Because your holiday is all about you and what you want to do, we take pride in offering exclusive and unique experiences going beyond the normal tourist highlights. We believe that no two persons on Earth are the same, so no holiday created should be the same as well. With our unparalleled access to all the hidden corners of the island, we don't merely create holidays: we design experiences that money can’t buy and create memories that are not easily forgotten.   

 

Driving Around Colombo - The Vintage Way

We’ve come up with a unique and exciting concept for an enjoyable exploration of the Colombo city and its urbanized lifestyle. While driving around in a vintage jeep from the 2nd World War era, visitors get to witness the most famous attractions of the city, including memorial buildings, religious places, architectural sites and a slice of the urban wilderness.

Experience the true spirit of Colombo and view some of its most prominent buildings such as the BMICH, Nelum Pokuna Theatre and the Colombo Town Hall with your charismatic host, who will provide tidbits of interesting information on the city. The ride ends with a visit to the Attidiya Bird Sanctuary to experience a bit of suburban nature.

Lovers of vintage vehicles will thoroughly enjoy this experience.

 

 

An Elephantine Spend-The-Day

After a short briefing on the dos and don'ts, get the opportunity of spending time with an elephant, interacting with and getting to know more about the personalities of these magnificent beasts. Afterwards, join the mahout taking him/her to the ‘spa’ and help scrub and clean the elephant in the river.

Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate this great opportunity to get close to these incredible giants.

 

 

The Southern Experience

Experience the colonial architecture of the charming coastal city of Galle and learn its history, insights and importance with a legendary guide who will impart detailed knowledge about its colonial history and interesting back stories.

At the end of the day, enjoy sundown (during the evening tour) on the ramparts of the Fort before leaving its premises.

 

 

The Call of the North

Experience life the northern way, and learn about its culture with an experienced local who has a vast knowledge about the history and the bygone days of Jaffna.

During the tour, witness some of the main highlights of the city, starting with the Jaffna Public Library, the Duraiappah Stadium and the Dutch Fort. Enjoy the beautiful views of the deep blue sea and delicious street food, while chatting with some of the locals and learning about their lifestyle.

 

 

Explore and Enjoy Wildlife with Land and Water Safaris

When it comes to safaris, there are 2 types: Jeep safaris and Boat safaris.

With jeep safaris, guests get to enjoy travelling in a jeep modified for the terrain of the tropical forests of Sri Lanka and appreciate the wildlife in their natural habitat with a naturalist who will convey extensive knowledge about wildlife in detail. They also get a chance to capture 3 of the Big Five of Sri Lanka.

This experience is available at the most famous National Parks of Sri Lanka:

• Wilpattu National Park
• Yala National Park
• Udawalawe National Park
• Bundala National Park
• Minneriya National Park
• Kaudulla National Park

This is a great experience for wildlife enthusiasts

Boat safaris are a unique way to enjoy wildlife from the water and it’s perfect to gain a deeper insight into the animals’ habits. With a little luck, spot elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lake’s edge. A 2-3 hour safari by boat and a scenic 40 minute drive from the lodge to the lake is a perfect way to explore the National Park and its surrounding villages.

 

 

Experience Cooking (and Eating!) the Sri Lankan Way

Sri Lanka is well-known for its unique cuisine: from spicy curries, to sweetmeats, to street food; our local dishes are such a heady explosion of flavour and variety, that it’s no wonder there are so many Sri Lankan food lovers worldwide.

While enjoying this experience with us, listen to the history of Sri Lankan cuisine and which dishes are resultants of foreign influences.

Visitors can learn to roll out ‘rotis’ and mix their own ‘sambol’ (scraped coconut mixed with various spices) and and spice up their own curries according to their liking. At the end of the experience, everyone sits down together and enjoys the feast, because in Sri Lanka, food tastes so much better when it's shared.

This delicious experience is available in Colombo and Kandy.

 

 

From Here to Serenity

Yoga is so much more than just physical exercise; it changes the way we think, feel, and relate to nature, other people, and consequently, the way we live. Balance is the key to everything and Yoga is about learning how to balance your life. What we do, say, feel and think all require awareness, and with this mindfulness, one can achieve great things. A lot has been written and said about yoga already: however, we think yoga can only be really understood by experiencing it. After all, insights come with practice, not the other way around.

The serene calm and quiet surroundings of some of our locations will get anyone in the mood for yoga at any time of the day. And if they’re are up for it, we’re more than happy to arrange a well-practised and expert instructor for them to learn and experience yoga during their stay. Whether a practising yogi or a newbie, whether their stay is brief or long, we will tailor our programmes to suit their individual needs and make sure that there is something for everyone.

 

 

The Art of Mindfulness: Meditation among Nature

Ever wondered why meditation retreats and monasteries are located in mountains or deep forests? Meditating in nature allows us to become more receptive to our natural environment. We stop taking nature for granted and start viewing it as alive and breathing, filled with mystery and wonder. Nature rekindles our exuberance and improves our state of mind. When in nature, we can learn tremendously because nature is a place where wisdom and perception come together. Meditating outdoors also activates our entire senses and elevates mindfulness, allowing us to be more awake and alert.

As with yoga, we are happy to arrange a qualified instructor for guests to learn and experience meditation in the facility during their stay. These sessions will be followed by discussions with the instructor about mindfulness and Buddhist way of life. As per the guests’ choice, this can be combined with some yoga lessons as well.

 

 

Mind, Body, and Soul: The Timeless Practice of Ayurveda

Sri Lanka is world-famous for its original, age-old practice of Ayurveda, which is very different and independent from that of our neighbouring country. Over 5,000 years of empirical research by various practitioners has refined the Ayurveda massage into a sublime art, and yet it is still unheard of by many. However, combining skilled knowledge and techniques of the body with the knowledge of oils and music has resulted in a profound art for balancing the body and mind through the medium of oil massage. This therapy takes into account your whole being and lifestyle; it is a completely holistic approach for harmonized change to improve health and well-being. The word itself is derived from two Sanskrit words: ‘Ayu’ (meaning life) and ‘Veda’ (meaning knowledge). This science focuses on living life naturally and in balance.

Oil massages are consistently used throughout the Ayurveda massage treatments. Its calm approach means that recipients not only achieve a state of relaxation during the massage, they also report an improvement in their sleeping patterns, a general sense of well-being and the absence of effects that everyday stress and strain has on our minds and bodies.

It would be our pleasure to arrange a professional Ayurveda therapist to visit and conduct massage sessions for guests at a pre-booked time. They will benefit tremendously from indulging themselves with a relaxing body massage or a soothing yoga session after an adventurous bush walk or trek.

 

 

The Veddas: The Indigenous Forest People of Sri Lanka

This once-in-a-lifetime experience can be enjoyed only in Sri Lanka. An encounter with the indigenous Tribal people showcases their way of life, such as their hunting methods, weapons and rituals. They’ll also throw in a lesson on how to use the bow and arrow!

At the gathering, guests will be welcomed by the members of the Vedda community and our team leader. They will be briefed on the day’s activities and given an introduction to the area.

After a meeting with the Chief of the Vedda tribe, a quick, but fascinating visit to the Vedda Museum will further enhance their experience and help increase knowledge of the Vedda culture.

Afterwards, explore the area with a trek through the forest with the Veddas and our naturalist. During the trek, witness how the Veddas find edible yams, locate bee hives and extract honey and also differentiate animal footprints. Watch the making of a ‘habaka’ (a small animal trap), and of course learn to use a bow and arrow. If further details are required, an interpreter is available on request to translate.

This is the perfect opportunity to know more about the vegetation and wildlife of the land of the indigenous Tribe. For a more realistic experience and an exciting end to the afternoon, seat yourself down and enjoy lunch provided in the local style.

 

 

The Finest Tea in the World

Sri Lanka is well-known worldwide for its long history of the tea trade. The island produces the best of this time-honoured beverage, and now here’s the chance to witness the production of tea from plucking to packaging!

After the welcome at the factory, there will be an initial introduction and briefing before we start the day’s programme. Visitors will gain insights as to how each of the products is processed to its final form and will be given a chance to participate in tea plucking, which is the most important part of the process. They will also be given a basic training on the techniques, as only specific buds are plucked for consumption.

After visiting the tea factories, get the inside information on the tasting process and also get a chance to taste some of the finest tea varieties.

 

 

Taking a Walk - Sri Lankan Style!

Experience cities, villages and commercial trade areas while taking a walk around some of the well-known locations in Sri Lanka. Experience the cultural difference of each city/village and get to know some of its major aspects and a bit of history with an experienced and knowledgeable local guide.

Taste some street food while taking the tour, and see the beautiful architecture in some of the locations. Interact with the local community, have a chat with them to better understand their way of life and enjoy a local village lunch to get a better feel of the experience.

 

 

The Island Of Serendipity on Two Wheels

Sri Lanka is a small island with a lot of wonders and natural beauty, a culture that is an ancient and a friendly smile on the faces of its people, no matter where one goes. Getting around the country is quick and easy; there are a lot of options to pick, but to really take in the sights, sounds and everything else that this paradise island has to offer, cycling in Sri Lanka would be the best option and the experience of a lifetime.

Any cyclist, from an experienced one willing to take hard trails through mountain roads and rough terrain, or an amateur preferring a chilled and tranquil ride, is guaranteed to enjoy this tour.

Cycling in Sri Lanka comes with many perks: the climate is great, and the traveller is free to choose where they want to take the tour. Let your guests immerse themselves in the culture and history of an ancient city, or enjoy Mother Nature as they take a ride among the beautiful green tea-estates of the central mountains.

 

 

Experience a Unique Side of Sri Lanka

In recent times, there has been a substantial increase in the concept of Agro Tourism. Sri Lanka’s complex paddy cultivation system (developed over the course of more than 2500 years), ancient irrigation tanks and the many tea and rubber plantations in the country are just some of the examples of its ability to cater to the niche market of agro tourists.

At Experiential Journeys, we can arrange diverse experiences ranging from milking cattle on a dairy farm, having a go at plucking tea leaves using the traditional ‘Bag-on-the-Head’ method, trying out rubber tapping under expert guidance or even working in the many picturesque paddy fields of Sri Lanka. Contact us for experiences that will stay with your guests for a lifetime.

 

 

Combining the Four Elements of Nature -
The Making of Clay Roof Tiles

The tradition of the clay roofing tile dates back almost 10,000 years, making this the oldest form of roofing in history. Traditionally made from clay or terracotta in this part of the world, roof tiles combine the classic four elements of nature: earth, water, air and fire with human artistry. The clay roof tile manufacturing industry offers a durable product with UV and fire resistance with a life expectancy of nearly 100 years and sometimes much longer than that.

With the ban of the use of asbestos roofing materials in Sri Lanka, the importance and demand of clay roof tiles has had a significant increase, while making great opportunities for the travellers who are keen on having diverse experiences on their holiday in Sri Lanka.

Visiting a clay roof tile factory in Sri Lanka will be a unique experience for visitors, as the industry in Sri Lanka is still labour-oriented with the minimal use of automated machinery. Spending a day with the people working in a clay roof tile factory will be a great way of experiencing the lifestyles of the locals.

The process begins with the grading and mixing of the clay. Once it’s seasoned, the clay is ground in a machine and the mixture is pressed to get the clay plates. The clay plates will be kept on the lower part of the mould where the raw tile is crafted. All these activities are completely labour-oriented and guests will be able to participate in them if they so wish.  The latter part of the process consists of the moulded tiles being first dried in order to reduce their moisture content and then loaded into kilns for firing at a temperature between 650 °C and 850 °C. This takes approximately 2 weeks and once the tiles are ready, they are graded and sent to the stores.

This process can be witnessed in the Negombo, Dankotuwa, Wennappuwa and Sandalankawa areas, where they specialize in clay roof tile manufacturing in Sri Lanka. This is an ideal excursion for travellers staying in Negombo, Waikkal and Chilaw and for those who travel to Wilpattu, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, etc.