Discover sustainable travel in Sri Lanka! Explore our unique and authentic tours blending cities, nature, food, and culture. Carbon removals included!

Sustainable Travel in Sri Lanka | Yugen Earthside

Sri Lanka is a teardrop-shaped island nation in the Indian Ocean, just off the southeastern coast of India. Known for its ancient cities, lush jungles, tea plantations, and palm-fringed beaches, Sri Lanka offers a captivating mix of nature, culture, and hospitality. Travelers are drawn to its rich Buddhist heritage, wildlife safaris, flavorful cuisine, and welcoming communities. Expect a vibrant, sensory experience—whether you’re hiking through hill country or relaxing by the sea.

Sri Lanka’s tropical climate makes it a year-round destination, but the best time to visit for trekking—especially on the scenic Pekoe Trail through tea country—is from January to April, when the weather is dry and clear. For beach time, the southern and western coasts are ideal between December and March, while the east coast shines from May to September. Expect average daytime temperatures around 80–90°F (27–32°C), with cooler conditions in the highlands.

We partner with a Sri Lankan company, locally owned by a husband and wife team, committed to using tourism to uplift Sri Lankan women and local communities. These thoughtfully designed journeys highlight the country’s natural and cultural treasures while creating memorable journeys and promoting female empowerment. You can trek forested hillsides, take part in yoga and wellness experiences, visit tea estates, or relax on the beach. All trips are Privately-guided, led by expert specialists, and can be arranged as Small Group tours if you have your own Tour Leader.

Most travelers fly into Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) near Colombo to begin their journey.

These packages can be tailored to your preferred travel style, pace, and focus. Tell us what you're looking for, whether that's wildlife and safari experiences, cultural and historic sites, a visit to Galle Fort, traveling the country by train, incorporating more yoga and wellness, trekking, community connection, or beach time!

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Yugen Earthside connects mindful travelers to responsible package trips around the world. CARBON REMOVALS INCLUDED WITH EACH BOOKING!

Connecting mindful travelers to responsible experiences around the world.

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

We proudly partner with wanderwell, a B-Corp-certified travel insurance agency and 1% for the Planet member.

Request a FREE quote for Trip Protection or Travel Medical coverage.

Discover self-guided, privately-guided, & small group tours around the world. Our sustainable adventures are customizable, and include carbon removals with each booking!

Trips | Yugen Earthside | Sustainable Adventures

Trek through tea-covered hills, slow down with yoga, connect with Sri Lankan women, & relax beachside on this restorative wellness journey. Carbon removals included!

[14 days] Restorative Wellness Journey: Trekking, Yoga, & Relaxation in Sri Lanka | Yugen Earthside

Trek through tea-covered hills, slow down and stretch it out with serene yoga sessions, connect with Sri Lankan women, and relax beachside on this restorative wellness journey.

This special, rejuvenating two-week trip is perfect for those craving adventure, self-discovery, and cultural connection. You'll explore Sri Lanka's untouched landscapes, support women's empowerment and connect deeply with local communities, hike sections of the scenic Pekoe Trail, and heal with yoga in nature.

Begin your journey with yoga at a scenic hill country hotel, where you can embrace the revitalizing power of nature. Connect with local villagers on a cultural walk, supporting women in cottage industries and sharing stories over a warm cup of tea. Trek the famed Pekoe Trail through misty rainforests and tea estates, with breathtaking views of the valleys below. Then unwind by the South Coast, enjoying peaceful beach time to reflect and recharge between yoga sessions. This is a meaningful journey centered around connection and community, set against the pristine and lush beauty of Sri Lanka.

Relax your body, mind, and spirit with 6 peaceful yoga sessions throughout your trip

Trek to a beautiful, remote village in Kandy at the foothills of the Knuckles Mountains

Visit Kandy Market with a lady guide and experience traditional shopping for fresh produce

Participate in a traditional cooking experience led by local women

Enjoy a cultural walk through the village, meeting villagers and visiting their homes

Spend 5 days trekking sections of the Pekoe Trail through a protected rainforest and tea-covered hills

Interact with villagers working in tea estates

Explore waterfalls and enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool at the base

Relax on the beautiful beaches of the South Coast for 3 days, and enjoy a surfing lesson

This journey offers a harmonious blend of yoga, trekking, and female empowerment, creating a transformative and deeply enriching experience. Begin and end your adventure with calming yoga sessions, designed to ground your body and mind while offering moments of reflection amidst Sri Lanka’s serene natural surroundings.

In Kandy, connect with local women through hands-on experiences in traditional cooking, crafts, and daily village life. These meaningful interactions not only provide insight into their culture and aspirations but also support and uplift the women who share their heritage with you. 

The trekking segment takes you through some of Sri Lanka’s most stunning landscapes—from the misty hills and lush tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya to the dramatic highlands of Ohiya and Haputale. As you hike through protected rainforests and remote villages, you’ll encounter vibrant biodiversity, interact with tea estate workers, and witness breathtaking waterfalls—perfect for a refreshing dip along the way.

Your journey concludes on the sun-kissed southern coast, where you can relax with oceanside yoga and enjoy surfing lessons on pristine beaches. It’s a perfect finale to a journey that celebrates personal wellness, cultural connection, and the spirit of adventure.

Travel to Sri Lanka is possible throughout the year, with each season offering something unique. Broadly, there are two main travel seasons:

December to April: A great time to visit, with dry and sunny weather across much of the country. Ideal for trekking, wildlife spotting, and enjoying the southern beaches.

July to September: Considered one of the best times to travel, especially to the east coast where the beaches are in their full splendor. Trekking is also possible during this period.

May, June, October, November: These months are generally less crowded, offering a more peaceful experience. You may encounter occasional evening showers, but travel is still very much possible and rewarding.

Services and meals not mentioned in the itinerary

Early check-in, late check-out, and other hotel extras

All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at the hotel

Meet and assistance at the Colombo International Airport

All arrival and departure transfers with an air-conditioned vehicle in each destination

English-speaking local, specialty Guide throughout the tour

1 night in Colombo (3* Beach Hotel); 3 nights Kandy (Boutique Eco-Lodge); 1 night in Nuwara Eliya (3* Hotel); 1 night in Ohiya (Cozy Inn); 2 nights in Haputale (3* Hotel); 2 night in Ella (4-5* Hotel); 3 nights in Talalla (3* Eco-Hotel)

Trek to a rural village in the foothills of Knuckles

Cooking Experience in a local village house in Kandy

Evening village walk, visiting locals and community-based enterprises

Pekoe Trail Trek passing The Devil’s Staircase

Pekoe Trail Trek through Horton Plains National Park

4 packed picnic lunches during the Pekoe Trail Trekking experience

2 dinners at the first and last hotel stays

24/7 emergency contact and customer service

Price varies by group size. Contact us if you don't see your group size listed.

We are a Sri Lankan company locally owned by a husband and wife team. We specialize in creating authentic experiences. Our mission is to create meaningful journeys that connect travelers with the heart and soul of the island—its people, culture, nature, and traditions—while ensuring that tourism directly benefits the local communities who make these experiences possible.

We believe that travel should be a force for good. That’s why we carefully design our tours to immerse travelers in real local life—from sharing home-cooked meals and discovering lesser-known trails to staying in locally owned, small-scale hotels. These choices ensure that the true stakeholders of tourism—the local people—are supported and empowered.

Our commitment to responsible travel is unwavering. We proudly say no to animal exploitation and staged experiences. We do not promote elephant rides, bullock cart rides, turtle hatcheries with captive animals, or any activity that involves cruelty or profit from animal suffering. We also do not propose or endorse shopping stops, as our sole focus is to deliver authentic, distraction-free travel experiences.

Sustainability isn’t just a principle for us—it’s our path forward. Whether it’s minimizing plastic waste, reducing our carbon footprint through low-impact travel, or promoting eco-conscious practices on the trail, we are dedicated to preserving Sri Lanka’s natural and cultural heritage for generations to come.

We believe that preserving nature is the key to keeping sustainable tourism alive, allowing others to experience these wonders long into the future.

On this journey, each traveler receives a reusable water bottle, which can be refilled from dispensers in the vehicle. It’s a simple but powerful way to reduce single-use plastics and travel responsibly.

As you trek from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, you’ll do so mostly on foot, minimizing fossil fuel use and truly connecting with the environment around you. And because our tours are small-group experiences, we ensure that your adventure leaves the lightest possible footprint on these fragile ecosystems.

Together, these choices help protect the natural beauty of Sri Lanka, making your journey memorable and meaningful.

The accommodations selected for this itinerary are chosen with sustainability in mind. The eco-conscious hotel in Kandy is a classic example of this:

It is built with repurposed wood, antiques, and mostly natural materials and utilizes oil lamps for evening lighting, emphasizing low energy consumption. The hotel fosters local employment by hiring builders, artisans, weavers, cooks, gardeners, and hospitality staff from nearby villages. By prioritizing locally sourced, organic ingredients, they support regional farmers. They also compost and grow much of their herbs and food on the property.

As part of your early evening cultural walk, you'll have the opportunity to meet local villagers, visit their humble homes, engage in friendly conversations, and observe their daily livelihoods. This intimate experience offers a genuine glimpse into rural Sri Lankan life—and perhaps even the chance to share a warm cup of tea with a welcoming host.

During the Pekoe Trail trek, you will encounter local communities in tiny villages that highlight Sri Lanka's rich traditions, warm hospitality, and unique cultural essence. You can interact with villagers and witness the tea plucking ladies weighing their plucked tea harvest. Even completing a single stage will enable the hikers to uncover hidden places and untold stories, creating a personal bond with Sri Lanka.

In Kandy, visitors can purchase handcrafted goods from cottage industries producing reed baskets, traditional sweets, and Kitul jaggery and syrup, directly benefiting small-scale producers.

The trekking and walking tours featured in this journey offer more than just exploring beautiful landscapes—they play a vital role in supporting and uplifting local communities. By engaging with local businesses and artisans, travelers help sustain livelihoods and promote economic growth in these regions.

Pekoe Trail trekking supports local economies by creating jobs in hospitality and guiding. Along the trail, even brief stops at local shops help sustain nearby businesses, ensuring that tourism revenue reaches and empowers local communities.

Throughout your journey, you'll have the unique opportunity to meet and engage with resilient women who play pivotal roles in their communities.

The Kandy excursions, including the market visit, cooking session, and afternoon walk, will be led by a female guide. During lunch preparation, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with local women. With the presence of these female guides and hosts, your experience will be enhanced through genuine and empowering interactions.

During your afternoon walk in Kandy, you will meet many courageous women in the village who indulge in cottage industries to sustain their family income. You'll visit their homes, learn about their crafts, and perhaps share a cup of tea, gaining firsthand insight into their daily lives and aspirations.

Meet the tea pluckers as they work diligently in the plantations, offering you a glimpse into their daily lives. By doing so, you’ll not only gain valuable insights into their work but also support their economic independence and help preserve cultural traditions.

Restorative Wellness Journey: Trekking, Yoga, & Relaxation in Sri Lanka

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