Sacred History & Vibrant Culture in Sri Lanka

Wake up to your first morning in Sri Lanka and dive into expedition life, assign some team roles and meet the ground team to discuss your plans. You’ll also need to buy a SIM card for the team phone, so head to the market and get to grips with the local currency, the Sri Lankan Rupee. Travel to Dalhousie, a small town at the base of Adam’s Peak (2,243m). Climb this sacred mountain in the early hours of the morning. It’s 5,200 steps to the summit, where you’ll see the sun rise over Sri Lanka. This is a memory that will stay with you long after you return home. Then rest your legs on the journey to Kandy.

Welcome to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital. You have options on how to spend your day, so plan something awesome with the ground team. The Temple of the Tooth should be top of your list, it houses one of the most important Buddhist relics, a tooth of the Buddha. Join worshippers to get a glimpse of the famous gold casket, then explore the other temples and learn about Buddhist history in the museum. Another option is to spot parakeets in the Royal Forest Park and Royal Botanical Gardens, or delve into the history of tea at the Ceylon Tea Museum. For a different perspective of Sri Lankan culture, you could watch a traditional Kandyan dance show, which includes fire breathing and walking on hot coals!

Boots on, it's time to trek. Travel to Thangappuwa, a remote Tamil village in the Knuckles mountains. Your team just got bigger! Meet your guides and cooks, they’re insanely experienced so learn everything you can from these mountain masters. You’ll be carrying your own gear, cooking on stoves and camping beneath the stars. Step forward as team leader and set the pace through misty forests and wide valleys, passing dramatic waterfalls and rice terraces. Look out for the toque monkeys and purple-faced leaf monkeys, endemic to Sri Lanka. At times, you’ll be climbing on steep trails to reach the plateau. The reward? Epic views across the mountains and over Sri Lanka. When you arrive in Ududumbara, the feeling of achievement is awesome. Then, get ready to head off to your initiative, meet your hosts and prepare for your next adventure in the lush, lowland villages near Kandy’s outskirts.

Spend the next two days nestled between hills and the Mahaweli River. Live alongside a village community and contribute to a sustainable project that aims to improve the quality of local education through improving the village school's infrastructure. Learn some skills from the experts as they carry out renovations, then roll up your sleeves and help out where you can. Dive deeper into community life by preparing lunch and practising your Sinhala with the locals. Organise a football match with the community. This is a side of Sri Lanka that few tourists see. Rural life can be tough, and you’ll have none of the comforts you’re used to back home. Grab this opportunity to connect with the locals and learn about their lives.

Explore the historic town of Galle, with its impressive Dutch Fort. Famous for its food, Galle is a great place to sample delicious dhal, sambal and hoppers. You have options on what to do here, so make a plan with the ground team. You could learn about the colonial heritage in the old town and at the Maritime Museum. Or you could discover more about the Muslim faith at the Jumma Mosque, housed inside the old Portuguese Baroque Cathedral. Or how about an optional workshop; mask carving, jewellery making or handloom weaving, take your pick! For some beach time, you could head to Unawatuna.

Back in Negombo, watch the fisherman head out for the morning catch and feel the sand between your toes. Navigate the city’s streets to find colonial churches, temples and fish markets. You have more options about how to spend your last day in Sri Lanka. How about checking out the pink walls of St Mary’s, the best known Roman Catholic church in the country? Or you could visit Negombo’s largest Buddhist temple, Angurukaramulla. Another option is to head to Colombo to experience the Sri Lankan capital with its colourful Pettah market and shiny skyscrapers. Learn about the country’s history at the National Museum, and step inside the 120-year-old Gangaramaya temple. Mark the end of your trip with a team meal. Tuck into your favourite Sri Lankan cuisine and set your friendships in stone.

After the best two weeks of your life, it’s time to travel home. Cram everything into your backpack and head to the airport. Check in, sit back and let it all sink in, you’ve just experienced something incredible. Sri Lanka has opened your eyes and challenged you more than you ever imagined. You’ve fast-tracked your life skills and connected with the locals; you’ve led your team and made new friends for life. These experiences will shape who you are and put you on the path to becoming a true global citizen. Prepare to return home forever changed!