Environmental Conservation in Sri Lanka
Volunteer at an amazing environmental project
Book now for £49
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£739
739
Group Size: Max 12
Trip code: SLEC
Duration: 1-8 weeks
Make a real difference on this incredible eco-project in Southern Sri Lanka. Spend between 1 and 8 weeks (or longer) staying in a lively volunteer house, helping with a range of initiatives that combat climate change and reduce pollution. You’ll get involved with building artificial reefs, planting mangroves, river clean-ups, organic farming, beach clean-ups, community education, building eco bricks and more! Weekends are for exploring gorgeous Galle (just 15 minutes away) and lazing on white-sand beaches. It’s the perfect way to have an amazing experience, while giving back.
Trip highlights
- Build artificial coral reefs and help with mangrove reforestation
- Clear plastic pollution from beautiful beaches and rural rivers
- Deliver recycling education to the local community
- Stay in a vibrant volunteer house with swimming pool and gardens
- Spend your weekends exploring historic Galle and the south coast’s golden beaches
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- 100% Financially Secure
- We have provided financial bonds which guarantee that your money is totally safe with Gap 360 Ltd.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner every day
- Accommodation in the volunteer house
- Airport transfer on arrival
- Project coordinator
- Experienced local team
- Training programme
- Orientation tour around Galle
- Local transport to daily activities
- Use of the facilities at the volunteer house
- Weekly yoga class on rooftop terrace
- Weekly movie night
- Monthly bike tour of local villages
- Monthly garden BBQ
- 24 hour emergency helpline
- Visas
- Insurance
- Optional activities
- Flights
- Return airport transfer
Spend between 1 and 8 weeks working on a range of initiatives on an amazing eco project in southern Sri Lanka. The project is all about fighting climate change and addressing pollution and features a range of important initiatives designed to address key environmental issues affecting the local area.
Where will I stay?
You’ll stay in a volunteer house looking out over the turquoise ocean of Unawatuna Beach, with historic Galle just 15 minutes up the road. The house has a private garden, swimming pool and lots of shared communal space.
When will I be working?
Work is Monday to Friday (with weekends free to explore Galle, southern Sri Lanka’s beautiful beaches, and to join optional activities and excursions).
What will my duties include?
You’ll be involved with all kinds of important environmental work in the local area, including:
- Helping with mangrove reforestation – planting seeds, caring for baby mangroves
- Delivering recycling education to local communities, schools and businesses
- Making and donating eco bricks to the local community
- Organic farming – planting seeds, making compost, looking after crops
- Building and placing artificial coral reefs
- Beach clean-ups – clearing pollution from beaches in the Galle and Unawatuna areas
- River clean-ups – clearing pollution from the Ging Ganga River in 2-man canoes
What support will I be given?
On arrival you’ll be given a detailed orientation and training programme, including health and safety training, culture training and an area orientation tour around Galle. You’ll be supported throughout your stay by the project coordinator and experienced local team, who will provide project-specific training and guide you day-by-day on all activities.
How will I get around?
Local transportation to and from the project is included every day. At the weekends you’ll have to arrange your own transport, although the local team can help with that.
Included Activities
As well as your volunteering duties you can also take part in a number of activites which may occur whilst you are at the project, such as:
- Weekly yoga class from an experienced yoga teacher
- Weekly movie night on large screen projector
- Monthly guided bike tour around the local paddyfields and countryside
- Monthly special Sri Lanka BBQ dinner
- Monthly cultural visit to Buddhist temple
*Please note: Some activities on this itinerary will depend on seasonal conditions. We’ll do everything we can to advise you of changes to this itinerary wherever possible.
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Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Most expensive: £832 July, 2023
Arrive at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport on day 1 of your stay.
There will be 2 shared airport transfers every Saturday (one in the morning plus one in the afternoon/evening) as follows:
A morning transfer will cover flights arriving between 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Our driver will arrive at the airport by 6:00am and will meet all participants who arrive between 6-10am and then collectively take the group to the volunteer house in Galle after the last person has arrived within this range. Those arriving earlier than 6am will have to wait in the arrivals area of the airport where they can sit in the air-conditioned lounge, get a local SIM card organized and even have some refreshments at the onsite food court/bakery if they choose. Our driver will also provide every participant with a complimentary bottle of drinking water.
Afternoon/Evening Transfer will cover flights arriving between 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The same conditions will apply as the morning transfer described above, except for the change of time.
If your flight arrives after 6:30pm or on any other day which is not a Saturday, a private transfer can be arranged for USD 100 or you can make your own arrangements.
Departure transfers are not included, but can be arranged as above for additional cost if required. Alternatively, you can book this locally once in country.
Accommodation
You’ll stay in a shared volunteer house for the duration of the programme, The house is in southern Sri Lanka in the Galle district. It’s 100m from Unawatuna Beach, looking out over the sparkling Indian Ocean and historic Galle is just a 15-minute drive away.
There are 11 en-suite bedrooms in the house, each of which accommodates a maximum of 6 people per room (although most rooms only take 4). Rooms are single sex and if you’d like a private room, upgrades may be available (at an extra cost – speak to your travel adviser).
There’s plenty of space in the house, with 3 kitchens, 3 common areas and a dining area. Outside there’s a private garden and a swimming pool. The house is covered by CCTV and is located in a safe and quiet residential neighbourhood
Hot water and wifi are included but you’ll need to pay an additional fee for air conditioning and laundry facilities.
The house is split over 4 floors and has 3 kitchens, 3 common areas, a dining area, private outdoor garden and swimming pool. The house has CCTV and an in house night time security guard. The house has hot water and wifi included. Airconditioning and laundry facilities are available at an extra charge (payable locally).
Please note that during busy seasons you may be housed in a secondary volunteer house located a 10 minute tuk tuk drive from the main house. The house holds up to 14 people and free transport to and from both houses is provided for volunteers. All volunteers will be able to use facilities at both houses.
Meals
You’ll be provided with three freshly cooked Sri Lankan meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) every day that you’re on the programme. Typical foods include red rice and sambol, bread and fruits, rice and curry and rotis. Western dishes will also be served such as pasta, soups, wraps and salads. Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements.
You’ll need to be a minimum of 18 years old to participate on this programme. You don’t need any prior experience or qualifications to participate. All that’s needed is a desire to make a difference and a willingness to work and learn.
All tourists visiting Sri Lanka can apply for a 180-day visa through the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) website. The fee for this is 50 USD. You can also obtain an on-arrival visa in Colombo Airport at a cost of 60 USD, but this visa will only be for 30 days. If you are planning to stay in Sri Lanka for longer than 30 days, we recommend that you apply for your visa in advance, so you don't have to extend your visa with the Immigration Department during your stay.
Please note: Visa requirements are subject to change so make sure you check before you travel.
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.