Join Vrijwillig Wereldwijd’s youth adventure to Sri Lanka! It's the perfect mix of travel and volunteering. Together with a fun group of young people (aged 16–21), you’ll explore this stunning country, connect with locals, and take part in hands-on volunteer projects.
After saying goodbye to family and friends at the airport, we fly to Sri Lanka and arrive in the capital, Colombo, where our local guide will greet us. We’ll stay in a guesthouse and enjoy a welcome tour of the city.
The next day, we catch a local train to Ambalangoda, a coastal town where we’ll visit a turtle conservation project set up after the devastating tsunami. Many turtles were injured and unable to return to the sea, so this centre helps care for and protect them. We'll spend a day helping out and refilling tanks with fresh seawater.
In the evening, we’ll head to Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for a guided tour under the stars.
On Day 5, we visit a rainforest and help out by planting trees. Later that day, we head to the beach town of Unawatuna. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan dance performance, followed by a BBQ on the beach or back at the guesthouse, depending on the weather!
We then travel to Badulla, a beautiful town surrounded by tea plantations. Here, we’ll stay with local host families and spend a few days doing volunteer work in schools. In your free time, you’ll visit the Dunhinda Waterfalls, the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, and the lively town of Ella.
You’ll also get to bike through the tea fields, try Sri Lankan cooking, and take part in a fun traditional dress-up event wearing local clothing.
From Badulla, we travel to Nuwara Eliya, get a guided tour of the town, and stay in homestays again. After breakfast, we hop on the train at Nanu Oya Station for the world-famous ride to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital.
In Kandy, we’ll visit the famous Temple of the Tooth, believed to house a sacred tooth of Buddha. In the evening, there’s a guided tour of the city.
Next stop: Sigiriya, where we hike up Pidurangala Rock for breathtaking views over Lion Rock. In the afternoon, we’ll head out on a jeep safari through Kaudulla National Park to see wild elephants up close, an unforgettable experience!
On our final day, we visit the Dambulla cave temples, perched 150 metres high, carved straight into the rock, with five beautiful temples to explore. Then it's back to the airport to make your way home, with memories to last a lifetime!
You’ll be helping out with a few different volunteer projects:
This awesome project focuses on protecting sea turtles, which are sadly an endangered species. Local fishermen are paid to bring turtle eggs safely to the centre, where they hatch and are cared for. Once they grow a bit, they’re released into the ocean.
Female turtles stay longer at the centre, as they have a better chance of surviving and eventually returning to the beach (sometimes 20 years later!) to lay their own eggs.
Education is one of the most powerful tools for a better future. In Sri Lanka, you can help in kindergartens in either Galle or Badulla. You’ll assist local teachers in Buddhist preschools, work with kids aged 3 to 5, and get an amazing chance to experience the culture up close. The classes usually have about 20 to 25 children.
Ides jongerenreis Sri Lanka
Ik ben altijd erg kritisch, dus ik had graag wat verbeter punten gegeven, maar ik weet het echt niet. Een dikke 10
Stanzen
De volgende dag was het alweer onze éen na laatste dag op Zanzibar maar tevens ook wel een van de mooiste. We hebben namelijk die dag met wilde dolfijnen gezwommen.
Esmée op jongerenreis
Ga mee met de jongerenreis van Vrijwillig Wereldwijd, het is de beste reis van m’n leven geweest; goed georganiseerd, lekker relaxt en ze laten je de mooiste plekken van Ghana zien.
We completely understand that having your child volunteer overseas can feel like a big step. In fact, it’s often just as exciting for parents as it is for the young person themselves, and sometimes even a little more nerve-racking. That’s why we want to reassure you that your child is in good hands.
Since 2004, we’ve been supporting volunteers and have guided many young people through meaningful international experiences.
We take safety seriously. That begins with carefully selecting our partner organisations, volunteer projects, and host families. Every placement is thoroughly checked to make sure it meets our high standards for safety, support, and ethical practices.
Our experienced and caring local contacts are always there to support volunteers throughout their journey. From clear pre-departure preparation to personal assistance during the project, we’re available to help whenever needed.
We believe strongly in open communication. You're always welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns. We’re here not only for the volunteers, but for their families too.
You can feel confident knowing we are fully committed to creating a safe, supportive, and positive experience. Your child’s wellbeing, safety, and overall happiness are our top priorities.
If there's anything you’d like to ask or talk through, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Warm regards,
The Volunteer Worldwide Team
