Trip-specific information



Best of Sri Lanka: Culture & Wildlife

plus optional surfing in Hikkaduwa at tours' end
Dec 20, 2016 - Jan 4, 2017 (16 days)

Jan 29, 2017 - Feb 13, 2017 (20 days)

Summary: 


Tour's Objectives (both tours): Do you want to be immersed in one of the most controversial issues currently facing Sri Lankan elephants...and be part of the solution?  Then join us as we focus on two huge issues: 1) the elephants of Hambantota - who have been recently pushed out of their habit by development of a second international airport and a mega-marina complex.  This type of development is what largely pushed the former president out of office January 2015.  The elephants are homeless and are in conflict with locals as they search for forage.  We are working on solving this problem by bringing technological methods from India which will lesson surprise encounters between the species.  2) The Moranganakanda Dam, which began filling in November will undue Sri Lanka's hydrologic heritage, as this huge dam will pipe water to cities and preferred farmers, leaving wildlife dry. We are working on a film about this issue and promotiing a 10 percent for wildlife. We want 10% of the water to be used to restore jungle reservoirs for the benefit of wildlife. But, not to be all work - we will sample the best of Sri Lanka too.  Two days in Hambantota and 7 days traveling to elephant orphanages, a safari and two of Buddhisms most sacred sites.     

The length of these tour will also allow sufficient time to explore a few of the following sites:   The Ancient City of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy, Dambulla Rock Temple, and perhaps a visit to Ayurveda herbal gardens.  We will drive by some of the world's finest tea plantations. We will visit Yala National Park for a ranger-guided tour.  We will also visit Ude Walawe Elephant Transit Home and Pinnawalla Elephant Orphanage. For relaxation upon arrival, we will stay in Hikkaduwa, a surf and yoga destination two hours south of Colombo.

On our Jan 29 tour, we will be spending several days helping a collaborator with film and photographic work in a snake charm/gypsy village. Philip assisted this same filmmaker, CameraQ, with similar objectives in 1998/99.

Important Dates: The tour(s) begins on Dec 20/Jan 29 in Colombo, Sri Lanka and ends on Jan 4th/Feb 20 in Colombo. Please extend your time abroad by joining us in India (discount available to add-ons). You can spend a few days learning to surf in Sri Lanka's surf paradise in Hikkaduwa (we can help with arrangements). 

We begin the tour(s) on Dec 20/Feb 1 at the Colombo Airport.  You are responsible for securing your own tickets from the U.S. (or elsewhere) to Colombo.   You will be picked up at the airport and brought to our beach hotel, likely in Hikkaduwa.  

We will end the tour near the end of the day on Dec 30/Feb 20 at the Colombo Airport, or Hikkaduwa (your choice). 

Flying Strategies: We recommend momondo.com, for offering the best international search capabilities.  

All land travel will be arranged by GeoWandering.  Only the incoming and outgoing flights to/from the US are your responsibility - both the booking and the expense. 

Tour Cost and what’s included

This is a joint SavingGanesh.org/GeoWandering production and all profits serve elephants of Sri Lanka; cost: 16 days, $2,450; 20 days, $2,950.  This price is based on double occupancy (shared room), single room surcharge is $200. The cost for any personalized services, like Ayurvedic spa treatment, massages, salon services or alcoholic beverages is your responsibility.  Accommodations, meals, park entrance fees, translator, and ground transportation are all included in the fee. 
Additional Information

If you would like to extend your time in either Sri Lanka or India, you are welcome to join any of SavingGanesh.org’s other tours, either immediately before or after this tour. 10% discount is available on additional tours.  Most tours are filmmaking in nature, and you are welcome to join and be a member of the crew.  As a working member of our conservation group, all your fees will be tax deductible.  See FAQ page for more details.

Please see FAQ page for more information about deposit and payment requirements, and other important information.