Olanka Travels Reviews 

I have just returned from a small group 12 night tour of Sri Lanka and a private driver with Olanka tours. I can highly recommend our consultant Anjali Wijethunga who put together an amazing tailor made itininary and an unforgettable tour. The itinerary provided was comprehensive with schedules for each day including any extra information required such as appropriate clothing to wear and expected climate temperature. Anjali has exemplary communication skills starting from the very first contact 12 months ago, till the very end of the tour where we had the opportunity to meet and personally thank her on our final day of tour. Every question over the process was answered promptly and in a professional and courteous manner. Whilst on tour she was in regular contact checking on our progress and always available.
Special mention goes to our driver and guide Jayampath who was very kind, patient and knowledgeable about his country. Jaya ensured we were comfortable at all times as we safely travelled the countryside on our busy schedule. We quickly became family and nothing was ever too much trouble. Jaya has such a joyful personality and added a personal touch to each day including a memorable surprise wedding anniversary morning tea. A big thank you to Jaya, you truely are inspirational and a credit to Olanka Tours.

We were delighted that we chose Olanka Travels for our family trip to Sri Lanka. Pre visit Miss Chathuri proved to be a caring and thoughtful coordinator, responding to our wishes and tailoring a trip to suit our sightseeing/location priorities.

Our driver - Jaya - made this trip special for us!
He has so much care, positive energy and attentiveness to invest in making every moment special. Every place we visited was incredible Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota, Colombo. The locations alone are enough to make this an incredible trip and it was Jaya's care and commitment to making this a special holiday that makes this the perfect choice! Thank you.

Thanku Subo for the wonderful trip
It had a great experience
You are very kind and helpful

We have just came back from a great holiday in Sri Lanka.
We were very lucky that we have Olanka travel arranged everything for us.
The booking process was efficient. They also taking care of us during the trip. They were flexible for arrangement.
Sri Lanka is a great country.
We will recommend Olanka travel for our friends who will visit Sri Lanka.

Thank You to Ms Thilona. She was great and very helpful to arrange our itinerary 8 days in Sri Lanka. We really have fun and enjoyable trip.

Thank you to Mr Dayal Everyone in our group enjoyed the trip. Our guide Dayal was punctual and very knowledgeable giving us glimpses into the local customs etc.

++ We had a wonderful trip through Sri Lanka, organized by Olanka Travel. From the moment we met our Driver Tiron, he was incredibly kind and knowledgeable about the country. Not only did he ensure that we traveled safely and comfortably, but he also shared fascinating insights about Sri Lanka's culture and history we would never discovered on our own. His warm personlity and professionalism made our journey truly unforgettable. We can highly recommend Tiron. Thank you for making our trip so wonderful.

- One negative point: Olanka's offer was not entirely clear to us. There were quite a few activities that had to be paid extra. Although it was mentioned in the offer that entrance fees were not included, we did not expect such high extra costs.

I took an incredible 14-day individual tour with a personal driver Tiron, organized by a travel agent Ishani from Olanka Travels. The service was impeccable. Ishani had addressed all my requests in regards the itinerary, and all my needs during the trip. My driver Tiron was extremely professional and friendly, always flexible, knowledgeable and polite. As a result, I have covered absolutely all significant historical and natural landmarks of Sri Lanka, including the Large Adam’s Peak. I would like to thank Ishani and Tiron for such a great service! I would highly recommend the Olanka Travels!

Best response on time and constantly helping as per Clint request and requirements, very good job.

I booked a 6 day tour of Sri Lanka for March 2025 with a private driver with Olanka tours. From the first contact, the communication was exemplary.
Every question was answered in a professional courteous many in a very short space of time. The information provided was comprehensive with schedules for each day including any extra information required such as appropriate clothing to wear, approximate temperature expected and length of time traveling by car.
Usually the company collects you from tge airport but as we were arriving 3 days earlier than the start of the tour to acclimatise we arranged for them to collect us from tge hotel. As you can now probably imagine, this was no trouble and went very smoothly. Similarly when we finished the tour a similar arrangement was made as we were staying for another 6 days in Negombo. Again all ran smoothly.
As for the tour itself , we were collected on day one by Thushara, our guide and driver.
The introduction was lovely and immediately made us feel at ease with his warm smile and pleasant demeanour!
We drove to Kandy and got to know each other a little. It was clear that Thushara was extremely knowledgeable as he had trained as a tour guide many years ago! He amazed us with dates , statistics and local knowledge.
It appeared that his only wish was to make us happy. He also told us stories and showed us pictures of his lovely family.
Each day he would take us on the tour having re-confirmed the itinerary the day before. Then would drop us at the hotel with arrangements for the time to meet the following day. This was a recommended time , so if we wished it to be slightly different he was more than accommodating. Similarly, with the itinerary, it was very flexible and Thushara was open to skipping certain things and adding others.
Without going into the itinerary of every day, I just wanted to give an overview of the service provided by Olanka and in particular Thushara.
TRUST ME, IF YOU CAN, ASK FOR THUSHARA!!!!!!
A trip never to forget, enhanced by the tour by Olanka Travels!!!!!

We went for a very well design 12 nights tour through Sri Lanka and finish with 3 night in a majestic Meeru island resort. Altogether a magical experience. This was definitely one very memorable and enjoyable trip. Dear Olanka and dear Shanika, many thanks for organising such a wonderfull trip.

Josipa & Igor,

Our experience about Sri Lanka is great thanks to Olanka trevel and excellent driver Jude. We were tight with the time, but whole tour was planned carfully and arranged to see as much as possible for the time we had. Sri Lanka is beautiful country with beautiful people and lots of things to see. If you are on the short visit lets profesionals arrange your trip and you as tourist just enjoy and relax. This why we recommend Olanka travels

Our experience with Olanka Travels was perfect. Before our trip, Shanika was very kind in helping us put together the exact package we were looking for. Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, she was always in touch with us. Sumith, our driver, was also a great and kind person, punctual, and helpful. We loved the hotels they booked for us!

We highly recommend Olanka Travels for their people and professionalism. We left Sri Lanka in love with the country. Thank you!

Well I would rate Olanka the highest possible . From the beginning , Navodya made us feel so comfortable and trusted . She was there to answer any questions and she had a wealth of knowledge. From the booking process to leaving the airport , she was constantly in touch . She exactly did what we wanted . Organised an amazing tour , best accomodations and Kamaldeen the best driver guide . In one week , we feel like we had seen everything. The driver guide also had a lot of knowledge.
On the day of departure , we were met by Navodya , Nimisha and Kamaldeen for a farewell and thanked us personally for using and trusting Olanka .
Thank you for the amazing memory Navodya , Nimisha and Kamaldeen .

The Maldives Tour February 2025.
My wife and I used Olanka Travels for our 5-day stay in the Maldives in February 2025. Our travel consultant was Rashmi Wijesinghe and I must say, she exceeded all our expectations. From the very beginning, she worked with us to understand our preferences, priorities, and budget. Her approach was incredibly efficient. She planned our holiday to The Maldives with great care and with minimal fuss, and did not compromise on any details. Rush presented us with at least 4 options and what truly impressed us was the thoroughness of these options. The resort we eventually settled on with Rashmi’s feedback and recommendation was perfect and truly paradise. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Dhigali Maldives with its pristine white beaches, turquoise water and coral reefs . I would highly recommend Rashmi and Olanka Travels to anyone looking for a luxurious tropical holiday in The Maldives.

We have returned home after our 11-day journey around Sri Lanka.

First and foremost, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Olanka Travel, and especially to Tharuka, for arranging a truly perfect trip for us in Sri Lanka. The communication regarding our travel arrangements worked exceptionally well via WhatsApp, with Tharuka responding promptly and effectively to all our questions and requests.

Our journey and the many experiences in Sri Lanka were simply perfect and fantastic, largely due to having the world's best guide, Asanka W. We feel incredibly fortunate.

Asanka is an exceptional guide with extensive knowledge of Sri Lanka, and we enjoyed 11 wonderful days and experiences with him. He was always attentive to our needs, incredibly pleasant to be around, spoke perfect English, and was very welcoming and friendly.


We would recommend Asanka as a guide to everyone, and we already miss his delightful company.

Thank you for a memorable experience in beautiful Sri Lanka :-)

We have just had 20 days in Sri Lanka with a driver guide called Tiron Silva. I cannot rate him highly enough. He absolutely made our trip for us. He was always on time, he was an excellent driver and was very knowledgeable but most importantly he was flexible and took us to some outstanding places. However even more importantly,he was so kind and completely trustworthy.

Tiron, for us made our trip to Sri Lanka unforgettable. Beautiful country and beautiful people.

Sri Lanka
Before I went, I had serious concerns about hygiene, cleanliness and security, I contacted Ms. @dhanesha_d from @olanka.travels, she said my fears were unfounded and I should trust her, the driver she arranged for me was so kind and helpful, he did not leave us alone in any place he deemed risky and made sure we were safe, Ms. @dhanesha_d always continued communication, I had a dream holiday, I will definitely come back again. If you are thinking of traveling to Sri Lanka, definitely contact us, by the way, our driver is Mr.thilina and @dhanesha_d Thank you so much

An Unforgettable Experience in Sri Lanka – Thanks to Darsha Dallage at Olanka Travels and Our Amazing Driver, Amila!

I recently had the pleasure of exploring the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. It was an unforgettable holiday, made all the more special thanks to Darsha at Olanka Travels and our incredible driver, Amila.

From the planning and booking to the moment I arrived, Olanka Travels took care of every detail, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience. The itinerary was perfectly tailored to my interests, giving me a wonderful mix of cultural exploration, stunning landscapes, and beach relaxation. Each destination was more breathtaking than the last – from the ancient temples and UNESCO World Heritage Sites to the lush tea plantations and golden beaches.

A massive shoutout to my driver, Amila, who made the trip exceptional. Not only was he punctual, professional, and always ready with a warm smile, but his local knowledge and passion for Sri Lanka truly enriched my journey. Amila took the time to share fascinating insights about the country’s history, culture, and traditions, which made every stop along the way even more meaningful. His driving was smooth and safe, and I always felt comfortable and well cared for. I have learned so much during my trip, and it has been a truly fascinating experience.

Amila also went above and beyond in every aspect – suggesting the best local restaurants, helping me navigate hikes and attractions, or even taking extra time to ensure I got the best photo opportunities. His enthusiasm for sharing his country with me was infectious, and by the end of our trip, it felt like I had made a lifelong friend.

I highly recommend Olanka Travels for anyone planning to visit Sri Lanka. Their personalised service and attention to detail are second to none, and with an exceptional driver like Amila, you're guaranteed a memorable experience. I left Sri Lanka with my heart full, and I look forward to returning.

Thank you, Olanka Travels and Amila, for making this holiday so memorable!

Fantastic service from this company: we dealt with Shani Senadeera who helped put the perfect trip together. We took a standard trip and adjusted it and tweaked a couple of hotels and excursions. There is never a time I couldn’t deal with them I would send a WhatsApp message to Shani Senadeera and she would reply promptly. special shout out to our driver Nashante who was always waiting for us and adapted to our requirements through our 12 days.

Avoid Olanka Tours: A Complete Letdown

We booked our Christmas holiday with Olanka Tours, expecting a stress-free trip, but it turned into a disaster.

1. Incompetent Guide Service
The “chuffer guide” was unprofessional, uninformed, and unhelpful. He refused simple detours, ignored our requests, and focused only on parking his car. For example, he declined to drive 2km to a temple, saying, “It’s not in the itinerary.” After five frustrating days, Olanka provided a replacement guide, but the damage was done.

2. Lack of Transparency
Olanka didn’t disclose that tourist entrance fees were 10–20 times higher for foreigners. Our USD $3,100 package excluded all attraction fees, adding nearly $1,000 extra for two people. We had to cancel several activities due to these unexpected costs.

3. Poor Hotel Choices
The “4- and 5-star hotels” were disappointing, with issues like leaky air conditioning, lizards in rooms, and rusty kettles. These were far below the promised standards.

4. Misinformation About Logistics
Our train to Ella was delayed over two hours, but the driver refused to return us to the hotel. Once in Ella, he wouldn’t take us 2km to the Nine Arches Bridge, again saying, “It’s not in the itinerary.”

Final Note
Olanka Tours overpromises and underdelivers. Be cautious of their suspiciously positive reviews—many appear to be from one-time reviewers.