Local Expert. Real Sri Lanka.
Travel Sri Lanka
Like You Actually Live Here
Not a travel agency. Not an algorithm. A local from Hikkaduwa who knows the Navy guards at Gongala, the fishing boats at Dodanduwa at 5pm, and the one road that gets you to Sinharaja without Google Maps sending you the wrong way.
Your local contact
Hi, I am Rochana
I live in Hikkaduwa on the south coast. I run a motorcycle workshop here, I cycle the backroads, and I have spent years exploring the parts of Sri Lanka that most tourists never find.
I built this website because every European tourist I met was using the same three guidebooks and missing the best parts. The hidden lagoon at Dodanduwa. The five waterfalls inside Sinharaja. The mountain viewpoint at Gongala where the Navy lets you climb the radar tower. None of that is in the brochure.
- I know the exact bus numbers from Galle to Dodanduwa (388/1 and 388/3, bridge stop)
- I know the Mobitel network is the only one that works near Sinharaja
- I know which ATMs in Hikkaduwa work with European cards and which do not
- I know the fish market at Dodanduwa opens at 5pm when the boats return
- I know the Hayes Tea Factory plus code that stops Google Maps sending you the wrong way to Gongala
- I know which tuk-tuk drivers around Galle actually know the road to Hiriketiya
This is not marketing copy. This is the kind of thing I know because I live here. And it is exactly what I give you when you work with me.
Chat with Rochana on WhatsAppChoose Your Experience
Three paid services and one completely free one. Every option includes direct WhatsApp access to me personally. No call centres. No ticket numbers. Just a local who knows the answer.
Option A
The Bespoke Itinerary
You want to travel independently but you do not want to spend 40 hours on Google finding out what I already know. Tell me your travel style and I build your trip.
- Day-by-day custom itinerary as a PDF
- Hidden gems matched to your interests
- Vetted hotel recommendations at your budget
- Transport links with real local directions
- One round of revisions included
- Delivered within 48 hours of payment
Payment via bank transfer or PayPal before delivery. The fee filters out time-wasters so I can focus on serious travellers.
Start on WhatsAppOption B
South Coast Basecamp
Base yourself on the south coast with a local network behind you. Accommodation, airport transfer, and day trips arranged through people I actually know and trust. No random operators.
- Airport pickup from Colombo or Mattala
- South coast accommodation arranged
- Day trip to Dodanduwa beach and lagoon
- Day trip to Sinharaja Lankagama waterfalls
- Day trip to Gongala mountain viewpoint
- Hiriketiya bay half-day option
- Local transport with drivers I know personally
- WhatsApp support throughout your stay
- Customised to your dates and interests
Pricing depends on group size, dates, and accommodation choice. Chat with me on WhatsApp and I will give you a clear quote within a few hours.
Chat with RochanaOption C
Full Private Tour
Zero stress from airport to final beach sunset. Private driver, carefully chosen boutique hotels, and an itinerary that includes the major sites and the hidden spots nobody else takes you to.
- Full trip management from arrival to departure
- Private driver for the entire trip
- Boutique hotel selection at your budget
- All major sites covered with skip-the-queue timing
- Hidden gems itinerary built around your group
- All day trips and activities arranged
- 24-hour WhatsApp support throughout
- Flexible itinerary adjustments as you go
- Full cost transparency before you commit
Best for groups of 2 to 6 people. Pricing depends on duration, accommodation level, and group size. Most groups find this more affordable than they expected.
Get a QuoteHow It Works
From first message to landing in Colombo. Simple.
Message me on WhatsApp
Tell me your dates, who you are travelling with, and what kind of trip you want. Takes two minutes.
I ask a few questions
Budget, interests, pace. Fast and direct. No form to fill, no questionnaire to complete.
I build your plan
Custom itinerary, package, or full tour quote. Ready within 48 hours of our first chat.
You travel. I am available.
WhatsApp support throughout. If something changes or goes wrong, I am one message away.
What You Get That Nobody Else Offers
The hidden gems are actually hidden
The spots on this site, including Dodanduwa lagoon, Gongala summit, Sinharaja Lankagama, and Thalkote Lake, are places I know because I live near them. Not because they came up on a travel blog. You will not find them on a massive group tour.
Local timing that actually matters
The fish market at Dodanduwa opens when the boats return at 5pm. The Gongala Navy cutoff is 3pm. The best ATMs in Hikkaduwa are HNB and Commercial Bank, not Peoples Bank. This is the practical detail that makes a trip work instead of frustrate.
No commission padding
I recommend places I actually like, not hotels that pay me more to recommend them. When I tell you a guesthouse is good, it is because I know the owner or I have sent people there before.
One person. Direct access.
No call centre. No ticket number. No chatbot. You message me, I read it, I reply. The same person from your first question to your last day on the island.
Real transport knowledge
Bus 388/1 and 388/3 from Galle to Dodanduwa bridge stop. The Hayes Tea Factory plus code for Gongala. The train to Ella that sells out weeks in advance. The roads a tuk-tuk cannot handle after rain. This is the practical stuff that makes the difference.
You can change the plan
Sri Lanka does not always behave as planned. Rain, road closures, a missed bus, or a guesthouse that does not match the photos. When things change, message me. I sort it out. That is what being actually local means.
Common Questions
Bank transfer or PayPal. I give you my bank details or PayPal address on WhatsApp after we agree on what you need. Payment before delivery for the itinerary service. For packages and full tours, we agree on a deposit to confirm and the balance closer to your arrival.
One round of revisions is included. Tell me what you want changed and I update it. For significant restructuring beyond that, we can discuss a small additional fee. Most people find the first version is close to what they wanted because I ask the right questions upfront.
For an itinerary, any time is fine. I can turn one around in 48 hours. For packages and full tours, at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip is ideal, especially for peak season travel (December to March). Good accommodation and transport on the south coast books up fast and I need time to confirm everything properly.
Yes. The south coast is where I know most detail but I can build itineraries and arrange trips anywhere in Sri Lanka. For the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, Ella, Yala, and the east coast I work with trusted local contacts who know those areas the way I know the south. You get the same level of local knowledge regardless of where you want to go.
For Option A, the fee is 50 to 100 EUR against a trip that will cost thousands. For most people that is good value for not spending hours researching. For packages and full tours, my pricing is transparent and I will show you exactly what each element costs. You are paying for local knowledge and coordination, not a markup on standard tourist prices. Many people find the total cost is similar to what they would have spent booking independently, just without the stress.
Message me on WhatsApp. I am in the same time zone as you, I know the local context, and I can usually sort problems faster than you can from a foreign country. I have recommended drivers, guesthouses, and guides in most areas of the island. If something is not right, I can find an alternative quickly.
Start with one message
Tell me your travel dates and what kind of trip you want. I will come back to you within a few hours with a clear plan. No obligation. No sales pitch. Just a local who knows Sri Lanka.
Chat with Rochana on WhatsAppUsually replies within a few hours. Based in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka.