School trip and project ideas in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka highlights

 

Kandy

Visit ancient architecture and Buddhist relics in the sacred city of Kandy.

Polonnaruwa

Walk among incredible temples, tombs and monuments in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Marvel at the lion-shaped palace of Sigiriya, perched atop a colossal rock.

16th century Galle

Enjoy exotic charm and colonial architecture in the fortified city of Galle.

Yala National Park

See the majestic Sri Lankan elephant in Yala National Park, home to the greatest variety of Sri Lanka's wildlife.

Tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya

Explore the lush scenery and tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya in the heart of the island's picturesque tea country.

Adam's Peak

Hike the 5500 steps along the pilgrimage climb to Adam's Peak, Sri Lanka's holiest mountain.

Why travel with us

Safety - our number 1 priority

Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when travelling with World Expeditions Schools.

Minimising risk

Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners our track record is exemplary.

Service Learning specialists

School Service Learning Community Projects offer a unique way to experience genuine cultural interaction while also providing real tangible benefits to underprivileged communities. Every Service Learning project is guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Quality Services

Trusted accommodations

We only utilise trusted accommodation on a twin-share basis (unless otherwise requested) which we know to be clean, reliable, in a safe location and are regularly inspected by local authorities. Wherever possible, adjoining rooms are provided to ensure that students are provided with adequate supervision.

When camping your group will be provided with all group camping equipment including tents, quality sleeping bags, sleeping mats, eating utensils, kit bags as well as three hearty meals per day prepared by our trained cooks in a hygienic and controlled environment.

Reliable, private internal transport

We only use trusted transport providers and always use private buses. Using private buses not only ensures we can control the safety of the service but it also provides a measure of flexibility in our trips with each group provided vehicles dedicated to their needs. It also means the group is not taking seats away from locals who are in more need of the local services.

Hygienically prepared meals

When trekking, our trained staff and team of cooks provide a hygienic camp as well as fresh, nutritious meals.

Experienced & highly trained local guides

We believe local guides provide the best experience. Their local knowledge is unparalleled in terms of interpreting the natural and cultural environments, outlining the history of a region, engaging local dialogue and also re-arranging services if required.

Many of our local guides have worked for our company for a decade or longer. They are first aid trained, experienced, passionate about their country and we have the utmost confidence in their ability to provide an experience for your school better than any western guide can.

Well thought out, tailored itineraries

If itinerary design was an art form our work would be hanging in galleries around the world. At the very least it is most certainly a science and we have years of destinational experience to ensure your itinerary is safe and achievable.

When it comes to travelling at altitude we always allow ample days to allow for proper acclimatisation as well as to allow for inclement weather.

Testimonials

Important information

Where to Go & Weather
Where to Go
Anuradhapura Dagoba stupa, Sri Lanka&#160;-&#160;<i>Photo:&#160;Gesine Cheung</i>

Unwind among the coconut palms on Sri Lanka’s endless tropical beaches

Experience Sri Lankan culture in living colour at one of the many religious festivals

Explore the lush forests, rock-top temples and sacred peaks of the Central Highlands

See majestic palaces, monasteries and the sacred Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura

Visit ancient architecture and Buddhist relics in the sacred city of Kand

Marvel at the lion-shaped palace of Sigiriya, perched atop a colossal rock

Walk among incredible temples, tombs and monuments in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa

Walk through the 2,300-year-old Buddhist cave-temples of Damballa

Enjoy exotic charm and colonial architecture in the fortified city of Galle

See the majestic Sri Lankan elephant in the wild, in one of the country’s lush wilderness areas

Shop for colourful textiles, leatherwork and handicrafts in Sri Lanka’s bustling markets

Try a cooking class or simply sample as many Sri Lankan dishes as you can

Weather
Amazing views from upon Mihintale&#160;-&#160;<i>Photo:&#160;Alex Robertson</i>

Sri Lanka is very much a tropical country, with distinct dry and wet seasons and a generally warm and humid climate. This is caused by the island’s equatorial tropical latitude and the influence of the northeast and southwest monsoons, in which alternating wet/dry periods are caused by the seasonal reversal of prevailing winds.

Elevation and rainfall are the two key factors in Sri Lanka’s daily and seasonal climate variations, and your experience of Sri Lanka’s different seasons will depend largely on your location on the island. It’s never really a bad time weather-wise to visit Sri Lanka; you just need to know which side of the island to head to.

The southwest monsoon brings rain and winds to Sri Lanka’s southwestern regions between May and September, and a dry season between December and March. The northeast monsoon brings a dry season to the northeastern regions between May and September, and rain and winds between October and January. The crossover period from October to mid-November can see rain and thunderstorms across the whole island. Despite the seasons, the humid coastal plains of the southwest (Wet Zone) receive much more reliable rainfall that the more arid plains of the north, east and south (Dry Zone).

The driest and best months to visit are generally Dec-Mar for the southwest and hill country, and Apr-Sep for the northeast and ancient cities.

There is negligible variance is annual temperature ranges in all but the Central Highlands region, where elevation moderates the tropical climate and you will experience milder conditions and wider daily and yearly temperature ranges.

In Colombo, average daily temperatures range from a minimum of 22.3°C (72°F) to a maximum of 30.9°C (88°F) in January, to a minimum of 25.5°C (78°F) to a maximum of 30.4°C (87°F) in June.

In Kandy, average daily temperatures range from a minimum of 18.4°C (65°F) to a maximum of 28.3°C (83°F) in January, to a minimum of 21.4°C (71°F) to a maximum of 28.4°C (83°F) in June.

In Anuradhapura in the central-north, average daily temperatures range from a minimum of 20.9°C (°F) to a maximum of 29.6°C (°F) in January, to a minimum of 24.5°C (°F) to a maximum of 34.3°C (°F) in April.

In Nuwara Eliya in the Central Highlands, average daily temperatures range from a minimum of 9°C (48°F) to a maximum of 20°C (68°F) in January, to a minimum of 11.4°C (53°F) to a maximum of 22.8°C (73°F) in April.

Time
Language
Currency
Currency

Sri Lankan Rupee

We recommend that you take US dollars with you as it is readily changeable.

American Express, VISA and MasterCard are accepted at hotels and in larger stores for retail purchases.

Dialing Code
International Dialing Code

+94

Electricity
Electricity
Type D plug

Electricity in Sri Lanka is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin types are D (3 pin round) and G (UK – 3 prong).

Visas
Visas

Travellers from AU, NZ, CA, US and UK can get and pay for a Sri Lanka ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation’ (ETA) online, a few days before you arrive. You should get your approval notice within 24 hours, and you can use this to enter Sri Lanka. You can apply here at the official website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration www.eta.gov.lk.

It is also possible for travellers from AU, NZ, CA, US and UK to apply for a 30-day tourist visa on arrival if you land at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. However, the Department for Immigration strongly advise visitors to apply for an ETA before entry to Sri Lanka, as the approval of an arrival visa cannot be guaranteed. A visa on arrival costs 60 US dollars, which is 10 US dollars more than the ETA.

Travellers from AU, NZ, CA, US and UK can complete an online arrival form 3 days before arriving in Sri Lanka. The service is free and may save time when you arrive. If you want to stay for more than 30 days, up to 180 days, you need to apply online as you cannot apply on arrival.

Please ensure that your passport has an expiry date of greater than 6 months during your visit to Sri Lanka.

Health & Safety
Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.

Ready to tailor a school trip to Sri Lanka?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project in Sri Lanka to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.

Why travel with us

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

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  World Expeditions hold an Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL) no. 4491 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to www.atol.org.uk/atolcertificate.
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