Cultural & Heritage Tours

WalkWithJith als Unternehmen und meinen Guide Susantha Weerappuli kann ich nur auf das Wärmste empfehlen. Planung und Durchführung meiner Reise zur Vogelbeoachtung auf Sri Lanka waren stets kompetent, effizient und freundlich. Alles verlief während der etwas mehr als „ Wochen reibungslos und das Ergebnis hat am Ende alle Erwartungen übertroffen: Ich konnte  in zwei Wochen alle endemischen Arten Sri Lankas sehen, dazu viele weitere Brutvogelarten und Wintergäste – insgesamt über  240 Arten. Sustantha war dabei mit seinen profunden Kenntnissen  ein perfekter Führer durch die Vogelwelt und Sri Lanka´s – und darüber hinaus.

Die gemeinsame Reise war dazu immer entspannt und angenehm und freundschaftlich. Ich kann nur zu einer Vogelbeobachtung auf Sri Lanka mit WalkWithJith und Susantha als Guide ermutigen und werde die Reise in bester Erinnerung  behalten.“

Here is the Google translation of the original text in German:

I am Lalith from Pannipitiya. We planned to visit Sigiriya in a one weekend in last month. We are four in the family me, my wife and two kids aged 12 and 14. Hence, we had few big bags with other stuff and decided to hire a van for more space. 

When I looked for a van and saw this Facebook advertisement and hired a van and the driver from Walk With Jith. 

Our driver Sisira smartly dressed and came at the right time in the morning, started our journey to Sigiriya. The vehicle was air-conditioned Toyota KDH high roof van, specious and well cleaned. On the way Sisira asked " sir if you are interest to see some birds I can stop in couple of places for a short break". I said actually we do not have any idea of bird watching but if he can show some, we are happy to see. 

I arranged a 7-day birdwatching tour for me and my non birding wife, focusing on the endemic birds of Sri Lanka. This was to be followed by a week at our chosen beach resort. All arrangements and events were dealt with impeccably by Jith and our guide “Hetti”, a very good meet and greet,  and we were of on our tour.

Our guide Hetti was superb throughout. His knowledge of all things from butterflies, dragonflies and lizards was fantastic, his binding skills were excellent. Hetti was a joy to be with, he has 25 years as a guide and this shows, all our needs taken care of, nothing too much for him. Hetti should be very proud of the service he provides.

All in all a fantastic trip in a fantastic, clean and picturesque country.

This trip will not be forgotten. No hesitation recommending Walk With Jith.

Darran Stanyard

01/03/20

We have had a fantastic tour, with a great mix of birds, wildlife & cultural sites. We have seen over 220 bird species several leopard and numerous elephants. Our guide Thilli was fantastic and his ability to hear and find birds was amazing. He worked tirelessly to make our trip enjoyable.

The communication with Jith before and during the trip was excellent and prompt. The Sri Lankan people are so friendly and welcoming.

It’s unfortunate that our grip was cut short by Coronavirus before we reached Sinharaja, so we have a good reason to return and find the 7 endemics that we missed!

We would certainly recommend Walk With Jith and Thilli our brilliant guide.

Many thanks

Jennifer Thomasson and Ian Billenness
Kent
United Kingdom
15 03 2020

24th February – 19th March 2020

-----

Dear Thilli,

We could not have enjoyed our first visit to Sri Lanka more. We came as near-beginner birders, with only four or five years' experience. We were a bit worried that since most of Jith's clients seemed to be hard-core bird-watchers, dealing with us would be like looking after the village idiots. But that fear dissipated once we met out guide, Thilina, who assumed we would have the same ambitions to see birds as any expert.  Here, I have to say this man is something of a phenomenon. His ability to find a bird simply from the reactions of other wildlife, or from the slightest, barely audible whistle (which we often couldn't detect) is little short of uncanny. Thanks to his skill, we saw all but one of Sri Lanka's endemic bird species. And the one that got away was the victim of abnormally dry conditions in his habitats, something we were forced to admit after Thilina led us in two and a half days' hunts. We knew that if he couldn't find it, it wasn't there.

My husband and I have been on a delightful two-week tour of Sri Lanka with “WALK WITH JITH”. The main purpose of the tour was bird watching! - and here I must add, that I am not a birder myself!

We have had the pleasure of being guided by Susantha – the number one birder of Sri Lanka – although he didn’t mention this to us till we had known each other for a week!

The journey had been eventful in many ways! Approx 240 difficult birds, lots of mammals, reptiles and butterflies etc. And we have been introduced to Sri Lankan way of life – culture, nature, history, religion, educational system, nature preservation, agriculture – and how the society works – and how a good curry is served!

All questions answered and explained with profound knowledge, patience and a good sense of humor!

We would delightful go “Walk With Jith” again and love to travel with Susantha as the companion anytime (soon)!

Sri Lanka is truly a paradise!

Ulla

Diane and I are sitting at the airport now waiting for our flight. I wanted to email you and thank you (and Athula) for the amazing experience and trip we had. Feel free to copy and paste any or all of this commentary onto your website, and especially onto Athula's reviews.

From the very beginning, the experience was great as the response to our initial inquiries was very quick and professional. The trip was organized well with a great itinerary.

Dear Jith,

I am Kathy from China, and we took a birding tour in Feb 21-23.   This is a letter for sending the feedback for this tour with so kind guide Dammica.

First I need to apologize for not sending the feedback in time, and I promised Dammica I would send this. I am so sorry to Dammica. After the tour in Sinharaja we left Sri Lanka and had a long journey in Tanzania and most time we couldn’t get online. And now we’ve already backed to China, and I really want to show my appreciation to your team and Dammica. Hope it’s not too late.

And because the coronavirus is now raging around the world and in Sri Lanka there are also people  infected, so before I write down the feedback I would like to sincerely wish you and your team and all your families safe and healthy. 

Our guide was very kind, was an excellent and careful driver, was full of energy, put a lot of effort in finding birds for us.

• For us as birders the whole day visit of Udawalawe could have been skipped because it hardly had added value.
• We spent 3 days in total in a jeep. It is a pity that in the national parks, it is not allowed to leave the jeep and explore the surroundings.
• Hotel in Nuwara Eliya was a bit “darked” but staff was very friendly.
• Communication could sometimes have been a little bit better.
• With the advice and effective help of our guide, we could change the program according to our wishes at the very last moment         

Hans Custers group
Venlo
Netherlands

12th – 26th February 2020

We were a group of 2 couples and 4 single males. On behalf of the group I cannot fault the organization, the team, transport, or accommodation. We have been well looked after throughout seeing all the garget bird species and more, total birds seen by Group were 217 which included all 34 endemics. Jith and his team and contacts worked tirelessly to ensure our trip met all our objectives even finishing with 2 leopards at Yala and Excellent view of some buffalos.

Our flight was delayed by over 16 hours due to weather in London but this was taken in stride and did not inhibit us from getting everything from the …. The late change hote,, Hill Pride, could have done with heating as we experienced & …. Of c…. wet …… . The Rooms were good and staff and food excellent so al in all work out well.