Sri Lankan Road Trip

Central to South - Sri Lanka

Only 720€ per week!

Get to visit three vastly distinctive regions of this exotic country and experience their unique and exciting culture!

On this road trip, visit the world-famous former Dutch colony of Galle, the beautiful botanical gardens, tea factories, marvel at the varied architecture and thrilling activities and natural sites. This road trip is guaranteed to give you an amazing and unforgettable adventure!

Culture
Learning
Leisure
Community Engagement
Physical Demand

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Program Description

The Sri Lanka Road Trip is an Eco-Tourism travel project which means it is as environmentally friendly as possible. As part of this unique experience, you will visit various distinctive regions and explore their exotic, unique and exciting culture. The road trip includes the world-famous Dutch Fort in Galle, the Royal Botanical Gardens, a Tea Factory and many other sites of historical importance

Enjoy a natural Ayurvedic treatment, a boat trip along the Madu Ganga, and spend time on the beach in the southern coast of Sri Lanka.

In the first week you will be introduced to Sri Lanka wherein you will witness cultural dance and music performances by artists, visit famous Buddhist and Hindu temples, learn Sri Lankan cuisine, culture and traditions and much more!

On your second week, you will climb the Ambuluwawa peak, visit Lion’s rock – where you can see the ruins of an old castle built on a rock, and also spend an adventurous day by the side of the Mahaweli river and do water sports and other activities. You will also do a nature trek in Riverston and visit a mini world’s end. This also includes a morning trek to Pidurangala Mountain and witnessing the sunrise from the top of the hill.

On the third week, we take you to the southeastern part of Sri Lanka where you will spend the remaining 5 days to visit ancient temples by tuk-tuk or van, relax by the pristine beach, go on a river safari, work at our very own turtle conservation project, visit Galle, and also visit a gemstones’ museum!

Aims & Objectives

The aim of this program is to bring you closer to authentic Sri Lanka. Through different projects and activities, you will get to truly immerse yourself in the culture, customs and lifestyle.

Schedule

Week 1

Day 1: Monday

  • Welcome/Introduction to the Program/collection of documents
  • Language Lesson/Lunch/Cultural lesson/Kandy City tour
  • Cultural Show

Day 2: Tuesday

  • Sri Lanka breakfast
  • Spice and Ayurvedic garden visit/Tea factory visit and the Gem Museum
  • Boat ride at the Kandy Lake

Day 3: Wednesday

  • Sri Lankan cooking Lesson
  • Meditation Lesson

Day 4: Thursday

  • Sri Lanka breakfast
  • Early morning visit to the Temple of the tooth
  • Join a Batik lesson

Day 5: Friday

  • Visit a special temple in a small forest  and Hindu Temple visit
  • Indian Lunch in the city/Ayurvedic massage

Day 6: Saturday

  • Visit Royal Botanical Gardens
  • Visit to British Cemetry

Day 7: Sunday

  • Free Day

Week 2

Day 8: Monday

  • Day hike to Ambuluwawa Peak

Day 9: Tuesday

  • Physical traning and morning trek
  • River kayaking, calm water rafting, abseiling, repelling
  • Bon fire

Day 10: Wednesday

  • Galboda waterfall hunt
  • Train ride to Kandy
  • Udawattakele Forest Reserve

Day 11: Thursday

  • Nature trek in riverston
  • Transfer to Dambulla

Day 12: Friday

  • Hike to Pidurangala mountain
  • Climbing the Sigiriya rock (Lion’s rock)

Day 13: Saturday

  • Visit Dambulla cave temples and returning to the accommodation in Kandy

Day 14: Sunday

  • Early morning travel to Down South by train to the beach

Week 3

Day 15: Monday

  • River Safari at "Madu Ganga" and Afternoon Relaxing at the beach

Day 16: Tuesday

  • Visit South Asia's largest sleeping Buddha statue and Sri Lanka’s largest wooden Buddha statue "Temple day"

Day 17: Wednesday

  • Feeding the Turtles and afternoon will be free

Day 18: Thursday

  • Tour to a beautiful waterfall and the afternoon will be free at the beach

Day 19: Friday

  • Galle City Tour and afternoon will be free

Day 20: Saturday

  • Departure

   Note:   This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Minimum age:

Maximum age:

Minimum English level: Basic

CRB required: On Signup

Passport copy required: On Signup

Resume copy required: No

Required qualification: None

Additional Requirements

  • Participants below the age of 18 should have parental consent.
  • Participants above the age of 65 should have medical clearance.

Additional Equipment

  • Shoes suitable for hiking
  • Towel and blanket
  • Insect repellent
  • Cap/hat
  • Sunscreen

Location

A route from the Central province of Sri Lanka to the Southern part of the country, passing many historical sites. The focal point of the journey would be Kandy.

About the Accommodation

You will be accommodated in one of our centers which are located 2-4 kilometers away from Kandy center. Furthermore, there is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.

Food Arrangements

You will be provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. The meals are a mix of Western and Sri Lankan food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can also eat out at any of the local restaurants.

Facilities

Along the route – but not at all times – there are ATMs and small local stores. Please make sure you have enough money with you before starting the trip.

Activities & Events

No scheduled activities outside the program.

Sights & Surroundings

You’ll be on a busy schedule.

Transportation

From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.

Quick Facts

Name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Population: 20 million

Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and Colombo

Language: Sinhalese, Tamil

Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

Time zone: UTC +5:30

Country Information

Sri Lanka’s over 2000 years of history and culture can still be seen in every corner of its cities and the details of its ever-beautiful ancient temples. With eight UNESCO World Heritage sites and its short distances between the main sights, Sri Lanka is a country that, despite often being overlooked in itineraries, has left travelers filled with awe.

Visit the sacred home of the world’s oldest living tree in Anuradhapura, wander around the colonial architecture of Colombo, get sun-kissed at the untouched beaches that enclose the territory, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, head to the hills for a cooler temperature and get surrounded by lush natural vegetation, visit two thousand year-old temples or get overawed at the sight of hundreds of elephants in Minneriya.

While traveling through Sri Lanka you will experience adventures from the highest and chilliest mountains like the famous Adam’s Peak – a stairway mountain considered sacred in three different religions, through the elephant shelters, to the most peaceful beaches up north near Trincomalee and their tiny- one floor- hostels facing the calm sea.

Climate

Sri Lanka is one of the best destinations to visit year-round as the rainy seasons hit the island in opposite locations at different times of the year. That being said, Sri Lanka is a country that can be visited if you know where to go in search for the best weather.

Southwest

The southwest monsoon hits between May and September and the dry season occurs from December to March.

North and coastal regions

The monsoon season happens between October and January while the dry seasons takes places between May and September.

Culture

Sri Lanka is known for its distinct cuisine, indigenous holistic medicines, cricket practices and prestigious export of tea, cinnamon and gemstones. Moreover, the country boasts of a rich artistic tradition which includes music, dance and the visual arts.

Sri Lanka has been shaped by many aspects. The first and most obvious being the heritage of Theravada Buddhism passed on from India. Furthermore, the colonial period left a big mark in the country’s traditions and culture, with British elements being featured in every corner as well as Dutch and Portuguese elements.

Sri Lanka, better known as the “nation of smiling people”, is a paradisiac island that Napoleon described as a world-like biodiversity in a tiny piece of land on the Indian ocean. Multicultural, multi-religious and multi-coloured country, formerly named Ceylon, is known for its delicious black tea, it’s heartwarming inhabitants and its history-filled corners.

The festival of Duruthu celebrates the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka. During Duruthu, thousands of people attend colorful parades, which consist of three processions on the nights before the full moon. The processions consist of fireball performers, drummers, dancers, decorated elephants and the most important – a gigantic tusker treading a white carpet.

On April 13th or 14th Avurudda celebrates the Sinhalese New Year. According to Sinhalese astrology, the new year begins when the sun changes from Meena Rashi (Pisces) to Mesha Rashi (Aries).

During June the Poson Festival takes place on the full moon day of June and celebrates the arrival of Buddhism, which occurred when Arahat Mahinda, the son of the emperor of India, converted King Devanampiyatissa to Buddhism.

During October or November, Diwali the Festival of Lights is celebrated. Diwali is an ancient Hindu festival that signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, hope over despair, and good over evil. It is celebrated with millions of lights shining over houses, temples, and buildings. Diwali is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November, on the darkest, new moon night of Karitika.

In Sri Lanka, it is tradition to take an oil bath in the morning, wear new clothes, exchange presents and sweets and visit the Koil, a Hindu Temple. In the evenings, oil lamps are lit to invite the blessings from the goddess of wealth.

Transportation

Plane

Flying between major locations in Sri Lanka such as Galle, Colombo, Nuwara Eliya and others is possible with Aero Lanka and Srilankan Airlines. Moreover, Srilankan Airlines runs small seaplanes, which give you a great aerial view of the island.

Bus

Buses are a option to get around Sri Lanka, albeit quite uncomfortable. For instance, for less than a Euro you can get almost halfway around the island in a bus without air conditioning. Luxury buses with air conditioning also exist at a higher price which are still very inexpensive.

Train

Sri Lanka boasts of an extensive railway system that will get you almost anywhere around the country. Moreover, Sri Lanka is known for its picturesque scenery that can be best viewed in a train journey. In fact, there are observation carts in most trains for tourists that will allow you to better take in the beauty of your surroundings.

In most cases, getting around by train is the cheapest option. There are three classes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd class. In most Intercity and Express trains, however, only 1st and 2nd are offered. Do keep in mind that trains from one popular destination to another (i.e. Colombo – Kandy or Galle – Colombo) often get overbooked, so it is best to reserve a seat much in advance.

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