Description
Day 1
Arrive at the airport and meet up with your English speaking driver / guide who will travel with you for the duration of your time in Sri Lanka. Drive for about 30 minutes to your hotel in Negombo, a coastal fishing village on the western coast, renowned for its seafood and beaches. Afternoon sightseeing to see the church, temple and Dutch canal.
Day 2
After breakfast, visit the busy Fish Market in Negombo near the fort before driving to Dambulla. Afternoon safari in Hurulu Eco Park / Forest Reserve in a private jeep. Check in to the hotel for a 4 night near Dambulla
Day 3
Visits to Sigiriya where you climb many steps (750+) of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and an afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya looking for elephants and wildlife in a private jeep
Day 4
Drive to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa for sightseeing before looking for wildlife on an afternoon jeep safari in Kaudulla National Park
Day 5
All day visit to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, north of Dambulla, a city filled with wonderful Buddhist temples with a site guide
Day 6
Drive to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s last Royal Kingdom and a UNESCO World Heritage site, visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple and the Spice Garden in Matale on the way. 2 nights in Kandy
Day 7
A city tour of Kandy, visit the Temple of Tooth Relic and the Royal Botanical Garden. Evening visit to a Cultural Dance Show
Day 8
Drive to Peradeniya train station and take a train to Nuwaraeliya through the “Hill Country” for great views of the tea plantations along the way. Observation carriage. 2 nights in Nuwara Eliya
Day 9
Leave hotel at about 6am for an early morning walk (approx 6 miles) to the Horton Plains National Park, seeing Worlds End and Bakers Falls before returning for a visit to a tea factory. Afternoon free to explore around Nuwara Eliya town by yourself. Visit the market, Victoria Park or take a walk by the lake and old race course or relax
Day 10
Drive to Udawalawe National Park (approx. 4 hours) and have an afternoon jeep safari in search of elephants, monkeys, deer, crocodiles, rare leopards and sloth bears, flying squirrels and many birds including birds of prey. Overnight stay
Day 11
Visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home before driving for about 1.5 hours to the Yala area and have an afternoon jeep safari in Lunugamvehera National Park, which is one of the country’s finest national parks with a number of wetlands and lagoons and it is famous for its bird life. Hopefully elephants, crocodiles, monkeys and other mammals can also be seen. 2 night stay in Tissamaharama town
Day 12
After an early start, leave the hotel at 5am for an all-day jeep safari, with a packed breakfast and lunch in to Yala National Park, known as the finest reserve in the country and is best known for its leopards, elephants, mammals and bird life. Enjoy lunch alongside the Indian Ocean at the Tsunami memorial area of the Yala National Park and take an OPTIONAL walk along the beach
Day 13
After breakfast, drive to the coastal town of Dickwella. Check in to hotel and have the remainder of the day to relax alongside the coast
Day 14
After a short drive, go on an early morning whale watching trip, leaving from Mirissa harbour. Remainder of the day to relax and enjoy the beach
Day 15
Drive to Galle and visit Galle Fort and Dutch Fort. Walk around the narrow streets, exploring the area and seeing many historic buildings and take OPTIONAL visits to the museums. Walk along the top of the fort walls. OPTIONAL extra – hire a bike to cycle around the area
Day 16
Drive further along the coast to Beruwela and en route visit a turtle hatchery. The remaining part of the day is free for you to relax.
Day 17
After breakfast visit Aluthgama for the lively fish and vegetable markets, Kande Vihara for the large Buddhist statue and Brief Garden about 10-15 miles inland.
Day 18
After breakfast, drive to the capital, Colombo and have a city tour in the afternoon. Check in to the hotel and enjoy the views from the 12th floor bar and pool area. Watch the sunset before your “Final Supper”
Day 19
Tour ends – transfer to airport – return home or onward travel.
Peter and Audrey –
We found their work ethic flexible in what really amounts to a one off bespoke itinerary planned for a date to suit us. We are much looking forward to our 19 day trip in 2016
Having visited Sri Lanka, Ceylon as it was, more than 50 years ago we decided we wanted a trip “down memory lane” for culture and wildlife.
As we are in our 70’s it was suggested that the pace of our trip could be slower and an additional guide, at places like SIGIRIYA ROCK could be provided and comfortable jeeps with easier access would be used. We did subsequently request several additions which were readily fitted into a revised schedule.
As Nep-In-Sri Travel have first-hand experience of the countries they visit, they were able to give us excellent information and advice about the places to visit, national parks, historic sites and types of hotel.
We found their work ethic flexible in what really amounts to a one off bespoke itinerary planned for a date to suit us. We are much looking forward to our 19 day trip in 2016
Audrey and Peter Hall –
So memorable. We thoroughly recommend this travel company
All the preparation and planning for this trip was of the highest standard and nothing was too much trouble.
Our expectations on arrival were fully justified. Our Guide/Driver was excellent and went out of his way to include as many places of interest (not scheduled) as possible and gave us a really good insight into the ways of his people and the country. So much nicer than reading it in your guide book!
The Hotels were of a very good standard which at the end of a busy day was a most welcomed sight.
Thank you to NEP-IN-SRI Travel for making our trip so memorable. We thoroughly recommend this travel company.
Lydia –
A beautiful island that is filled with helpful, friendly people. The wildlife is wonderful to watch – elephants, leopards, blue whales, wild cats, jackels etc, all in their own environment. The drivers know exactly where to go in order to make the best of safaris. The combination of sight-seeing, wildlife watching and relaxation was perfect for us. It has left us with a desire to go back again soon.
Diana –
We have just returned from two weeks in Sri Lanka organised by Claire. It is a beautiful country with a vast cultural heritage and it was a dream trip from beginning to end, with no stone left unturned, all of our expectations met and even at times exceeded! One of the highlights being, seeing a number of elephants gathered around a vast lake in the late afternoon sunshine. The guide/driver that we had, was engaging with a vast knowledge of his country, which he was keen to share with us, even to the point of extending our itinerary at times. All the other guides that we met, were similarly enthusiastic in their various fields. Every where we went, the people were charming and eager to please and when there was a slight hiccup at one hotel, a quick text to Claire, sorted it within minutes. I would have no hesitation in recommending Nep-In-Sri Travel to others.
Tracey and Matt –
Thank you Claire and Sararth from Nep In Sri Travel Ltd for the most fascinating travels in this amazing country. A place I will never forget. Our guide Sarath truly cared for our well-being and took us to places rich in history, nature, beauty and spirit, as well as showing us authentic life, and the gritty realities of life here in Sri Lanka.
Date of travel: September 2017
John –
Service at airport – excellent – very good indeed. Your car – excellent – clean, comfortable, spacious.
Your tour leader / driver – excellent – Sarath “MADE” our holiday – charming, knowledable, patient, amusing, punctual, professional. Nothing was too much trouble for him.
Local guides at sites – excellent – Local guides were impressive. We always seemed to have “the best one”!
Quality of national park guide – excellent – a good driver who managed to weave in and out, taking short cuts etc so we were able to see an 8 week old baby elephant.
Horton Plains walk and N.Pk – excellent – Again helpful and professional.
National Park wildlife sightings – excellent – Elephants, sambar stags, peacocks, sea eagles, cattle egrets, monkeys, giant squirrels, kingfisher, langur monkeys.
Historic sites – excellent – stunning especially the reclining Buddhas.
Accommodation in general – excellent including one with a 30m+ swimming pool.
Hotel J – good – food cooked to order rather than buffet.
Paradise resort & spa – excellent – wonderful pool, beautiful surroundings, helpful staf. Randholee – excellent – wonderful view and best pudding of lemon tart.
Grand hotel – Good – colonial, great service, fantastic supper including Barramundi fish – amazing!! Paradise beach – good – lift not working when we arrived and we were challenged over paying for dinner. This was VERY quickly settled by Claire and then all was good with the staff.
School visit & village – both went very well. An elephant had visited the village the night before….. Sightseeing – very good indeed.
Food in general – Fantastic!! Spicy food (not too hot for European taste), fresh fruit, buffalo curd, honey and melon Weather – wonderful.
Separate driver to / from beach resort – very good.
Separate transfers – all went very smoothly.
Were there any changes to the itinerary? – yes there were changes but these were “add ons” which were welcome and enjoyable. Sarath seemed to be able to gauge the expectations of his clients.
Any other comments / suggestions – we would not hesitate to recommend NEP IN SRI TRAVEL Ltd to family and friends if Sarath de Silva was the tour guide!!
Mark and Amanda Dowdney –
We were expecting Sri Lanka to be similar to India where we have travelled extensively. It is NOT. It is an enchanting island with magical temples and interesting wildlife. Where India is chaotic, Sri Lanka is calm and tranquil. It’s a brilliant place for a relaxing holiday, whether up in the highlands or down on the shore. Claire selected an entertaining mix of culture and safari parks and our driver Sarath was one in a million, taking care of us from start to finish and taking us to many fascinating places which were extra to the programme. His passion for his homeland shone out every day and gave us one of the best holidays we have had in years. We thoroughly recommend NEP-IN-SRI Travel because Claire also cares and is dedicated to making sure that her clients enjoy themselves with nothing to worry about.
Mrs B –
FANTASTIC HOLIDAY!
Email comments received from guest – Mother and son aged 84 & 54 travelling together.
Negombo: I was duly met at the airport where Sri Lankan airways handed me over to Sarath who is very good, pleasant and helpful……..and a very safe driver. I would hate to drive over here – tuk-tuks, motorbikes, pushbike, cars and lorries seem to come from all directions! I think I will have a shower before dinner………what a life! Thank you for setting it up!
Dambulla – We have just come back from a swim in a large empty pool – to be more precise, Steve swam goodness knows how many lengths while I managed a few…… but I did cool off and we lazed around reading for an hour or more. All well, thank you, though I have opted out of multiple steps……normal ones in temples and uneven grounds are bad enough! Sarath is a gem……and we had about an hour this morning waiting for Steve to come down from the Rock Fortress at Sigiriya. Sarath is a fount of knowledge and easy to talk to, as well as being a good driver and very careful of his elderly passenger! We saw three groups of elephants this afternoon: all shapes and sizes ranging from the very young – not quite new-born, but nearly, to a month old and all sizes up to a very large male keeping an eye on his hareem! A ride in a bullock cart ranks as about the most uncomfortable journey I have ever had!…. but very interesting seeing the village and surrounding area.
Greetings from Kandy. I am sitting on the balcony looking at the view; no wonder it is called the Hill Country. I am overlooking the swimming pool. We even had a very few drops of rain earlier; in the south they haven’t had any for six months so are hoping for some. Both places – wood and gems factories were fascinating – Sarath had been telling me about the making and use of natural pigments and I saw it demonstrated there. The gem stone visit was interesting …….a good thing I am too old to buy more jewellery, because there were lots of beautiful items.
The Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya – yesterday we came here by train: I am glad you managed to arrange that because it was well worth it, as we could actually see the edge of the jungle and the vast areas of tea plantations. We did the factory visit later that day and the had a brief-excursion to the town before dinner. Horton Plains day – Afternoon sitting relaxing in my room after an early start! We left the hotel at 5.30am – 30 minutes extra lie-in! It was dark at first of course, so we saw a beautiful sunrise on the way to Horton Plains; not much else to see through the cloud and rain! We were soon in a queue of dozens of 4X4s……. and eventually made it to the top and did see about half a dozen Sambar deer near the entrance. Eventually Steve set off and the rain had practically stopped. Sarath and I walked to the museum and coffee shop where he bought us each a hot coffee and a pancake filled with coconut and honey – very good! Steve was back quickly….about 2 hours – it took Sarath and the driver of our vehicle ( who was playing cards with some of the other drivers) by surprise!
Gorgeous sunny morning: ideal for a trip to Horton Plains! Let’s hope it will be fine as we make our way south to Udawalawe National Park: not far, but a long drive on these roads I gather!
A last one – looking at the sea from my very comfortable room in Colombo, waiting to go to the airport! I will ring you some time on Tuesday as we shan’t be home until about midnight after a FANTASTIC holiday. We have had a super time and Sarah is a gem! He has been all a driver/guide should be and more – the extra mile isn’t in it, more like a marathon! He and Steve got on well, partly I think because Steve is so knowledgeable about Asian countries. They have both been very patient, because I have been very wary of the uneven tracks and dozens of steps at the various sites and so much to take in! We did go to Galle after all……..Steve and Sarath arranged it! The weather here is odd too, so we had a fine afternoon. It is fascinating and would be super to explore on foot – if I were fitter and we had more time! More when I see you but thank you for all you have done.
Penny & Philip Bond –
AMAZING, FABULOUS, INCREDIBLE TRIP – visited Sri Lanka in Nov / Dec 2018 for 18 days Yet again, another amazing trip organised by Claire. We arrived in Sri Lanka after a disappointing flight with Sri Lankan Airlines, but as soon as we met Sarath we knew that we would love this country – and we did. The trip was so varied and interesting. The hotels were excellent, each one exceeding the expectation from the one before. We tried to rate them from location, staff, view, swimming pool, comfort and restaurant but they were all wonderful, although the ones in between were better than the first and last – first because we were tired and it rained and last because we were on our way home. Our first night was in Negombo and Sarath collected us from our hotel and took us to the fish market on the shore – it was stunning to see the beach full of fish drying in the sun, with more boats arriving and fishermen emptying their nets. Sarath showed us the extremes of the Victorian Rest house, in need of renovation, and the perimeter of the local prison as a bus full of very jolly convicts came out of the gates heading for the courthouse. We then had a four-hour drive to Dambulla. Driving in India can be scary but I have never seen as many nutty dogs running into the road as in Sri Lanka. Fortunately, Sarath is a brilliant driver and managed to miss them all! Before arriving at our hotel we took an optional/additional trip for a full body/Indian head massage at an Ayurvedic Centre in the middle of the jungle. The experience was very therapeutic but although I enjoyed it at the time, it was a shame it took nearly a week to get the oil out of my hair! Still nothing ventured, nothing gained, and nobody got hurt! We arrived at the Paradise Resort and Spa late afternoon. It is a wonderful resort which is reached by a very worn track. This hotel gets 5* for the fantastic swimming pool surrounded by mountains and jungle, delightful staff, restaurant and accommodation. The following day was action packed as we explored the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, which is 1202 steps to the summit, accompanied by monkeys and tourists. We had a wonderful clear day and the view was stunning. The spiral stairway to the Sigiriya frescoes of the heavenly maidens is not for anyone suffering from vertigo or the effects of humidity but worth the climb for the fitter members of the group. We visited a school with some gifts of classroom supplies and with a somewhat bemused and mixed reception as they seemed to be pretty well equipped. We loved the village safari, although we had not fully understood what was involved. The bullock cart ride was entertaining, the catamaran ride on the lake was enchanting but the coconut and millet roti with coconut sambal cooked on an open fire was a real insight into how hard the Sri Lankan women work. I was impressed with the coconut grater and huge mortar and pestle used to crush the fresh chillies. The home was made from mud, wood and we watched a demonstration of how the palm leaves were woven for the roof. On Day 4 we visited the ruins of Polonnarawu with a young and very enthusiastic guide. Unfortunately we are unlikely to remember the names of all the battles and kings so were grateful that we didn’t have to pass any test. The area is vast with ruins of temples, court houses, bathing pools and palaces. The carvings are exquisite especially the moonstone on the steps leading to one of the main shrines. We also visited the Gal Vihara temple where there are four huge statues of Buddha in various poses carved into granite. Sarath took us to lunch on the edge of the paddy where we were able to watch the food being prepared, and again we had the best table in the house overlooking the workers in the field accompanied by the egrets. In the afternoon we went on a jeep safari along with a hundred other jeeps. We were treated to impressive sitings of elephants, which were to be well and truly surpassed on the future safaris, but we didn’t know that at the time. The scenery was stunning and we had a very amiable driver. We had a long drive to Kandy which was through stunning countryside and villages. We visited the Spice Garden which was interesting and informative. The jury is still out as to whether the red oil and balm will soothe Phil’s aching back, but I am very happy with the Spiced tea and citronella oil and balm. Probably got a bit carried away with my purchases and hadn’t quite got the exchange rate correct in my mind. When we arrived in Kandy we visited a Gem store and had a video tour of how the gem mines are created, with a lot resting on whether the project will be auspicious or not from star signs. We also visited a wood carving factory where the science of the various colour pigments were practically explained. Sarath took us to a restaurant, where again we had the best table in the house overlooking the fast running river. Our hotel, Randholee Resort, was spectacular. The views were breathtaking and the staff could not have been more accommodating. The infinity pool looked to beyond. The waiter moved our table out on the patio so that we could enjoy our meals overlooking paradise. We were unsure why some aspects of the itinerary had been included, for example, the Garrison cemetery near the Temple and lake area. However, it was fascinating and the guide was absolutely passionate about the subject – there were so many graves of young British women and children for whom the climate was totally unsuitable. He also spoke with fondness of Prince Charles who had visited the cemetery a while before and who had sent some of his personal money to fund the remedial work that was required. That evening we visited a culture show in Kandy that was incredibly entertaining from music, dance, acrobatics and firewalking. We visited the Temple of the Tooth later that evening and Sarath was very enthusiastic that we should have the privilege of seeing the Tooth Relic Chamber with the golden bejewelled shrine that houses the relic. The door to this shrine is only open for a very short period of time and so we were very lucky to be able to view it with several hundred devotees. The Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya were home to a huge family of monkeys that were very entertaining and the orchid house was spectacular. The planting was extensive with an army of gardeners to maintain the gardens. We were very lucky to be able to take the train to our next destination, Nuwara Eliya in the hill country. It was a four hour journey and although the scenery was beautiful the experience life affirming as was we were introduced to the hospitality of the Sri Lankans by seven families that were going to Ella for the school holidays. There was singing, there was dancing, there was drum playing and there was freshly cooked food, wrapped in banana leaves that was shared with all the passengers in the carriage. They were the most beautiful and happy children. Sarath met us at the station and took us to the Grand Hotel, which is a colonial step-back in time and even more surreal with all the decorations, carol singing and beautiful Christmas tree. The restaurant is fantastic, with freshly cooked dishes at stations around the dining hall. This definitely got five stars plus. Sarath took us to the local ‘pub’ and the market and we enjoyed exploring Nuwara Eliya although we had a very early start the next morning for the trek on Horton Plains to take us to the ‘World’s End’. We were very lucky again with the weather and were able to take photographs from the highest point with clear skies. We were now day nine, and thoroughly enjoying our stay in this beautiful country. We had a four hour drive from Nuwara Eliya to Yala, through the Ella gap, in pretty torrential rain. We visited a cave temple that was dedicated to both the Hindi and Buddhist religions with beautiful paintings. We arrived in the Yala National Park mid-afternoon and loved the jungle chalet in the Cinnamon Wild. It took a while to adapt to watching the crocodiles basking in the lake with the water buffalo, metres from where we swam happily in the pool. The rooftop view from the restaurant of the ocean waves crashing 500 metres from the hotel, surrounded by lakes and the jungle with the wild animals roaming freely was extraordinary. The next day was spent enjoying a safari in the national park where we were lucky enough to spot four leopards on different occasions, two enjoying siestas in the high branches of the trees and two others crossing the paths or just ambling through the jungle and long grass. We also saw several elephants, one lone male making the most of the lake to himself, and having a refreshing water bath. There is no movement on the park for two hours from noon and so all the jeeps park up for lunch by the beach, which is also a Tsunami Memorial as the large granite base would have been the floor of the lodge where several people lost their lives that Boxing morning. Quite sobering as we watched the iguanas climb the trees that survived and paddled on the shoreline. We had a driver and tracker for the day and it was very apparent that our cameras were significantly inferior. Our tracker used my phone and national trust binoculars to capture passable images of the leopard in the tree, but was nothing compared to the equipment our driver had with a huge telescopic lens, like a drum, where you could clearly see the number of whiskers sported by the big cat. It was a truly memorable day. The following day we travelled to Udawalawe and had another amazing safari trip were we saw male peacocks dancing, almost tame monkeys, several groups of elephants at very close range, as in you could touch them if you wanted to, and we were ‘hunted’ by a group of three young jackals that were very entertaining. The following morning we left the hotel early to go to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, which I can say that, despite all the other amazing experiences we had on this trip, was the absolute highlight for me. To watch baby orphaned elephants ‘scampering’ in from the jungle for their four-times daily milk feed is humbling and magical. There are currently forty three young elephants in this national park that are benefiting from this charity. They range in age from two weeks to five years at which time they would naturally be weaned from their mothers and so discouraged from coming to feed. I am not sure why there is such a high number of orphans as the elephants are protected and there is no poaching. The programme has been running for twenty years and have rescued and rehabilitated 100+ elephants back into the wild in that time, including thirteen females who have now become mothers themselves. Work that can only be applauded. Our next stop was the Dickwella Resort hotel which definitely gets five stars for our room, with two balconies overlooking separate beaches and a restaurant on stilts over the sea. We strolled along the sands and watched the fishermen go out and catch just enough for their supper. It was very relaxing, ready for our early start for whale watching from Mirissa harbour. Where the Elephant Transit Home was the highlight, whale watching was the most disappointing, although you can’t dictate to nature. Mirissa harbour was bright and bustly and the dawn drive along the coast road was beautiful. However, after eight hours on a boat, with mainly Chinese and Russian fellow watchers, when we were 50 km out to sea alongside the shipping tankers, we finally saw one tail! What I will take from the experience was a tattoo I spotted whilst people watching – ‘The world is a book, and if you never travel you will have only read the first page’. The next day we travelled to Galle and did a tour of the fort, got caught up in a film set for an advertisement, so they had to retake, and visited the market and churches. It was a spectacularly hot day so visits inside large cool buildings were welcomed. We watched the young boys fishing off the harbour and jumping into the water to cool down. Sarath had arranged for us to eat at the best fish restaurant outside of Colombo, with a table just above the waves on the beach. It was an amazing platter that we enjoyed. We next visited the turtle sanctuary which struck me as being controversial. The eggs are bought from fishermen who dig them up to eat, but now have an income source so sell them to the sanctuary. They are then reburied until they are due to hatch. The hatchlings are put in tanks and released into the sea on the night they hatch – they are escorted down the beach so that they will not be eaten by predators, and also so that they will know where to return to. However, there were tanks with deformed hatchlings and adult turtles that would not have survived if nature had taken its course – blind turtles and those with indents in the shells which means they would not be able to dive for food. There were also turtles who had lost their front flippers in fishermen’s nets and would have also starved. There was one large, albino turtle, who would definitely not have survived in the wild, but would be better off being loaned for a fee to a larger aquarium rather than the tank he was being kept in. The Eden Resort and Spa at Beruwala was huge and bordered onto the beach were the river met the sea and so the currents were quite intense. I took a lovely early morning walk along the beach before Sarath collected us to take us back to Colombo. En route we visited the Kachimalani mosque which overlooks the colourful harbour and stopped to watch the locals buying freshly landed, as in still flapping, fish on the beach. We visited the Mount Lavinia hotel and as Sarath had worked there at the start of his career we enjoyed a very personal tour of the hotel, including the hidden tunnel where the Governor used to meet with his ‘dancing girl’, Lavinia. We were incredibly honoured to be invited to Sarath’s home, as a surprise, and meet his delightful wife and son. It was very, very kind and much appreciated by us and we thank you for the wonderful refreshments which were delicious. After this we went on a tour of Sarath’s home city of Colombo – he seems to know all the right people, in all the right places and we had an incredible time, including the hotel that also seems to be a museum which fascinated Phil, especially Prince Philip’s first car. This was such a fabulous tour, looking back through my photographs there are so many experiences I have failed to mention, which Sarath took the trouble to include, the train/engine museum, the golden Buddha, the temples, the paintings, the sculptures, the mongoose, the cannon ball tree, our fascination with monkeys that could be regarded as destructive pests by Sri Lankans, the tea plantation, the Heritance factory, the waterfalls, the freshly cooked hoppers and roti, the elephants, the peacocks, the leopards, the birds, the lotus flowers, the frangipani, the forest fowl, the paddy fields, the beaches, the jungles, the colours, the sounds, the scents, the tastes – thank you for an incredible trip that memories are made from, and which make us want to return but on Sarath’s recommendation can we go to the North next time??
Christine and Malcolm Taylor –
This was our second holiday booked through Nep-in-Sri Travel as the first had worked so well. We were not disappointed. Our departure was delayed because of illness and Claire was very supportive and made all the necessary arrangements for our delayed arrival. We were met at the airport by our driver Sarath who had a vast knowledge and history of the country. He was a very careful driver with good sense of humour. It could not be a coincidence that we always seemed to have the best views, best seats near air conditioning and importantly which toilets to use. The whole experience was amazing with wonderful safaris, hotels and Sri Lankan culture. Lots of wildlife with many elephants, lots of birds and a couple of leopards. A trip to a Sri Lankan village was also a highlight. Claire always seems to provide a personal service so you are able to tailor the holiday to what you want to see and where you want to stay. Just been looking at website wondering where to go next!!
Harry O’Hare –
THE TRIP WAS EXCELLENT!! Nep-in-Sri Travel created the perfect bespoke itinerary for our two week holiday in Sri Lanka. We wanted a combination of culture, wildlife and beaches and the flexibility allowed us to do more or less of each depending how we felt. Our guide Sarath was full of knowledge about Sri Lanka and even went out of his way to ensure we saw two of the three types of squirrel Sri Lanka has! Having everything booked so handily before we went enabled us to fully relax and I would 100% recommend anyone else travelling to Sri Lanka to use Nep-in-Sri. We both can’t wait to go back!
Bruce Jackman –
We congratulate Nep-In-Sri Travel on providing such a successful and memorable trip. Very many thanks indeed.
We have just returned from a three weeks marvellous holiday in Sri Lanka. The country was beautiful and so clean; the people were absolutely charming; the food was outstanding – especially the curries; and the service in the hotels was quite excellent. The visit was extremely well organised and the itinerary worked very well with cultural visits early in the programme, followed by more energetic excursions once more acclimatised, ending with time to relax in near the sea, and ultimately to shop in the capital before departing. Also the time at each location was well judged and adequate to complete local visits without being rushed. Our driver/guide was outstanding. He was a delightful person and his English was excellent. His driving was absolutely superb; safe and considerate at all times – and he knew the width of his vehicle to within a centimetre! He couldn’t have been more helpful in sorting out our problems, answering our questions, and running errands when requested. He was an excellent guide and very good company throughout. He even appeared to enjoyed our sense of humour! We could not have asked for better organisation of the arrangements.
Mr and Mrs Wigley –
PRE-DEPARTURE REVIEW – very impressed
From the very start of our experience with NEP-IN-SRI we were impressed. The regular, friendly communications were very helpful and we felt reassured that we were going to be well looked after. Claire was warm, informative and approachable.
No one could have predicted the Coronavirus pandemic and our need to cancel due to concerns about underlying health conditions. The company was fantastic and have agreed to refund our deposit with no quibbling whatsoever. This is really impressive and reflects the authenticity of the company.
We really hope that we will be able to book another holiday with NEP-IN-SRI as we feel they have been outstanding in their treatment of us. We wish them the very best through these difficult times.