I'd love to hear from anyone else booked on this tour. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Im a 35 year old Italian living in Munich (Germany). It is my second Tour with Imaginative Traveller (the first one was "North Indian Highlights" in april 2005, it was fantastic). Can't wait the 6 weeks until the tour starts!
Is there anybody booked on this tour for this start date? or anyone that has done the tour?
Re: Sri Lanka Discovery 11/02/06
Hi travelmaster,
My boyfriend and I did this tour in October 2005 (we are in our mid-late 20's) and it was fantastic! It was our first ImTrav tour and we were lucky to have an excellent tour guide (Amitha - very knowledgeable and very funny!) and a great group of fellow travellers.
The first week of the tour involves visiting a lot of the cultural sights, some of which are amazing e.g. Mount Sigiriya (if you've ever seen the video for a song called "Save A Prayer" by a band called Duran Duran then you'll get to see a lot of the same places!) The second week involves more hiking, cycling, kayaking, camping (all of which I was a bit worried about, given the fact I don't do much exercise!) but it's so well organised and there is so much to see I kind of forgot that I was cycling/walking etc!
And then there is the jeep safari, the elephant orphanage, the spice garden, the tea plantation, the visit to Kandy...all of which were excellent. I thought the range of activities was just right, with a couple of days for relaxing by the pool/on the beach at the end if you want to (we chose to spend a morning on our own little excursion to the turtle hatchery in Bentota).
The only things I had a problem with were the leeches hiding in the grass during our hike around Bambarakanda Falls! However, it had rained heavily the night before, so perhaps that's why we saw so many. They also only seemed to go for one or two of us on the tour, but I still managed to get bitten by one! So one of my tips would be to wear long trousers during that particular hike, and tuck them into socks and shoes - I had a pair of leech socks on and they still managed to bite me on my leg! If you do get bitten by one don't pull it off, but twist it off slowly or hold a burning cigarette beside it until it falls off.
Anyway, I hope you have as great a time as we did - I am very jealous that you've still got it all to do!
squifflet
Re: Sri Lanka Discovery 11/02/06
Hey Squifflet,
Thanks for taking the time to make a post, it certainly sounds like you had a great time, apart from the leeches of course!
Kind Regards,
Robert
Re: Sri Lanka Discovery 11/02/06
We did this tour in September 05 (i fact I just returned to the Forum to ask a question about it elsewhere) It was excellent- A little heavy on the Buddha at the start, but overall really good, Amitha is one of the bset (and obviously busy.)
One thing I would say- I'm not great at bartering, but in Sri Lanka last year I was winning too easily- For once the odds are stacked in your favour, as tourist numbers are down, and they need the business. So bear this in mind, be a little generous in your bartering at tourist sights. (still play the game though!).
In Columbo go to House of Fashion or Odel (I'd recommend House of Fashion.) Order overruns from Sri Lankan Clothes factories- everything from Ralph Loren to Dockers to Dorothy Perkins, Next and Marks & Spencers. All at bout 10% Europe prices.
Re: Sri Lanka Discovery 11/02/06
In the trip dossier I read that it is recommended to bring a sleeping sheet for the night in the riverside camp on day 11.
Does anyone know if sheets are also available locally for rent?
What is available in the tent? Just a mat or light mattress, maybe with a light blanket?
Thanks in advance for any information!
Re: Sri Lanka Discovery 11/02/06
We went is September, and The Trip Dossier is - How can I put this - somewhat inaccurate- or maybe even in error...
Lanka Reisen Who run the canoeing and camping and the good bikes provide sheets/sleeping bag (can't remember which), but a sheet/sheetbag was not required The tents are a decent size, and very comfortable. However you do need a towel (Not that you would go anywhere without one!). THe camping is after the canoeing, and unless you are really good at canoeing, you will get soaked in river water en route. (We did, but one talented sod paddled half as hard, went twice as fast, and stayed bone dry). so no sheet but a towel is required.
Enjoy
Re: Sri Lanka Discovery 11/02/06
When I went (last Feb) there were no sheets provided in the tents, or anything else from what I can remember. I had a sleeping bag inliner, a blow up army mat and pillow. They all pack up incredibly small.
We noticed only two were getting eaten by leaches - and by detective work we discovered it was those who had not put on mossy repellent. It might help....