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2 Weeks Special Volunteer Program in Sri Lanka
Experience the best of Sri Lanka in two unforgettable weeks — combine meaningful volunteering with an immersive journey through the island's breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, incredible wildlife, and iconic landmarks.
Save 15% on your Sri Lanka program fee For trips starting on or before 31 December 2026. Booking fee not included.
Use code SRILANKA15This program runs in Galle, on Sri Lanka's south coast, and combines one week of hands-on volunteering with a second week touring the island. During the volunteer week you choose one of three placements — Kindergarten, Sea Turtle & Marine Conservation, or Dog Care — and work alongside local staff and caregivers on that project. No previous experience is required, and the program suits anyone from 16 upward who wants a short, structured introduction to volunteering plus a guided look at Sri Lanka's landmarks.
The program runs for 2 weeks, starting twice a month (saturdays), with the next start on 3 Oct 2026. You stay in a volunteer house (or nearby guesthouse) in Unawatuna, Galle during week one, with meals provided at the house, then move to boutique 3-star hotels for week two, with breakfast and lunch included on tour days. The total cost is $1,748, deposit included. The main reason to pick this program is the built-in second week: a fixed 7-day tour covering Yala safari, Ella, the Kandy hill-country train ride, and Sigiriya Rock, run as part of the same booking.
- Choose your volunteer experience – Make a meaningful impact by selecting one of three rewarding projects: Kindergarten, Sea Turtle & Marine Conservation, or Dog Care.
- Meaningful community & wildlife impact – Support local communities, protect endangered sea turtles and marine ecosystems, or help rehabilitate rescued street dogs while working alongside experienced local teams.
- Embark on an exciting jeep safari to spot elephants, leopards, crocodiles, sloth bears, deer, and an incredible variety of birdlife.
- Visit Ravana Waterfalls, the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, and hike Little Adam’s Peak for spectacular panoramic views.
- Experience one of the world’s most scenic train rides through lush tea plantations, misty mountains, and picturesque villages.
- Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, explore Kandy, experience traditional Kandyan attire, and learn about the history of world-renowned Ceylon Tea.
- Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks, and marvel at breathtaking views from the summit of the ancient rock fortress.
- Stay in carefully selected accommodations, enjoy daily breakfasts and lunches during the tour, comfortable transportation, and dedicated local support throughout your two-week journey.
Your role on this program
- Assist local teachers with classroom activities, English lessons, arts and crafts, singing and storytelling for children aged 3-6 (Kindergarten option)
- Support turtle conservation work, hatchery upkeep, and beach clean-ups, joining seasonal nesting patrols where available (Sea Turtle & Marine Conservation option)
- Feed, walk, and help rehabilitate rescued dogs, including puppy care, enrichment activities, and hydrotherapy or beach therapy sessions (Dog Care option)
- Take part in shelter maintenance or environmental restoration tasks connected to your chosen project
- Join community awareness activities linked to marine conservation, where placed on that project
- Attend the health and safety briefing, cultural orientation, and project-specific introduction before your placement starts
- Support day-to-day tasks assigned by the local coordinators and caregivers, which may vary with the placement's needs
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
You are assigned to one of the three projects, not all of them, and you work under the direction of local teachers, marine conservation staff, or dog care caregivers rather than independently. You do not lead lessons, handle veterinary or medical procedures, or make conservation decisions on your own; those responsibilities stay with the experienced local team, and tasks can change depending on what the placement needs that week.
Program itinerary
Day 1 (Saturday) – Arrival in Sri Lanka
- Airport pickup from Colombo International Airport.
- Transfer to volunteer accommodation in Galle.
- Settle into the accommodation.
- Evening at leisure.
Day 2 (Sunday) – Orientation Day
- Health & safety briefing.
- Sri Lankan cultural orientation.
- Local area tour around Galle.
- Project introduction and preparation.
Days 3–7 (Monday–Friday) – Volunteer Project (Choose One)
Option A – Kindergarten Volunteer
Assist local teachers with classroom activities, English lessons, educational games, arts and crafts, singing, storytelling and child development activities while supporting children aged 3–6 years.
Option B – Sea Turtle & Marine Conservation
Participate in turtle conservation, hatchery work, beach clean-ups, environmental restoration, marine conservation projects and community awareness programs. Seasonal turtle nesting patrols may also be available.
Option C – Dog Care
Work hands-on with rescued dogs through feeding, rehabilitation, enrichment activities, puppy care, hydrotherapy, beach therapy sessions and shelter maintenance alongside experienced caregivers.
Day 8 (Saturday) – Culture & Adventure Tour Begins
- Depart Galle.
- Scenic drive to Yala National Park.
- Afternoon wildlife safari.
- Overnight near Yala.
Day 9 (Sunday) – Ella Highlands
- Visit Ravana Waterfalls.
- Nine Arches Bridge.
- Hike Little Adam's Peak.
- Overnight in Ella.
Day 10 (Monday) – Ella to Kandy
- Scenic train journey to Nanu Oya.
- Optional white-water rafting in Kitulgala.
- Continue to Kandy.
- Overnight in Kandy.
Day 11 (Tuesday) – Kandy Cultural Experience
- Tea factory visit.
- Traditional Sri Lankan attire experience.
- Kandy city tour.
- Temple of the Tooth guided visit.
- Overnight in Kandy.
Day 12 (Wednesday) – Dambulla & Village Experience
- Arts and crafts centers.
- Dambulla vegetable market.
- Hiriwadunna village walk.
- Traditional Sri Lankan lunch.
- Overnight in Dambulla.
Day 13 (Thursday) – Sigiriya & Negombo
- Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock.
- Drive to Negombo.
- Relax by the beach.
- Farewell evening.
Day 14 (Friday) – Departure
- Breakfast.
- Airport transfer to Colombo International Airport.
- End of program.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 16
- No previous experience required for any of the three project options
- Basic conversational English recommended to communicate with the local team and other participants
- Reasonable level of physical fitness for volunteer activities and the Culture & Adventure Tour, including walking and hiking
- Police background check required for the Kindergarten Volunteer Program, issued within 12 months of the start date
- Travel/medical insurance compulsory, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges
The placement, its limits and your part in it
In Galle, your placement is run by the local operations team, based in an office inside the volunteer house, alongside experienced local staff for each project: teachers at the kindergarten, marine conservation staff for the turtle project, and caregivers at the dog shelter. They supervise the day-to-day work and set the tasks you are given, adjusting them to what the project needs that week.
Because this is a two-week program with only one week on-site, your role is to support an ongoing project during your stay rather than complete it. Placements with children require a background check, and clinical, medical, or conservation decisions stay with local staff throughout. The second week is a fixed cultural and wildlife tour rather than volunteering, giving the program a clear structure but limiting how much you can adapt the schedule once it starts.
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,748 |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Shared airport transfer on arrival at designated time windows in the morning or afternoon
- Orientation and training on arrival
- Guaranteed project placement
- Local transportation to projects in private AC van or tuk tuk
- Experienced bilingual operations team on the ground
- Accommodation as described above
- Breakfast and lunch included on all tour days during second week (dinner is not included)
- All meals during volunteering week
- Transport – Comfortable air-conditioned car / van / coach for the tour
- All activities and tours as per the itinerary
- Certificate of Participation(On Request)
Not included
- Visa Fee
- International Airfare
- Vaccinations
- Any personal expenses
- Additional Local Excursions and Trips
- Private Room Upgrade charges
- Charges for additional nights at accommodation
- Private airport transfer charges (if opted for)
- Any tips to tour guide, driver
Accommodation & meals
Airport transfers
Participants are welcomed at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport by a representative of our local team on the program start date during the scheduled airport pickup hours. A shared arrival transfer to Galle is included in the program price, with two scheduled airport transfers operating every Saturday (morning and afternoon/evening). Private airport transfers are also available for USD 100 for participants arriving outside the scheduled transfer times or on alternative dates.
At the end of the two-week program, participants are transferred to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport from Negombo upon completion of the Culture & Adventure Tour. Return airport transfers are provided at any time up to 12:00 PM on the last day, which is the final checkout time from the hotel. Participants are advised to book their return flights before 4 PM on the last day of the tour (Friday) to avoid long wait times or extra accommodation.
Orientation
Upon arrival, all participants receive a comprehensive orientation conducted by our experienced local team. The session includes a welcome presentation, health and safety briefing, Sri Lankan cultural orientation, an area tour around Galle, and an introduction to the chosen volunteer project. Participants also receive project-specific guidance before beginning their placement and have ongoing support from the local coordinators throughout the program.
Accommodation
During the first week, participants stay in our comfortable volunteer accommodation in the coastal town of Unawatuna, Galle. Accommodation is provided in one of our fully equipped volunteer houses, with spacious common areas, dining facilities, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour security. Depending on availability, participants may also be accommodated in nearby guesthouses within walking distance of the volunteer house. Private room upgrades are available at an additional cost.
During the second week, accommodation is provided in carefully selected boutique 3-star hotels throughout the Culture & Adventure Tour, allowing participants to experience a variety of Sri Lanka’s most scenic destinations, including Yala, Ella, Kandy, Dambulla, and Negombo. Comfortable accommodation, daily breakfast, and lunch are included throughout the tour.
Meals
During the volunteer week, participants enjoy three freshly prepared meals each day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), made with fresh local ingredients. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and other dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior notice.
During the Culture & Adventure Tour, breakfast and lunch are included daily, while dinners are left free, giving participants the opportunity to explore Sri Lanka’s diverse local cuisine at recommended restaurants along the journey.
Transportation
All local transportation related to the volunteer project is included during the first week, including daily transfers between the accommodation and project sites.
Throughout the second week, participants travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced English-speaking chauffeur as they journey across Sri Lanka. The tour also includes the iconic scenic train ride from Ella to Nanu Oya, one of the country’s most memorable travel experiences.
Free time & optional activities
Outside of volunteering and the scheduled tour activities, participants have plenty of opportunities to relax or explore. During the volunteer week, complimentary social activities such as rooftop yoga sessions, movie nights, volunteer BBQs, cycling tours, and night fishing are offered throughout the stay.
Participants may also choose from a range of optional experiences (additional charges apply), including surfing lessons, whale watching (seasonal), rainforest hikes, elephant safaris, local cooking classes, Galle Fort walking tours, spice market visits, white-water rafting in Kitulgala, visits to the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Golden Cave Temple, Ella Rock, and other attractions featured along the Culture & Adventure Tour.
Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Sri Lanka
Airport pickup
You are met at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport by a local team representative for a shared transfer to Galle, scheduled in morning or afternoon/evening windows every Saturday. A private transfer is available for USD 100 if you arrive outside those windows.
First night
You settle into the volunteer house or nearby guesthouse in Unawatuna, Galle, with the evening left free.
Orientation day
On day two you get a health and safety briefing, a Sri Lankan cultural orientation, a local area tour around Galle, and an introduction to your chosen project before starting work.
First project day and ongoing support
From day three you begin your placement (Kindergarten, Sea Turtle & Marine Conservation, or Dog Care), with daily transport by private air-conditioned van or tuk-tuk and 24/7 local emergency support throughout the volunteer week.
From volunteers in Sri Lanka
Frequently asked questions
What do I actually do during the volunteer week?
You work on one project you choose in advance: kindergarten classroom support, turtle and marine conservation tasks, or hands-on dog care, alongside experienced local staff for that project.
Do I need experience or qualifications?
No previous experience is required for any of the three options; basic conversational English is recommended and a background check is required if you choose the Kindergarten placement.
What are the working hours?
The volunteer project runs Monday to Friday during the first week; specific daily hours depend on the placement you choose.
How long is the program and when can I start?
The program runs for 2 weeks, starting twice a month (saturdays), with the next start date on 3 Oct 2026.
What does the price include?
The program costs $1,748, deposit included, covering accommodation, all meals during the volunteer week, breakfast and lunch on tour days, project transport, the shared airport transfer, orientation, and the full second-week tour; the $249 deposit counts toward this total.
Where do I stay and what do I eat?
During the volunteer week you stay in a volunteer house or nearby guesthouse in Unawatuna, Galle, with three meals a day including vegetarian options; during the tour week you stay in boutique 3-star hotels with breakfast and lunch included and dinners left free to explore local restaurants.
How does airport pickup work?
A shared transfer from Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport to Galle is included, running in scheduled Saturday morning or afternoon/evening windows; a private transfer is available for USD 100 outside those times.
What support is available if something goes wrong?
A permanent bilingual operations team is based in an office inside the volunteer house, and there is 24/7 local emergency support throughout the program.
Do I need a visa, vaccinations, or insurance?
Visa fees and vaccinations are not included and are not detailed here, so guidance on these is sent before departure; travel or medical insurance is compulsory, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges.
Who is this program best suited for?
It suits participants aged 16 and up who want a short, guided volunteering week combined with a fixed tour of Sri Lanka's landmarks, and who are comfortable with a structured itinerary rather than an open-ended placement.
Is the Kindergarten placement different in terms of requirements?
Yes, it is the only option that requires a police background check, issued within 12 months of your start date, because it involves working with children aged 3 to 6.
Can the project or dates be changed after booking?
Yes, the program, dates, or destination can be changed free of charge up to 45 days before the start date.
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