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  • Owner managed Boutique DMC in Sri Lanka.
    A specialist in experiential travel, focusing on Experiences, Encounters and Spaces with character and sustainability.
  • Owner managed Boutique DMC in Sri Lanka.
    A specialist in experiential travel, focusing on Experiences, Encounters and Spaces with character and sustainability.
  • Owner managed Boutique DMC in Sri Lanka.
    A specialist in experiential travel, focusing on Experiences, Encounters and Spaces with character and sustainability.
  • Owner managed Boutique DMC in Sri Lanka.
    A specialist in experiential travel, focusing on Experiences, Encounters and Spaces with character and sustainability.
  • Owner managed Boutique DMC in Sri Lanka.
    A specialist in experiential travel, focusing on Experiences, Encounters and Spaces with character and sustainability.

Mahoora’s Carbon Neutrality Legacy

Mahoora Tented Safari Camps is Sri Lanka's first Carbon Neutral Safari Camp since the year 2010, certified by Carbon Credit Capital LLC - USA. That means every stay at Mahoora has no negative impact on the environment in terms of CO2 emission. This was achieved back in 2010, where we calculated our carbon emission as 110 kg per guest, per night. The figure was determined after a meticulous study conducted by Bonterra Lanka limited. After arriving at the number which would determine our next mission, we then mitigated it using eco-friendly initiatives such as recycling garbage, using solar power, utilising EM Technology to recycle organic waste etc. Lastly, we offset remaining emissions by purchasing carbon offsets to reduce our own tiny amount of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity use, and other sources.
 
Going carbon neutral wasn’t easy, but being carbon neural was worth it.

Chithrarathna Kurunnase: Sri Lanka’s Famous Traditional Kandyan Dancer and Teacher

Chithrarathna Werapitiya, better known in the community as Chithrarathna Kurunnase, is the island’s grand master of the traditional Kandyan dancing art – one of the most respected crafts that originated in the hill country of Ceylon centuries ago. He has been awarded the President’s Award more than 40 times for his exceptional traditional dancing and singing performances over the years, and has represented Sri Lanka on prestigious overseas tours. Passing down the tradition to hundreds more, he founded the Chithrarathna Narthana Ayathanaya Kandyan Dancing Academy.
 
One of the highest honors for any traditional dancer in Sri Lanka is performing at the Kandy Perahara amidst the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, and Chithrarathna’s “wes kandayama”, the traditional mask dance, is one of the most prominent acts in the Perahara to-date.

Toddy Tapping: tight-rope walking to make Asia’s most unusual alcohol

Every unusual drink comes with an unusual process to making it, and this particular one happens 60 - 100 feet off the ground!
 
The coconut palm has been harvested for generations to make Toddy or Ra, a local coconut liquor, which is made by fermenting the sap of the coconut flower up in the trees. Before it can be tapped, the flower must first be ‘beaten’ for three days, then cut allowing the sap to drain out. The toddy tapper – those engaged in the profession – has to climb the coconut tree to tie a container in order to collect the sap. This is done in the evening, the container is left overnight and the contents are collected the next morning. So, the next time you travel to the South and see a rope-riddled tree top, look up and you might be witness to a local tightrope walker on an artisan liquor mission!

“Nestle in Hills” - Dhammithera’s Homestay in Kandy

Live in the hills of Kandy amidst nature, in a cozy homestay with naturalist, botanist and professional birdwatcher – Dhammithera! Just 45 minutes from the heart of Kandy is his idyllic haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Enjoy the sunrise with a cup of Ceylon tea in your organic farm and garden, with a view of Adam's Peak in the distance. Or, settle back into a reading nook and explore Dhammithera’s personal Natural History Library. If you love a guaranteed panoramic view of the Kandy Central Mountains, wonderful Sri Lankan hospitality, and good ol’ fashioned Sri Lankan cooking, you’ll love Dhammithera’s Homestay!



Unique Experiences

Because your holiday is all about you and what you want to do, we take pride in offering exclusive and unique experiences going beyond the normal tourist highlights. We believe...

Accommodations with character

  It’s about where you are staying. Our handpicked accommodations are way different to large chain hotels with conventional star ratings. We offers small properties with quality, character, ambiance and run...

Locals to meet

It’s all about whom you are meeting. Our tours are designed to grant you an intimate peak into the country and meeting real local people. With our special relationships cultivated...

Our Journeys

Sri Lanka is a combination of many sights, scenes, and sounds that are charmingly packed into its compact 65,610 sq. km of the delightful island. The majestic past and present...

Sustainability

It’s about how we do things. We believe that the sustainability and conservation approach in tourism is not merely an option but a way of life. While offering you unique,...

"Journeys" 33rd Edition May 2021

MONTHLY NEWS BULLETIN - MAY 2021   Dear Trade Colleagues, Despite the rise in cases and the temporary closure of the airport for new arrivals, the mood in Sri Lanka is still one...

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Feedback

Great Experience ..!! It's very hard to choose a favorite part.

We enjoyed all of it. The itinerary was very well planned with a lot of activities plus a little bit of downtime as well. All the hotels have been lovely and had a lot of character. The chauffeur guide was excellent, knowledgeable and accommodating especially with our regular requests to find somewhere to stop for short eats.

We would definitely recommend Sri Lanka as a destination for friends and family to visit.

Robyn Semple - Dower | UK
19th April 2018

 

 

Team Behind Exj

 

2018 11 03 2

Anuruddha Bandara

Anuruddha Bandara, also known as AB, is an award-winning entrepreneur who has built a reputation as a niche tourism specialist, explorer, and management trainer.

He has travelled extensively to all parts of Sri Lanka and, impressively, 16% of the globe, including six continents. As Founder/ CEO and Master Crafter of Experiences & Encounters, he has navigated Experiential Journeys, to become the most sought after destination management company in Sri Lanka.

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natasha

Natasha

Natasha or “Natz” in short has been with Exj from 2013 to present handling B2C sales for our Tented Camp products. Prior to rejoining with us again Nathasha served a B2C focused DMC , as the Sales Manager and also as the Reservations Manager for a period of one and a half years. 

A very outgoing and a pleasant personality and she posses a total of six years of experience as a Travel Adviser providing consultation and guidance on destinations, ground arrangements, accommodations and tours for both business travellers and tourists. 

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nish profile

Nish

Nish is an accounting professional who decided to follow her true passion - turning her attention to the tourism industry; particularly interested in sustainable tourism. With more than a decade of experience in the field, Nish is an invaluable member of  Experiential Journeys.

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2018 11 03 1

Haj

Hajreen Juhara, popularly called Haj, is a multi-talented and experienced individual. With a career spanning 21 years in customer care, in Sri Lanka and overseas, Haj understands the capacity of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka as well as the requirements of his clientele, more specifically, when it comes to Meetings / Incentives / Conferences and Events [ MICE]  

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Migara updated

Migara

An IT professional, who eventually found that staring into a screen the whole day, is not what he truly made for. After trying out options in few industries, it didn't take too long for him to find his "perfect fit"; sustainable tourism coupled with customer care.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Our policy in discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

Animals Are Friends Too: Discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

We at ExJ stay away from tourism experiences that are staged and involve animal cruelty and shopping traps that are contrived to exploit and deceive clients.

Even though some of the popular ‘attractions’ are not included in our programmes due to the above reasons, we have no objections in our clients making their own arrangements with our Drivers to visit these places.

 

Why we do not promote following attractions

 

Turtle Hatcheries

As this concept has serious negative aspects in terms of conservation, we do not encourage our visitors to patronize the turtle hatcheries, as not all of them are really turtle-friendly. We instead encourage them to observe turtles in their natural habitats.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

When we became aware that the animal welfare standards there were questionable, we stopped encouraging our clients to visit the orphanage. We are pleased to observe that the Born Free Foundation has now adopted similar measures.

Elephant back rides – Habarana

There’s uncertainty surrounding the attitude of this place towards animal welfare. There may be a few ethical operators, but in general, we are not in agreement with how the place is run. We all would love a photo of us riding an elephant, but is a lifetime of pain caused to these magnificent mammals really worth a few fleeting likes on social media?

Traditional Village Tour with a Canoe Trip and Bullock-Carts – Habarana

This is a tourist trap where a lot of the trip is ‘staged’ for commercial purposes. Such fake touristic experiences will not give our visitors an idea of what life in the country is really like, so join us as we show you the real side of Sri Lanka. And at the end of every vacation, always ask yourself, “Did you feel that your holiday was ethical, eco-friendly, and reduced environmental impacts?”

Are you a Tour Operator?  Visit our Members Area

 

© 2024 Experiential Journeys (Pvt) Ltd. 20/63, Fairfield Garden, Colombo 08 (00800), Sri Lanka

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