Kandy - Visite privée d'une journée à Sigiriya

We had such a great day with Janaka!! We learnt about Sri Lanka’s history, drove through the countryside, hiked Pidurangala for gorgeous view of Sigiriya and beyond, visited some temples, had a delicious traditional buffet lunch, and some fresh fruit from a stall on the side of the road. Janaka is kind, friendly and so considerate. Great day :)

Our experience with Janaka was truly outstanding and far exceeded all our expectations. From the very beginning, it was clear that he has a deep passion for his country and an incredible knowledge of not only the famous sights but also the hidden gems and everyday life in Sri Lanka. He brings the country to life with fascinating stories, local insights, and his genuine love for sharing his culture. What makes Janaka so special is the way he goes beyond the usual tourist information. He tells you about the history of the people, the traditions that are still alive today, and the small details of daily life that you would never learn from a guidebook. Whether it’s explaining the significance of a temple, pointing out unique plants on the roadside, or sharing stories about local customs, he adds so much richness and depth to the experience. He is also incredibly knowledgeable about Sri Lanka’s wildlife, landscapes, and food, making every moment of the journey exciting and meaningful. On top of his knowledge, Janaka is simply wonderful company. He has such a friendly and approachable nature that we instantly felt comfortable with him. He has a great sense of humor, a caring personality, and a natural way of making every guest feel welcome and looked after. Janaka was patient, flexible, and always made sure we were enjoying ourselves and experiencing things at our own pace. Janaka is amazing at his work, and it’s clear that guiding is not just a job for him, it’s his passion. If you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka and want more than just a tour, but an unforgettable experience full of learning, laughter, and discovery, we cannot recommend him highly enough. Booking a tour with Janaka is truly one of the best decisions you can make to see and understand the real beauty of Sri Lanka.

We found Janaka by chance and the reviews were excellent. I’m sure you’ve seen the myriad of drivers out there but what sets Janaka apart is his personable and customized tours. He doesn’t stop where the tourist buses usually go (even though you won’t miss the highlights!) and he does side trips to lovely spots or stops to try certain foods (ex. dodol or cashews). When we went passed the vegetable market in Dambulla and expressed interest in peeking in, it wasn’t a problem and this was certainly a working market with the smells, chaos and colours that makes it interesting. I’m not a person who likes long journeys and the roads in Sri Lanka can be tedious but the hours flew by with the conversation. Janaka’s English is excellent and his fluency and approachability made it possible for us to ask him all types of questions that affects Sri Lanka, from political turmoils, corruption, the education and health care system, taxation to LGBTQ and religion. It allowed us to really form a lovely connection and have us so much more insight than would have been available. So please don’t think it’s only about the Temples, UNESCO sites and tea, this tour is so much more than that. Thank you Janaka for sharing your story and days with us.

The tour was amazing. He came to pick us up at the hotel very punctually and took us to all the points we wanted. There was a moment during the car trip when I was not feeling well due to menstrual problems and he was very understanding, he made several stops, even telling acquaintances so that I could be comfortable. The places we visited were incredible. He made a few more stops even than we had talked about and we loved them. He is very detailed and makes you feel comfortable. For example, he stopped us at a fruit stand so we could try them, he was in charge of paying the saleswoman and didn't let us pay anything. He knows a lot about history and tells you many interesting details. It's like talking to a friend.

We had a really good day with Janaka. He drove us to the places we wanted to visit and told us a lot about his country and the sights on the car ride. He customised the day to our taste and even helped organise our trip further by providing contacts and recommendations. He is a good driver and very friendly person.

We did the trip from Kandy to Pidurangala with Janaka and it was such a great experience! Janaka made sure, we only see the stuff that‘s really worth it and don‘t go to the very touristic places. We had very good conversations and got to know the country so much better because of it. We can really recommend booking a tour with Janaka :D

Janaka is a nice guy, but much better as a driver than as a tour guide. He was unprepared for common scenarios and situations.

The tour with Janaka was one of the highlights of my trip to Sri Lanka! I am so thankful to him for showing me this part of his country and for all the talks we had, which helped me connect much more to the culture and also hear about the history. The tour was so rich in terms of experiences - we did Pidurangala, we had an amazing stop at a village where I ate the best coconut roti prepared by a local woman in an authentic way, we went to the Dambulla Cave Temple and ended up with a Hindu temple on the way back. Janaka is the most friendly, thoughtful and kind guide you could ask for. I told him I haven’t tried jackfruit and he remembered that and bought some for me to try. It was really an incredible day. You won’t regret booking the tour with Janaka, highly recommend it! Thank you Janaka!

Fantastic tour. Janaka had great suggestions of places to go. He was very knowledgeable of Sri Lanka’s history and culture. When he found out I was vegan, he recommend lots of food and restaurants I could eat at. Overall really friendly guy and nothing was too much. I highly recommend booking his tour. Great value for money