The Mai Globe Travels team traversed Sri Lanka on foot, from Colombo to Arugam Bay. Conceived by Catherine, the director of your local agency, this west-to-east journey spanning over 300 km had multiple objectives, with respect for people and the environment serving as the guiding principle.

Bringing donations to Sri Lanka's children

Your local agency Mai Globe is committed daily to supporting disadvantaged children on the island: the agency backs the Bethlehem Creche and the Sneha Child Development Center (discover your local travel agency's initiatives for Sri Lanka's children!), two organizations in Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital. The Green Tour was thus the perfect opportunity to visit other associations and support them. The team visited an orphanage to deliver food donations: rice, powdered milk, lentils, canned fish… A few days later, we went to a school welcoming children with disabilities. Notably, most of the teachers and caregivers are themselves living with disabilities. This time, the team brought construction materials to help renovate a wing of the school building that desperately needed it. The materials will also improve certain current facilities, such as classrooms.

Protecting the planet

We chose to undertake this walking journey across Sri Lanka because we are advocates of slow travel. This low-impact mode of travel enabled us to achieve a zero-carbon journey! Throughout the Green Tour, we were able to plant trees. We planted them in deforested areas as well as in two schools (including the one mentioned above). This allowed us to show children the importance of environmental protection.

Meeting the island's inhabitants

Slow travel also makes it possible to take time to speak with the people we encounter along our path. We were fortunate to meet remarkably different people, yet all surprising and endearing. Artists, children, farmers, tea pickers, and even a celebrity! For those in the know: Kaushal Silva, the celebrated cricket player 😉

We also shared wonderful moments with residents who have launched eco-friendly projects. It was important to us to meet them and draw inspiration from their work! The Amba Estate tea plantation, for example, produces quality organic tea on a small scale. It also grows spices thanks to its organic garden. The company employs local workers and compensates them fairly. In short, exactly the kind of project we wanted to highlight!

Discovering hidden gems

Finally, we set off on an adventure, in search of future hidden treasures for our Sri Lanka journeys. We uncovered places entirely off the beaten path, to offer our clients ever more original experiences far from crowds. Majestic waterfalls, secret temples, lush gardens, local experiences… We won't say more, we'll let you contact us!

Join us on the Green Tour routes with this video!