E 25 Nissan caravan luxury van

9 days of great service from Ran, beginning with picking my family up from the airport in Colombo, being ever so patient with us and our young children (boys aged 10 and 9) as we worked our way through jetlag tantrums and disorientation - he was always there to guide us and to make sure we had nothing to worry about. Nothing was too much trouble for Ran, and he adjusted his plans and his route to accommodate the needs of a young family. We had prearranged our own accommodation and route and only contacted Ran about a month before our arrival - but in hindsite we wish that we had taken some advice from him before we booked our trip - he knew what we were likely to enjoy and what we might be better avoiding - but in any case he expertly guided us around the Habarana/Sigiriya area, the hills south of Kandy, the area around Ella (including tea plantation visit), some secret waterfalls and then down to Tissa for dual safaris (afternoon and the next morning) which he arranged for us with a trusted local driver, and we were even treated to the rare sight of a leopard! In terms of the experience, Ran drove extremely cautiously and safely and we remarked a number of times that we were glad that he was driving and not us! We also learned a lot from Ran about Sri Lanka and its history and culture, both at the various sites we visited as well as various conversations as we drove along. Ran showed lots of daily gestures of kindness, including buying little sweets for our boys, or saying good morning and goodnight to us every day. Our family grew very fond of Ran as the days rolled on, and we slept soundly knowing that whatever problems cropped up (as they inevitably do on an adventure holiday) Ran would know what to do. So he was far more than a driver; he was a friend. We’d happily recommend him to anyone!

August 28, 2025

9 days of great service from Ran, beginning with picking my family up from the airport in Colombo, being ever so patient with us and our young children (boys aged 10 and 9) as we worked our way through jetlag tantrums and disorientation — he was always there to guide us and to make sure we had nothing to worry about. Nothing was too much trouble for Ran, and he adjusted his plans and his route to accommodate the needs of a young family. We had prearranged our own accommodation and route and only contacted Ran about a month before our arrival, but in hindsight we wish we had taken some advice from him before we booked our trip — he knew what we were likely to enjoy and what we might be better avoiding. In any case he expertly guided us around the Habarana and Sigiriya area, the hills south of Kandy, the area around Ella including a tea plantation visit, some secret waterfalls, and then down to Tissa for dual safaris, afternoon and the next morning, which he arranged for us with a trusted local driver — and we were even treated to the rare sight of a leopard! Ran drove extremely cautiously and safely and we remarked a number of times that we were glad he was driving and not us. We also learned a lot from Ran about Sri Lanka and its history and culture, both at the various sites we visited and in conversations as we drove along. Ran showed lots of daily gestures of kindness, including buying little sweets for our boys, or saying good morning and goodnight to us every day. Our family grew very fond of Ran as the days rolled on, and we slept soundly knowing that whatever problems cropped up, as they inevitably do on an adventure holiday, Ran would know what to do. So he was far more than a driver; he was a friend. We'd happily recommend him to anyone!

August 27, 2025

Just completed a 21 day tour with Ran Holidays with my wife and 2 children, aged 7 and 10. We had a really great experience exploring many corners of beautiful Sri Lanka, and formed some fantastic memories. As a guide and driver, Ran was great. Professional, punctual, incredibly knowledgeable, and friendly are just a few words that come to mind. What made our experience particularly unique is that Ran went out of his way to expose us to local experiences, like where we ate and which hotels we stayed in. It left us feeling that we understood the local culture in a more authentic way. Ran's passion for all things Sri Lankan shone through and I recommend this tour for anyone who is interested in exploring Sri Lanka.

March 18, 2024

The experience with Ran Holidays and Ran Alwis was fantastic. He organised small, nice and clean hotels in all locations, around 35 to 45 USD with breakfast for one double room, which were very good places. His luxury new van for transport, safe driving, and guiding at all the sites we visited including a safari trip. His knowledge about history, culture and Buddhism is absolutely impressive. Wonderful memories of a Sri Lankan tour. He did not ask for advance money before we went to Sri Lanka. I can recommend his service.

September 30, 2023

We decided to ask Ran to be our driver and tour guide because of the positive opinions here. I can only confirm that everything written about Ran is true. We spent 14 days with Ran in Sri Lanka. Ran took care of us for the whole trip, starting and finishing at the airport. Beforehand we communicated and agreed everything via email. Ran is not just a driver. He was our guide, and he shared a lot of information about Sri Lanka, its culture and nature with us. He was always very punctual and drove us safely around the country. He made sure that hotels and restaurants suited us. Ran is passionate about his job. He is very friendly. He tries to get to know his customers and considers individual preferences and expectations. He makes suggestions and gives advice on where to go, where to eat, what to see, but never puts on pressure and adapts to each customer's individual way of seeing Sri Lanka. The kids really appreciated the wifi in his car. We highly recommend Ran for your Sri Lankan adventure.

September 5, 2023

Choosing Ran as our guide was one of the best things about our trip to Sri Lanka. Ran looked after us three active women for 15 days as our driver, guide and adviser on everything from suitable roadside foods, to the best times to visit sites, to appropriate tipping. Our holiday included visits to Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Gal Oya, Kandy, Sigiriya, Nilaveli, Anuradhapura and Negombo, so we covered a lot of the country. Ran communicated via email over several weeks as we clarified the itinerary, rates, accommodation and expectations. His suggestions for accommodation at US$30 a night each were perfect. When one was cancelled at the last minute, due to the hotel's switchboard blowing up, the owner and Ran swiftly organised alternative accommodation at a comparable property nearby, in the jungle, that proved to be a foodie highlight of our trip. The care, warmth and diligence by all concerned won't be forgotten. Over decades as a guide, Ran has built a network and knowledge base that gives his clients wonderful personal experiences. When he says the accommodation suggestion is with a friend, you can accept that it is legitimate and has his guarantee of being suitable, as he has built a special relationship with countless hosts who aim to please their guests. When on the road in rural areas, Ran was a marvellous go-between with non-English-speaking hosts, at eateries and especially in finding us drinkable coffee and acceptable washrooms. Ran is passionate about his job as a guide and invests himself in every client, finding out their individual preferences to make the experience appropriate and memorable. It is our pleasure to recommend Ran's services, for his precise planning and good communication, his concern for our welfare and all of our preferences, his intimate knowledge of Sri Lanka, his impeccable appearance and daily cleaning of the van, his pride and pleasure in being a guide, his endlessly skilful, patient and careful driving, and the cheeky sense of humour that eventually surfaced. Ran is guaranteed to show you the best of Sri Lanka.

July 6, 2023