Jiwa
Tribe
Surfers on a wave in a bay surrounded by palm trees

Sri Lanka

Surf & culture

8 – 21 March 2027

Giada Olto Emilio Who’s coming with you? Giada Olto · Emilio →
14 days · 11 nights
March 8–2114 days · 11 nights
nights on the road + base in Weligama
3 + 8nights on the road + base in Weligama
people in the group
8–15people in the group
years old
18–35years old
surf lessons
6surf lessons
yoga classes
4yoga classes

Average weather in March, south coast

Sky
SunnySky
Air
26–31°Air
Ocean
28°Ocean
Waves
GentleWaves

No wetsuit, just your swimsuit.

The route

From the heart of the island to the ocean

Colombo ARRIVAL Sigiriya 1 NIGHT Kandy 1 NIGHT Ella 1 NIGHT Weligama 8 NIGHTS · OUR BASE Hikkaduwa Galle Hiriketiya INDIAN OCEAN
Trip stops Day trips from the base By van By train

Day by day

The itinerary

Here are the days in broad strokes: the rest you’ll discover there. We’re keeping a few surprises to ourselves.

The culture loop

Let’s go! Day 1 · Mon 8 March Let’s go!

Flight from Italy to Colombo, usually overnight. Neck pillow, headphones and off we go.

Colombo → Sigiriya Day 2 · Tue 9 March Colombo → Sigiriya

We land, our van and driver are waiting and we head straight for the heart of the island. On the way, a first stop among temples carved into the rock, then our first rice & curry together.

☾ Night in Sigiriya

Sigiriya → Kandy Day 3 · Wed 10 March Sigiriya → Kandy

At sunrise or sunset, depending on our arrival time, we trek up to one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the island, with the jungle at our feet. Then on to Kandy, the sacred city: the Temple of the Tooth, the lake, the market and its spices.

☾ Night in Kandy

Kandy → Ella by train Day 4 · Thu 11 March Kandy → Ella by train

We hop on the most beautiful scenic train on the island: hours of mountains, tea plantations and villages, legs dangling out of the door. Our bags travel in the van and the driver waits for us in Ella, so we can enjoy the ride hands-free. Evening in the mountain village.

☾ Night in Ella

Ella → Weligama Day 5 · Fri 12 March Ella → Weligama

One last view from above, the Nine Arch Bridge, then down to the coast. Arrival in Weligama, our base: from now on, it’s home.

☾ 8 nights in Weligama

Weligama: surfer life

First wave Day 6 · Sat 13 March First wave SURF YOGA

We start with theory: how a wave works, how to behave in the water, the rules between surfers. Then everyone in the water for the first lesson, and yoga at sunset to loosen up.

Surf and Galle Day 7 · Sun 14 March Surf and Galle SURF

Morning in the water, afternoon in Galle: the Dutch fort walls over the ocean, colonial lanes, cafés and little shops.

Hands-on Day 8 · Mon 15 March Hands-on SURF YOGA

Surf lesson and first video analysis. In the afternoon a workshop with local artisans, so you can take home something you made yourself.

Hiriketiya Day 9 · Tue 16 March Hiriketiya SURF

Trip to Hiriketiya, a horseshoe bay surrounded by palm trees: surf lesson there and a beach day.

Jungle and waterfalls Day 10 · Wed 17 March Jungle and waterfalls YOGA

A day away from the coast, among jungle and waterfalls. Plus a boat ride through the mangroves looking for crocodiles, monitor lizards and, with a bit of luck, a snake or two. Only in the wild, as it should be.

Surf and jewellery Day 11 · Thu 18 March Surf and jewellery SURF

In the water to put into practice what we saw in the videos. Then another artisan workshop, this time all about jewellery.

Hikkaduwa and farewell party Day 12 · Fri 19 March Hikkaduwa and farewell party SURF YOGA

Last surf lesson, then Hikkaduwa and its sea turtles. In the evening we celebrate: last dinner as a tribe.

Bye Sri Lanka Day 13 · Sat 20 March Bye Sri Lanka

Free morning: one last swim, one last tea, one last tuk tuk ride. Then transfer to Colombo airport and the flight home.

Back in Italy Day 14 · Sun 21 March Back in Italy

You come back with salty skin, a few board bruises and one more tribe.

From the tribe

What it’s really like, in four moments

The heart of the trip

Surfing

You don’t need to be a surfer already. You need to be up for falling, laughing and getting back up.

6 lessons, gear included

Surfing here isn’t just one activity among many: it’s the reason we head south. Emilio, a surf instructor, together with a local instructor, looks after the group every step of the way, in and out of the water, and adapts every lesson to each person’s level. And one of the lessons takes us to Hiriketiya bay, a crescent of sand among the palm trees.

Surf Surf

Surf theory

Before getting in the water we learn to read the ocean: how waves are born, tides and wind, how to pick the right wave, safety and right-of-way rules between surfers.

Video analysis

We film you while you surf and then watch the videos together, calmly. It’s the fastest way to understand what works, what to fix and to see your progress.

The goal? Getting you into surfing with love, passion and lots of fun. Whether you’ve never been on a board or you’ve already caught a few waves, you’ll go home with the right basics and the urge to keep going.

Body and mind

Yoga

4 classes included

Yoga reconnects us with nature and with ourselves, and helps us get to know our body. It’s also the best training for surfing:

  • ✦Mobility, to move better on the board
  • ✦Balance, to stay standing on the wave
  • ✦Flexibility, to recover after the sessions in the water

Included

What’s included

  • ✓ 11 nights: 3 on the culture loop and 8 based in Weligama
  • ✓ Breakfast every day and 8 dinners
  • ✓ Transfers by van with a dedicated driver, to and from Colombo airport
  • ✓ Scenic train Kandy – Ella
  • ✓ Tuk tuk rides for the activities in the programme
  • ✓ All entrance fees for the sites in the programme
  • ✓ Trips and artisan workshops in the programme
  • ✓ Health insurance
  • ✓ 6 surf lessons with gear
  • ✓ 4 yoga classes

What’s not included

  • ✕ International flight (we can book it for you on request)
  • ✕ Lunches, drinks and any meals not mentioned
  • ✕ Cancellation insurance, optional
  • ✕ Personal expenses
  • ✕ Anything not listed under “What’s included”

Documents

Passport and visa

  • ✦Passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in Sri Lanka.
  • ✦Tourist visa (ETA): for Italian citizens and many other nationalities it’s currently free, valid for 30 days and must be requested online before departure, only on the official website eta.gov.lk (watch out for sites that charge for it).
  • ✦To apply you need your passport details, arrival date and the address of the first stay: we’ll send you everything and help you fill it in.
  • ✦We recommend applying about a month before you leave: it usually arrives within a few days, but it’s better to have some margin.

Flight

The flight

The flight isn’t included in the price, but we can book it for you if you like. The trip dates are departure from and return to Italy.

You book it

You choose your flight and airline. In this case any cancellations, delays or schedule changes are your responsibility, not the organiser’s.

We book it

We take care of it with the agency: the flight becomes part of the trip and we handle any cancellations, delays or schedule changes.

Wait for our confirmation before buying your flight. Please only buy it after the official confirmation that the minimum of 8 participants has been reached.

Price

Price and payments

€1,800

Price per person, flight excluded

€540

Deposit (30%) to lock in your spot

€1,260

Balance by 17/01/2027, 50 days before departure

We leave with at least 8 people. The trip is confirmed once 8 participants have signed up, up to a maximum of 15.

Who travels with you

With you from the first to the last day

Giada Olto

Giada Olto

Founder of Jiwa and travel designer

She designed this trip based on experiences she lived first-hand. She is your on-site contact and coordinator, with you for the whole trip.

@giadaolto
Emilio

Emilio

Surf instructor · Onda Trip

In charge of everything surf: he follows you in and out of the water, from theory to video analysis. He travels with the group from start to finish and coordinates the trip together with Giada.

@emiliomontarmani

Leave as strangers, come back a tribe

In collaboration with

Jiwa Tribe × Onda Trip

Tour operator

DRS Viaggi

How to join

Want to come with us?

There are 15 spots at most and they fill up in booking order. Here’s how it works:

  1. 1 Fill in the form below: you join the trip’s waiting list.
  2. 2 You get the travel contract by email, with the general terms.
  3. 3 Fill in every field, sign the contract and send it back to us.
  4. 4 Pay the €540 deposit to the bank details in the contract: from that moment the spot is yours.
  5. 5 Balance of €1,260 by 17 January 2027, 50 days before departure.

For more information join the group ✈️🇱🇰

Join the WhatsApp group

Join the waiting list

No commitment: we send you the contract and you decide calmly.

FAQ

Before you go: Sri Lanka in short

Which documents do I need to enter Sri Lanka?

A passport valid for at least 6 months and the ETA authorisation, currently free for EU citizens, to be requested online before departure only on the official website eta.gov.lk. We send you the details to fill in: see the Documents section.

What is the time zone in Sri Lanka?

UTC+5:30. In March, with winter time in Italy, Sri Lanka is 4 and a half hours ahead.

What is the currency and how do I pay?

The Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). Cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops; tuk tuks, markets and kiosks need cash. ATMs are in every town and along the coast; bring some euros or dollars to exchange on arrival.

Should I tip?

Not compulsory but appreciated: 10% in restaurants if service is not included, something for drivers and guides. Group tips are organised together during the trip.

What about internet and SIM cards?

All the accommodation has Wi-Fi. For data on the go, a local SIM (Dialog or Mobitel) costs a few euros at the airport with tens of gigabytes, or get an eSIM before leaving.

Which language is spoken?

Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages. English is spoken everywhere in tourist areas, and in the group someone always translates.

Which power plugs are used?

230 V, plug types D and G (the British three-pin one). Bring a universal adapter; many places also have power strips.

What is the main religion and how should I behave in temples?

Buddhism for about 70% of the population, then Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. In temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hat, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue.

What should I pack?

Light clothes, swimsuits, water-resistant sunscreen, a hat, sandals and closed shoes for the train and hikes, a sweater for the hill evenings and air conditioning, a rain jacket, a scarf for temples, mosquito repellent and basic medicines. Boards and surf gear are provided, no wetsuit needed.

What is the weather like in March?

Tropical and warm all year. In March the south coast is in its dry season: sunshine, air around 30°C and ocean at 28°C. In the hills, between Kandy and Ella, evenings are cooler, around 20°C, with the odd short shower.

Do I need vaccinations?

None are mandatory from Europe. Your doctor or a travel clinic may recommend hepatitis A and typhoid. Bring mosquito repellent and drink bottled water only.

€1,800

Waiting list