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What's the difference between a fully guided and partially guided holiday - which holiday to choose out of these

4 replies

ElbowsUpRising · 21/03/2025 14:51

Trying to decide between a few different ones and have come across this. The partially guided one you seem to have private transport driving you places every day. Does it mean they take you on to the next town/hotel and then you're on your own? But looking at the itinerary it talks about stop offs at specific attractions. Does the guide/driver stay in the car while you mooch round the attraction and with a fully guided tour they come round the attraction with you? Because if that's the only difference I'm not fussed.

The other thing that worries me is that with the partially guided one date of departure is available any and every date. Which makes me think I could rock up and be the only person and not in a group. I like the itinerary of the partially guided one more.

https://www.tourradar.com/t/181468 - partially guided

https://www.tourradar.com/t/46438 - fully guided.

https://www.tourradar.com/t/182090 another fully guided one

https://www.tourradar.com/t/139166 another fully guided one

https://www.tourradar.com/t/248347 another partially guided one

Discovering the Treasures of Sri Lanka, 14-Day Adventure from Negombo to Mirissa by Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd with 2 Tour Reviews (Code: LT0333) - TourRadar

Discovering the Treasures of Sri Lanka, 14-Day Adventure from Negombo to Mirissa, a 14 days tour from Negombo to Pinnawala, Habarana and 11 destinations. Best Selection - Best Price - Trusted Payments

https://www.tourradar.com/t/181468

OP posts:
samarrange · 21/03/2025 16:43

Does the guide/driver stay in the car while you mooch round the attraction and with a fully guided tour they come round the attraction with you?

That's about it. You would probably meet up with a local guide at each place. I note that on the partially-guided tours the price of admission to the attractions is not included either, whereas when it's fully-guided the guide goes to the ticket office and buys the tickets.

If you think about it, the driver could be driving any size of vehicle. You wouldn't expect the driver of a 50-seat coach to also get out and start giving guided tours of various monuments. Plus, driving in Sri Lanka is pretty full-on. Our driver/guide (just the 2 of us in a normal car) sometimes talked to us on the cruising bits, but there were sections where you didn't want to be asking him how the Sinhalese alphabet worked as he was overtaking a tuk-tuk with a truck bearing down on him.

If you are in a bigger group, you might also find that they mix in people from different countries in the group and perhaps there would be two or three guides, each speaking different languages. But my guess is that your party would likely be small. We were delighted to just be the 2 of us in a car, rather than 4 or 6 in a minivan, but if being on your own would be a showstopper then you would want to get some assurances from the tour operator.

You can also expect several stops at restaurants or craft shops where the driver will be getting a commission on what you buy, or at least a free lunch for taking you there. Sri Lankan food can be very, very spicy, so unless you are the kind of person who orders a phaal when you're out for a curry in the UK, you are probably safest letting the driver take you to their recommended place, where you will generally find a buffet of not-too-spicy local dishes. It's expensive by local standards but cheap by yours, which I guess is what's known as a win-win.

Rocknrollstar · 21/03/2025 17:37

I would recommend looking at other tour operators such as Riviera or similar. They make it clear exactly what you will be doing and when.

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 21/03/2025 17:42

Rocknrollstar · 21/03/2025 17:37

I would recommend looking at other tour operators such as Riviera or similar. They make it clear exactly what you will be doing and when.

I agree.
Also, is the company ATOL & ABTA protected ?

ElbowsUpRising · 21/03/2025 17:49

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 21/03/2025 17:42

I agree.
Also, is the company ATOL & ABTA protected ?

The first fully guided one is, not sure about the others. I’ve looked at the bigger names like Rivera and exodus and can’t find an itinerary I like.

I’m in a frozen panic of not knowing what to do. I’m veering between paying loads and also thinking on other days about getting Ubers/buses about the place. Or maybe hiring a personal guide for driving me about for a few weeks. 😁. I think ultimately I’d prefer a tour for less stress and company.

Thanks everyone and especially @samarrange for the comprehensive reply

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