Testimonials

The "Discover Sri Lanka Tour" does exacly that! The Company have put together a well-organised, affordable trip taking in some very special experiences. I would fully recommend The Unique Travel Company to anyone heading for Sri Lanka!

Rob Deakin & Andrea Maddison , Doncaster
Private 15 days Discover Sri Lanka, December 2010

We had a great time and very much enjoyed the Island, the tours and the cricket went really well too. Paul was an excellent driver and tour guide and looked after us really well throughout the trip and the Hotels were great.
We hope to return to Sri Lanka in 2012 for the World Cup and will get in touch so you can arrange our trip and hopefully get a chance to see other parts of the Island.

Steve & Liz Marsh, East Sussex
Tailormade Luxury,  November 2010

Sue and Roshan couldnt have been more responsive in tailor-making our itinerary to our specific needs - sight-seeing withour too many hours travelling, plus pure relaxation. Sri Lanka has many breath-taking experiences to offer and we have had the perfect mix of these in our 9 day break. We would definitely use The Unique Travel Co again and recommend them to our friends. The level of available expertise is unbeatable.

Sue Reese & Sandy Maxwell, Abu Dhabi
Tailormade 9 day Luxury tour,  November 2010

If you want to see the real Sri Lanka, then take one of "The Unique Travel Co's" tours. A wonderful way to experience this beautiful green magical island.

Highlights: We have had the most amzing week and have seen and done so much. Above expectations.

Julie Baldock, partner & daughter aged 10yrs, UAE
Tailormade 8 day tour,  November 2010

Unique travels are very professional - giving advice and excellent service. Kurera our driver and guide has been fabulous always friendly & helpful. We have seen so much - its been 4 holidays in one - the North, the Mountains, the Southern part and the beach. As usual, we wanted to put a lot into our 18 days - perhaps too much! Altogether a great holiday, just what we wanted. Thank you!

Mike & Ruth Wellin, London N6
Tailormade 18 day tour,  October 2010

Our holiday was just amazing,we enjoyed every bit of it. From booking (Sue was really helpful) through to being greeted on arrival by Kurera at airport, Kurera was an excellent host/driver/guide. All in all very interesting, very realxing and great fun. Wonderful people.

Highlights: We enjoyed white water rafting. Also Yala (we saw leopards). Tea planation. The people were so friendly.

Wendy Hughes & Paul Dunlay, London
Private 15 days Discover Sri Lanka, Oct/Nov 2010

Has been an amzing week full of hugely diverse experiences. Highlights were: Elephant ride, spotting a leopard at Yala and waking up to the most wonderful view in Ella!

Gill Bloyce & David Cunningham, London
8 day Highlights Tour of Sri Lanka, Sept 2010

Thank you "The Unique Travel Company"! We have had a truly specatular trip encompassing elepants, safaris, white water rating, loads of beautiful sights & fascinating heritage and some lovely hotels arranged specially for us.

The tour was well managed from the moment we booked to when we regretably left after 15 days. Paul our driver was tremendous and with Roshan and Sue ensured our Honeymoon in Sri Lanka will linger in our memories for the rest of our lives.

Highlights: Variety of activities.

Caroline & Gareth Temple, Leamington Spa
Honeymoon, 15 days Discover Sri Lanka, September 2010

Thank you so so so much for our amazing time in Sri Lanka, we really appreciate all the hard work that you put in. It was simply fantastic fun, the teaching was unbelievable and the weekend trips were brilliant, it is such a wonderful country and so beautiful too. I could ramble on for ages about all the things we did and the great times we had, but I'm sure you have heard it all before!

We really just wanted to say how truly excellent our experience with your company was, so much thought has gone into every aspect and it really shows. The fact that you do not charge volunteers much money to stay is really really good, Flossie and I would not have been able to afford to go with any other company and would have missed out. We urge you to keep it this way as it seems that everyone benefits, the school, us, our drivers and hotel, etc! We felt like we really did some good at the school and that the pupil’s English improved even in the short time we were there. The school also reported that their usually low attendance had drastically changed, and the children were coming in just so they could learn English and enjoyed our lessons, which was very warming for us.

Rhys Evans, Salisbury Wilts
One month voluntary teaching July 2010

An amazing trip. The children were a pleasure to teach and the company arrnaged everything we needed, before and during the trip. Thank you for an excellent experience.

Flossie House, Salisbury Wilts
One month voluntary teaching July 2010

What an amazing trip! Thank you for helping us to have such a memorable honeymoon. We have learnt so much about Sri Lanka's past & present. Our guide, Kurera was fantastic source of information & organised everything perfectly for us. Our tour was packed full of activities and despite the incredible heat, we managed to get round them all. We were quite sad to say goodbye to Kurera & the country as we have been treated liked royalty! We will definitely recommend country and Company to friends. Thank you.

Highlights: The evening of dancing in Kandy & the cycling around the villages.

Simone & Patrick Miller,Malton, Yorks
Honeymoon, 15 days, April 2010

Sue, thank you for organising such a wonderful holiday in Sri Lanka for us. We could quite easily have stayed on for another fortnight. Our guide and driver, Mr Kurera, has been exceptionally helpful and considerate in taking us to various towns, sites, restaurants and shops. We will gladly recommend you to anyone who wants to visit Sri Lanka through your Company.

Highlights: People, clean tidy places, fantastic scenery, Mr Kurera’s experience of people and places and pleasant company. Good meal at private home.

Sheila & Hiru Barkataki, Stoke Mandeville
11 Day Special Tour, February/March 2010

We’ve had a wonderful holiday in beautiful Sri Lanka. The tour has been amazing and the experience was only increased by the local knowledge and friendly helpful nature of our driver/guide.

The people of Sri Lanka are so friendly and always do their utmost to please. The country itself has such wonderful and awe-inspiring views as well as a rich and diverse culture and history. We did not have a single day on the tour where we didn’t feel as fulfilled as possible. A first class holiday thanks to The Unique Travel Company.

Highlights:The holiday met our expectations and so much more. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience of Sri Lanka, the wildlife, the hiking, the scenery, the culture and history we were shown and taught by our wonderful escort.

Phil & Julie Martin, Newcastle Upon Tyne
15 day Discover Sri Lanka Tour February/March 2010

As three pensioners with four wobbly knees we were more than a little hesitant about taking this trip but Sue was able to tailor the itinerary to our needs.

The trip tour surpassed our expectations. The activities were so varied it is difficult to pick highlights. However the Horton Plains were breathtaking. There was an amazing train journey with panoramic views of the mountains followed by a walk. This turned out to be more of a 9 km scramble rather than the 6 km easy walk we were promised. Fortunately we had the help of an excellent and patient guide and we had a real sense of achievement when we completed it.

The elephant orphanage was memorable. We sat watching 60+ elephants (mothers, babies, big bulls and couples) bathing in the river after which returned to their reserve passeng within feet of us.

Then there was the jeep safari where we were photographed among other animals an displaying peacocks, a lone male elephant, and a leopard pouncing on a jungle fowl. I could go on!

The whole trip was excellent value for money.The hotels were far above the anticipated standard and the guest houses while basic were clean with good plumbing. Three of us shared a very comfortable air conditioned minibus and our guide was extremely helpful, friendly and efficient.

Teresa Stone, Melksham
Tailormade Tour for "OAPs" January 2010

We had a wonderful holiday way above our expectations. All your arrangements ran like clockwork and we were very satisfied with the hotels and itinerary. Goldisands better than Camalot. Mr Kurera was very good, helpful and couteous. Can't praise him enough. Will use your agency again as we fancy another visit.

Wonderful holiday for all of us. Holiday altered to our needs for OAPs.

Highlights: Safari, Horton Plains, Elephant Orphanage. Temples at Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

David & Mary Wilde, Bath
Tailormade Tour for "OAPs" January 2010

We very much enjoyed our trip to Sri Lanka with the help of Raj - our charming, competent and totally amazingly fearless driver.

We have seen and done so much in the past 10 days and look foward to to the remaining few days lazing by the beach. The Sri Lankan people are very friendlyand nothing is too much trouble. It is a truly fascinating place to visit with much history - all still to be seen at various sites.

Highlights:Really enjoyed visiting Sigiriya and the tea factory.

Trudie & Robin Feaveryear, Norfolk
Tailormade Tour February 2010

It was our first visit to Sri Lanka, although we have travelled extensively throughout Asia and India. Sri Lanka is an amazing place and Sue put together the ideal trip to experience some of the highlights!

The service was great and very personal and our guide/driver, Kurera really made it a special 3 weeks. We shall be returning soon.We would highly recommend the Company.

Highlights: Vil Uyana, Ella and Sigiriya.

Mark Tomlinson & Suzanne Bettley, London
Tailormade Boutique Hotels Tour January 2010

Back to reality, we are still on a high after our time in Sri Lanka, thank you so much for giving us such a wonderful holiday. We absolutely loved the country and the people,they are so friendly and welcoming.

It is hard to pick out the highlights as there were so many. Our driver/guide,Kurera, was excelllent, we cannot praise him enough, he was extremely proud of his country and very knowledgeable he really looked after us. We were really pleased we went on the whale trip, we saw blue whales and dolphins the thrill of seeing these magnificent creatures is indescribable we never thought we would actually see any whales,we had around 6 or 7 sightings so many thanks to you and Roshan for arranging that for us,we know this trip is not on your normal itinery. Our other thrill was seeing a leopard in Yala we did not  think we would be lucky enough to see one of those either.

We loved the whole trip the guides at all the sites we visited were all excellent,we felt so privileged and special,especially when we saw other poor tourists pouring out of their coaches, I dont know how you gave us this wonderful holiday for the price we paid,we really had the personal touch.We loved seeing the children in their school uniforms, so happy and well behaved,they put our lot to shame.

Our only regret is that we could not stay longer we did not want to come home. We definitely want to return,maybe in Jan 2012, we were going to go to Cuba next,but maybe we will go back to Sri Lanka next year,we have been spoilt now,for anywhere else. When we do return, it will be with your company.We have already recommended you to various people,including a fellow passenger on the aircraft coming home.

Anyway, thanks again to you, Roshan and Kurera for giving us such memorable and rich experiences. It was a holiday we will never forget and we have some wonderful photos,except the whales, I put the camera away and just sat back and enjoyed them. Thanks again. Hope to book our next visit in the not too distant future.

Highlights: Our driver, knowledgeable guides at each location.Particularly enjoyed Yala, Pinnewala and Whale Trip.

Pat Bennett & Jacqueline Lee, Beeston
8 Day Highlights Tour & Whale watching January 2010

Our driver, Lalith, jokes with us this should have been called The Elephant Tour as we have seen so many during our 8 Day Special Tour.

We have covered Dambulla with an unforgettable ride in the jungle and our 8 year old acting as a mahout. To beautiful Kandy, the Hill Country and we are now about to go to Bentota for the beach part of our holiday. We have seen so much wildlife and admired so much incredible scenery that it’s hard to remember it all. View Point Villa at Ella deserves a special mention for the fantastic villas and unbeatable views and the hospitable young guys who run it – a MUST if you are intending to be in the area! Our trip was run with great precision due to the quiet efficiency of our driver, Lalith who knows all the best places to go who has driven us with care and pride around his beautiful homeland. The only negative has been the ever present hawkers -what a pain! The Botanical Gardens in Kandy were amazing and unexpected. We will leave Sri Lanka with so many lovely memories and will come back again soon but longer….!!!

A very interesting, varied and full programme was put together for us at very short notice. Everything has been well-organised and has run like clockwork-so yes, we would not hesitate to recommend to friends.

Hazel, Graham & Tomos Roberts, Dubai
8 Day Special Tour November 2009

Lush, Tropical, Beautiful, Dramatic and Exotic. A beautiful island with very diverse experiences, from the cultural triangle, safari and great beaches all mixed up with cycling, walking, trains and white water rafting.

Well priced, superbly organized, lovely accommodation (sometimes quirky). Truly Personal service with a fantastic driver (Kurera) and guides. This was a holiday of a lifetime!!  Sri Lanka is really worth a visit.

Linda & Dave Stevens, Andover
15 day Discover Sri Lanka Tour & extras September 2009

We were greeted at Colombo Airport by Raj, he was to be our driver and guide for the whole of the tour.

On Day 2 we drove to Kithugala Rest house and after lunch we had a jungle walk.  The walk was quite strenuous, due to the humidity, as we were not yet 'acclimatized ' and even the Raj and the guide for the walk suggested that we phone for a "Tuc Tuc" towards the end. Still, very enjoyable.  Day 3 was White Water Rafting, followed by a trip to Uda Walawe Elephant Transit Camp, it was a joy to see the young elephants running, two by two, to get their milk.  Due to a change in our itinerary, we stayed at Uda Walawe National Park for the rest of the day and despite the most torrential downpour that we have ever been caught in, we managed to see wild elephants, jackals, and an assortment of birds. Wet but enjoyable.

Day 5 was one of the Highlights of the Trip (although everything that we did was a Highlight to some degree). The train journey to Horton Plains was amazing, the scenery was breathtaking, I could have stayed on that train for several days and I'm not a fan of train travel!  The remainder of the day was equally amazing; the three hour walk through the Cloud Forest and across the Plains was tiring but well worth the effort, wonderful views etc.

The following days were packed with visits to various places of interest, Tea Plantation, Spice Garden, Temples, Elephant Orphanage, Forest walk, even climbing a Rose Quartz Rock!  The Elephant ride on Day 9 was a wonderful experience and the Bike Ride on Day 11 was so enjoyable that we declined the offer of the scheduled lift back for the main part of the return journey after lunch, and opted to cycle back.

The final couple of days on the Beach was just what was required after such a busy itinerary. The whole trip was enjoyable, interesting and we would recommend it to anyone who wishes to get more out of a holiday than just a sun tan.

A wonderful holiday, unforgettable!

Laura, Robert (and Sam aged 15) Mullins, Poulton-le-Fylde
15 Day Discover Sri Lanka Tour - March 2009

We arranged a 2 week tailor-made family holiday in Sri Lanka with The Unique Travel Company who offered a chance to go beyond the standard holiday package and to get "under the skin" of this fantastic island.

We were met at the airport by our driver and guide for the fortnight, and who proved to be excellent - always punctual, knowledgeable, a good sense of humour…and a good driver.

We started and finished with a couple of beach days at Negombo.  In between we took in a mix of culture (Dambulla; Polonnaruwa; Sigiriya; Kandy), a bit of cycling; high country - Nuwara Eliya; Horton Plains (lovely walking); wildlife (Uda Walawe - elephants galore!); a turtle sanctuary; and amazing scenery on the travel days. And the food - the curries are the best. We didn't want five star hotels, and the middle range hotels we stayed in were fine with courteous service. All had good swimming pools (except up-country where it's too cold). And the food (a recurring theme!) was spectacularly tasty. We were on a b&b basis and the breakfasts were wonderful.

Overall a superb trip. The Unique Travel Company did us proud, and we'd happily travel with them again. Recommended!

Highlights: Train journey to Horton Plains and the elephant ride.

The Callender Family, Glastonbury
15 Day Tailormade Holiday - April 2009