Discover Sri Lanka, a glittering jewel of an island nestled in the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean.  Fringing the coasts is an array of gently arcing golden-sand beaches, and vibrant colourful communities.  Sri Lanka is a country of exquisite cultures, landscapes and cuisines and has a fascinating history.

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?

Travel with us and explore the wonders of Sri Lanka, one of the top destinations for overland travellers and volunteers alike.

Sri Lanka provides a world of unimaginable beauty offering the perfect setting for an adventure that will take you across mountains, through bustling cities, remote villages, tropical forests and white sand beaches.

This adventure trail takes in the best sites of the country over four weeks as we lead you through the highlights of this unmissable destination.  Who could resist swimming in crystalline waters off perfect white sand beaches and sampling the incredible food of the region as you enjoy the company of your travel companions and new friends?  You will enjoy the exhilaration of travelling in a new land exploring exciting cultures.

What is so fantastic about this journey is that whilst travelling you will benefit from the leadership of a young, friendly, fun but also sensible and well-travelled guide who will take care of all the stress and organisation on the trip, whether it be recovering lost luggage, arranging bus tickets, booking hostels or extra activities, dealing with emergencies or even knowing the best places to go for a great night out! If you want to experience the beauty and adventure of Sri Lanka, travelling along with a young and friendly group of companions, without the hassle, then joining this road trip is the perfect solution!

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

A road trip that includes the world famous Dutch Fort in Galle, the Royal Botanical Gardens, a tea factory, the huge Bahirawakanda Buddha statue and the town of  Nuwara Eliya known as “Little England” for it's colonial British architecture. 

Enjoy an overnight stay at a temple with talks on Buddhist philosophy, natural Ayuverda treatment, a boat trip along the Madu Gaga, the famous 14th century ‘Three Temples’ with their intricate handcarvings and some yoga and meditation sessions. With volunteering options to choose from including work at the turtle centre, the elephant orphanage, beach work, teaching options either at local schools or in temples with monks,  medical or renovation options, work with the elderly, the disabled or in a  woman’s development centre. This road trip is guaranteed to be an amazing and unforgettable adventure.

First leg – Kandy

You will arrive in Kandy known as the “cultural capital” of Sri Lanka, where you will be given language and cooking lessons as well as some background on Sri Lanka’s rich history and culture.  After this you can enjoy a tour of the city with our staff where you will discover more about Buddhist philosophy and visit the Temple of the tooth relic where the relic of Buddha’s tooth resides. 

You will  see performances by traditional Sri Lankan dancers and  Kandyan fire walkers as part of a Sri Lankan Culture Show, you will visit the  Royal Botanical Gardens (with their lavish collection of tropical, exotic blossoms, plants, fruits and spices), explore some stunning 14th century temples and  gaze at the pearly-white “omnipresent” Bahirawakanda Buddha statue. Then why not relax with some guided Yoga and Meditation.

Second leg – Nuwara Eliyah

Welcome to the elephant orphanage which is based on an immense 24 acres of land and is home to over 100 elephants – the greatest herd of elephants to be kept in captivity in the world!  20 have been born here since 1984, which is a truly positive achievement. 
 
You can enjoy a talk by a Buddhist monk at his temple of residence in the Central Province, where you will be staying for a couple of nights. You can visit a tea factory in Kandy learning everything there is to know about the picking to the packing of tea, followed by an adventure in the picturesque central highlands at Nuwara Eliya, the “city of light”. With an abundant array of pineapple, jackfruit, mango, avocado and plantain offered fresh and tasty roadside stalls. You will find it hard to say no to this refreshing and natural life style.

Third leg – Galle 

Receive a relaxing Indian treatment known as “Ayuverda” before some shopping in the city of Kandy. Journey down to a southern province called Galle and visit “Ambalangoda,” famous for its nearby beaches, hand-carved, hand-painted masks and puppets. Where you are can enjoy a look around the mask and batik factories. 

You will also get the chance to walk around and explore Galle’s 300 year old world-famous Dutch Fort, furnished with exquisite colonial architecture. The Dutch atmosphere can still not only felt but seen with a great feel of hustle and bustle as locals and visitors navigate through the narrow, timeworn lanes, either on foot or ambitiously by Tuk Tuk.  An incredible eye opening experience that will bring a smile to your face each time you remember your adventures there.  

Fourth leg – Magu Gaga River

Enjoy a river safari on the Magu Gaga, a river glorified for its beautiful mangroves, home to many forms of aquatic wildlife including aquatic plants, crabs, shrimps, fish, various invertebrates, monstrous monitor lizards and crocodiles. Visit our turtle sanctuary to learn about the turtle conservation programme and hatchery project.