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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.

Progress of the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) Mitigation Project

After a brief hiatus caused by the strict ban on inter-provincial travel due to the spread of Covid-19 in the Island, we are happy to report that the team is back in action at the site! Work on the sluice gate of the water tank has recommenced and, once completed, will play a crucial role in water distribution for cultivation and irrigation in the area. Fortunately, the construction delay has not been too much of an issue as the water levels in the tank are currently low due to the prevailing drought. We are happy to report that the project is still on track to be operational by the time the seasonal rains arrive in October. The grassland management phase is due to begin once the tank is filled by the rains and field observations will be done soon after the remaining movement restrictions between the provinces are lifted.

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Fully vaccinated travellers are welcome!

 
 The health authorities have given clearance for tourists to arrive in the country, albeit with a few simple conditions. Travellers who have received both doses of the vaccine and completed 14 days after the second dose, are welcome to make their way to the Island. A PCR test will be conducted on arrival and thereafter, travellers must spend their first night at a Level 1 Safe & Secure Hotel to await the results of the test. Upon receiving a negative result, they are free to travel around the country. However, we do recommend that guests take steps to stay in accommodation that is certified by Sri Lanka Tourism as Safe & Secure during their travel, as a further measure of safety.
 

It’s a bird, it’s a plane it’s… Dil!

If there is one person that can be solely credited with making Kite Surfing a thing in Sri Lanka, it would have to be Sri Lanka’s first IKO qualified instructor Dilsiri or Dil as he is fondly known to everyone. Dil’s love for adventure was always going to take him far from his home in Colombo and in 2013, he moved to Kalpitiya in Sri Lanka’s North Western province and turned it into the home of Kite Surfing. In the 8 years that have passed, Kite Surfing has become a booming business in Kalpitiya, with many of Dil’s students opening Kite Surfing operations of their own. Although his infectious enthusiasm is a key factor of his success, credit must also go to his foresight in ensuring no damage occurred to the environment and also that the community around the location benefitted from this operation. The next time you are in Kalpitiya, stop by for a chat with this sprightly personality, for a quick lowdown on all things adventure!
 

Monkeys - there’s more to them than you know!

What if you could spend the day with research experts who could take you on a journey of all things monkey? Well, Desney’s Monkey Kingdom in Polonnaruwa is the perfect place to do just that. Meet endemic species like the Toque Macaque and the Purple Faced Leaf monkey, as well as the widespread Gray Langurs and observe fascinating monkey behaviour like maternal care, playing patterns, food foraging, grooming and the subtle art of courtship. Curiously, as you journey into the monkey world, you will soon realise that they are not so different to us. Monkeys are individualistic, have complex relationships with family & friends and often have lots of drama in everything they do… just like us! With the excursion ending at the Pononnaruwa ancient ruins, this unique experience presents the guest with plenty of great photo opportunities and an intimate look at the world of Sri Lankan monkeys!
 

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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?”

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

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