Expeditions

Journeys in Sri Lanka…where limits are stretched and bonds are forged

Are you facing difficult decisions? Unsure of the path ahead? Navigating through increasing demands in business and public service requires a certain explorer mind-set, a willingness to take risks and rely on your team. Sometimes thinking is not enough; you need to learn how to listen to your inner truth and to trust your intuition.

Eco Team Expeditions are insightful land, air and water-based journeys for extra capacity and team cohesion. Explore more and find out!

Outcomes and benefits of an excursion with Eco Team Expeditions for you and your team:

Develop an awareness of strengths and limitations (no need of full stops for bullet points)
Enhance the capacity for problem-solving and taking initiative
Increased collaboration, trust and team unity
Ability to strategize together and execute a shared plan
Get in touch with your inner intuition
Learn from spending time with Nature

Co-Design Your Experience!

Co-Design Your Experience!

Hiking and Trekking Expeditions:

Rainforest: Team up and explore the entire Sinharaja rainforest
Over the Hills: Trek through the hill country and discover its magic
Peak Performance: Conquer the highest peaks of Sri Lanka.
Holy Mountain: Climb to the top of Adam's Peak and discover your spiritual side
Holy Mountain+: An extended version of the above expedition

Canoeing Expeditions:

Short River: Ideal first water-based expedition on the Kalu Ganga (Black River)
Long River: A journey of bonding on Mahaweli Ganga

Special Expeditions:

Bikers: A motorcycle expedition around the island, a trip full of freedom and the wind in your face
Cross-Country Cycling: Cycle all the way from Colombo to Arugam Bay, taking in the sights and sounds of the landscape
Stroll, Surf & Safari: An adventure-packed journey exploring the South-eastern region of Sri Lanka
Jungle Survivor: The team that sticks together, triumphs together! Go ahead and take on this ultimate challenge!

Make the Choice

You get decide and choose the challenge level of your team
You will be guided by an experienced Expedition Leader and trained support staff.
Each expedition includes professional briefing at the beginning, guidance during the experience and debriefing afterwards
The duration of all expeditions stated include travel time to and from the location
For a longer itinerary, you might want to mix and match more than one expedition!

Rainforest

A 3-day trek in one of the most unique world heritage sites: the Sinharaja Rainforest. There will be a few challenges, but this expedition is achievable for anyone. You get to be one of the very few people who do the entire trekking trail from west to east.

CHALLENGE:

You will experience breath-taking biodiversity and spend your nights in forest lodges in the wild that each have special characteristics of their own. This is much more than a mere walk in the forest. Our facilitators guide you and your team for an internal voyage of exploration. What are the natural riches you can find within? How might your team learn from nature? There is so much to discover!

Over the Hills

This is a 3-day expedition in the mild climate and magical realm of the Hill Country. You arrive at Belihuloya Adventure Centre to get prepared. Early next morning, you climb to Horton Plains, stopping at the Bambarakanda Falls - the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. You will also experience Satan's Steps, so named because of the devilish nature of its hairpin bends and steep climb.

CHALLENGE:

Relying on your team and your inner strength, you overcome challenges and reach the national park in the highlands of Sri Lanka. You choose where to stay for the night. There are humble accommodation options available in Horton Plains or, alternatively, we can take you to Nuwara Eliya or back to Belihuloya for a nice relaxing night of interpersonal reflection.

Peak Performance

A 3-day expedition to climb Kirigalpotta, the highest accessible peak in Sri Lanka. Rising to 2,388 metres above sea level, this makes the Ella rock pale in comparison. You will trek through open fields and thick forests, take on rocky steps and ascend steep climbs that will make your whole team huff and puff. But the fantastic view from the summit is guaranteed to take your breath away and you and your team will learn that sometimes, there’s more to be gained from the journey, not the destination.

CHALLENGE:

For groups of 8-10 people, we can organize an unmatched high altitude camping experience in Horton Plains. Larger groups may stay in the picturesque town of Nuwara Eliya. To extend the voyage to four days, we can also climb Thotupola Kanda, sometimes referred as the Thotupola Peak or Thotupola Mountain, which is the third highest mountain in Sri Lanka.

Holy Mountain

Experience a 3-day expedition to the less trodden paths of Adam’s Peak. The 12 kilometre long Kuruwita Erathna Trail that we take is far more challenging than the usual touristy path. Get ready for some rocks and boulders, as well as streams and paths, through the forest. You will be entirely away from civilization and will need to rely on your team to reach the peak.

CHALLENGE:

Once you get to the top - unless it’s cloudy - you get to witness a rare phenomenon: a perfect triangle that sunrise forms in the valley and a true miracle of nature. After you’ve experienced one of the most breath-taking sunsets you will ever see, we descend the 5, 500 steps. Should your organization wish to take part in preserving this precious environment for future generations, we can also arrange the expedition as a CSR activity.

Holy Mountain+

This 5-day trekking challenge from Kalthota (350 m above sea level) to Adam’s Peak (an altitude of 2,200 metres), is for teams who truly wish to get to know each other deeply. As your team ascends higher and higher, you sense the uplifting of the spirits of your team. This endurance-testing expedition gets you to new heights, literally and also on a personal level.

CHALLENGE:

Every morning we take you to a new starting location and ensure that each day is filled with thrills: you will pass riverine forests, stunning waterfalls, the magically misty Horton Plains National Park and vast tea plantations. You get to experience a variety of campsites, such as at a real temple, next to a water reservoir, in a cosy lodge in the forest, and at the foothills of Adam’s Peak.

Short River

A 2-3 day expedition on the Kalu Ganga (Black River) is ideal for your first water-based team bonding experience. Lasting memories are guaranteed!

CHALLENGE:

The Black River expedition gives you some of the most rare and rewarding experiences of Sri Lanka. You get to witness the untouched scenic beauty of the country, encounter locals who live in the riverine villages and learn their way of life. We may even visit and be blessed in one of the most sacred shrines in the country, the Saman Devale.

Long River

An exhilarating 2-5 day expedition on the longest river in Sri Lanka - the Mahaweli Ganga. You either make it or break it as a team. The bond that you will create is so strong that you will not think of your team mates as mere colleagues anymore: they become your life-long friends.

CHALLENGE:

You are prepared for the journey and your gear is taken care off. However, it is up to you to decide where you want to camp along the way and then reach the designated point before nightfall. Risks are manageable, but that does not mean you should not be wary of crocodiles, wild elephants and other exciting adventures along the way.

Bikers Paradise

Experience 5-7 glorious days of a motorcycle escapade around our Paradise Island. Compared to countries like India, Sri Lankan roads are fairly well-maintained. You get to ride classic Royal Enfield motorbikes through different climate zones every day.

CHALLENGE:

You get to decide which roads to take, although we do give you tips on where to stop and plant a few memorable highlights along the way: cultural experiences, team challenges and interaction with locals. In case of emergencies, a back-up vehicle is at your disposal 24/7. The van takes your luggage from one accommodation to the next, leaving you to focus on the beautiful vistas, feel the wind in your face and the thrill of freedom. If you are an inexperienced biker, we recommend taking a week-long preparation course in advance.

Cross-Country Cycling

A 5-day cycling expedition, coast-to-coast, for small teams of 8-15 people: we cycle from Colombo to Arugam Bay, the surfing heaven of the country, passing highlights such as the Udawalawe and Yala National Parks, as well as historical locations like the ancient temple of Buduruwagala. In case of emergencies, a back-up vehicle is at your disposal 24/7.

CHALLENGE:

Unless you are an experienced cyclist, we recommend taking a week-long preparation course in advance. Should you require an even more challenging experience, why not learn surfing at the destination? Your body and mind will be put to a real test and you will enjoy every minute of it.

Stroll, Surf & Safari

A 3-5 day expedition in the south-east, walking part of the Pāda Yātrā pilgrimage route. You start strolling from Arugam Bay, one of the Top 10 surfing spots in the world, and end the journey on an exciting safari in the lesser-known parts of the eastern side of Yala National Park.

CHALLENGE:

This interesting combination of wave-riding, trekking and elephant spotting create a thrilling environment for getting to know yourself and your team better. Should your team require, for instance, surfing lessons or camping in the wild, we will arrange it for you. A variety of invigorating experiences are guaranteed!

Jungle Survivor

A daring 2-3 day expedition in Belihuloya for groups of 8-25 people. How do you motivate each other and keep going? Who will emerge as leaders? How do you make decisions as a team? Will you survive the tough times together? Find out in the wild!

CHALLENGE:

Upon arrival, you are taken through the activities and exercises that prepare you for what lies ahead. You get survival gear and a 1:50,000 scale map. You debate and choose as a team how much and what items to carry. The mission is to find your way to a prearranged point before the time runs out.

Incentives

Energizing, yet relaxing vacations to pamper those who deserve it!

Chill Out: Total relaxation and the ultimate luxurious holiday - with a little bit of adventure included!
Gala: Celebrating and rewarding your best performers / most loyal partners - in style!
Work: A spiced-up conference, training, workshop or meeting – all of which are both fun and productive!
Boost: The company trip of a lifetime that boosts performance and team spirit – in the best way possible!
Explorer: Adventurous activities and memorable experiences around the island - experiencing interesting places with interesting people!

Why Incentives?

The Incentive Research Foundation warns incentive programme planners that cash is rarely the most strategic choice to reward Best Performers. They recommend incentive travel awards instead.

Participants are motivated by the:

Possibility to earn the incentive Travel Award
Recognition of being able to participate in the Travel event
Opportunity to network with other high performers
Learning and sharing best practices

For Managers, incentive travel is a justified business expense, because it has more significant Return on Investment (ROI) than mere cash rewards. The most important tangible benefit is the increase in financial metrics due to improved performance. The intangible benefits include increased loyalty and reinforcement of the organizational culture.

Chill Out

011 Did you have a fantastic year? Is your sales team on fire? Or are you perhaps concerned that your Top Performers might consider jumping ship?

Unlike any cash-reward, incentive travel – when properly done – increases employee loyalty and boosts performance. Don't just send your people abroad - make sure the trip is not forgotten!

Whether you wish to reward a small team or motivate your entire staff, we at Eco Team know how to pamper and cater to their every need; all participants are guaranteed to enjoy their stay!

And we go one step further: when your team returns back to their work, they will be committed to reinforce your business objectives as well.

Whether it is luxury hotels and chartered planes, or a more budget-friendly approach you're after, we provide an end-to-end service from the moment you land until the moment you leave. Eco Team will be with you every step of the way.

Our seamless service ensures that you can leave everything in our hands, and simply let the experience unfold before you. As we have organized incentive tours for more than a decade, our wealth of knowledge and experience works to benefit you.

So, you might want to get in touch with us before making any hasty/wrong decisions! We’ll help you make a strategic choice. Tap into our network of local relationships, benefit from our local expertise and get our local guidance and tips! Needless to say, you will get to enjoy the best rates and services.

If you wish, we can include the features of our Team Bonding and Expedition services or features of our other incentive packages.

Gala

Let 'em know they rock!

012 Are there people in your organization that you just cannot afford to lose? Have your best business partners, valued dealers and awesome top performers had enough of free chocolate boxes, flower bouquets and cash bonuses? Would you like to thank them in style?

We will be glad to help! Let us organize a memorable experience for them. Award shows, Gala dinners and Sri Lankan cultural specialities can easily be added to your existing programme, or we can create a full itinerary according to your wishes. Our expertise, in-house services, vast tour network and local knowledge work to serve you.

Wouldn't it be great to feel stress-free and rest assured that everything will go according to plan? That is exactly what you are going to get (and more) when Eco Team is your partner of choice!

So, whether it is agents, dealers, partners, clients or employees that you wish to reward, feel free to contact us and let us know how we can serve you! We will ensure you get to enjoy the best rates and services.

If you wish, we can include the features of our Team Bonding and Expedition services or features of our other incentive packages.

Work

Be productive, make it fun, and never forget the good times!

013 Whether it's a conference, seminar, training, workshop, executive retreat or any other type of corporate gathering, Sri Lanka provides a unique backdrop for your event. We will take care of the rest!

Our services include budgets, work schedules, venue arrangements, AV equipment, accommodation options, local and foreign correspondence, registration, venue decor and signage, social functions, awards, presentations, ground transportation, airport pick-ups, dining, evening programmes and pretty much anything that comes to mind.

The venue of your choice could be a state-of-the-art conference center for hundreds of participants. Or perhaps you may need a more intimate setting in a hotel that provides the best value for money. Furthermore, if you are after pristine natural setting, our very own mobile hotel concept allows you to work anywhere on the island, indoors and outdoors.

With Eco Team, you can rest assured that your meeting or corporate event will run smoothly and productively. Our efficient team listens to your needs and comes up with the best option that suits your budget. We make sure that your team is taken care of. With our careful planning, attention to detail and flexibility, you will be in safe hands 24/7.

Thus, before booking any accommodation and venues or designing the programme, you might want to get in touch with us! We will help you craft a proper event strategy and you get to tap into the multitude of our relationships, and benefit of our local expertise, guidance, and tips. Finally, you get to enjoy the best rates and services.

If you wish, we can include the features of our Team Bonding and Expedition services or features of our other incentive packages.

Boost

Take your team to the next level!

014 Does your team need a bit of a push, but you don't know how to make it gently? Are year-end bonuses not cutting it? What if your people had something else to look forward to?

Unlike cash bonuses, incentive travel increases employee loyalty and boosts performance. However, very few companies take advantage of incentive travel as part of their rewards and recognition, but herein lies your edge!

Whether you wish to boost the performance of a small team that’s important to you or motivate your entire staff, Eco Team is your partner of choice!

Participants are guaranteed to enjoy their stay. Yet we go one step further: people come back to work as a better team, more skilled and committed to work together and reinforce your business objectives!

So get in touch with us and let us know how we can serve you best!

Our Adventure Camp is part of our packages and is strongly recommended to include other elements of our Team Bonding and Expeditions services.

Explorer

Quick and memorable incentive trips in the Sunny Isle of Sri Lanka.

Rewarding your best performers, dealers and agents, clients and partners does not have to be costly, but it should be memorable! Explorer programmes are designed as one-off events, but they can be combined to make an itinerary for a longer incentive tour as well. Go ahead, pick one or more!

015

Tactical Action Game in the Wild
Fly-in Safari to a National Park
Paramotoring on the Beach
Water Sports Carnival
River Adventure Day
Kandy Exploration Day
Galle Exploration Day
Go-kart Formula Racing
A Day of Horseback Riding
Hot Air Ballooning
Dolphin Spotting
Sailing Regatta

Tactical Action in Belihuloya

016 This exciting paintball adventure is easy to learn, but hard to master. You play a league with your mates where solitary Rambo-like feats won’t get you far and teamwork is a must. The winners are those with the best tactics, communication, planning and execution abilities. After a thrilling day, we retire to a natural camp that overlooks a lake. A delicious local BBQ around the campfire crowns the experience. This may be extended to a longer team-bonding experience.

Fly-in Safari to Yala or Udawalawe National Park

017 You will be picked up and transferred to Katunayake airport from where we fly in a private plane to Mattala. We then take a jeep ride to our Safari Camp where we have a mouth-watering lunch. A memorable wildlife safari is followed by a hearty BBQ meal around the campfire. As per your requirements, we either come back the following day or stay another night. The return trip will be either by coach or by plane.

Paramotoring Day in Galle or Bentota

018 We go to Galle or Bentota for this novel and exciting adventure sport. Our trained guide instructs your participants, one by one, to take this trustworthy flying machine up in the air. You get a bird's-eye view of breath-taking vistas. In the meantime, the others can have fun at our exclusive Beach Carnival. We can stay the night at a hotel of your choice or return to Colombo before midnight.

Water Sports Carnival in Bentota

019 We take a privately chartered train ride to Bentota, the water sports capital of Sri Lanka. We’re happy to provide a private air transfer as an option. You’ll find yourself in a music-filled water sports carnival that is created for you exclusively. This is no ordinary carnival, but a fun-filled day riding Jet-Skis, inflatable Giant Bananas, Tubes and other cool floating gadgets. Possible add-ons include for instance a Fashion Show, creative team-bonding games and a paramotoring experience.

Adventure Day in Kitulgala

white water rafting kithulgala A day full of excitement gives you a mix of White Water Rafting, River Sliding, Rock Pool Swimming, Canoeing and Rappelling down a beautiful waterfall. You get to visit some of the main filming locations of ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ that won 7 Oscars in the 1950s’. The journey to Kitulgala can be arranged in a coach or done partly by chartered train.

Kandy Adventure

020 Although the former capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy, with all its sights and sounds, is already quite an experience; in this adventure, it is the journey that matters. Getting to Kandy can be arranged either in amphibian planes or historical trains. In Kandy you can choose to do a Canoe Regatta or a Rafting Competition. This is followed by a fun-filled city discovery challenge and an air rifle shooting competition. Your base for the day is a high-class property facing the Mahaweli River.

Whale Watching

021 We give the Galle City exploration a new twist. While hunting for a treasure with your team, you can more familiar with the architecture, culture and life in this exquisite city. Once you have found the treasure, you are all set to check-in to a pleasant hotel, where a party like no other awaits you. Early next morning, we take you out to the deep sea where you meet and greet the gentle giants that have inhabited the world’s oceans for millennia. When you’re done taking photographs and experiencing the blue whales, we return for lunch and depart to Colombo. This adventure can be shortened to a one-day programme as well.

Go-kart Formula Racing near Colombo

022 We book the entire Go-kart Arena just outside Colombo for your private use. We convert the arena into a thrilling challenge-filled track where you can race to your heart’s content. We run as many laps as needed until the final winner is announced. While you are taking a break from racing and cheering, there are many other fun games to take part in!

A Day of Horseback Riding in Chilaw

023 We bring well-kept horses and knowledgeable trainers exclusively for you to a scenic hotel in Chilaw. If you are already a veteran, you can choose to ride miles and miles on your own. If not, we teach you the basics and lay the foundation for you to become a top-notch rider in the future. Either way, this experience with these majestic awe-inspiring animals is a memorable one for each participant. According to your wishes we can expand your stay in Chilaw with an additional fun programme.

Hot Air Ballooning in Sigiriya

sigiriya1 For this one, we travel all the way to the UNESCO world heritage site Sigiriya – either by coach, train or plane. You get to see the Lion Rock and the rest of the cultural triangle from the air just after sunrise. The Hot Air Balloon takes you to enjoy fantastic views and a champagne breakfast. The rest of the programme can be picked from options that include, for instance, a Treasure Hunt, experiences with locals in a traditional village and a safari with a large herd of elephants that number up to around 300.

Dolphin Spotting in Kalpitiya

024 Early in the morning we take you all the way to Kalpitiya for this exciting sea adventure. You have the opportunity to encounter dozens, maybe hundreds, sometimes thousands of wild dolphins! Ashore, a lovely barefoot luxury resort awaits you with its super brunch that easily goes on until late afternoon. In between dips in the ocean or swimming in the pool you get to enjoy a Beach Carnival atmosphere that we have arranged exclusively for your group. The best time for this adventure is between November and March.

Sailing Regatta in Mirissa

025 We take you to Galle or Mirissa to enjoy the exciting sport of Sailing. We will first learn the sport (unless you are already a pro) and then have a competition, dodging the waves of the Indian Ocean. In the evening we can either return to Colombo or retire to a beautiful hotel on the beach.

Fun & Exciting Team Building Activities

Eco Team offers fun team building activities for groups of friends, families and colleagues in Belihuloya, Kithulgala and Hanwella. If you have any other preferred locations, let us know and we’ll look at setting things up for you there as well. If you’re a fan of wildlife and the wilderness, we have programme modules are available combining safaris at our own safari camps.

These programmes are guaranteed to spice up your stay in the surroundings of Nature and make the shared experience even more memorable. Team building can be combined with safaris and many other outdoor activities such as trekking, cycling or canoeing.

The content of the team building programme varies depending on the location, but each programme guarantees thrilling experiences, a shared sense of achievement and lots of laughter.

The staff of Eco Team has two decades of experience running the exciting team building programmes in a safe and engaging manner. Tell us your needs and we’ll deliver to your liking - take your pick of anything from soft activities to high-adventure programmes.