The Ultimate Adventure Through Sri Lanka

Great and varied trip through Sri Lanka! You get to see a lot of the country, and the wildlife watching, surfing and glamping site were particular highlights.

The group were brilliant, and after a lot of solo travelling it was great to meet up with and spend some time with everyone - a definite highlight of the trip. In particular, Lucky's enthusiastic personality was inspiring throughout the trip and helped make the long drives more bearable!

I fell in love with Sri Lanka pretty much as I left the airport, and yet the days ahead proved to be surprise after surprise (the best kind of). The country is rich, vibrant, full of life and discoveries, with amazing wildlife, treks and beaches, a little bit of everything for everyone, to be fully honest. I have been recommending a visit to Sri Lanka to anyone and everyone who has been willing to listen to me, and so if you're reading this while still trying to make up your mind, hear me out: do it!

Now, onto the actual trip: fabulous! Our main guide was Lakshitha, who was very helpful and extremely passionate about the wildlife. I was unlucky enough to have my luggage lost on the way to Sri Lanka, and it was an ORDEAL to get it back, but through it all Lakshitha was extremely helpful and I can't be thankful enough. Moreover, I still can't believe someone knows birds as much as he did.

The trip is a fantastic combination of magical encounters with wildlife, beautiful treks, and nice pauses to do yoga among the tree tops or swim while looking at the sunset. The group brought together people of different ages and backgrounds, which made things super interesting. And though I say some of the physical exercise can be hard (especially if you're not used to the humidity) everyone was super patient and helpful, and it's SO worth it.

Acommodation and food were always really good, and overall it made for a really enjoyable experience as we were able to be well rested before tackling another day off the beaten path in Sri Lanka. I learnt a lot about the country, their culture, and the wildlife in Sri Lanka, and it convinced me to come back to the country sooner rather than later.

I've spent months traveling after leaving Sri Lanka and can say without a hint of a doubt that Sri Lanka was still my favourite destination, and a lot of that is definitely owed to the guides and itinerary of this trip. Brilliant altogether.

It’s hard to put into words just how spectacular this trip was, but I’ll give it a crack! From day one, Jagath (Jaga) and Lakshitha (Lucky) were ON. They were the most incredible tour guides, at the ready day and night to ensure we had the trip of a lifetime. Their knowledge and expertise is what made this adventure so special. They took us to places off the beaten track that just would not have been possible on a solo trip. They’ve sourced the best jungles, the best accommodation and the best beaches to ensure this trip is one of a kind. I don’t have a top moment because I genuinely had top moments each of the ten days. I went solo and was super lucky to be matched up with ten like-minded individuals who all made the trip the unique and fun time that it was. Each and every stop respected the locals, provided insight into the culture of Sri Lanka and made for an overall beautiful experience. Already planning the next one!!

Having been on another MBA I already had high expectations and safe to say our trip to Sri Lanka with Jaga and Lucky blew the lid off it! We had a group of 11 of us, all similar in terms of age and ability which made such a difference too, to the point we were genuinely sad saying goodbye as each left at different times. Both guides passion, energy and enthusiasm were what made the trip. Sri Lanka is such a beautiful and diverse country but what made it special was that every single person we came into contact with was so friendly and grateful that we were exploring and learning about their country, more so than anywhere I’ve ever been.

In terms of the itinerary, there are some early mornings (but each is absolutely worth it), and some of the hikes, especially with the Vedda tribe is especially tiring - bring some rehydration/electrolyte supplements would be my advice. And then always sit down after and enjoy a cold Lion beer! Because you are changing locations constantly, pack with this in mind. You don’t have to carry your main luggage (and always come back to the same bus, with a great driver!), so an easy to pack duffel type would be best. Water was always available on the bus, so we could constantly refill. I recommend bringing some good ear plugs, especially for the rainforest huts, as the metal roofs are very noisy when it rains - or when the owner breaks out the karaoke set - fyi he’s a big Sinatra fan! A solid waterproof is a must as the climate is all over the place, as is some good suncream! Due to the cloud sometimes you’re burning without knowing. Also bring a surfing rashguard for the last day! The beach and the surf is amazing, as are the surf instructors. Make sure you ask to hang around at the beach after, rather than heading back to the hotel. Also bring lots of mozy repellent, they’re relentless in some places. Over all trail shoes were fine, but others had boots.

Jaga and Lucky were amazing guides and made us feel very welcome. They had lots of information about Sri Lanka and also the wildlife and culture. Surfing was a personal highlight for me, the water was warm and the waves kept coming. The clamping site was also another highlight. Everywhere we went people were very friendly and the food was incredible. We ate a lot of home made food by guides who welcomed us to their home after a bike ride or a hike so we experienced proper authentic cuisine. Although it was monsoon season in some areas, the downpours didn’t last long and the rain was lovely and warm - plus you soon dry off. Leech socks were provided and we got to use them throughout the trip - they were needed due to the time of year we visited. Although it was full on we always had time to chill out with a local Lion beer after. Would highly recommend this trip! Thank you to all the tour guides and also the members of the group, they made it and we left feeling like a family.

The trip was absolutely incredible! Sri Lanka is a truly magic place, the country is so beautiful and everyone so welcoming.

The itinerary is jam packed, expect early mornings - although worth it for the gorgeous skies each morning. It really feels you get taken off the beaten track, we spoke to locals throughout our journey and afterwards, and they all said the same when we told them what we had been up too.

We came in the hottest month (April), so the hikes were a little tougher due to the heat but all very manageable if you're into hiking.

Our guides, Lakshitha and Jagath were FULL of endless knowledge of the island and so keen to share with us. It made the tour so special, being able to ask endless questions about the fauna, flora and culture.

All of the service provides at each location were also incredible. Again, so knowledgable and friendly! Their eyes for spotting wildlife were second to none.

The wildlife and landscapes are so abundant and luscious, its amazing to take it all in! It really does feel like you could be in the Jungle Book.

Gal Oya is an absolute highlight, and the hike with the Vedda People - you could certainly stay here for a few days!

The whole trip was filled with giggles, delicious food and so so many fun activities!

I would recommend this to everyone <3 They really take you off the beaten track!

First time in Sri Lanka, first time joining a tour group. I didn't know what to expect from either and any hopes or expectations I had were blown out of the water.

It's hard to summarise what makes this such a special country or fantastic trip, but here are a few key words: The food - delicious, the wildlife - abundant, the laughs - constant, the accommodation - spot-on, the itinerary - thoughtful and inspired. What made this adventure what it was though? The people.

Our guides Lakshitha and Jagath never tired of sharing their wisdom and expertise, they went out of their way to ensure that every element of the trip was fun, interesting, safe and special. Much Better Adventures is focused on sustainability and our guides clearly have a heart for social and environmentally sustainable travel. The team of local guides, hosts and hospitality staff along the way made us incredibly welcome and laid on an exciting and unique experience at each point!

If like me, you are unsure whether an organised tour would be authentic or adventurous enough, I can say that I would never had been able to have such a unique, relaxing, yet off the beaten track adventure if I’d tried to do it myself. Nor would I have met such a special group of other travellers.

The whole Gal Oya area was a highlight, it was a privilege to be welcomed by the indigenous people of the land and to be treated to accommodation, food, terrain and wildlife like no other.

In summary I just had so much FUN and my heart is full - I’ll definitely be back with a pair of binoculars, surfboard and an empty stomach soon!

The trip´s itinerary is great, giving the opportunity to visit a lot of incredible places with gorgeous views in Sri Lanka, often in peaceful atmosphere without a lot of tourists around. Our guides, Lakshitha and Jagath, did a tremendous job. They were incredibly motivated and knowledgeable and you could see that they are passionate about their job, trying to give the group the best experience possible. Apart from that, I was looking for an active and sustainable way of travelling and my expectations were fully met. Sri Lanka is definitely worth a visit - amazing landscapes, wildlife and not to forget the food.

This was my 1st Much Better Adventure trip and 1st time to Sri Lanka. A country of warm friendly people,proud of their history,flora & fauna and a country I would recommend to other intrepid travellers

My husband and I did this tour and loved it. Sri Lanka is a fabulous place and Jagath and Lakshitha were superb guides, extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Taking us to places we would never have found on our own and answering questions with insight.

I really enjoyed the trip! The guides, especially Lakshita, were great and took great care of me after a little accident. The hikes a great and the accommodation very unique (bit of everything) I would probably make some small adjustments to the itinerary, if it was me, like a night in Kandy, leopard safari and cooking class ☺️ but very small add ons to a great trip!

A wonderful adventure around Sri Lanka! Our guide John was amazing - really knowledgeable and ensured our trip was really special.

Highlights included seeing an elephant while hiking in the forest and escaping the humidity for a couple of days in beautiful Nuwara Eliya and hiking in the Horton Plains National Park!

The hikes were challenging but manageable, and it was wonderful to be completely off the beaten track surrounded by incredible scenery and wildlife.

I’d recommend adding a couple of days either side if possible to acclimatise and see a couple places that aren’t covered by the trip (e.g. Galle and Yala).

Great trip.... was my first Much Better Adventures trip and I will definitely be booking future ones. All the hotels were amazing and the fact that some of this trip was off the beaten track was exactly what I needed. Our guide John was awesome and full of knowledge.... even knew when it would rain :-D

My second MBA trip, and was a great trip with a good group of travellers. It was fairly full-on, with quite a few early mornings, but this was needed to beat the heat and be able to see everything. Highlights? Gal Oya was a special place, the walk was fairly tough mainly due to the heat and humidity but was worth it to see places not many do, and the accommodation was great. Ascending both rocks was worth it for the views, the train ride and Horton Plains were good, and it was nice to relax by the sea at the end of the trip. Our guide John was always there to make sure things went to plan, and to seamlessly reorganise if they didn’t. Suggest adding a bit of time to cover a few things the main trip doesn’t (Yala for elephants and other wildlife, and Galle for sightseeing spring to mind and are doable at the end), but overall a memorable and good holiday!

This was my first trip with MBA and it most definitely lived up to my expectations. It brought the beauty of Sri Lanka to life through a varied itinerary led by our amazing guide John. Super friendly, helpful and had so much knowledge. Challenging hikes, wonderful wildlife beautiful views and some iconic landmarks made this a stunning adventure through Sri Lanka!

This was such a good trip! It was my first mba trip and it did not disappoint!! The tour was jam packed with activities, I loved all of it, from the hikes to seeing all the wildlife including the dolly mixture robbing monkeys!! The trip exceeded all expectations and I made some great new friends along the way!! John (hello John) was such a good tour guide, he was always there to answer questions and made the tour run so smoothly! The accommodation also exceeded all expectations! 10/10 trip!

I would 100% recommend this trip! It’s a great all rounder to see parts of Sri Lanka most don’t visit.

The guide, John, was awesome. He really went above and beyond to help, answer questions about the country / culture and was fun to be around. John was very patient with me, I was a little slow hiking down but I never felt pressured to speed up and it learnt a lot from our talks.

The highlight of the tour for me was spotting a wild elephant in the jungle whilst hiking, that was very special. Albeit that hike really took it out of me, the Gal Oya jungle hike is fairly challenging but manageable, the views make up it though!

Most places we stayed were quite remote and we didn’t come across many people which I loved. Falling asleep to the sounds of nature in the middle of the jungle was quite an experience. The accommodation was better than expected too and the food was great.

I’ve done quite a few MBA trips but this one is certainly in my top 3.

Great trip to Sri Lanka and well organised. Great Trip Team, but John our guide was amazing. He made the trip special. Well done MBA!

Had such a great time on this trip with a great group of travellers. It's a lot of early mornings but definitely worth it for the hikes and views. It was very hot but none of the hikes are too intense and very little rain. It was a great mix of jungle hikes, waterfalls, surfing and yoga and being out in the wilderness. This was my first MBA trip and I can't wait to do another. Accommodation was brilliant, and I loved being able to fall asleep to wildlife most nights. I'm vegan but there were always plenty of food options and our guide, John, was always there to make sure I had options. He was a great guide, very informative and made everything go super smoothly, with no hiccups or issues through out the trip. Would definitely recommend this trip! Just make sure you pack a lot of sun tan lotion and clothes to sweat through

Amazing holiday, it was a great way to travel with like minded solo travelers. The guide was very very good; helpful and patient and had a great sense of humour. Food and accomodation were also better than I expected, great value for money overall.

An amazing experience...the group was a mix of ages and countries...which added to the experience. Lakshitha our guide was soo good, he really went beyond to make sure everyones experience was great. The variety of activities was really good and I felt we saw a lot of the real Sri Lanka. Food and accommodation was very good. All in all a very busy schedule which rewarded with variety in areas we visited.

My recent trip to Sri Lanka surpassed all expectations, offering an enchanting blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and unparalleled hospitality.

Our guide, Lakshita, a mine of information about the local birdlife, was kind and helpful. He certainly added a personal touch to the journey.

One of the most enlightening aspects was the hike that delved into the rich cultural tapestry of the Vedda community. Learning about their traditions and way of life added depth to the adventure, making it more than just a physical journey.

Accommodations throughout the trip were outstanding, with Gal Oya standing out for its exceptional service and delectable cuisine. The attention to detail in both lodging and meals contributed significantly to the overall enjoyment of the trip.

Kudos to the team for curating such a remarkable adventure! Highly recommended for those seeking a holistic and immersive travel experience.

Honoured to be the third participating group for this trip! An active trip with very early morning start. John and Lakshitha were amazing guides, always there to attend especially to our countless pee stops and water supply, going above and even beyond the planned itinerary, squeezing in trips to gem museum and safari. They have very good wildlife sightings and knowledge. We even got down to making our own roti with the Vedda people!

An awesome team of seven (relatively good size) who were so accommodating, friendly and funny, always looking for fuss-free breath-taking views when nature calls. Going through motion sickness and playing detective together. We all found out we were gifted in Jenga!

Kudos to John, Lakshitha and not forgetting Sajidh for co-ordinating and being so responsive, it has been an unforgettable first MBA trip of mine. Grateful to have met you all and couldn't ask for a better team to adventure with - ඔයාට ස්තූතියි!

MBA, maybe consider sending us together as a team to test out future trips? :) hehe

Great adventure in this beautiful country that ticked a lot of boxes for me: active holiday, stunning nature, wildlife, local history and customs topped off with great food (which wasn’t too spicy, even for a wimp like me). Gal Oya was definitely the highlight of the trip and the jungle hike with the Vedda people was pretty unforgettable. Our guides John and Lakshitha did a great job looking after our group and responding to our (non standard😅) requests, resulting in an impromptu visit to a gem place and spice mini market/producer, both great experiences. Lastly, we were very lucky to travel with the most amazing group of like minded people, hands down this was the best group we’ve ever travelled with which made this adventure even better.

Exceeded all my expectations. Everything ran smoothly, all the places we stayed were diverse and good quality ecolodges. The hikes were all varied and coming face to face with elephants in the jungle and yoga in the tree tops were both highlights. Our Guide was very passionate about Sri Lanka wildlife and enjoyed seeing so much of this amazing country

This was my first Much Better Adventure trip and I loved it. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and had been on my wish list for some time. I’m so pleased I picked this tour though as probably the only times you felt you were on the typical tourist route was at Lion rock and on the train but these are both iconic so you wouldn’t want to miss them out. We had a full day in the jungle & 2 days on the Pekoe trail where it was only our group which felt really personal and special. Our local Pekoe trail guide invited us in to his home for lunch at the end which was another highlight this kind of trip can provide. Our main trip guide, John, was hugely experienced and great at his job. He was also really funny, happy to join in our banter and took teasing very well! Laksitha was so kind, mild mannered and extremely knowledgeable on all things wildlife, he was a real asset to our group and team photographer! But most of all what made the holiday for me was the group. Right from the start everyone was so friendly, inclusive, up for embracing the group experience, incredibly funny, I haven’t laughed so much in ages. Thanks so much guys I would love to holiday with you all every year, so life affirming. In summery, I would certainly recommend this trip but it is busy from the outset which means you experience such a lot in 10 days but I had a few days in Marissa beforehand to get in to the time zone & relax which was probably a good idea if you have the luxury of some extra time.

This was a great adventure to explore Sri Lanka and we wasn’t disappointed. Although at times the early starts was more challenging than the hikes, so if you’re expecting to take it easy and come away well rested, I’d add a few beach days afterwards like we did.

The activities were generally great such as hiking with the Vedda people was a unique experience, sunset on Pidurangala Rock with monkeys and swimming at the highest water in Sri Lanka were memories to take away. There were some additions that had that were great surprises and I’d recommend (gem museum, spice factory and Udawalawe NP), but you’ll need to ask. There’s a few days that I was less keen on though and felt like fillers, but this was definitely off the beaten track as some days we only saw locals.

The food and accommodation was overall better than I expected and I’ve even going to try and make the aubergine moju it was the standout dish of the tour.

As for the guides, John and Lakshitha were great. Dealing with any issues that we had and making sure that everything ran smoothly.

Finally, this was probably the best group we’ve been on, so friendly and fun and glad we shared this experience with you!! The WhatsApp group before the start was a great idea.

We were looking for a real adventure in Sri Lanka and we got it! Some of the hikes were a bit harder mostly due to the unsteadies path but nothing non achievable. The support received from our guides John and Lakshitha was amazing. They were always there to answer any of our numerous questions and adapt to our needs/special requests. We loved as well to share this trip with such a good group of likeminded well traveled adventurers from uk, Singapore, France and Australia. Accommodations and foods were above my expectations all along the trip.

We had unquestionably the best crew of humans. Shoutout to John and Lakshitha – stellar tour guides.

We were after an off-the-beaten track Sri Lankan adventure and that’s exactly what we got. The tour started strong with breathtaking views from Pidurutalagala Rock. Next day, we loved cycling to Lion Rock, the Glamping site in Gal Oya was simply magical and the hike with the Vedda people was truly an unforgettable experience. The rest of the tour included waterfall swims, pristine nature, and trails unknown even to the locals. We managed to squeeze in a tour of the Udawalawa National Park to see elephants and a gem museum pit stop (I think both should be added to the standard itinerary).

Bonus: rare sightings of tourists – exactly what we all dreamed of!