Itinerary

work with elephants
Day 1 (Sunday) Arrive at Colombo airport (airport code CMB) and after clearing customs and immigration, you’ll be met by our friendly local team.  Please ensure your flight arrives before 6pm as we have a journey of around 3 hours to Kandy.  You may find it more comfortable to arrive on Saturday (any flight day or night) and for $75 we’ll provide pick up and 1 night in a hotel near the airport.  Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka is a fantastic place to spend time – located up in the hill-country, Kandy has a deep history and a cultural richness.  You’ll love it here ! 
 
Day 2-6 Intro Week (Monday-Friday) During intro week you will experience various activities, exploring Kandy and its beautiful surrounding areas, and get acquainted with the traditions, culture and people of Sri Lanka.   Intro week is packed full of exciting adventures and excursions, and the schedule will look something like this:

  • Monday – orientation, basic language lesson, Kandy city tour and welcome dinner with cultural show.
  • Tuesday – visit a tea factory, a spice and Ayurvedic garden and go boating on the lake
  • Wednesday – Sri Lankan cooking class
  • Thursday – Visit the Temple of The Tooth and see how traditional batiks and wood carvings are made
  • Friday – hike to the White Buddha statue, visit a Hindu Temple and get an Ayurvedic massage !
 
Days 7 & 8 (Saturday to Sunday) Spend your free time as you please, your weekends are yours to enjoy and explore.  
Day 9-13 (Monday-Friday) It’s elephant time !!  Pack your bags as we move locations, heading part way back towards Colombo.  Here you will stay in a homestay accommodation with a local family – a wonderful experience.
 
Morning comes early at this working elephant camp, and the animals need to be fed and bathed for the day. Bath time is in the river, and it is pure joy for the elephants to play in the water – you’ll love to join them !!

Your last day (Saturday)  Oh no …… no matter how long you’re here for, one of these days it will be time to say goodbye to your newfound friends.  The return airport transfer is not included, but is straightforward to arrange locally.  
Accommodation Volunteers share a bunk-style room with three to five others, and the shared bathroom has hot water and western-style toilets.  At the homestay, rooms may be smaller or larger  and there may or may not be hot water available. private room upgrade available in Kandy at $125 per week per room  (single or twin-share).

Meals Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your program cost (on weekends a brunch is served last morning)