Questions, answered honestly.

There is no single "off season" — the island has two monsoons that arrive at opposite times, so somewhere is always in fine weather. The southwest monsoon (roughly May to September) brings rain to the west and south coasts and the hill country, while the northeast monsoon (roughly October to January) turns to the east coast and north. December to March is the classic window for the south and west beaches and the Cultural Triangle; May to September suits the east coast and Trincomalee. Tell us when you can travel and we will point your route at the sunshine. Our When to go page breaks it down region by region.

For the busiest stretch — mid-December through March, and the July–August peak — we love having two to three months to secure the nicest stays and the best driver-guides before they fill. That said, we have put together lovely trips on a few weeks' notice, especially outside peak dates. If your dates are close, just ask; we will tell you honestly what is still possible.

Sri Lanka is a warm, welcoming place to travel, and families are among the happiest travellers we send home. Roads can be slow and busy, which is exactly why a private driver-guide makes such a difference — you are never navigating traffic or timetables yourself. We build in the right pace for little ones or grandparents, choose stays with space to breathe, and stay reachable throughout. As anywhere, we share sensible, up-to-date local guidance before you go.

Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arrival, applied for online — it is a short form, not an embassy visit. Requirements and any fee change from time to time and depend on your nationality, so we point you to the official ETA portal and the current rules rather than quote a figure that might be out of date. We are glad to walk you through the steps when we confirm your trip.

Our trips are designed to be nearly everything-but-the-flights. A typical journey includes your hand-picked accommodation, a private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide for the whole route, the experiences and entrance arrangements we build into your days, and airport transfers on arrival and departure. International flights are not included — you book those to suit your home airport — and we are always clear about anything else that sits outside the price.

Once you are happy with the itinerary, a deposit confirms your trip and lets us lock in your stays and driver-guide; the balance is settled before or around the time you arrive. Exact amounts and timing depend on the trip and the season, so we set them out plainly in your written quote before you commit — no surprises, and nothing hidden in the small print.

We quote your trip clearly in a currency that makes sense for you and confirm the payment methods in writing when we send your itinerary. On the ground, the Sri Lankan rupee is the local currency; cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels, and it is handy to carry some cash for smaller places, markets and tips. We will flag anything worth knowing for your particular route.

Yes, and Sri Lanka makes it easy. Rice and curry is naturally rich in vegetables, lentils and coconut, so vegetarian and vegan travellers eat wonderfully here, and much of the cuisine is naturally gluten-free. Tell us about allergies or preferences up front and we brief your stays and your driver-guide so the right options are ready wherever you go.

Connectivity is good across most of the island. Hotels and many cafés offer Wi-Fi, and a local prepaid SIM or eSIM with a generous data bundle is inexpensive and easy to pick up at the airport on arrival — the simplest way to have maps and messaging in your pocket throughout. We are happy to point you to the current options as your trip nears.

Tipping is appreciated rather than compulsory, and it is entirely at your discretion. Many travellers like to thank their driver-guide at the end of the journey and leave a little for hotel and restaurant staff who looked after them well. There is no fixed rule; we can share what feels customary so you travel with a comfortable sense of it.

The heart of every trip is your own private, air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide, so you move on your schedule rather than a timetable. But some journeys are part of the story — the hill-country train from Kandy through Ella, winding past tea slopes, is one of the loveliest rail rides anywhere. Where a train or a scenic leg beats the road, we build it in and your driver meets you at the other end. You get the best of both.

It starts with a conversation, not a catalogue. You tell us your dates, your pace, who is coming and what you dream of seeing; we design a draft itinerary around that and send it over. Then we refine it together — swap a beach for a hike, add a day here, slow things down there — until it feels like yours. Nothing is fixed until you are happy with every day of it.

Absolutely. Solo travellers are wonderful to plan for, and Sri Lanka is a rewarding, friendly place to explore on your own. With a private driver-guide you always have a trusted local companion for the road, and we shape the days around what you want — company and conversation when you like it, quiet and space when you do not.

Yes — from a couple on honeymoon to a multi-generation family or a group of friends. We tailor the vehicle, the stays and the pace to the size and spirit of your party, and we love arranging the small touches that make an anniversary, a honeymoon or a milestone birthday feel marked. Tell us the occasion and we will plan around it.