itinerary

OH, you’re in for a treat

CONNECT with your fellow travellers and Bri attending the retreat

CHEERS with a pre-dinner welcome drink at a rooftop bar

DINE together with a first night welcome meal 

MORNING PAGES session guided by Bri

TRAVEL onwards with your journey to Habarana 

UNCOVER the ancient technique of batik at a local artisan cooperative

CHECK IN to Cinnamon Lodge Habarana 

READ at the pre-dinner group book-club session with a cocktail

MORNING PAGES session

TRAVEL onwards to your next stop, Kandy

LEARN about Ayurveda at a Spice Garden en route

RECOVER and rest from your adventurous day of exploring and travelling

WIND DOWN with another group book club session and a drink to close the day off nicely 

MORNING pages session

BREAKFAST

LEARN in Bri’s morning workshop at 10am

YOU TIME: pool, walk, eat more, lay out, read

COOKING class in a Sinhalese home with dinner

MORNING PAGES session

BREAKFAST

VISIT the Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens with a botanist

SEE the Kandy Temple of the Tooth

STOP IN at an eccentric bolthole that had to be seen to be believed, with a matriarch overseeing a run-down mansion who has welcomed celebrity after celebrity

WAKE UP bright and early to depart Kandy at 6am

TRAVEL onwards for a long travel day to Yala

STRETCH your legs at the Nine Arches Bridge

SETTLE IN to your next accommodation 

REJUVENATE yourself after the long day of travelling 

MORNING PAGES session

BREAKFAST with the group 

SAFARI with an afternoon wildlife jeep safari 

STALK LEOPARDS, elephants, water buffalo, eagles, loris and civet: you’ll track some majestic wildlife

MORNING PAGES session

BREAKFAST

LEARN in Bri’s morning workshop at 10am

OPT IN for a safari in Yala National Park (please see FAQ’s below for details on optional experiences)

RELAX for the evening, taking in your trip so far 

MORNING PAGES session

BREAKFAST

DRIVE back to Colombo via Galle

VISIT the Galle Dutch Fortress

MARVEL at the Dutch style in Galle, including forts and hotels and cafes

PROCURE presents (for yourself perhaps) at the local boutiques

MORNING PAGES session

BREAKFAST

FAREWELLS

an invitation from bri

This creative retreat is exactly the kind of thing I'd love to do if I wasn't running myself - I'm building three huge special new workshops for it! We're going to pull apart and discuss what we can take and apply to our own creative practices from other artforms: music, visual art, and film. What can we learn about pace and voice from different musicians covering the same track? What can we learn about framing and focus from photography? What can we learn from film about how to honour our audience without pandering? We will absolutely learn about the literature, food, culture, and natural wonders of Sri Lanka, but this trip has a lot more solo/quiet time compared to the other crazy non-stop adventure trips I've run with Aweventurer. We're going to meet most days for optional 'morning pages' sessions, and there will be at least two dedicated book clubs over drinks in the evenings in addition to the workshops. Come with us! Take some precious time away from regular life to recharge your creative battery. It's going to be amazing.

meet your host

with a never-ending list of achievements, bri lee is a bold, fearless and inspiring author. bri aims to encourage her audience to be honest and is unafraid to challenge society’s unwritten rules through her writing. having graduated from university of queensland with a bachelor of law and arts, bri has worked as a judge’s associate, this experience led her to write about challenges which women endure in all facets of life. winning several awards, bri’s first book, eggshell skull is a confronting memoir that delves into her deeply personal history and addresses the sexist barriers which hinder women when seeking justice. she has also published two other incredible books: beauty and who gets to be smart. bri is an incredible advocate for criminal justice reform and women’s rights. her pieces continue to awe, educate and act as a reflection to remind people of the reality that we live in. it will be very exciting to learn from such a phenomenal author. we will have a pre-reading list prior to trip departure so we can connect over shared material. you can follow bri on her instagram @bri.e.lee or https://www.bri-lee.com 

inclusions

• 11 nights accommodation

• three brand new creative workshops from Bri

• morning pages session every day (with the exception of an early AM travel day)

• two relaxed book club sessions

• guided tours to climb sigiriya lion rock, kandy city tour, galle city tour, shopping experience

• one wildlife jeep safari in yala national park

• 24/7 local aweventurer guide

• all transport

• cultural experience to batik factory

• one cooking class and one cooking demonstration

• all breakfasts included

• three dinners: one welcome dinner, one BBQ at Dambulla, one cooking class in Sinhalese home with dinner

exclusions

• flights to and from colombo

• visas

• travel insurance

• optional extras like cycling excursion in Pollonnaruwa and wildlife jeep safaris in Yala National Park

• alcohol or meals unless specified in itinerary

• transport to and from the airport

location

in Colombo, we will be staying one night at the 4 star MaRadha Hotel, a short drive away from the airport with breath taking ocean views from your room. Facilities available here include a spa, 24-hour café and gym. 

in Habarana, we will be staying 3 nights at the 5 star Cinnamon Lodge, where you will be one with nature.

in Kandy, we will be staying 3 nights at the 5 star Mahaweli Reach Hotel which is close by to the Mahaweli river.

in Yala, we will be staying 3 nights at the 4 star Raintree Hotel, an eco-friendly property that incorporates natural greenery and open spaces.

in Colombo, we will be staying one night at the 5 star Galle Face Hotel, placed on the seafront with a view of the Indian Ocean.

faq’s

how will we experience awe?

every day you will be inspired and exposed to stunning temples, history, culture, design, architecture, philosophy, and literature. this itinerary is full of culture, exploration, and inspiration. you’ll experience Bri’s teachings and dynamic energy, you’ll go cook like a local, climb famous landmarks, set off on wildlife safaris, all while we look after everything, so you have the trip of a lifetime.

how is the trip themed?

the trip is designed to expose you to as many stimuli and inspiration as possible. while our focus is literary, thanks to our host Bri Lee, we will visit icons of religion, history and wilderness. this can all be used as a jumping point for creativity, reading, and writing. we will send you a reading list prior to the trip so you will learn the works inspired by and set in Sri Lanka. there will also be structured (but optional) morning pages creativity sessions so you can get into a rhythm and routine with your writing.

is the trip in AUD or USD?

as Aweventurer is an international company with trips and travellers all over the world, we have to use a standardised currency, and we use USD for payments on our website. we also list the current exchange rate value of the price from USD to AUD for transparency.

what are the optional experiences?

there are two opt-in experiences; so you can decide how active your trip is. the first is on day four, in the afternoon you can visit Polonnaruwa and walk around the well-preserved temples, tombs and stupas; or you can bicycle around the complex at $60AUD extra. the second experience is a second day wildlife jeep safari in Yala National Park (the first safari is included). the second experience is on the afternoon of Day 10 and is $160AUD extra.

how do I get there?

our journey begins and ends in Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) in Colombo. There are daily flights here from Sydney and Melbourne.

what is the rooming configuration?

The trip is priced on a twin share basis, so you get to know your fellow travellers and have a bestie for the entire journey. 

how do I pay?

pay the deposit now, and we will contact you for final payment due 120 days prior to trip departure. 

how many people will be on the trip?

minimum ten and maximum group size will be sixteen.

will i need a visa?

obtaining a visa is the individual responsibility of the traveller. please note that entry requirements can change at any time. be sure to check with your government’s foreign travel advisories and consular websites to ensure you have the correct information.

what is the accommodation like?

we’ll be staying in a range of different hotels across Sri Lanka. think of riverside local landscapes, seafront views and cosy country resorts. 

what are your health and safety protocols?

all our Aweventurer guides are trained in first aid, crisis management and altitude safety and our hotels, vehicles and activities are audited regularly to ensure they meet international standards. we operate with full public liability insurance and OH&S policies and have rigid risk mitigation and emergency procedures.

what should I bring?

a pen, given how much learning and writing you’ll be doing! comfortable walking shoes are a must. other than that, bring everything you’ll need for a 12-day adventure exploring the sights and sounds of Sri Lanka. it can get pretty warm during the day, so light, breathable clothing is recommended. 

will I have downtime?

while our days are pretty packed to ensure you get the most out of your time, there are purposely days of leisure and relaxation. we have purposely designed this trip with more rest time so as you can recharge, read, do some writing, and really take in the incredible places you visit.

can i come solo or with friend or a partner?

both! solo travellers will immediately connect with the group under the warm stewardship of bri and friends will likewise have a great time connecting with the group. if you're coming with a friend, and want to be roomed together, let us know in the rooming configuration box at purchase. if you're coming with a partner (or someone you're close enough to share a double bed with), let us know at operations@aweventurer.com 

when should i book my flights?

we need to reach a minimum trip number to confirm this departure, so please hold off on booking flights until we send you a welcome email that confirms departure.

what do i pack?

we’ll be travelling to Sri Lanka in September temperatures with average temperatures ranging from 26ºC minimum to 30ºC maximum during the day. 

bring everything you need for a cool down – swimmers, sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, and any other sun-protective gear you may need. a list includes:

• day pack for carrying essentials.

• comfortable walking shoes with good grip

• sun protection - a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen

• insect repellent and hand sanitiser

• light layers for the daytime, including more modest clothing for visits to religious sites (clothing items that cover the shoulders, or skirts and trousers that go below the knee)

• warmer layers for night time

• sandals, flip flops, or any kind of water shoe

• swimmers

• international electrical adaptor

• water bottle.

how can i be culturally sensitive?

our local guide will explain how we can be sensitive to the local culture on day one of the trip.

what does the Aweventurer team do?

we provide the most thorough support for you to have an epic travel experience with us. from an on-the-ground local host to our team at HQ, there is always someone available to help solve any issues you may encounter. throughout your expedition, a local host will accompany you and your fellow travellers to make sure you have everything you need for an inspiring and safe. you are also able to reach out with any concerns or questions – before, during and even after your trip. we pride ourselves on prompt responses and are happy to hear from you, whether by email, phone or via a what’s app or zoom call, on how we could improve your stay or anything we need to prepare before your arrival. also note the what’s app green call button at the bottom of the page - you can contact us there too. please email us at operations@aweventurer.com