UPCOMING TRIPS
SRI LANKA SUMMER 2024
Embark on an epic 16-day adventure through Sri Lanka with a squad of fellow students from top universities worldwide:
- Conquer the legendary Sigiriya Rock, ascending to breathtaking views from the ancient fortress
- Explore the cultural wonders of Dambulla, where ancient caves hold hidden treasures and stories of bygone eras
- Witness the “Gathering” phenomenon of wild elephants in Minneriya National Park
- Experience off-the-beaten-path Jaffna’s rich history and learn to cook local cuisine
- Discover Trincomalee’s beaches and cultural heritage
- Explore Polonnaruwa’s ancient UNESCO World Heritage ruins
- Trek through Nuwara Eliya’s luscious green tea plantations
- Enjoy one of the world’s most scenic train rides to Ella and tour tea factories
- Get some iconic photos walking on a railway track that leads you to the iconic Nine Arch Bridge
- Learn to surf or practice yoga on the beaches of Weligama. Volunteer your time doing beach clean-up activities in Weligama
- Explore Colombo’s vibrant city life and landmarks.
Day 1, Negombo:
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Your adventure kicks off in the charming town of Negombo, conveniently situated near the international airport. Feel free to arrive at your leisure, as there are no scheduled activities until the welcome meeting at 5:30 pm. If you arrive early, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the coastal vibes of Sri Lanka by observing local fishing activities and indulging in some fresh seafood delights. For those eager to explore the picturesque countryside, renting a bicycle is highly recommended. Dinner is the only meal provided today.
Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse (Mango Guest House or similar)
Day 2, Dambulla:
We’ll set off early to drop bags off at the accommodation in Dambulla, then head to Sigiriya Rock in the afternoon. Sigiriya’s Lion Rock is an ancient citadel sculpted into a towering rock formation. Be prepared for a climb to the top rewarded with awe-inspiring views.
Accommodation: Hotel Hideaway or similar
Included activities: Sigiriya Rock entrance and hike
Day 3, Minneriya National Park:
Witness a unique phenomenon in Minneriya National Park, with hundreds of wild elephants found at the Minneriya Tank. Known as ‘The Gathering’, this is the largest meeting of Asian elephants anywhere in the world. Return to Dambulla in the evening and enjoy some free time to socialise or work on your own projects.
Accommodation: Same as day 2
Included activities: Safari
Day 4, Jaffna:
Travel to Jaffna by road (approx. 5 hours). Catch the sunset at Jaffna fort and learn to cook delicious local cuisine in the evening with a local family.
Accommodation: Senthil Complex or similar
Included activities: Jaffna fort, local cookery lesson and family visit
Day 5, Jaffna:
Wake up early to visit the Thirunelveli local market, chat to vendors and understand local life. If you’re here in August we’ll be attending the annual Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil festival in the morning instead. In other months we’ll then head to Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil temple in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Same as previous day
Included activities: Thirunelveli Local Market, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil Temple
Day 6, Trincomalee:
Leave Jaffna today and journey to Trincomalee (approx. 4 hours). Immerse yourself in the beach atmosphere of “Trinco”, where you can unwind under the shade of swaying palm trees and sample ‘toddy’ fresh from its blossoms. Trincomalee also boasts one of the world’s most magnificent deep-water harbours, drawing renowned explorers such as Marco Polo to its shores. Meet other travellers in the evening and take part in evening entertainment arranged by the hostel.
Accommodation: Laughing Leopard Hostel or similar
Included activities: None due to travel time
Day 7, Trincomalee:
Today, visit a local village and witness how local people use palmyrah for toddy and as a material for weaving different items. Join the local women to prepare ‘Odiyal Kool’, an authentic Tamil seafood soup. In the afternoon, depending on the weather, we will hop on a boat to do some whale/dolphin watching. July is a good month to spot magnificent blue whales in Trinco, so keep your eyes peeled.
Accommodation: Same as previous day
Included activities: Toddy and food experience, whale watching excursion
Day 8, Polonnaruwa:
Travel to Polonnaruwa today, a UNESCO world heritage site. After checking into our accommodation, we will head out to the Polonnaruwa archaeological site.
Eight centuries ago, Polonnaruwa served as the bustling heart of Sri Lanka’s central plains, ruled by kings who left an indelible mark on its landscape. Today, the remnants of that illustrious era remain, offering glimpses into the city’s former grandeur. Delve into the archaeological wonders of the park, where a myriad of ancient structures await your exploration. From tombs to temples, statues to stupas, the compact core of the archaeological park is a captivating testament to Polonnaruwa’s rich history.
Accommodation: Binara Home Stay or similar
Included activities: Polonnaruwa Archaeological Park
Day 9, Nuwara Eliya:
Nestled deep in lush tea plantation country, Nuwara Eliya sits at an elevation of 1800 metres, making it one of the coolest regions in Sri Lanka. Hike Single Tree Hill in the afternoon to catch sunset over the town of Nuwara Eliya.
Accommodation: Siril Guesthouse or similar
Included activities: Afternoon hike
Day 10, Ella:
Experience one of the most scenic train rides in the world from Nuwara Eliya to Ella. On arrival in Ella we will leave our bags at the guesthouse and then head out for a tea factory tour, where you will also have the chance to pick your own tea leaves.
Accommodation: Dream Ville, Tunnel Gap Homestay or similar
Included activities: Tea factory tour and tea leaf picking
Day 11, Ella:
Walk along the railway tracks to get to the famous Nine Arch Bridge, as part of the Demodara loop (an engineering marvel). Instagram moments galore.
Accommodation: Same as previous day
Included activities: Nine Arch Bridge and Demodara Loop
Day 12, Weligama:
Travel from Ella to Weligama by road. Get a taste for surfing with a trusted local surf school. If surfing is not possible due to the weather, alternative activities can be arranged (e.g. yoga).
Accommodation: Wake Up Weligama or similar
Included activities: Surfing or yoga lesson
Day 13, Weligama:
Beach clean-up day! Volunteer in the daytime and relax in the evening.
Accommodation: Same as previous day
Included activities: Volunteering
Day 14, Weligama:
Beach clean-up day 2. Volunteer in the daytime and relax in the evening.
Accommodation: Same as previous day
Included activities: Volunteering
Day 15, Colombo :
Travel to Colombo for the penultimate day of our 16-day adventure. There’s plenty to do and see in Colombo, so what the group does today is up to you. Head to Galle Face Green for your final sunset in Sri Lanka.
Accommodation: C 1 Colombo Fort or similar
Included activities: Each participant will be given spending money for lunch and activities of their choice
Day 16, Colombo:
Departure day. Feel free to leave whenever you like for your onward travel plans, or head to the airport to go home. No activities or meals planned today.
Please be aware that this itinerary is subject to potential changes due to factors such as weather conditions and road maintenance. Rest assured, any alterations to the route will be communicated to you well in advance of the trip.
What’s included in the trip price
While you won’t have to worry about finding accommodation during the trip, please note that you will be backpacking and this won’t be a luxury experience in 5 star resorts. This will allow you to get more immersed in local culture, with more budget dedicated to enriching experiences and activities.
We will provide:
🍔 Food (3 meals a day, usually local cuisine)
🏠 Shared accommodation, individual beds (guesthouses, hostels, homestays, mid-range hotels). As a rule of thumb, we select accommodation rated 8.5 or above on platforms like Booking.com (or equivalent). In cases where such options are unavailable online, such as certain family-run guesthouses, we find alternatives of comparable quality
🚃 All domestic transport (trains, taxis, buses, private shuttles etc.)
🏄♀️ All group activities (e.g. surf lessons, cookery course)
🎟 All group tickets to attractions, museums, national parks
💵 Tips to local guides
🤝 24/7 support from your OTW guide
🛟 Highest level of travel insurance
Example activities
All group activities are included in the trip price.
- Sightseeing
- Observing cultural traditions
- Hiking
- Safari
- Surfing
- History
- Volunteering
- Cooking classes
- Yoga and meditation
and more…
Trips may seem comparably priced, so you might think going with the more established operator is the obvious choice, right? WRONG! Here’s why choosing us over others is the real deal:
Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals from top universities
Age-Appropriate Groups: Say goodbye to mixed-age groups (unlike the two largest and longest-running providers in the market, where the age range spans 18-60+ and the average group age falls in the mid-30s to 40s)
Tailored Activities for 18-25-year-olds: More active, less passive
Curated Teams with Diverse Skillsets: Learn and explore with a purposeful team
Mentors as Team Leaders: Benefit from guidance beyond the trip from team leaders who have gone to top universities, with successful career experiences under their belt
Personalised Attention in Small Groups: Get the attention you deserve
Feel Like Part of a Team: Our small group sizes foster camaraderie
Flexibility in Itinerary: Customise your experience each day, find alternatives if you don’t want to participate in the scheduled group activity
Leadership Opportunities: Everyone gets a chance to lead
Skill Development: Work on improving skills valued by employers (communication, adaptability, teamwork, curiosity, responsibility and more)
Volunteering Opportunities: Make a positive impact on the communities you visit
A Longer Experience: Travel slowly and responsibly, unlike some of the whistle-stop tours of other providers
Insurance Included: Most operators require you to purchase your own insurance, additionally to the price of the trip
Fees for activities and admission, INCLUDED: Anything that’s part of the group itinerary is covered in the trip price (even typically expensive activities like safari and surfing). Other providers usually get you to pay extra
Dates
June 27th – July 12th 2024
July 13th – July 28th 2024
August 12th – August 27th 2024
September 2nd – September 17th 2024
Prices
Pre-university price*: £3100 £2900
University student price: £2900 £1900
EXCLUSIVE opportunity this summer – subsidised trip available for amateur media and content creators (e.g. photographers, videographers, micro-influencers, student press). Apply here
What’s the difference between the pre-university price and the university price?
Applications now open
Sign up before May 30th 2024 to take advantage of our introductory offer pricing
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PDF brochure (English)
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