4 independent reviews for Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays

Reviews for Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays

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review 12 Jan 2024

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Seeing a leopard very close - amazing! And our guide who was fantastic.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Would recommend using this tour operator. Great to have such a personalised trip based on our interests, and a passionate guide who stayed with us the whole trip.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Definitely. Great choices of eco- conscious trios and hotels, and they steered us away from unethical businesses, which was appreciated.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Fabulous and so very pleased with your recommendation to travel with this company.

review 23 Feb 2020

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The whole exposure to the adventure, culture, history and way of life in Sri Lanka coupled with the total relaxation of the Maldives. Elephant safari, tea plantation, curry cooking, sea plane transfer and reef snorkelling were all highlights.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Choose as high end hotel as you can afford. Make sure that you have a driver / guide in Sri Lanka - ours was brilliant. Be aware that it will effectively takes a day to transfer from Sri Lanka to a resort in the Maldives. Be aware that Maldives use a reef time, which is one hour ahead of Male. Look carefully at the direction that the selected villa faces in terms of sun exposure time of day and likely cooling breeze direction. Be aware that All Inclusive on the Sun Aqua Villu Reef is not really 'all' inclusive and that you may have to pay a very high price for selected dining and drinks. Be sure to look at the view of any adjacent islands to your selected resort. This one overlooks an island on the reef side which has a communication antenna structure and storage buildings that are less idilic than you may expect.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

In Sri Lanka, yes. The April '19 bombings had clearly hurt the tourist trade and they are struggling to recover. It is perfectly safe now, at least as safe as any of us are in Europe, so we would encourage people to visit to experience this wonderful country. In the Maldives, there is clearly a plastic pollution issue and I suspect that our trip did not help the situation.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Fantastic, and unforgettable experience. It leaves us wanting to return as soon as possible!

review 2 Feb 2019

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Meeting the Sri Lankan people, seeing a leopard in Yala national park, staying in very interesting unusual accommodation.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Use a small tour operator like this one who can tailor your holiday to your requirements. Go early to busy tourist sites.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes, to an extent. The hotels were all very "green", reducing plastic waste, using local foodstuffs, employing local people etc. Our local guide was very good. Our only gripe really was with the bad management of the national parks, particularly Yala, which felt like an overcrowded theme park, with the wildlife being exploited for commercial profit.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent.

review 23 Apr 2017

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Staying in Ella and walking in the hill country and snorkelling in the Maldives.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Be very specific in your requirements as we felt there was a limited amount of time we had to ourselves in certain locations e.g. Kandy. We asked if we could be met later and that did not happen. The planning and timing was too rigid.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes i believe so, although several large hotels were used, where a more local hotel or accommodation would have been more appropriate.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Very good, loved the Maldives.

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