Sri Lanka

Tea Life Program

Introduction

What to Expect

Basic Itinerary

Gallery

Goals

Experience Sri Lanka

With the role of the tea plantation in Maskeliya as the heart of our learning, dive into community development through cultural exchange with school children and NGOs, wildlife spotting in Udawalawe National Park, and surfing in Weligama

Location:

Sri Lanka

Arrival Airport:

Colombo International Airport

Seasonality:

All Year Round

Duration:

5-9 days (7 days standard)

Age Range:

15-18 years old

Program Balance:

Service

Adventure

Cultural

Service

Adventure

What To Expect

Surfers, wildlife enthusiasts, foodies, and those with a heart for service will all love this trip that takes us across the island of Sri Lanka and digs deep into the problems the community faces and engages with those making the effort to tackle those challenges and improve conditions. For example, changes in the global tea industry have reduced the available work, and those with jobs in the sector experience poor working conditions and low wages. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage, but is still economically disadvantaged.

Interact closely with workers, young people, and advocates to learn about their lives, and the differences and similarities to your own. Spend time in the gorgeous landscapes, from lakes to mountains to jungles and the sea; keep active with sports, games, and surfing; and learn to cook Sri Lankan dishes. This trip has it all!

Sample Itinerary

Day

Activities

More Details

Day 1

Arrival in Negombo

Over a Sri Lankan dinner, receive orientation on the week ahead.

Day 2

Journey to Maskeliya

Travel to this hill town famous for its lake, Adam’s Peak, and tea plantations; visit a local NGO serving school children.

Day 3

Tea harvesting

Experience a day in the life of a tea plantation worker by picking and weighing our crop, and have discussions with local workers and NGOs.

Day 4

Udawalawe National Park

Make the long drive out to the park where we will spend the night enveloped in nature.

Day 5

Safari and surfing

Safari in the national park, travel to the coast for surfing, visit a local tea estate, and learn about the country’s colonial history.

Day 6

Community engagement

Learn about the effects of the 2004 tsunami and the community’s recovery, cooking class, playing cricket with school children, and travel to the capital city of Colombo.

Day 7

Departure day

Explore Gangarama Temple, shop at the markets, visit the coastline park, and head to the airport.

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

SDG #11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: The community projects at the school aim to make the community inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

SDG #13. Climate action: Students will learn about the environmental and climate effects on the wildlife in the area.

SDG #15. Life on Land: Students will learn more how to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of ecosystems, and halt biodiversity loss.

Customise Your Program

All of our programs are fully customizable. Co-create your program together with WV to match your curriculum, educational goals, and travel plans. Contact us with your requirements and and will be in touch to assist.