Sri Lanka classic tour

Environmental and socially committed hotels: This tour uses our favourite luxurious hotels, villas and restored colonial bungalows that are unique, eco friendly and employs people from the surrounding towns and villages. Heritance Kandalama in the Cultural Triangle was the first Green Globe 21 certified hotel in Asia and was also awarded the Green Building Certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. In keeping with the parent company’s vision, Heritance Kandalama concentrates on environmental planning, pollution control, and natural resource management with the greatest respect to the surrounding wilderness and the Kandalama tank - a 2,000 year old man made reservoir. Much effort is put towards enhancing energy conservation and management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reduction of fresh water consumption, nurturing and conservation of the surrounding eco system, policy of reuse and recycling, land use planning and waste water management, and the development of infra-structure such as roads for the village community. Kandalama also provides much needed employment and training for hundreds of youth.

Activities that contributes towards community development and elephant conservation: On the south coast, Mirissa water sports, a charitable organization helps to generate employment for the youth from the tsunami affected coastal areas by training these them as guides and handling of various water sports activities. Using these services and facilities itself is an invaluable contribution towards uplifting their standard of living.

You have an opportunity on this tour to support the Wildlife Department’s efforts at conserving the dwindling elephant population of Sri Lanka. At one time, the elephant population on the island was as high as 20,000. Unfortunately, today it has come down to 3,500. Conservation efforts such as the Elephant Transit Camp in Uda Walawe are vital to the future of this endangered species. The orphaned baby elephants reside at the transit camp for about four years until they are old enough to be weaned of milk and learn to eat grass and other vegetation from the bush. Each infant has to be fed on Lactogen milk formula five times a day first the first six months. Much funding is required for this expensive feeding process. The Wildlife Department has initiated a Baby Elephant Adoption Programme where individuals can provide funding on a monthly basis and become a foster parent to a baby elephant of their choice.

Local employment and responsible tour operations: The tour operator uses only experienced local drivers and guides who are ever willing to share their knowledge with you. All drivers are employed on fair terms, ensuring they receive a proper wage for their services and have access to acceptable facilities, including good, clean, comfortable accommodation. In addition local staff is employed for Sales, IT and technical development, web production, writing, and handling holiday enquiries.