These frequently asked questions are focused on our Sri Lanka Escapes as these are the only ones available to book at the moment.
SUP
|
do i need to bring my own equipment?
Bring along a small (10-30L) drybag. We supply SUPs, paddles and leashes. But you are welcome to bring any equipment with you. If you’re slightly unsure if it will be suitable, shoot Kev a message to have a chat. What level of skill/experience is required?
Basic skills and a general level of fitness is required. You need to be able to paddle 10km comfortably and self-rescue. The week is designed to develop your paddling skills & knowledge in different environments, starting on gentle flatwater, to open sea and surf. If you’d like to get the most out of the SUP surf session , we suggest that you be comfortable moving your feet around the board and can execute a 360 pivot turn in both directions. You have plenty of time to practice! If you're in doubt, contact your local SUP school for a lesson or two. What are the paddling conditions like?
Are there any dangerous animals?
As much as Kev would like to take you paddling with crocodiles and camping amongst elephants (check out some of his experiences here), we have been vigilant in ensuring we take you on waterways without these particularly dangerous animals. The few spiders we may see aren’t venomous. Snakes and scorpions are spotted on very rare occasions, if we’re lucky. What other animals might we see?
Animals of particular interest are the Asian Water Monitor, Macaques, Purple-faced Langurs and fruit bats. There is also an impressive array of bird life such as parakeets, pelicans, eagles and kingfishers. What about bugs?
We’re in the tropics, yes there are bugs. Bring mosquito repellent and some loose fitting clothing for the evenings. The mozzies are most active at dawn and dusk, during the day and night they’re not too bad. One thing we love to do in the evening is watch geckos hunting bugs on the walls and ceiling while listening to crickets chirping. |
Yoga
|
How bendy do I need to be?
You don’t need to be bendy at all! One of the many benefits of yoga is to increase flexibility and the poses in all of our classes can be regressed to everyone's personal needs. What styles of yoga will we do?
We will explore a few different styles of yoga on our SUP Escape week, both on land, in water and in mid air! In our spacious, tropical yoga shala we will practice Vinyasa Flow, Yin-Yang and Aerial Yoga. We will also bring our practice outside on the stunning Duwa River for some fun SUP yoga. I’ve never done yoga before, will I survive the first class?
Our classes are for beginners as well as intermediate practitioners and our yoga teacher will always make sure the yoga poses are modified according to the participants ability, relaxation and meditation level. What is SUP Yoga?
We will swap our yoga mats to big, stable paddle boards designed for yoga on the water. These will be anchored out in the river and we can appreciate the jungle around us as our new shala. Will I fall off the SUP Yoga board?
It’s always a possibility to fall in, but in these tropical temperatures it will definitely feel refreshing! Ylva gives varieties of every yoga pose, so that everyone can push themselves to where they feel comfortable. If you should be so lucky to fall in, we are only in waist deep water. What is aerial Yoga?
Aerial yoga is a modern yoga style that uses slings suspended around waist-height to support yoga poses both in the air and on the mat. The slings support and guide you in the pose, unloading the body weight from the arms. It’s a fun way to practice and the slings allow us to effortlessly perform yoga poses that before seemed difficult. Inversions become more accessible and you will want more of them! The support also allows for modifications of classic asanas, adding variety, creativity and playfulness to the practice. What is Vinyasa Flow?
We flow from one yoga pose to the next synchronised with the breath enhancing strength in the body while keeping the mind calm and focused. What makes a Vinyasa unique is the diversity and the freedom of each class, which makes space for creative sequencing. It’s a fun, vibrant flow which suits all levels. What is Yin-Yang Yoga?
These sessions are perfect for those of you who wish to recharge your batteries and give your body the necessary care it needs after a long day. The class consists of conscious breath work and simple yoga poses. Soft exercises performed one at a time or in sequences with up to 5-6 poses at a slow pace will help you reduce stress and restlessness, while giving a relaxing effect on your body and mind. 
|
Food
|
What food is served?
A mixture of western & Sri Lankan vegetarian & fish cuisine. Check in the Escapes tab for more detailed food descriptions. Special dietary requirements?
Please contact us in advance and we’ll ensure that any dietary requirement is taken care of. |
Accomodation
|
Do I have to share a room?
All rooms have the option to be single occupancy (except the dorm, obviously). If you choose the option to share a room, we always ensure it will be with a person of the same sex. I’ve never slept in a hammock before. Will I sleep?!
There’s a certain knack to sleeping in a hammock if you haven’t before, we’ll give you some tips. But once you get comfy in our DD Jungle Hammocks, you won’t want to get out in the morning as you lie there listening to the morning jungle chorus.
|
Travel
|
Who should I fly with?
We always find SkyScanner to have the most competitive prices. If you can get a Qatar flight at a decent price, they always provide a comfortable experience. How do I travel from the airport?
You have three options here. Bus, train or taxi. Our recommended route is to take a taxi. We can arrange this for approx $80 and the transfer is 2-2 ½ hours. Our friendly driver will be waiting with a sign and will drop you to the door. Very hassle free when you’ve just long-hauled. There’s plenty of adventure ahead. Public transport is slow, busy and sometimes very confusing! That said, it is a little adventure. The highway bus to the south coast leaves from a bus station a short tuktuk/taxi ride away from the airport. The bus drops you at Galle station where you can transfer onto any bus that stops in Ahangama (usually the Weligama or Matara bus, but you’ll have to ask around). Once dropped in Ahangama you can hop in a tuk-tuk for the last few minutes. The train leaves from Colombo centre, which is 1 hour south of the airport. This can be reached by the 187 bus which leaves opposite the airport, usually whenever it is full. For the first 45 minutes or so the train will be jam packed and you may struggle to find a seat. After that it is a lovely way to travel and see the south coast emerge. Get off in Ahangama and hop in a tuk-tuk. If you’re an intrepid traveller determined to get the public transport experience, contact us and we’ll help you make a plan. Do I need insurance?
Yes. Please purchase your travel insurance well in advance and email a copy of the schedule. This will be requested during the booking process. Will I need any cash?
Sri Lanka is still primarily a cash society, most places don't accept cards. There are a selection of ATMs at the airport where you can draw some out. Ensure your bank has been notified of your travel plans. What should I bring with me?
Generally we supply all the equipment you need, so you just bring suitable clothes and personal belongings such as toiletries, medications and electronics. Oh, and of course, that sense of adventure! During the booking process you'll be sent a detailed list of what we recommend. What’s the weather like?
Tropical! Generally it’s 30C in the day and 20C at night. So not too hot. The sun shines a lot and when it rains, it rains! The dry season on Sri Lanka’s south coast runs from November to March and the monsoon season is from May to September. April & October are shoulder season months with unpredictable weather. |
Booking
|
How do we pay?
Once you've sent your booking enquiry we will reply with 3 payment options. You can pay online securely through Visa & Mastercard, via Paypal or bank transfer. What is the cancellation policy?
20% deposit is required upon booking. Full payment is required 8 weeks prior to start date. If you need to cancel:
What if I cannot travel due to COVID?
If the Sri Lankan or your government impose travel restrictions meaning you cannot attend, you: - Are entitled to a full refund if the cancellation has been made more than two weeks before start date - Can transfer to another week available in the season. - Transfer to the following season at no extra cost. We will contact you at least 4 weeks before the start date to discuss the options. If we haven't answered your question here, please contact us...
|