Kimkim Trip Reviews for Sri Lanka

We had such an amazing experience in Sri Lanka. It is a beautiful country with thriving cities, unspoiled nature and a rich history. Dhanushka planned such an excellent, activity filled trip for us with excellent hotels and awe inspiring sites. Our guide Ajith was world class. He shared so much knowledge and history about his country, was flexible and accommodating with our schedule and made visit Sri Lanka the trip our a life time! We spent 9 days exploring various cities and areas. Highlights were the train to Ella, the Diyaluma falls, stilt fishermen and amazing food! We highly recommend visiting Sri Lanka with Kimkim Travel

Activity Reviews

Explore the Dambulla Cave Temple Complex

Sri Lanka

The cave complex is unbelievable. The preserved art and paintings take your breath away.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rural Village Trail in Habarana (Cycling, Boat Trip & Lunch)

Sri Lanka

The family we visited so open and accommodating. They taught us to make roti and sambal. And taking all the modes of transportation made it an even better experience.

We enjoyed our stay in Sri Lanka and especially found Nuwara to be a beautiful area and stayed in a lovely hotel. Yala and the hotel were also nice.

We all liked our tour guide and appreciated his level of knowledge and recommendations.

The amount of time spent driving was a surprise and would have made different decisions had I know. I also think it should have been communicated the first hotel was not at all a luxury experience. The service, food and room were all mediocre.

It would be nice to have helpful information proactively provided. For example the bathrooms along the highway charge to use them so having smaller bills would have been very helpful. Recommended tips for tour guide and safari drivers, clothing for higher elevation etc.

Activity Reviews

Yala National Park Jeep Safari

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Wildlife was great including water buffalo, elephants, owls, deer and many birds. We did not see a leopard.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The driver was distracted by his phone especially the 2nd half of the tour.

Transport

Horton Plains National Park

Sri Lanka

Really the rated should be N.A.- We opted not to do this based on feedback from several people that the weather is iffy and no animals. Sounded like a nature walk but required 2 additional hours of driving.

Explore Nuwara Eliya

Sri Lanka

Safari in Udawalawa National Park

Udawalawe

Visit to Elephant transit home in Udawalawa

Udawalawe

My wife and I just returned from an unforgettable 7-night trip to Sri Lanka, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We booked through Kimkim, and Dhanushka did an outstanding job creating an itinerary that perfectly balanced nature, culture, and historic sites.
From the start, Kapila, our guide and driver for the entire trip, was nothing short of exceptional. His wealth of knowledge about Sri Lanka’s history, culture, and natural beauty was incredible, and his driving skills made us feel safe and comfortable throughout our journey. Kapila went above and beyond to ensure that we had the best possible experience and was always looking out for our needs.
One of the trip highlights was the village safari, where we had the opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about traditional cooking methods. We had the chance to watch the villagers prepare a delicious pumpkin curry along with other local dishes. It was such a unique and hands-on experience, and the food was absolutely delicious!
Overall, the trip was a perfect mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation. We’re grateful for Kimkim, Dhanushka, and especially Kapila for making this trip so memorable.

We loved our trip to Sri Lanka. Rikaz helped us build a perfect itinerary, mixing wildlife, nature treks and hikes, cultural experiences and sites, and much more! Would highly recommend booking your trip with Rikaz.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
We spend 1.5 days in Hikkaduwa as we wanted to end the trip on the beach. Although it is gorgeous, it is EXTREMELY touristy, and the hotel we stayed at (Hikka Tranz) was probably our least favorite hotel of the trip (although we did not see any better options in the area). Therefore, if you want to go to the beach, I would consider doing some research to find other less crowded beaches with the same scenery.

Awesome trip across Sri Lank discovering its history, culture, nature and water sports. We worked with Rikaz to tailor the trip to our preferences and thoroughly enjoyed the adventures for our first vacation in Asia.

Our local guide was very knowledgeable, willing to find answers to our questions when he did not have them and always prepared to give us a unique experience and view into his country. He was on-time, attentive and ready to explore with us.

Thank you Rikaz and team for putting this amazing trip together!

This week long private tour with kimkim tours was a wonderful way for a first hand experience in this beautiful country of Sri Lanka! My driver and guide Aj, was easy going, punctual, professional, and full a suggestions to make my experience that much more enjoyable! From white water rafting to trekking thru the jungle, AJ always made sure of my utmost safety! The week that Dhanuakha planned for me was absolutely TOP NOTCH! The resorts were incredible and the activities planned absolutely thrilling and engaging! I highly recommend this type of “custome taylored” trip to anyone thinking of this incredible destination, Sri Lanka!

Our recent trip to Sri Lanka was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the exceptional hospitality and professionalism of our driver/tour guide, Anura Kumar, and the outstanding service at Hilton Resort Yala – Safari Ranger, where Sanka made our stay truly memorable.

From the moment we arrived, Anura Kumar ensured that our journey was smooth, comfortable, and packed with insightful experiences. His deep knowledge of Sri Lanka’s history, culture, and hidden gems added immense value to our trip. Whether it was exploring ancient ruins, enjoying scenic coastal drives, or discovering local delicacies, Anura’s warm personality and expertise made every moment special. He went above and beyond to accommodate our requests, making sure we had a seamless and enjoyable experience throughout.

Our stay at Hilton Resort Yala – Safari Range was the perfect retreat after days of adventure. Nestled close to Yala National Park, the resort offers breathtaking views, luxurious comfort, and world-class service. Sanka, in particular, stood out with his exceptional attentiveness and dedication. His personalized service, attention to detail, and genuine hospitality made our stay extra special.

The Yala safari itself was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were fortunate to witness incredible wildlife, including leopards, elephants, and exotic birds, all while being guided by expert ranger who ensured a responsible and respectful wildlife experience.

Overall, this trip exceeded all expectations. Sri Lanka’s natural beauty is breathtaking, but it’s the people—like Anura Kumar and Sanka—who make the experience truly unforgettable. If you’re planning a visit, I highly recommend both Anura as your tour guide and Hilton Resort Yala for a luxurious yet immersive adventure.

Hotel Review

Hilton Yala Resort

Yala

The Hilton Yala Resort was simply incredible. The hospitality, food, location, and service were all exceptional. The resort's location in the forest allowed us to see elephants, monkeys, and even a crocodile right from the property. The newness of the resort added to its charm, making it my preferred choice over other accommodations during our trip.

Activity Reviews

Morning Safari in Yala National Park

Yala National Park

The morning safari in Yala National Park was a beautiful experience even though we didn't see everything we hoped for. We saw elephants, buffalo, and some amazing birds, which were fantastic.

Afternoon Safari at Yala National Park

Sri Lanka

The afternoon safari at Yala National Park was unforgettable. We had almost given up hope of seeing a leopard when, just fifteen minutes before leaving, we spotted a huge one lying on the ground, staring right at us. Capturing that moment was magical and a testament to the wonders of Yala.

Kanneliya Rainforest with a lunch by the stream

Sri Lanka

Visiting the Kanneliya Rainforest was a highlight of our trip. The early morning hike was perfectly organized with a knowledgeable guide, allowing us to explore various plant species and see snakes. The walk to the waterfalls was breathtaking, and we captured some beautiful photos there.

The trip was very good. The accommodations, with one exception, were excellent. The itinerary was also very good. Our guide, Aruna, was outstanding. He was very knowledgeable about all of the places visited. Furthermore, he was very good at identifying birds which was of interest to us. He was also flexible regarding the schedule. An example, we arrived early into Colombo and to our hotel at the Heritance Kandala (excellent hotel!!). By the time we checked in we we had a few hours free so we went to the Dambulla caves instead of visiting them on the way to Kandy. Visiting them on the way to Kandy would not have provided enough time as the drive to Kandy is long. The only hitch in the itinerary was the day in Kandy. We did not attend a puja at the temple of the tooth which we now realize was something that we should have done. We visited the temple of the tooth but a puja would have made the visit better. In Kandy the hotel was too far outside the city. A very nice place but it would have been better to be in the center so that we would have wandered around the city a bit. The stop at the Gem museum in Kandy was not good. We understood that it was an attempt to sell us jewelry which is o.k but, unfortunately, the mineral displays were very week. Not much to see except what was for sale. At least the spice stop was interesting. We were glad the our train tickets were 2nd class so that we could open the windows. Our walking tour of Galle by Aruna was very good. We are glad that we did not do any of the optional activities because Galle was a nice place to just wander around. All in all an excellent trip with an excellent guide.

Hotel Reviews

SKYLOFT KANDY

Kandy

Good hotel but too far from the center of the city.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Heritance Kandalama

Dambulla

Fantastic hotel!!! Great rooms, excellent food and wonderful design and location. Very good staff. The only negative is the very slow and bumpy access road to the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Excellent architecture.

Location

Blends nicely into the hillside. Great views overlooking the lake.

Staff

Very good massage services

Cleanliness & Comfort

Broomfield by Jetwing

Nuwara Eliya

Excellent location near Victoria Park. Very good food and interesting a history of the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

History back story of the hotel as a place owned by a former women prime minister

Location

Staff

Very small staff. Efficient and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was a bit small but very comfortable

Taru Villas Rampart Street

Galle

Excellent location. Hotel was a former villa with a nice swimming pool. Great staff. Well decorated and very comfortable rooms with 4-poster bed and mosquito net. Very good breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Set in a former villa so very authentic

Location

Staff

Very helpful and friendly. Always available.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sri Lanka

Very special place but also very crowded. We went mid-morning because the poor weather meant no sunrise but it was still very crowded. The route up was crowded and for those that are afraid of heights or in poor shape something to be avoided. However, even if you don't make the climb to the top the site is a good place to visit. The paintings on the side of the site that are seen on the descent are wonderful. Photos are prohibited of the paintings but the museum does have reproductions that can be photographed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dambulla Cave Temples

Sri Lanka

It was pouring rain when we were there but that was o.k. because the art is in the caves that are out of the rain. Wonderful Buddhist art...paintings and statues.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Aruna was very knowledgeable about each cave. He also gave us as much time as we wanted to spend at the caves. He also had umbrellas which were useful give the heavy rain.

Transport

Afternoon Safari at Minneriya National Park

Sri Lanka

We actually visited the Hurulu Eco park which is near Minneriya and is a better place to see elephants this time of year. We did have some great views of the elephants and some very good bird sightings. We did get some rain but the open jeeps could be enclosed when it was raining so we stayed dry.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Aruna was very knowledgeable about the birdlife in the part. Our driver was very good at getting good views of the elephants when there were a lot of jeeps all together.

Transport

The open jeeps are good for wildlife viewing and could be enclosed when it rained.

Tour the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Sri Lanka

The 1000 year old ruins of Polonnaruwa were amazing! The extent and qualify of the ruins were surprising. The area is big but all the important sights were accessible by vehicle.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide/drive was very knowledgeable about each site and the birds.

Transport

Very comforable car but the back windows were tinted that did obscure views out of the windows.

Tour the Sacred City of Kandy

Sri Lanka

The temple of the tooth was fascinating. However, it would have been better to visit during a puja so that we could also see the temple drumming.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Nuwara Eliya

Sri Lanka

The train ride from Kandy was excellent. Comfortable and scenic. Good visit to a tea plantation and a nice walk around Victoria park (some excellent birds in the park).

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Glad that the staff arranged for second class tickets instead of first class.

Transport

Very fun train ride from Kany to Nuwara Eliya

As a senior woman travelling solo my 6 night tour of southern Sri Lanka could not have been more perfect. Kapila, a lovely gentleman who was my guide and driver, was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and flexible. Whether a riverside yurt/tent in the forest, beachside, or downtown urban setting, all the accommodations were perfect: clean, modern, with helpful staff. The arranged safaris and tour of the Galle Fort were amazing, but I think my favourite part was Kapila sharing a visit to his Buddhist temple and just completely relaxing on the beautiful Weligama beach. I could not have asked for a better experience.

Our tour in Sri Lanka was an absolute delight from start to finish! The lush landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality left us in awe. Each day was an adventure, from exploring ancient temples to wandering through vibrant markets and beautiful seaside beaches.

One of the highlights of the trip was the scenic drive through the hill country, where we were treated to breathtaking views of tea plantations and cascading waterfalls. Our guide Shamaka was knowledgeable and passionate, making each site visit engaging and informative.

Sri Lanka's cuisine was a feast for the senses, with aromatic spices and fresh ingredients. Every meal was a culinary journey in itself. The local people were incredibly friendly and made us feel at home wherever we went.

The tour was well-organized, under the permanent care of Danushka, the local organizer, with smooth transitions between activities and first-class accommodations. We were able to relax and fully immerse ourselves in the experience, knowing everything was taken care of.

However, the Yalla Park Safari could have been better organized. Very crowded and not guided as expected. Despite this hiccup, the overall experience remained overwhelmingly positive and did not detract from our enjoyment of the trip.

Our Sri Lanka tour was a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural enrichment. We can't recommend it enough and look forward to our next visit with KimKim Team!

We had a truly wonderful and unique experience in Sri Lanka. This is largely thanks to the country’s inherent beauty, rich culture, and remarkable charm. However, we feel that the planning of the trip did not fully align with our preferences and expectations, which required some on-the-spot adjustments during our journey.

Roshan, our guide and driver, was exceptional. He consistently went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed our trip. His flexibility and willingness to adapt plans were a significant reason why our experience turned out as well as it did. However, it seems that the information and guidance we provided to Rikaz during the planning stage were not fully communicated to Roshan, leading to an itinerary that didn’t fully match what we were looking for.

We had made it clear during the planning process that we were not interested in spending time relaxing in hotels, no matter how lovely they were. Instead, we wanted to immerse ourselves in the culture and explore the country with activities that felt authentic and avoided commercialized, "hop-on-a-bus" experiences.

That being said, the hotels selected for our trip were all very good and comfortable. However, the service at the hotel in Ella was inefficient and slow. For instance, when we asked if it was possible to have a yoga mat brought to the room, the staff assured us they could, but it was never delivered, nor did they follow up to inform us it wasn’t available. Upon arrival, we were also promised a welcome drink, but after waiting for 30 minutes, we decided to forego it and head out to explore Ella instead of waiting any longer.

In contrast, our best hotel experience was at Ginganga Lodge. Both the place and the service were exceptional, and it was a real highlight of the trip!

As for the itinerary, there were moments where the planning fell short of our expectations. For example, the plan to visit Rawana Falls as the only activity after a long drive to Ella did not align with what we had asked for. The itinerary described it as a place where we could bathe or climb the rocks in the dry season. However, upon arrival, we found clear signage prohibiting both activities due to safety concerns, and Roshan had already informed us these were not possible. The stop ended up being little more than a photo opportunity crowded with tourists—exactly the type of experience we were hoping to avoid.

In hindsight, there were more fitting options nearby, such as walking to the Nine Arches Bridge from Ella or visiting hidden waterfalls in the area, which Roshan suggested after understanding what we were looking for. Unfortunately, by then, there wasn’t enough time to adjust.

To salvage the day, Roshan suggested taking the train to Bandarwela, which turned out to be a highlight. In addition, he made thoughtful adjustments to the plans for the last three days, optimizing the itinerary to give us more meaningful experiences and less time on the road. He also included special stops, such as visits to local markets and less touristy spots, which made a huge difference for us. These efforts reinforced how committed he was to ensuring we had the best possible experience.

That said, we believe his level of English, while sufficient for general communication, was not quite strong enough for tasks like giving a detailed guided tour of Galle. As a result, we opted to explore on our own, which worked out well for everyone.

In summary, while the planning stage left much to be desired, Roshan’s exceptional efforts and flexibility, along with the quality of most of the accommodations, ensured that we left Sri Lanka with incredible memories. We hope this feedback helps improve the planning process so future visitors can have an even smoother experience.

Hotel Reviews

Koragaha Lodge

Tissamaharama

The service was wonderful, but breakfast was limited selections

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hide Ella

Ella

Service was slow and felt they didn't really care

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ginganga Lodge

Bope

If I could give them more than 5 stars I would

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jetwing Lake

Dambulla

Even though it is a big hotel and part of a chain, it had it's charm and the service was lovely. The best was that on our last day they allowed us to stay until 18:00 in our room as our flight from Colombo was at midnight, which was a life saver

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of Galle

Sri Lanka

Visit the Ravana Falls

Sri Lanka

It's a tourist trap!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Safari at Yala National Park

Sri Lanka

It was a typical safari, but it felt too crowded. There was a traffic jam of nearly 40 jeeps to see one leopard (sleeping) and each time there was sighting fo elephants the first jeeps could get a good look at it, but all the Instegram people created a traffic jam and didn't move to give a chance to others. Not the best experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ritigala Forest Monastery

Sri Lanka

Explore the Nine arch bridge

Sri Lanka

Village Tour at Hiriwadunna followed by cooking demo and lunch

Sri Lanka

Hike to Little Adam’s Peak

Sri Lanka

It's a touristic walk and you'll find many people on this trail

Whale Watching Tour in Mirissa - Shared Boat

Sri Lanka

Explore the Dambulla Cave Temples

Sri Lanka

We were lucky to do it on a Full Moon so teh experience was special

Afternoon Safari at Minneriya National Park

Sri Lanka

After Yala - this was redundant even though the scenary was different

Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress (F)

Sri Lanka

Everything was very well organised and Mahendra our guide and driver was excellent. We both really enjoyed our tour of Sri Lanka and can’t wait to go back

Our trip was amazing. Our local travel specialist, Dhanushka was attentive to our needs and planned a great trip for us. We wanted an active trip and Dhanushka definitely delivered. All of the activities and hotels he picked were excellent. From our elephant safari to our white-water rafting and jungle trekking, everything was amazing. The sites around Sri Lanka were awesome to see as well. The rock fortress, ancient sites and cave temple were a joy to witness.

Although Dhanushka planned a great trip, I'm not sure this trip would have been as amazing without our extremely awesome driver and guide AJ. Out of all of our travels, I have to say that AJ has been the best travel guide we have ever had. He was so personable and made our trip amazing. My wife and I felt like we had a family member taking us around Sri Lanka. AJ was very knowledgeable on all things Sri Lankan and made us feel so at ease. I believe he went above and beyond his duties to ensure we had a great vacation.

I would definitely recommend the KimKim Team and Dhanushka for your travel destinations. And if you're going to Sri Lanka, it is a must that you request AJ as your travel guide. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you,
Melvin and Lisa

Activity Reviews

Arrive in Negombo

Negombo

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver and guide Aj was amazing

Transport

AJ was our driver and he was awesome

Explore the Dambulla Cave Temple Complex

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Family activity - Rural Village Trail in Habarana (Cycling, Boat Trip & Lunch)

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Elephant Safari in Minneriya National Park

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sinharaja rain forest, The biodiversity hot spot in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

White Water Rafting in Kitulgala

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Enjoy the stay in Maldives

Maldives

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rainforest trail in Kitulgala

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I had an excellent trip and one that I highly recommend. This was Kandy, Nurwara Eliya, Haputale and Ella. The biggest highlight was staying at the Melheim in Haputale. Truly paradise and you can see God's beauty in every corner of the resort. The views were breathtaking! I will go back to Haputale again in a heartbeat. Dhanushka is an excellent person to work with and within 2 days he tailored the holiday I wanted. There were some hiccups but Dhanushka took care of things well. Loved being in all the places and it was a truly magical holiday for me. Pranit was my driver/guide and I highly recommend him. A very careful driver and he was an excellent guide even as we scaled up the Little Adam's peak in Ella and other spots. He took be also to placesof interest like churches. Amazing guy and made me feel safe as a woman. I highly recommend him.

Activity Reviews

Discover Kandy: Temple of the Sacred Tooth visit

Kandy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Nuwara Eliya

Sri Lanka

The Golden Ridge hotel was a great location but the service and overall place in terms of maintenance can be improved.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pranit made this trip so amazing

Transport

Discover Ella

Sri Lanka

Excellent trip and enjoyed the Nine Arches, the various waterfalls and the hike up to Little Adam's peak

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The driver Pranit

We had heard great things about Sri Lanka from friends, but our trip was still full of surprises! The planning was smooth, with Rikaz helping us make changes when we realized we had a bit more time. When we were actually on the ground, Dan helped with everything, and the whole trip went off without a hitch. The whole family enjoyed the mix of adventure and relaxation, from hiking up the fortress of Sigiriya to walking the southern beaches... to having to maneuver the van when a wild elephant decided to cross the road. It's a must-do!

Had a wonderful experience in Sri Lanka thanks to Rikaz’s help with planning the itinerary. The cost was also very reasonable considering it took the stress off researching and booking our own hotels and tourist sites to visit.

The trip to Yala National Park was so memorable - we saw elephants, so many bird species, crocs, deer and the elusive leopard. The safari lodge that was booked for us was also wonderful. Beautifully designed, nice pool to swim in after long rides on the safari jeep and with all the amenities we needed. Service was top notch and the food was so yummy!

Our stay in Mirissa was great too - the beachfront Lantern Boutique Hotel had beautiful crashing waves at its doorstep 24/7 and the beach was a short drive away. There were local family owned eateries where we had authentic Sri Lankan food and a delicious grilled seafood dinner by the beach.

The itinerary was well thought out and our amazing driver Aruna also took the initiative to bring us to additional places on request. We went to a turtle hatchery, elephant sanctuary, wood carving demo, snorkeling with turtles, whale watching and more!

I would definitely recommend Kim Kim for your next vacation!

Sri Lanka is a very special place. The beauty of its natural surroundings of green mountains, waterfalls, pristine beaches and aqua marine oceans is truly a sight to behold. The history and antiquities of the country is a historian goldmine. Over 2000 year old wonders to see and touch. Lastly and most importantly, it’s people. Sri Lankans are polite, hospitable, gracious and friendly. Sri Lanka is a poor country but unlike other poor countries the people here make it rich.

We are particularly grateful to our guide, Aruna, for his professionalism and his kindness. By leading us on this journey, he helped us discover a magnificent and endearing country, making this experience a memorable one. A perfectly organized and easy stay with unique hotels.
Our best visits/activities: Dambulla cave temples. treks in nature, breathtaking landscapes, flying Ravana, cooking a curry in a village garden, train journey between Kandy and Ella, elephant orphanage, crossing paths with wild elephants in different places.

Hotel Reviews

Jetwing Lake

Dambulla

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Centara Ras Fushi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kandyan Manor Homestay

Kandy

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hide Ella

Ella

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ginganga Lodge

Bope

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Explore the Dambulla Cave Temples

Sri Lanka

Dhanushka and the Koon Holiday team created a great personalised experience for our holiday in Sri Lanka.

The initial consultation on what we wanted identified the type of experience we were after. Nothing was too much to ask.

Our local guide and driver, Kapıla Kaluarachichi was a great travel companion, in addition to being a great local guide, and provided great cultural and historical background for all of the sites visited.

Special mention goes to Mr Goonie in Polonnaruwa for his second to none knowledge of the local archeological sites and to Mr Jimmy Heyn, the manager at Sambar Hills resort in Nuwara Eliya for his attention to detail and his personalised service.

We would definitely use KimKim again.

Activity Reviews

Enjoy a Refreshing Snack at a Roadside Food Stall

Sri Lanka

A nice introduction to the roadside stalls, which are the heartbeat of the local economy..

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Dambulla Cave Temple Complex

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Ancient Polonnaruwa

Sri Lanka

The guide selected by Koon Holidays and KimKim was a retired archeologist from the area whose knowledge was first rate.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Being an archaeologist

Transport

Elephant Safari in Minneriya National Park

Sri Lanka

Seeing these great beasts in the wild was amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ancient Sites of Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka

The history behind what are some of the most sacred sites in Sri Lanka was very illuminating.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit ancient Trincomalee fort (Fort Fredrick)

Trincomalee

Go to the fort at about 4:00 pm in the afternoon. This will allow you plenty of time to wander through the fort and arrive at the Hindu temple for the afternoon ceremony.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Temples & Beaches in Trincomalee

Trincomalee

A great area to relax or go scuba diving

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Kandy: Temple of the Sacred Tooth visit

Kandy

One the best and most important temples in Sri Lanka and definitely a must do.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Three temples loop in Kandy

Kandy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Need to go via private car. Some place a bus cannot get to.

Visit Spice gardens, wood carving centers & gem museums in Kandy

Kandy

A really amazing guide at the spice gardens, Gem centre and Batik crafts. These people are passionate about what they do.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Nuwara Eliya

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Galle Dutch Fort Visit

Sri Lanka

A great place to simply have a wander and marvel at the historical architecture.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Lively Colombo

Sri Lanka

Some great sites combining the original culture and modern day architecture.

Quality of Experience

The museums, temples , Lotus Tower the food and markets.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My wife and I spent a wonderful six days on tour across Sri Lanka with Dami (Daminda Bandara). I think we drove a little under 700 miles. Everything went very well: we saw lots of magical sites, ate delicious food, and engaged in exciting activities. The tour was very well planned.

Dami was a fantastic tour guide and driver. He is outgoing and friendly, and a very enjoyable travel companion. A proud Sri Lankan, Dami provided us a good history of his native country and of the various sites we visited including Sigiriya Rock, various temples, and a game drive. He is also an expert on native birds and could identify even the smallest birds from a distance. Impressive!

Throughout our tour Dami was an attentive guide and a good listener. On his advice we switched things up on the tour agenda so that we could climb Sigiriya in the cooler morning rather than the heat of the day. Dami learned we liked various foods, e.g., beetroot and chocolate, and he made sure we got to try some Sri Lankan beetroot curry and chocolate. Dami also pulled over on our drive to show us various sites and locals at work. For example, we stopped to see how coconut oil is made.

During our climb and descent of Sigiriya Rock Dami was very helpful to my wife who was leery of the uneven and gravel-covered steps.

Dami ensured we were well fed with high-quality food throughout the trip. All the lunch sites at which we stopped were delicious. One lunch might well be the best meal we will have had this year, at the Old Palm House in Galle.

Importantly, Dami is a careful driver and ensured that we were safe throughout the trip.

Overall, we give Dami the highest rating and would whole heartedly recommend him to others as a top-notch tour guide.