Sri Lanka Experience

The Sri Lanka  Experience is all about exploring Sri Lanka, and getting the best out of the country with a group. Staying in 2 different areas:  Kandy and Ambalangonda Beach you can choose to do the following activities. You always join the intro week and after that you can choose locally on what other programme you would like to do.

This is nice because you may decide as a group what would be more fun, but basically the 4 options break down as follows:

    1. Intro Week in Kandy
    3. Adventure Week (Culture, Elephant, Trekking or Body and Mind)
    4. Turtle week or Beach Week in Ambalangonda Beach
 

Introduction week, you always start with this week

This weeks is made up of a comprehensive inductions, dos and donts and city tours, language lessons and a history of Sri Lanka. This week is a fascinating time to get to know the rest of the group. This last from Monday to Friday and the weekend is free for you to explore at your leisure.

Then you can choose these options for the following week in Kandy

Culture week Elepant Project Trekking adventure Body & Mind (Yoga/ Meditation)

And after two weeks there you will have two weeks in Ambalangoda Beach

The Turtle Conservation Project  (taken in week three) and the Beach Week to end your trip with!

Cultural week

On the culture week we teach you all about, Buddhism and the culture of Sri Lanka, you will learn about the Buddhist religion and philosophy at a temple. Participants will have a chance to live at the temple and have daily sessions about Buddhism, meditation and culture with the monks.

The Elephant Orphange Project

Pinnawela orphanage is situated north-west of the town Kegalla, halfway between the capital Colombo and the ancient royal residence in Kandy located in the hills of central Sri Lanka.

Established 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife department the 24 acre elephant orphanage is a huge success, having managed to breed and care for many Elephants. In fact it houses the largest herd of Elephant in captivity in the world. During this project, you get involved in looking after the Elephants, and learn a lot about these magnificent animals. Be warned though, it will be hard to leave after a week of feeding the mischievous babys!

Trekking Option

If you choose this option, you will trek in the mountains of Nuwara Eliya accompanied by guides and the rest of the group (choosing the trekking option). Expect to see loads of native flora and Fauna and take in some of the most amazing views in Sri Lanka.

Yoga and meditation Option

During this week, practice and learn from our experts in healing techniques of Ayurveda, Yoga & Meditation to have a healthy body and a sound mind.

Meditation is the art of focusing your mind, restraining your thoughts and looking deep into yourself. Practising it can give you a better understanding of your purpose in life and of the divine, as well as provide you with certain physical and mental health benefits.

The Turtle Project

Did you know 5 of the seven species of Sea Turtle visit Sri Lanka? Imagine watching as a baby turtle breaks open its egg for the first time, it´s little beak  peaking out in to the out side world, finally breaking free, it makes a mad dash for the water, before the sea birds, crabs and countless other predators eat it for a snack. Turtles, although unbelievably cute have a very small chance of making it to their first birthday. The odds are over one in a thousands. You can help. The Sea turtle protection project has been in Sri Lanka for last 20 years starting our as a project in 1980 to protect the endangered species native to Sri Lanka.
 

Sea turtle protection project aims to bring together people from all over the world to help conserve the different species of turtles in Sri Lanka, so you will be working with people from lots of different countries. Xtreme Gappers are usually given a task to achieve in their time at the project and will this will be very hands on conservation. Past Xtreme Gappers have provide their time and the their efforts have really paid off with increasing  numbers of eggs and turtles returning to nest. You can also get involved with Tsunami Tree plantation to help counter the damaged caused by the boxing day Tsunami.

Beach week

What can we say, you deserved a chilled beach time! Enjoy!!

What we expect from you / Requirements

• Minimum age is 18 yrs.
• There are no specific skills required, just a genuine interest to help and learn about ecological issues in general and Turtles in particular.
• An open mind and an ability to show initiative are the best attributes you can posses
• Follow the instructions always and you will have a great time!