20 Feb 2019
Specialist tailor made tour operator Yonder has introduced a new family summer itinerary in Sri Lanka, which includes learning the skills of a park ranger in the lesser known national park of Gal Oya and learning to surf in the gentle waves of Arugam Bay on the East coast, with ideal weather conditions during the Summer months.
Gal Oya National Park is still relatively undiscovered by visitors and offers a great opportunity to see some of Sri Lanka's best wildlife away from the crowds. The park has the country's largest inland body of water and is the only place in the country where you can see Asian elephants swimming between the islands that dot the lake. It is also one of the last areas in Sri Lanka to be home to an indigenous tribe. The Vedda still live a hunter gatherer lifestyle foraging in the jungle and use medicinal plants for healing.
Yonder can organise special boat and jeep safaris for children to really get under the skin of the life of a park ranger and learn about the park's eco-systems and the animals' behaviours. In the evening they can join head naturalists, Anuradha and Manoj, on an evening walk around the Gal Oya Lodge to set up motion-sensor camera traps to record and monitor animals, including mongoose, wild boar, jackal and pangolin, in order to understand the steps that need to be taken to conserve them.
They will also meet the chief elder from the Vedda tribe who will take them on a hike through the jungle to learn about how the forest ecosystem can support their way of life. He will bring the forest to life as he explains his tribe's use of medicinal plants, the location of their ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings, as well as how hunter-gatherers sustain themselves in the ancient jungles of Gal Oya. A naturalist will be on hand to translate.
Arugum Bay, around three hours from the park, is a great location to try surfing for the first time with the best waves arriving during the summer months. Yonder will point clients in the direct of the pristine quiet beaches with small shacks selling cold drinks and noodles, ideal for children.
The new summer family itinerary also includes cycling through rural villages near Kandy and a stay in Tangalle. Prices start from £2,900 per person for two weeks.
https://www.yonder.co.uk/itinerary/summer-family-holiday-to-sri-lanka/
www.yonder.com 0203 880 8585
Yonder is a luxury tour operator specialising in experience-led, tailor made holidays in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Burma. Yonder's portfolio features a collection of hand-picked hotels, as well as a range of creative and exclusive experiences. Yonder holidays are aimed at all ages, including families, solo travellers and small private groups. Yonder was founded in 2017 by Nico Kostich, once named by TTG as one of the travel industry's bright new talents to watch out for.
Ends
19 February 2019
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Tiggy Dean and Emma Hill at Hill & Dean PR on 0208 875 9923
