I wanted to write and tell you what a wonderful time I had on my recent trip to Sri Lanka. I really had a great time during the 10 days that I was there...the trip was extremely varied and full of beautiful sights and memorable experiences.
Below are some of my honest thoughts and comments on different aspects of the trip; I hope you find them useful.
Sights
I enjoyed seeing different things every day. Favorite experiences on the trip included:
- Negombo beach...lovely and not too crowded. The sunset in Negombo stunning. The sky was pink and orange and it was BEAUTIFUL.
- Exploring the historical attractions in the Cultural Triangle, especially climbing Sigiriya Rock and up to the Dambulla Cave Temple & Golden Buddha.
- Anuradhapura and Pollonaruwa were both good. Anuradhapura is less crowded, but Pollonaruwa seems more developed for tourists.
- Kandy Cultural Show was interesting and quite impressive. Some of the dances were really unique. Also, visit Temple of the Tooth at pooja time (6.30pm)
- Peradeniya Botanical Gardens was lovely and well kept. I really enjoyed my visit.Tourists should visit in the morning before it gets too hot.
- White Water Rafting in Kitulgala was a lot of fun! I'm really glad we did it, some of the rapids were really cool.
- Adam's Peak was an extremely rewarding experience. The climb is hard (over 5200 steps, which can seem endless) but the sunrise is SUPERB! Best ever!
- Nuwara Eliya was a nice little town with a cool, comfortable climate. Many houses have European-style architecture.
- Horton Plains National Park was AMAZING. We had a really great 3+ hour walk. Best to go early in the morning before it gets too hot. LOVED it.
- Train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella was lovely, with many nice views of tea country.
- Ella Gap is beautiful. Recommend climbing Mini Adam's Peak in the morning for great views. The scenery looks like it could be England/Scotland/Ireland!
- Yala National Park was incredible. We saw so many animals on the safari, including a leopard, TWICE! Really lucky! There is also a beach which is beautiful.
- Unawatuna was a great place to relax, have an ayurvedic massage, visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda & Jungle Beach, and eat some nice seafood.
- Galle was really nice, and it was fun to walk along the walls of the old city. Loved the lighthouse, sea views, and cricket ground.
- Colombo was a busy city, as expected of a capital. It was fun to walk around Pettah and then see the sunset from Galle Face Green on my last evening.
- Other interesting experiences: wood carving factory, spice garden, tea factory, turtle hatchery. All helped to really make the trip varied and interesting.
Accommodation
On the whole, the standard of accommodation was fine. All places provided breakfast (Western or Sri Lankan) and all were good. Fruit & juices were fresh. Most places had AC except for Adam's Peak. Some places also had fan, which was very useful for drying clothes. A few of the places did not provide a towel, so best to bring your own. All had nice, polite staff.
Car & Driver
The car was very comfortable and spacious. The AC always worked well and all journeys were very smooth. Gayashan, my driver, was really excellent. He was extremely professional and always friendly, polite, and on time. His English is good and I enjoyed talking to him and learning more about Sri Lankan culture. He was also very helpful to me, and would do even little things like reminding me to take care and watch my valuables on Adam's Peak, taking pictures of Sri Lankan food (e.g. hoppers) in order to show me what it was, and accompanying me on many excursions so that I wouldn't have to walk myself. I am very glad that I travelled with him. He is an honest and trustworthy person who made me feel safe and played an important part in making my experience in Sri Lanka so enjoyable. He has my highest recommendation and thanks.
All in all, I had a really great time and I am happy to recommend DHPL Travels to everyone. Thank you again for helping to organise this. I really appreciated your flexibility, your prompt responses to my emails and calls, the reasonable prices, and the helpful, friendly service. It was great to meet you and your lovely wife in Negombo, and thank you again for the nice present too.
Sri Lanka is a truly beautiful country with wonderful people, and I hope to return again sometime.
Best wishes,
Yui H. Pow
London, UK / Singapore
(Travelled in Sri Lanka in January 2014)
Below are some of my honest thoughts and comments on different aspects of the trip; I hope you find them useful.
Sights
I enjoyed seeing different things every day. Favorite experiences on the trip included:
- Negombo beach...lovely and not too crowded. The sunset in Negombo stunning. The sky was pink and orange and it was BEAUTIFUL.
- Exploring the historical attractions in the Cultural Triangle, especially climbing Sigiriya Rock and up to the Dambulla Cave Temple & Golden Buddha.
- Anuradhapura and Pollonaruwa were both good. Anuradhapura is less crowded, but Pollonaruwa seems more developed for tourists.
- Kandy Cultural Show was interesting and quite impressive. Some of the dances were really unique. Also, visit Temple of the Tooth at pooja time (6.30pm)
- Peradeniya Botanical Gardens was lovely and well kept. I really enjoyed my visit.Tourists should visit in the morning before it gets too hot.
- White Water Rafting in Kitulgala was a lot of fun! I'm really glad we did it, some of the rapids were really cool.
- Adam's Peak was an extremely rewarding experience. The climb is hard (over 5200 steps, which can seem endless) but the sunrise is SUPERB! Best ever!
- Nuwara Eliya was a nice little town with a cool, comfortable climate. Many houses have European-style architecture.
- Horton Plains National Park was AMAZING. We had a really great 3+ hour walk. Best to go early in the morning before it gets too hot. LOVED it.
- Train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella was lovely, with many nice views of tea country.
- Ella Gap is beautiful. Recommend climbing Mini Adam's Peak in the morning for great views. The scenery looks like it could be England/Scotland/Ireland!
- Yala National Park was incredible. We saw so many animals on the safari, including a leopard, TWICE! Really lucky! There is also a beach which is beautiful.
- Unawatuna was a great place to relax, have an ayurvedic massage, visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda & Jungle Beach, and eat some nice seafood.
- Galle was really nice, and it was fun to walk along the walls of the old city. Loved the lighthouse, sea views, and cricket ground.
- Colombo was a busy city, as expected of a capital. It was fun to walk around Pettah and then see the sunset from Galle Face Green on my last evening.
- Other interesting experiences: wood carving factory, spice garden, tea factory, turtle hatchery. All helped to really make the trip varied and interesting.
Accommodation
On the whole, the standard of accommodation was fine. All places provided breakfast (Western or Sri Lankan) and all were good. Fruit & juices were fresh. Most places had AC except for Adam's Peak. Some places also had fan, which was very useful for drying clothes. A few of the places did not provide a towel, so best to bring your own. All had nice, polite staff.
- Negombo - Silva's Beach Hotel - excellent location 5 min walk from Negombo Beach, but there was a big wedding party on the night I stayed.
- Anuradhapura - Thilaka Holiday Home - nice hotel with pool & good Sri Lankan food, though location is not on a main road.
- Sigiriya - Lion Rock Hotel - peaceful location set inside the jungle, though rooms slightly dark and no shops nearby.
- Kandy - Kandy Residence - very nice, comfortable room, feels like staying in someone's house...one of my favorite places to stay.
- Adam's Peak - River View Wathsala Inn - very attentive & nice staff, great view of Adam's Peak from hotel restaurant, rooms a bit old & musty.
- Nuwara Eliya - Hill Breeza Villa - very comfortable rooms, feels like staying in someone's house, friendly staff, about 5 min drive from downtown.
- Ella - Ambiente - excellent views of Ella Gap, though room was a bit dark. Possible to walk down the hill to Ella village but tougher to walk back up.
- Yala - Peacock Reach Hotel- very new & comfortable hotel, friendly staff, good food, generous portions...another one of my favorite places.
- Unawatuna - Dilena Beach Resort - Room was a bit dark and floor sticky. Location was a bit far (1.5 km) from the main Unawatuna strip.
Car & Driver
The car was very comfortable and spacious. The AC always worked well and all journeys were very smooth. Gayashan, my driver, was really excellent. He was extremely professional and always friendly, polite, and on time. His English is good and I enjoyed talking to him and learning more about Sri Lankan culture. He was also very helpful to me, and would do even little things like reminding me to take care and watch my valuables on Adam's Peak, taking pictures of Sri Lankan food (e.g. hoppers) in order to show me what it was, and accompanying me on many excursions so that I wouldn't have to walk myself. I am very glad that I travelled with him. He is an honest and trustworthy person who made me feel safe and played an important part in making my experience in Sri Lanka so enjoyable. He has my highest recommendation and thanks.
All in all, I had a really great time and I am happy to recommend DHPL Travels to everyone. Thank you again for helping to organise this. I really appreciated your flexibility, your prompt responses to my emails and calls, the reasonable prices, and the helpful, friendly service. It was great to meet you and your lovely wife in Negombo, and thank you again for the nice present too.
Sri Lanka is a truly beautiful country with wonderful people, and I hope to return again sometime.
Best wishes,
Yui H. Pow
London, UK / Singapore
(Travelled in Sri Lanka in January 2014)
