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Experience Travel Group

Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe Traveller Reviews

Reviews of Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe

Overall Holiday Rating
99%
Excellent 61
Good 3
Average 0
Poor 0
Terrible 0
Reviews Submitted: 64
Reviews Accepted: 64
Reviews Rejected: 0
64 reviews
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Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe by Penny S, 12 Mar 2017
Holiday Rating:

We had a wonderful holiday in Sri Lanka.

We had a wonderful two and a half weeks in Sri Lanka visiting Colombo, Kandy, The Hill Country, Uda Walawe and the south coast near Galle. We were looked after so well everywhere we stayed , the staff were friendly and the food fantastic. We enjoyed all our excursions and guided tours and our driver Iresh, who was with us for nine days, went out of his way to help and advise us. Thushni the Experience travel rep in Sri Lanka was efficient and ...

We had a wonderful two and a half weeks in Sri Lanka visiting Colombo, Kandy, The Hill Country, Uda Walawe and the south coast near Galle. We were looked after so well everywhere we stayed , the staff were friendly and the food fantastic. We enjoyed all our excursions and guided tours and our driver Iresh, who was with us for nine days, went out of his way to help and advise us. Thushni the Experience travel rep in Sri Lanka was efficient and helpful too on the few occasions we contacted her Our favourite hotel was Horathapola Estate, a Coconut plantation near Colombo - perfect in every way as a starting point and we would have happily stayed there longer. We ended our stay at the luxurious Why House near Galle and were grateful for five days relaxation in such lovely surroundings.

Rating for tour operator:

Our Experience Travel advisor was Becky Grainger and her help and advice at every stage of the planning and booking was excellent and particularly thoughtful. The itinerary was perfect for us, with good spacing between our stays and we especially relished the last five or six days of being 'at leisure'. Overall our holiday in Sri Lanka was all we had hoped it would be and we would recommend Experience Travel Group without any hesitation.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 13 Mar 2017:

Dear Penny,

Great to hear that you had such a great trip. Always great to read that there was a good balance of activity and relaxation as that is sometimes a tricky balance to achieve in Sri Lanka. We very much look forward to hearing fro you again in the future.

All the best,

Sam
Co-founder & MD

Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe by Mrs S h 17, 7 Mar 2017
Holiday Rating:

Fantastic introduction to the cultural wonders of Sri Lanka

We spent a wonderful week in Sri Lanka, visiting many temples, climbing Sigiriya, finding elephants on an afternoon safari, meeting local farmers and appreciating their way of life. Everyone we met was incredibly friendly and made us feel very welcome. We saw some fantastic wildlife and ate some amazing food - we will definitely be back as a week is not long enough!

We spent a wonderful week in Sri Lanka, visiting many temples, climbing Sigiriya, finding elephants on an afternoon safari, meeting local farmers and appreciating their way of life. Everyone we met was incredibly friendly and made us feel very welcome. We saw some fantastic wildlife and ate some amazing food - we will definitely be back as a week is not long enough!

Rating for tour operator:

Great itinerary put together for us - Becky was very knowledgeable about what we could realistically achieve in the week that we were in Sri Lanka. Everything flowed very well for the week and we had no problems whilst we were in Sri Lanka. Our tour guide was extremely knowledge and went out of his way to ensure that our first visit to Sri Lanka was a memorable one.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 07 Mar 2017:

Dear Sarah,

That's great to hear and I very much hope you do manage to return another time. We'd love to be part of that when you do!

All the best,

Sam
Co-founder & MD

Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe by Leelee, 28 Feb 2017
Holiday Rating:

Tuk tuks and peacocks

A chance to view the ancient Sri Lankan relics of a tropical island, enjoy the fabled cuisine so rich with rare local fruits, vegetables and delicious curries in exotic residences or on the roadside both from the turbulent tuks tuks squeezing us through the rush hour traffic or graciously touring in aircondition comfort.

A chance to view the ancient Sri Lankan relics of a tropical island, enjoy the fabled cuisine so rich with rare local fruits, vegetables and delicious curries in exotic residences or on the roadside both from the turbulent tuks tuks squeezing us through the rush hour traffic or graciously touring in aircondition comfort.

Rating for tour operator:

Becky at ETG took a lot of trouble understanding what elderly tourists, one with sight impairment but a lot of travel experience would find stimulating and manageable. The variety of hotels suggeted gave us the opportunity to feel we were properly involved with the planning as well as controlling the budget. Additional information was well presented and the whole package was very tidily managed in a thoroughly friendlyt, proficient and helpful manner.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 28 Feb 2017:

Dear Leonie,

I'm so pleased to hear that you had a wonderful holiday in Sri Lanka. I'll pass your kind comments to Becky as she'll be pleased to hear. Thanks for taking the time to review!

Kind regards,

Sam Clark
Co-founder

Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe by Rederic, 12 Feb 2017
Holiday Rating:

First time Sri Lanka

My wife and I have just got back from a two week holiday in Sri Lanka . We experienced such a range of activities, including a jeep safari, to a journey up the mountain tracks at nearly 2000m above sea level to see tea leaf picking. We also visited ancient sites and holy relics, all very interesting. Our journey and range of accommodation was planned and arranged by Experience Travel Group and we would say that everything ran like clockwork, ...

My wife and I have just got back from a two week holiday in Sri Lanka . We experienced such a range of activities, including a jeep safari, to a journey up the mountain tracks at nearly 2000m above sea level to see tea leaf picking. We also visited ancient sites and holy relics, all very interesting. Our journey and range of accommodation was planned and arranged by Experience Travel Group and we would say that everything ran like clockwork, except for the Sri Lankan railway ( which is never on time). Their local representative on the island and especially our guide/driver were exceptional and made our stay very safe, comfortable and enjoyable; apart from the unseasonable rain. Thouroughly recommend the organisation and experience: beautiful country and people.

Rating for tour operator:

Long time planning of this holiday, which was supported by the tour operator with amendments to suit. Good communications and personal service. Excellent range of activities and mix of accommodation all at a reasonable price.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 14 Feb 2017:

Dear Eric,

We have heard of the Sri Lankan railways running on time - but not that often! Anyway, great to hear you enjoyed the holiday. We'll pass on your comments to our local representative.

All the best,

Melissa
Product Director

Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe by Winter escaper, 10 Feb 2017
Holiday Rating:

Sri Lanka tour

What an interesting island! We saw plains with wild elephants and monkeys, tea plantations, magnificent hills (and climbed some) and intriguing ancient ruins. A fascinating mixture of ancient culture and colonial past. Warm sea with beautiful beaches which is a fantastic break from England in January.

What an interesting island! We saw plains with wild elephants and monkeys, tea plantations, magnificent hills (and climbed some) and intriguing ancient ruins. A fascinating mixture of ancient culture and colonial past. Warm sea with beautiful beaches which is a fantastic break from England in January.

Rating for tour operator:

All arrangements went according to plan.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 14 Feb 2017:

Dear Catherine,

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review. We're very pleased you had a good break from the UK. We'll be contacting you directly to follow up with you - we're always very disappointed not to be scored 'excellent' all-round.

Many thanks,

Sam
Co-founder & MD

Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe by Ziggyy, 6 Feb 2017
Holiday Rating:

Boutique tour of Sri Lanka

We had a very busy and well organised tour of Sri Lanka. It was smooth from start to conclusion, involving 7 hotels and numerous transfers

We had a very busy and well organised tour of Sri Lanka. It was smooth from start to conclusion, involving 7 hotels and numerous transfers

Rating for tour operator:

Very reliable and confidence-inspiring. Clearly possessing a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Would not hesitate to use again and will recommend to friends.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 07 Feb 2017:

Hi John

Thank you for your very kind words, i am delighted that it all went so well for you.

Thank you for spreading the good word ETG and I will look forward to helping you plan your next adventure in due course!

Kind Regards

Nick

Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe by Brian, 22 Jan 2017
Holiday Rating:

We achieved exactly what we wanted to.

We wanted to see different aspects of Sri Lanka, but not be constantly on the move. They provided this, and we got to know the places we stayed in. These were very well selected to meet our requirements. The drivers we had gave us confidence that they could cope with the challenging driving conditions; they knew the country well and provided us with lots of useful and interesting information.

We wanted to see different aspects of Sri Lanka, but not be constantly on the move. They provided this, and we got to know the places we stayed in. These were very well selected to meet our requirements. The drivers we had gave us confidence that they could cope with the challenging driving conditions; they knew the country well and provided us with lots of useful and interesting information.

Rating for tour operator:

Experience Travel listened carefully to what it was we wanted, and designed an itinerary that matched it. The hotels they selected were superb. And they were always available, in the UK and in Sri Lanka, to help with queries or problems.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 23 Jan 2017:

Hi Brian,

Thanks for your feedback, I am so glad you were pleased with your trip. I will pass your feedback onto your guide, who will be thrilled to hear you were pleased with his services!

Thanks,

Becky

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 23 Jan 2017:

I am delighted to hear that the itinerary worked so well for you!

Becky

Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe by Taylor/Gray Family, 6 Oct 2016
Holiday Rating:

An introduction to the real Sri Lanka thanks to ETG

We told ETG what we would like to see and do and Nick came up trumps. We got to visit a coconut plantation, National Park,tea plantation and Botanical Gardens. We visited the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Kandy's Sacred Temple of the Tooth, and climbed Sigiriya Rock and Little Adams Peak. We got to see the work of local farmers and enjoyed a meal with them. We travelled on a train with the locals and at Galle had a cookery experience which ...

We told ETG what we would like to see and do and Nick came up trumps. We got to visit a coconut plantation, National Park,tea plantation and Botanical Gardens. We visited the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Kandy's Sacred Temple of the Tooth, and climbed Sigiriya Rock and Little Adams Peak. We got to see the work of local farmers and enjoyed a meal with them. We travelled on a train with the locals and at Galle had a cookery experience which was so enjoyable. There were tours of Galle and Colombo with very knowledgeable guides and rides in the famous tuk tuks. We got to see so much of Sri Lanka all thasnks to our driver Saman.

Rating for tour operator:

We were introduced to ETG by a friend who assured us that we would be well looked after and he wasn't wrong. Right from the start ETG kept in touch with us with reminders of what we had to do eg. visas, insurance etc. We were given numbers to contact if we experienced any problems (which we didn't have to use as all went like clockwork.) For anyone wanting a holiday with a difference I would recommend ETG.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 07 Oct 2016:

Hi Ann

Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so glad that you had such a good holiday.

Your comments about your holiday fit in exactly to what we are trying to do and it is always very pleasing to hear when we are successful in this.

I will pass on your thanks to Saman, who is a real star, and will look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Thanks

Nick

Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe by ShelleyS, 21 Jul 2016
Holiday Rating:

Probably the best holiday we have ever had!

We gained a true experience of Sri Lanka - a real taste of the culture, the beautiful wildlife, history, food and beach life of this wonderful country. Highly recommended. We would be totally confident in recommending Experience Travel Group to any friends and family - totally professional, informative and responsive to our requests.

We gained a true experience of Sri Lanka - a real taste of the culture, the beautiful wildlife, history, food and beach life of this wonderful country. Highly recommended. We would be totally confident in recommending Experience Travel Group to any friends and family - totally professional, informative and responsive to our requests.

Rating for tour operator:

Excellent.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 22 Jul 2016:

Dear Shelly,

Thank you very much - fantastic to hear you had such a great time in Sri Lanka. Please do recommend us - we rely on word of mouth!

Regards,

Sam Clark
Co-founder.

Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe by peter, 11 Jul 2016
Holiday Rating:

A stimulating holiday which is full of surprises if you go looking for them

AN escorted 2 week holiday with a personal driver/guide in Sri Lanka. A well run holiday company with good professional and ethical standards (both here in the UK and in Sri Lanka) Without the services of the guide we would never of seen/experienced many of the highlights of the tour, as ever it is down to local people with good local knowledge who care.

AN escorted 2 week holiday with a personal driver/guide in Sri Lanka. A well run holiday company with good professional and ethical standards (both here in the UK and in Sri Lanka) Without the services of the guide we would never of seen/experienced many of the highlights of the tour, as ever it is down to local people with good local knowledge who care.

Rating for tour operator:

Our link person at Experience Travel was knowledgeable as she had personally visited the island on many occasions.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 11 Jul 2016:

Dear Peter,

That's so good to hear. Thank you taking the time to leave this review. We agree with you that guides are so important. That's why we spent invest so heavily in our team of guides out there.

We very much hope to hear from you again.

Kind regards,

Sam Clark
Co-founder