Olanka Travels Reviews 

Our visit to Sri Lanka was fantastic. Nayomi Fernando organized our trip and an amazing job she did as well. Dispute all the travel disruptions nothing was too much trouble for her to re-organize. The hotels were superb with fantastic views. Icing on the cake was our driver Kamal. Again nothing was too much trouble, told us everything we needed to know about the places we visited and suggested a lot of ideas of thing to do which were not on the original schedule (which were very good)could not recommend this holiday enough with Olanka travel (especially if you have Nayomi and Kamal)
An all round fantastic experience

I had the pleasure to interact with Nayomi Fernando! I gave 20 days of my free time in her hands, and she turned those days into magic!
The best tour in my life! Well organized, well managed and well executed!
I can only strongly recommend to ask for their service when visiting Sri Lanka and the other countries in the region!
Thanks for everything,
Roberto from Rome 🇮🇹❤️

Olanka organised my holiday to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. We were assigned a dedicated travel agent named Nirmani. Her service was excellent. My phone calls were always answered and any questions or concerns were clarified. The whole tour was very well planned (Flights, accommodation and private driver). I felt safe at all times.
Our driver, Vidura, was on time everyday and nothing was too difficult for him. He was helpful and took us to the ATM/ tourist shops/ supermarket, on request. Always with a smile.
I highly recommend Nirmani as a travel agent from Olanka. And also Vidura if you require a private driver.

Olanka Travel – Tailor Made Tour, Sri Lanka 12-25 February 2026
Having done a tour of Sri Lanka in a hire car with a local driver about 50 years ago, when my wife wanted to visit Sri Lanka for the first time, it seemed obvious to go for a similar arrangement. I found Olanka Travel on the net. The itineraries the company offered included many of the things we wanted to see and do. Correspondence was established with their representative, Nirmani Jayalath, who responded quickly to requests for information on intineraries, pricing etc. Most importantly, she readily agreed to reverse Olanka’s standard intinerary, which would normally go clockwise round the main tourist sites, starting with Sigirya Fortress/Palace and ending at Colombo. Instead we wanted to start in Colombo, travelling anticlockwise round the island and building to a climax with Sigirya at the end of our holiday. I also emphasised the importance to us of having a driver with a reasonable grasp of English and a good knowledge of the island. Nirmani found Amil Chamara for us, who proved to be an ideal travelling companion. He is a delightful, warm personality, flexible and adaptable and a real enthusiast for his country. He is also an excellent driver, completely aware of local traffic conditions, with whom we felt completely safe.
All contact with Olanka Travel was by email and WhatsApp and all arrangements worked well. The hotels were all of a good standard, varying between pretty high end, modern buildings with infinity pools, safari lodge style hotels and old colonial hotels in hill stations. All were comfortable and clean. There was always a good range of food available, much of it delicious. Food hygiene in Sri Lanka seems to be excellent.
Since a major cyclone had recently swept through large parts of the island, inevitably there had been significant disruption to road and rail transport. Amil was able to adjust our itinerary as we went along to take account of problems beyond his control e.g. part of the railway network had been damaged, meaning we could only do part of the famous rail journey to Nuwara Eliya, but nevertheless each day was satisfying and enjoyable. We were also able to add in some items not included in the original itinerary that had been recommended to us e.g. the Raja Maha Vihara Temple and bridge at Bogoda.
The whole package worked very well and we were very sad to leave at the end of our holiday, which is always a sign that you have really enjoyed yourself and have started to fall in love with a place and its people. I have no hesitation in recommending Olanka Travel and its staff who gave us a great holiday at a reasonable price.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but this experience was bad enough to warn others — avoid this company.

From the outset, the service was chaotic and misleading. Hotels were changed last minute under the excuse of an “upgrade,” only to be switched back again, which immediately showed a lack of organisation and honesty. I was also very clear that safaris had to be included in the price and was explicitly told they were — yet on arrival we were asked to pay an extra €150 per person. This is completely unacceptable and feels deliberately misleading.

Things only got worse during the trip. Several promised elements were simply not delivered, and when we tried to contact customer care, we were met with silence. Being ignored while already on holiday, after paying a significant amount, is incredibly frustrating and unprofessional.

To make matters worse, the hotels were well below the standard advertised and nowhere near what we expected.

The only redeeming part of the trip was our driver, who was excellent throughout.

Overall, this company is unreliable, poorly managed, and does not deliver what it sells. I would strongly advise anyone considering booking with them to stay well away.

Ours was 7 day tour of Singapore, Malaysia and Langkawi. The trip started off with small glitches but professional and orderly way the Olanka team handled the tour was worth praising. The plan was detailed and even small adjustments in schedules were adjusted as per our need. The agents are prompt and always available. #GreatTourOperator

Myself & my husband visited our son who lives in Dubai on Dec 2025 and when there we decided to take a trip to Sri Lanka for 8 days in Jan 2026 . We booked through Olanka Travels and were appointed Nirmani Jayalath as our agent which proved to be a great decision from start to finish . She gave great advice and made super decisions for us with destination choices and hotel decisions , all very enjoyable. We got great attention to detail and Nirmani checked in on a regular basis with us during our trip . We were appointed an excellent driver & guide in Sami . I would highly recommend requesting Orlanka Travel as your travel agent and and ask for Olanka !! Maggi & George Paul

Our trip to Sri Lanka was hassle free and very memorable.Both our advisor Nirmani Jayalath and driver Senerath did a very professional job. Thanks to Nirmani for organising the trip so well right from the start and did a fantastic job. Our driver Senerath was a very accommodating person. Thank you Olanka!

We have just returned from a 19 day tour of Sri Lanka organised with Olanka Tours, initially by Chathuri and later, Rush. The tour was organised to accommodate our interests and abilities. We travelled in a van for the 5 of us with a driver/ tour guide, Indika who was so competent, friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable.
We saw so much and yet had time to relax in some excellent accommodation.
I would thoroughly recommend Olanka as our welfare was foremost and the fact that we could change the itinerary on a daily basis was wonderful.
The people in the country were so friendly. It was a delight.

We have just returned from a 21 day tour of Sri Lanka which was planned by Rashmi Wijesinghe. We cannot speak highly enough of the professionalism she gave from start to finish. Our driver, now our friend, Vishan Madushanka was outstanding. He was so knowledgeable, fluent English, always happy, amazing photographer (we have never had so many holiday photos together), great driver and always made sure we were looked after. Vishan and Rash come highly recommended. We loved Sri Lanka and hope to return again one day.

My wife and I and travel companions Phil and Janet have just returned from our 15-day tour around Sri Lanka. Our trip was truly memorable thanks to our excellent chauffeur and guide Asela and the wonderful itinerary thoughtfully curated in line with our requirements by Navodya Jayalath. Asela was such a safe and patient driver/guide always on time and his vehicle was immaculate (cleaned every day with water supplied). We greatly appreciated his pick up from Colombo in the very early hours on day 1 with a midnight arrival!
Asela and Navodya were brilliant to deal with and extremely accommodating to our schedule and preferences. Asela’s insights into the local culture and hidden gems added immense value to our experience. He organised a local guide at Anuradhapura, and jeep Safari’s at Wilpattu and Yala National Parks. He also recommended the best places for Coffee and Lunch and we were never disappointed. We enjoyed the hotels that Navodya selected for our itinerary and the upgrade to sea view rooms and the fact that her communication was terrific throughout the planning. When we arrived in Sri Lanka, Navodya advised that we could contact her anytime during our trip.
We sincerely appreciate Asela and Navodya’s dedication, professionalism, and warm hospitality, and we would highly recommend ‘Olanka Travels’ services to anyone planning a trip to Sri Lanka.

Our trip was a very memorable one. We visited many places and had a very good experience everywhere we stayed. The lady who booked our tour Pubuduni Vitanage was excellent at what she did. Also our driver Sineth was so patient, such a safe driver and so understanding and helpful. Both these staff members need to be recognised for their great work for your trave business. We hope to return again to Sri Lanka sometime and hope we will be able to have people like this that we can deal with. Thank you both PuBuduni and Sineth for being so helpful to us.

The reason for this 5 star rating is based on our driver and guide, Tushara Jayathilaka. We felt safe, respected, honoured and comfortable with Tusha. He was not only our driver, but acted as a travel guide. Tusha wanted us to have a true Sri Lankan experience, and I'm going back to Australia feeling as though I've learnt about the culture, the religions in Sri Lanka, have had history lessons along with a lot of laughs. Thank you Olanka for providing Tusha to serve my husband and myself. I would recommend Tusha as your driver and guide anytime.
Tusha was with us for 10 days. He respected our personal space and knew when we needed him too.

Spent 15 days in Sri Lanka, following a route suggested by Geethanjali Prasangika at Olanka Travels.

I suggest you as a traveler read up on your destinations ( in detail !) and spend some time discussing options with Olanka - you will then eventually end up with a really tailor-made plan & route, well suited to your wishes and budget.

My trip included car and driver (typical for a trip to SL)
and I had the pleasure of having Asanka from KMDN Holidays as my driver - and he was FANTASTIC!

My own personal Limo driver with a car that was always there when I needed it, came fresh and cleaned every morning and with Asanka safely driving me around central and southern SL.

I went on a 10-day trip planned by Pubudini Vithanage. I realized last-minute that I had the following week off, and not only did Pubudini plan the most fabulous tour for me, but she did it with only 48 hours. She was unbelievably responsive, and even after I had arrived, she continued to check in on me each day.
I was a female solo traveler and safety was of the utmost importance to me; she set me up with a fabulous driver / guide who made me feel very safe and comfortable. He was wonderful and with me 24/7. All of the hotels she selected were wonderful, and particular itinerary highlights included the elephant safari in Udawalawe National Park, the turtle hatchery in Bentota, the views from Sigiriya Rock, and seeing the tea country. Sri Lanka has SO much to do and it's hard to plan it all as a foreigner - do yourself a favor you won't regret and let Olanka Travels handle it!! My trip wouldn't have been possible without them.

Our tour across Sri Lanka was truly memorable thanks to our excellent driver and guide, Mr. Dayal Priyantha, and the wonderful itinerary thoughtfully curated in line with our requirements by consultant Ms. Buddini Peris.
Mr. Dayal was courteous, well-informed, and extremely accommodating to our schedule and preferences. His insights into the local culture and hidden gems added immense value to our experience.
We sincerely appreciate his dedication, professionalism, and warm hospitality, and we would gladly recommend ‘ Olanka Travels’ services to anyone planning a trip to Sri Lanka.

My friend and I had a 2 week trip organised by Rash from Olanka Travels. It was great seeing so much of your beautiful country with our driver/guide,Tiron, who was knowledgeable, friendly and extremely helpful. Thank you to Tiron and Olanka Travels for making our holiday such fun and memorable.

Wonderful country for relaxing vacation especially at Kandy, Sigirya-elephant orphanage & boat ride, Newarka Eliya & beautiful beaches.
Many thanks to our tour guide, Roshan for his great driving skills, friendliness, patience & being so helpful.
You made our trip so enjoyable. :)

I was nervous about using Olanka from the UK but I had a huge quote from Trailfinders and decided to arrange the whole trip myself for a huge saving. Most of the hotels I booked myself but a couple were unavailable to book privately so Olanka booked them for me. They arranged a great driver in Shanuka and everything went perfectly,

We’ve had a brilliant two weeks holiday organised by Olanka Travels. Our guide and driver, Tiron, was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Lovely country with super friendly people.