test at Galle (6-10 Nov), and you'll be there for most of the second Test at Pallekele (14-18 Nov).

michele-p

Is that cricket tests? Really not my thing I'm afraid! But may be useful to avoid those areas on those dates for busyness?

The hotel link looks lovely thanks, think we'll have to go for fairly budget accommodation most nights, and maybe splurge the last couple of nights.

[Deleted User]

We are just back from Sri Lanka doing a tour with my Australian in laws who spend half the year there. They booked everything through https://www.walkerstours.com/bespoke-tours.html driver included for everything. It's such an amazing country, can't wait to go back.

http://www.cinnamonhotels.com/cinnamonlodgehabarana

http://www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwingbeach/

Ballard

I did more or less that route about 15 years ago. I didn't spend any time in Colombo but took a taxi straight to Kandy. We had trips north from there to Dambulla & Pollunaruwa then to Nuwara Eliya.

Our next destination was Tangalle but that was my last as I only had a fortnight against my friends three weeks so I had one night in (I think) Mirissa before shooting off to the airport.

We took taxis for all of these journeys except one train trip (either to Nuwara Eliya or from it, I can't recall). I can't remember how much we paid for all this but it wouldn't matter anyway as it was far too long ago but it was reasonable.

bunty109

_shel wrote: »

We are just back from Sri Lanka doing a tour with my Australian in laws who spend half the year there. They booked everything through https://www.walkerstours.com/bespoke-tours.html driver included for everything. It's such an amazing country, can't wait to go back.

http://www.cinnamonhotels.com/cinnamonlodgehabarana

http://www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwingbeach/

It was Walkers Tours we used! Thanks for the reminder. Also stayed at the Jetwing in Negombo and it was lovely.

hollie.weimeraner

We did more or less that tour a few years ago but booked through Kuoni. Started in Columbo and travelled to Kandy then St Andrews and on to a tea plantation before travelling down the central area to Nuwara Eliya and ended up staying at the Lighthouse in Galle before travelling back for the flight home. One of the best holidays we've ever had.
Even though we booked with Kuoni we had a local tour guide with his own mini bus for the journey (Just 6 of us).
If we ever go back I'd book flights and hotels myself and hire a guide via trip advisor.

agrinnall

michele-p wrote: »

Is that cricket tests? Really not my thing I'm afraid! But may be useful to avoid those areas on those dates for busyness?

It was a tongue in cheek comment, as I suspected it might not be your area of interest. But you make a good point, the Barmy Army will be following the England team around the various match locations, so you might indeed want to avoid some of them. There's a list of matches here


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/43415628

michele-p

Thanks all, I'm doing lots of research. I think we would do the independent thing, looking at air b and bs along the route, and the possibility of a driver.

My husband works with a Sri Lankan who suggested just getting taxis between places. We also fancy the train from kandy to Ella.

Just got to persuade the in laws to dog sit now!