Sri Lanka in late July
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sri Lanka in late July
We just made a spur of the moment decision and booked tickets to Sri Lanka in late July. I am just starting to research and would love some guidance with our itinerary. We are interested in culture, staying at Tea Trails, seeing elephants(in the wild) and beach. What would be the best route for us? Is it possible to book car and driver who will take us out of Colombo when we arrive at midnight, or should we plan on spending a night there? Thanks!
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed the night in Negombo, nearer the airport than Colombo. (I'd skip Colombo completely) Your driver can pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel, then come back in the morning when you are ready to drive to your first destination.
While my trip report is rather old at this point, I really liked our itinerary and it may give you some ideas: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-sri-lanka.cfm
I highly recommend Boutique Sri Lanka for arranging your trip.
While my trip report is rather old at this point, I really liked our itinerary and it may give you some ideas: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-sri-lanka.cfm
I highly recommend Boutique Sri Lanka for arranging your trip.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm planning a trip to Sri Lanka as well, for March though. We'll be visiting the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya, and Galle, with a night in Colombo on the first day. I second Kathie's recommendation of BSL; they will work with your budget and are very responsive to emails.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For me, the biggest reason to use a travel agent in Sri Lanka is to have an agency-backed driver (and vehicle). We had a wonderful driver from BSL, but Robbie had a driver that wasn't a good fit and the vehicle wasn't right. If she had contracted with an individual driver there would be no recourse. Because they got the car and driver through BSL, BSL came and changed out the drier and the vehicle.
Also, some accommodations are difficult to book if you don't have local connections, though that is less likely to be an issue.
Also, some accommodations are difficult to book if you don't have local connections, though that is less likely to be an issue.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks. We have a specific itinerary in mind and hotels picked out as well. Is it still better to book everything through the agency? Tea Trail is showing no availability from June to September-do they only open room booking a few months out or must one book there through an agency? There is availability in April/May. It seems odd that the entire summer would be booked.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Getting a spot at Tea Trails may well be a reason to book through BSL... I think they have more access, as they book so many people there. I'd certainly ask an agency (maybe even two agencies) for a price for what you want. You may find it less expensive than what you can do on your own.
#11
cakegal - here's another recommendation for BSL.
they were very good to work with and i felt that had we had a problem with the driver, [luckily we didn't - he was very good] or indeed the vehicle, they would have sorted it out for us.
as it was our first trip to Sri Lanka we wanted the security of having someone on the ground to sort things out if need be. if it's not your first trip, that may not be necessary.
hope you have a great time!
they were very good to work with and i felt that had we had a problem with the driver, [luckily we didn't - he was very good] or indeed the vehicle, they would have sorted it out for us.
as it was our first trip to Sri Lanka we wanted the security of having someone on the ground to sort things out if need be. if it's not your first trip, that may not be necessary.
hope you have a great time!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
annhig
Asia
14
Apr 7th, 2012 07:32 AM