Trip Details

Cultural Introduction week- Sri Lanka

Add this Cultural Introduction Week to your stay as a Sri Lankan volunteer!

Our Cultural Introduction Week in Sri Lanka is packed full of goodies for those who want to delve deeper into the Sri Lankan way of life! Take in some sunshine and adventure as you learn about this beautiful city steeped in Buddhism.  As Sri Lanka’s second-largest city, Kandy offers a wealth of historical places, and traditional activities to enjoy. During this fun-packed week, volunteers can take in a performance of Kandyan dance,  learn to cook some authentic Sri Lankan dishes, and enjoy a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage, as well as explore the many bustling markets in this vibrant city! Further, language lessons throughout the week will also help you to engage with locals, as you immerse yourself in this fascinating experience of Sri Lankan culture and lifestyle.

Experience Sri Lanka’s Vibrant Communities and Great Cuisine!

The Sri Lankans are known for their beautiful artisanal crafts and you will create your own masterpiece with a lesson in Batik painting. However, if exploring is more your thing, we also have boat rides on the Kandy lake and forest walks to the most beautiful temples! And … who doesn’t love food? Prior to learning to cook some delicious Sri Lankan dishes, you will also be taken through a local herb garden to learn about the famous Srilankan Spices and Ayurvedic herbs.

 Join us for a Fascinating Education on Sri Lanka’s Culture!

Of course, this is a cultural introduction week, so besides the taste, smells and sights of this incredible country, you will also gain a deeper understanding of its culture. In fact, Sri Lanka has a history dating back 3000 years, so there’s plenty to learn about! Whilst we will be visiting some of these sites during our week, those who are seeking to explore a little more of Sri Lanka’s breathtaking scenery can head further afield at the weekends. With your new  friends, plan your own adventures to nearby mountains, forests and lakes. Alternatively, you may also simply want to enjoy an evening, relaxing at our comfortable accommodation with other backpacking volunteers. Here you can enjoy free meals and beverages* and communal areas to socialise in.

Why Book our Cultural Introduction week in Sri Lanka?

  • Gain a deeper understanding of Sri Lanka’s history, communities and culture
  • Enjoy a fascinating week of many cultural activities and excursions
  • Get to know volunteer friends for your Sri Lankan project ahead
  • Stay in our safe and comfortable single-gender rooms at our accommodation
  • Get a taste for true Sri Lankan cuisine – and learn to cook your own!

*water, tea,coffee and milk

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

Are you ready for a truly immersive cultural experience? Then read on, for our itinerary and all that you will be doing over the course of your Cultural Introduction Week in Sri Lanka

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize yourself with the surroundings as well as the local culture.

Orientation Schedule

Monday

  • Welcome, introduction to Sri Lanka and projects, House rules, Code of Conduct and handling of documents
  • Sinhalese Language Lesson
  • Cultural Lesson
  • Kandy City Tour

Tuesday

After a good Sri Lankan breakfast, learn about the famous Srilankan Spices and Ayurvedic herbs in a local herbal garden. Do you know what the acronym TEA stands for? And what is the national gemstone in Sri Lanka? Let’s find out when we visit a tea factory and the Gem Museum in Kandy. A soothing boat ride awaits at the beautiful Kandy lake later on.

Wednesday

Try out cooking skills with our traditional Sri Lankan cooking experience! Thereafter, its a visit to one a local temple, where we will learn about some of the Buddhist religious rituals practised by Sri Lankans. You will also practice some meditation techniques to soothe and calm your soul!

Thursday

We start off early today with an early morning visit to a family practising traditional Batik painting. Have a fun-filled, creative workshop, challenging your creative side with an original Batik design of your own. Alternatively, you can try to master the techniques of a traditional Batik design. Work with vibrant colours, techniques, tools and dyes. After lunch with the family who are delivering the lesson, we visit the sacred ‘Temple of the Tooth’.

Friday

Today we visit a sacred temple in a small forest and a holy Hindu temple. Following our walk, an Indian lunch awaits you in the city followed by a relaxing Ayurvedic massage later on.

Places to Visit

You will visit many places during your  Cultural Introduction week in Sri Lanka. However, should you wish to plan your own journeys, we recommend the Royal Botanical Gardens, Knuckles mountain range, Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Hortons Plains National Park and the Railway Museum.

Please note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Trip Accommodation

Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other sites of interest, Kandy – where you will be staying – is a vibrant city and bustling market town. It is culturally diverse and has plenty to offer Sri Lankan holiday goers from songs dances and handicrafts to ancient temples and adventure activities. Kandy was a royal capital and the last stronghold of the Kandyan kings against foreign powers, and therefore, enjoys a rich history which you will find out about on your  Cultural Introduction week!

Accommodation

Our accommodation is comfortable and is located 2 – 4 km from Kandy centre. Your accommodation will comprise single-gender rooms sleeping between 4 – 8 people. Further, private rooms can be requested but are subject to availability, depending on the number of Sri Lankan volunteers. Consequently, if you would like to book these, please let us know at the time of booking your week.

Food Arrangements

You will be provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. The meals are a mix of Western and Sri Lankan food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can also eat out at any of the local restaurants.

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize yourself with the surroundings as well as the local culture. Your programme will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

  • Welcome, introduction to Sri Lanka and projects, House rules, Code of Conduct, and handling of documents
  • Sinhalese Language Lesson
  • Cultural Lesson

Facilities

Our house is located 2 kilometres away from the city centre (a 15 minute walk), where you can find anything you might need for your Sri Lankan holiday. Further, you will find ATMs, and a supermarket there, where you can buy anything you might need for the week ahead.

 

Trip Country Info

Sri Lanka

Population: approx. 20 million
Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and Colombo
Language: Sinhalese, Tamil
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Time zone: UTC +5:30

Sri Lanka’s over 2000 years of history and culture can still be seen in every corner of its cities and the details of its ever-beautiful ancient temples. With eight UNESCO World Heritage sites and its short distances between the main sights, Sri Lanka is a country that, despite often being overlooked in itineraries, has left travelers filled with awe.

Visit the sacred home of the world’s oldest living tree in Anuradhapura, wander around the colonial architecture of Colombo, get sun-kissed at the untouched beaches that inclose the territory, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, head to the hills for a cooler temperature and get surrounded by lush natural, visit two thousand year-old temples or get overawed at the sight of hundreds of elephants in Minneriya.

While traveling through Sri Lanka you will experience adventures from the highest and chilliest mountains like the famous Adam’s Peak – a stairway mountain considered sacred in three different religions, thru the elephant shelters, to the most peaceful beaches up north near Trincomalee and their tiny- one floor- hostels facing the calm sea.

Tru Experience Travel welcome people from all over the world to join ongoing Sri Lankan programs and you can even compose your schedule the way you like it. With this flexibility it enables you to say when you are on site and when you spend time with the new friends you have made from all over the world.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Travel Insurance
Under 18, Parental Consent is Required

Additional Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals

What's not included

  • Departures/ drop offs
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa