Question 1

Are your tours fixed itineraries or fully tailor-made?

Accepted Answer

Both. Our published tours are starting points you can book as they are, or use as a canvas. Most travellers reshape the route, hotels, pace and experiences with a designer until it fits exactly how they like to travel.

Question 2

What's included in a tour price?

Accepted Answer

Typically private transport with a chauffeur-guide, accommodation, daily breakfast, entrance fees for the listed sites, and your designer's planning and on-trip support. Flights, visas and most lunches and dinners are usually separate. Every quote spells out exactly what's included before you commit.

Question 3

How many people is a private tour for?

Accepted Answer

Anything from a solo traveller to a multi-family group. Pricing is per party, so smaller groups pay a little more per head and larger groups less. Tell us your numbers and we'll scope it.

Question 4

Can you arrange a longer or shorter version of a tour?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We stretch or compress any itinerary around your dates, and add or drop regions to match the time you have. A good trip is built around your calendar, not the other way round.

Question 5

Do you cater to special diets and accessibility needs?

Accepted Answer

We do. Share any dietary, mobility or medical needs up front and we'll choose suitable hotels, vehicles and experiences, and brief your guide ahead of arrival.

Question 6

What standard of accommodation do you use?

Accepted Answer

From characterful boutique stays to the island's finest luxury hotels and villas. We match the style to your taste and budget, and we only use places we'd happily stay in ourselves.

Question 7

Which regions should a first-time visitor see?

Accepted Answer

Most first trips weave together the Cultural Triangle, the hill country, and a stretch of the south or east coast. It's a classic loop that balances heritage, scenery and beach without long drives.

Question 8

When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

It's a year-round destination because two monsoons fall at opposite times. The south and west coasts and hill country shine from December to April; the east coast is at its best from May to September. We plan your route around the season.

Question 9

How much time should I spend in each region?

Accepted Answer

As a rule of thumb: two to three nights for the Cultural Triangle, two to three for the hill country, and three or more for the coast. We tune this to your interests and pace.

Question 10

Are the regions far apart?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka is compact, but roads are scenic rather than fast. We design routes with sensible driving days, plan stops worth making, and use the hill-country train or internal flights where they save you time.

Question 11

Can I combine Sri Lanka with the Maldives?

Accepted Answer

Easily. A short flight connects the two, so an island-and-ocean trip, culture and wildlife followed by a Maldives finale, is one of our most-loved combinations.

Question 12

What kinds of experiences can you arrange?

Accepted Answer

Private safaris with expert trackers, tea-estate walks, temple visits with the right guide, surf and snorkelling, cooking classes, Ayurveda and wellness, whale watching, and plenty that never makes a brochure. If it's possible on the island, we can usually arrange it.

Question 13

When is the best time for wildlife and safaris?

Accepted Answer

Leopards and elephants can be seen year-round across the national parks, but the dry months sharpen your chances as animals gather near water. We'll point your dates and parks to what you most want to see.

Question 14

Can we see blue whales?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Sri Lanka is one of the best places on earth for them. Mirissa on the south coast runs roughly December to April, and Trincomalee on the east coast May to September. We time it to your route.

Question 15

Are experiences private or in groups?

Accepted Answer

Private by default: your own guide, vehicle and pace. Where a shared departure genuinely makes sense (some boat trips, for example) we'll tell you in advance.

Question 16

Do you offer wellness and Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

From a single spa afternoon to a structured multi-day Ayurveda programme at a dedicated retreat. Tell us what you're after and we'll build it in.

Question 17

How do I start planning a trip?

Accepted Answer

Send us an enquiry with rough dates, your group, and anything you already dream of doing. A travel designer replies within one business day with first ideas, with no obligation and no hard sell.

Question 18

How and when do I pay?

Accepted Answer

We confirm with a deposit and settle the balance before travel. Pricing is clear and itemised up front, so you always know what's included before you commit.

Question 19

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the hotels and services booked, so we share the exact terms with your quote. We always lay out the deadlines clearly and recommend comprehensive travel insurance.

Question 20

Do I need a visa, and can you help?

Accepted Answer

Most visitors need Sri Lanka's online travel authorisation (ETA). We guide you through it and share the entry requirements for your nationality, though the application itself stays in your hands.

Question 21

Do you work with travel agents and DMCs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a Sri Lanka destination management company we partner with agencies abroad on private and group programmes. Write to hello@theescaperoutes.com and we'll set you up.

Question 22

What support do I have during the trip?

Accepted Answer

A real person on the ground. You travel with our drivers and guides, and our Kandy team is reachable throughout for anything that comes up while you're here.

Questions? Answered.

The answers most travellers look for.

Find your answer, by what you're planning.

Journeys to start your thinking.

Northern Heritage Discovery

Cultural Triangle Explorer

Wild Sri Lanka Safari

Southern Coast Escape

Still have a question?