1 independent reviews for Sri Lanka Grand Tour
Reviews for Sri Lanka Grand Tour
Laura Organes review 2 Jul 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing elephants in the wild, hearing Buddhist monks chanting as we watched the sun set over the rice paddies, seeing the passion and intensity of the morning offering ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, visiting the many other temples and ancient cities that speckle the country, being invited by a complete stranger to a traditional Kandyan wedding ceremony by bride's family and watching a matrimonial ceremony very different from our own, and all other interactions with the generous, warm, and unbelievably kind citizens of gorgeous Sri Lanka.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
This is a well-rounded adventure that includes adventure, history, culture, and exposes the visitor to the most important sites within the country. With that said, there is much to see in little time making for fast-paced vacation. Although this is perfect for our travel style, I would advise those who want a slower paced vacation to work carefully with the local agency to ensure that your needs are met. This tour is completely tailor-made so they will be happy to work with you as long as you assert your requirements.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Generally, yes. Hotels were locally owned/operated as were the restaurants. Some of the lunch spots that we visited were nothing more than a few tables at small town family establishments where we had the opportunity to see the business owner making (the most amazing) curry in clay pots over wood fires. The local tour operator was a born-and-raised Sri Lankan earning his livelihood in tourism, as was our driver. I could not find any instance in which our money went into non local hands. Conservation is definitely a priority of the Sri Lankan government as evidenced by the establishment of a multitude of national game parks and laws that protect wildlife. The only instance in which we questioned the ethics of man's interaction with nature was during our whale watching trip. The boats that provide these excursions rapidly approach the whales as an entire fleet and try to get as close to the animals as possible, causing them to flee. Although it was thrilling to see a blue whale next to the boat, we didn't feel that this practice promoted the well-being of the animal and was very different from other whale watching adventures we have been on where boat captain behavior and proximity to wildlife is tightly regulated. This is of course no failure of Responsible Travel or the operator, but instead indicates a lack of legal system regarding the practice.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This was an AMAZING adventure. I was impressed with every step of the planning process as Rajiv, owner of the operator, was communicative, professional, and patient as we worked together to create the ideal itinerary to meet my husband's and my needs. Every email sent received a reply within several hours. I knew right away that I was in great hands and trusted the local operator thoroughly. Rajiv further showed his dedication to the client by meeting us personally for not only a welcome dinner, but also for a debriefing at the end of the tour. He was eager to hear about our adventure, obtain feedback, and ask for advice on how he could further improve his services. He also let his driver have the evening off while he took us to the airport for our 3am flight home! His professionalism, obvious concern for safety, and dedication to ensuring the delivery of a perfect product could not have been more apparent. Our adventure was made most excellent by our guide, Lalith, who was respectful, pleasant, knowledgeable, and one heck of an amazing driver. His mastery of local flora, fauna, cultural nuances, and local history was impressive, and his willingness to educate and share his culture with two American strangers was greatly appreciated. We felt as though we were allowed to be immersed in the rich culture of Sri Lanka rather than viewing it in a disconnected fashion from a distance. The tour itself is a perfect balance of nature, history, culture, and adventure, providing the traveler a well-rounded and thorough overview of the country's rich and diverse offerings. Sri Lanka, with its amazing people, stunning landscapes, mesmerizing culture, and rich history has so much to offer as a travel destination. Thank you Responsible Travel and the operator for a dreamy trip that will be forever imprinted in our memories.Holiday Reviews
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