A Holiday in Sri Lanka
A Holiday in Sri Lanka
Prior to our trip we looked at a few tour operators and made enquiries regarding the type of hotel, destinations, and other travel details. Sri Lanka Wide Tours was, by far, superior in the ease of communication, and the quality of the options offered. They were prompt in answering the many questions that came up for the fairly long trip we were undertaking. They arranged our excellent hotels, a clean comfortable vehicle (Toyota HiAce) and a not too taxing tour itinerary to suit our wishes.
The hotels we stayed ranged from excellent to exquisite. We found the Aliya Hotel at Sigiriya to be a world class experience; as was the Mountain Heaven in Ella and the small boutique hotel in Kandy. The food throughout the tour was superb – pleasing to the eye and to the palate! At every location, we received a red-carpet treatment, and it could possibly be that the tour company has established a rapport with the people and organizations.
At historic destinations, we were met by local guides who were knowledgeable of the history and culture of the sites. For example, the trip to Anuradhapura, Nuwara Eliya, and Kandy turned out to be a pilgrimage. The presence of the Bodhi tree at Anuradhapura, Sita’s Temple near Nuwara Eliya and witnessing the Perahera, procession of the Sacred Buddha’s tooth made a deep impression on us. It was serendipity that we were in Kandy during the Perahera the most famous of religious festivals in Sri Lanka. The Pasikudah beach is clean with gentle waves where we saw young children having a great time.
If not, a chance to bathe an orphan baby elephant at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage certainly was a moment of bliss when man and beast could commune in loving kindness. In final analysis, it was our tour guide Channa who stole our hearts. One small example, he encouraged, cajoled and helped us through the exhilarating, at times slippery 9 km trek in the Hortons Plains National Park to see the magnificent view from the Worlds End. A wonderful, intelligent, and caring young man, who made sure that it was not just another holiday. Thank you again, Sri Lanka Wide Tours
Packiyan
October 27, 2018
Unprompted review