MONTHLY NEWS BULLETIN - JULY 2019

cover july nl19

Dear Trade Colleagues,

It’s the season of hiding out in a cabin near strawberry fields, harnessing the power of the 4 elements as our forefathers did, speaking the language of the wild (and getting there while maybe listening to melodies our forefathers loved), and keeping sustainable tourism at its peak through education, awareness and qualification.

In short, it’s the season of quirky adventure and guilt-free travel with your name on it*!

*Send us your name and where you’d like to go first to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Anuruddha Bandara (AB)
Founder
Experiential Journeys

Launch of the Freelance Chauffeur-Guide Partner Training Programme

Launch of the Freelance Chauffeur-Guide Partner Training Programme From naturalists to chauffeurs, everyone takes responsibility in turning a guest experience into an unforgettable memory. Awareness and education play a key role here, thus the first “Freelance Chauffeur-Guide-Partner Training Programme” was launched to ensure the standard of service is constantly on the rise. The training programme was held at the Eco Team Head Office from 21st to 23rd May 2019, enrolling 30 participants. The areas covered included valuable lessons from past experiences and best practises, and how we incorporate our 4 values (Exclusive Experiences, Genuine Encounters, Passionate Sustainability, and Spaces with Character)...

Denver the Explorer/ Chauffeur Guide

Denver the Explorer/ Chauffeur Guide Meet Denver, officially a chauffeur guide with 4 years of experience, and unofficially an explorer and mango fanatic! Hailing from the outskirts of Colombo, Denver makes his way through Sri Lanka’s back roads as well as he makes a 3-pointer on the court – perfectly! Of course, his most famous tell for you to know you’re travelling with him, is when you hear the greatest hits of the good old days play from the car stereo!

Avinka the animal whisperer

Avinka the animal whisperer Avinka – or Avi as his feathered and non-feathered friends like to call him – joined the Eco Team Family in 2016 and fast became a travelling Naturalist highly conversant in Sinhala, English, Elephant, Leopard, Grey Langur, Crested Hawk-eagle, Giant Squirrel, Wild Buffalo, Hornbill, Peacock, and Indian Nightjar! Being one of the quirkiest members of the Eco Team Family, his stories can range from being casually attacked by a 35 year old elephant, to why papadams (fried lentil discs) are the greatest things on earth.

Discover the ancient art of clay-brick making

Discover the ancient art of clay-brick making Technology and the rise of machinery has been the death of tradition – but as far as natural clay-brick making in Nissankamallapura, Polonnaruwa goes, some traditions never die! Dating back to the era of ancient kingdoms in Sri Lanka, the natural clay-brick making industry played a significant role in constructing giant engineering marvels. Experience the ancestral art of combining the basic elements of nature, clay, water, air and fire to make a fresh clay-brick the old fashioned way!

Hideout Cabins in Nuwara Eliya

Hideout Cabins in Nuwara Eliya Sandwiched between Lake Gregory and the Moon Plains, in the sleepy suburbs of Nuwara Eliya, is a romantic little cabin overlooking the misty mountains. Sip your hot cocoa on the cold grasses of your private terrace and experience magical sunsets at Hideout Cabins. Go hiking, cycle to the nearby strawberry farm for fresh strawberries and cream, or even go horseback riding and canoeing if you manage to pull yourself away from your cozy, secret nook. Ready to hide, and seek a romantic little getaway? ...

Frequently Asked Questions

For amazing stories on Exjourneys

Our policy in discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

Animals Are Friends Too: Discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

We at ExJ stay away from tourism experiences that are staged and involve animal cruelty and shopping traps that are contrived to exploit and deceive clients.

Even though some of the popular ‘attractions’ are not included in our programmes due to the above reasons, we have no objections in our clients making their own arrangements with our Drivers to visit these places.

Why we do not promote following attractions

Turtle Hatcheries

As this concept has serious negative aspects in terms of conservation, we do not encourage our visitors to patronize the turtle hatcheries, as not all of them are really turtle-friendly. We instead encourage them to observe turtles in their natural habitats.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

When we became aware that the animal welfare standards there were questionable, we stopped encouraging our clients to visit the orphanage. We are pleased to observe that the Born Free Foundation has now adopted similar measures.

Elephant back rides – Habarana

There’s uncertainty surrounding the attitude of this place towards animal welfare. There may be a few ethical operators, but in general, we are not in agreement with how the place is run. We all would love a photo of us riding an elephant, but is a lifetime of pain caused to these magnificent mammals really worth a few fleeting likes on social media?

Traditional Village Tour with a Canoe Trip and Bullock-Carts – Habarana

This is a tourist trap where a lot of the trip is ‘staged’ for commercial purposes. Such fake touristic experiences will not give our visitors an idea of what life in the country is really like, so join us as we show you the real side of Sri Lanka. And at the end of every vacation, always ask yourself, “Did you feel that your holiday was ethical, eco-friendly, and reduced environmental impacts?”

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