Itinerary

​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 9pm as we have a journey of 3+ hours to Kandy.  You may find it more comfortable to arrive on Saturday (any flight day or night) and for approx. US $40 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, visit a tea factory and a spice garden and get an Ayurvedic massage !
  • Tuesday – local market visit, Sri Lankan cooking class, lantern-making workshop and temple visit
  • Wednesday – introduction to Buddhism, meditation lesson, local food tasting and Sri Lankan handicraft workshop
  • Thursday – Visit the Temple of The Tooth, walk around Kandy Lake, Kandy city tour and Sri Lankan dance lesson
  • Friday – hike to the White Buddha statue, visit Kandy viewpoint and conclude the week with a final trip to explore the vibrant Kandy markets
 
Days 7 & 8 (Saturday to Sunday) Spend your free time as you please, your weekends are yours to enjoy and explore.  ​ON Sunday, 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 cultural experience.
The Ekephant Village  Sri Lanka is home to a unique subspecies of elephants, making it one of the most special places in the world to learn about and work with these gentle giants. Elephants are not just a vital part of the island's ecosystems - they are also deeply woven into its culture and traditions. Recognising their importance, Sri Lanka is actively working to protect both wild and domesticated elephants.
 
You’ll stay with a host family in a typical Sri Lankan village, giving you an authentic cultural experience and a chance to enjoy traditional hospitality. Transportation for scheduled program activities will primarily be via public transport, offering you a chance to travel like a local.
 
If you’re passionate about animals, this program is your chance dive into the world of elephants with hands-on experience, educational opportunities, and meaningful connections with local communities.  Get ready to roll up your sleeves and experience what it takes to protect Sri Lanka’s iconic elephants. Activities may vary based on local needs, but here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll be doing:

1. Introduction to Elephant Conservation
  • Learn about elephant ecology, biology, and physiology.
  • Explore the role of elephants in Sri Lankan religion and culture.
  • Understand the causes and impacts of human-elephant conflicts and discuss potential solutions.
  • Engage with local communities to understand and appreciate the deep-rooted cultural connection Sri Lankans have with elephants.
2. Domesticated Elephant Rehabilitation
  • Assist elephant keepers (mahouts) in caring for elephants to ensure they live a life as close as possible to their wild relatives.
  • Bathe, feed, and walk elephants through the forest for foraging.
  • Clean enclosures to provide a safe and healthy environment.
  • Learn basic veterinary care and assist in treating elephants when needed.
  • Discover traditional elephant commands used by mahouts.

​Your last day (Saturday)  Due to the many different personal plans and return flight times people have, we do not include onward travel at the end of the program - whether you will do more travelling or return to the airport, the choice is yours. Either way, travel is very easy in Sri Lanka and our team will be only too happy to assist you in arranging tickets or a taxi – just save some Rupees for the fare.
Accommodation Volunteers share a bunk-style room with three to five others, and the shared bathroom has hot water and western-style toilets.  Rooms are fan-cooled and there is a fridge for your use.  The beach is a stone’s throw, and a short walk take’s you into town where you’ll find ATMs, a supermarket and other facilities you might need.
 
Meals Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your program cost (on weekends a brunch is served last morning)