Adventures with Bevin presents
Sri Lanka &
the Maldives:Elephants, Tea, and Micro-Islands
Mid-Late January 2028
Come experience the magic of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Elephant safari, tea plantations, spice gardens, temples, unique micro-island culture, tropical beaches, and ocean delights that are beyond imagination.Comfortable lodging, private transportation, all activities and adventures included -- all guided by an experienced traveler who knows the people and places and how to help you have the best trip ever.Join a community who loves to learn and explore together to visit these two incredible places!
Subscribe to me by email or on Substack to hear about this trip and other upcoming Learning Adventures!
Sri Lanka hits all of the high points: a culturally rich destination that is stunningly beautiful, clean, safe, and rich with attractions such as safari, tropical beaches, terraced hillsides covered in tea plantations, and a guide we have worked with for several visits who makes it extra special.The Maldives is an ocean wonderland; tiny atolls and islands dot the turquoise ocean, calm water full of coral and sea life, and the unique micro-island culture is fascinating. We will enjoy and explore our tiny island, visit sandbars and sancturaries and immerse ourselves in the ocean environment.Our extensive experience traveling in the region and love of learning and community mean a safe, comfortable, super fun trip!
Our 15-day Itinerary
Mid-Late January 2028Day 1: Arrive Negombo, Sri Lanka
Day 2-4: Weligama Coast
Day 5-6: Safari at Udawalawe
Day 7-9: Highlands Tea Region
Day 10: Negombo
Day 11: Fly to the Maldives and Boat Transfer to Thinadhoo
Day 12-13: Island Excursions
Day 15: Departure Male, Maldives
Highlights
Experience Sri Lankan culture with a cooking class, a visit to an Ayurvedic spa for a treatment, and tours of tea plantations and spice gardens full of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
Go on a private open-air safari in elevated jeeps to see thriving elephant families, monkey communities, and peacocks abound! Sri Lanka is my favorite place to go on safari.
Spend two nights at an atmospheric organic, artisanal tea, herb, and spice farm high in the hills where you will gather your own tea and enjoy the cool air.
Travel as a group to the stunning Maldives and transfer by speedboat to our tiny island home for four nights.
Relax and enjoy ocean excursions, coral reefs, ocean animals, perfect beaches, remote sandbars, and micro-island life.
Your experience in the Maldives includes your meals and excursions and is an incredible value for such a remote destination.
Meet other families and individuals who value travel, education, play, and experiencing the world together to create community.
A relaxed flow towards the end of the day and evening, where you can chill or get out and about to see some optional sights.
Inclusions and Logistics
Included Before the Adventure
WhatsApp Community (private) for travel logistics and community building
Support in choosing your international flights
Assistance with visas for both countries
Reading and video materials suggested ahead of time (optional)
With sufficient interest, optional book club for teens / tweens /parents
WhatsApp community and photo share during the trip for logistics and community
Included during the Adventure
Summary: Transportation once you are in Sri Lanka, all activities on the itinerary, lodging, breakfast, and visas. Additional meals are also included for the Maldives and the safari.
Transportation: All transportation other than your travel to Sri Lanka and your return from Male, Maldives. This means you will have someone meeting you at the Colombo airport and will have transportation arranged for the rest of the time you are on the trip, including the international flight between Colombo and the Maldives.
Safari:A full-day private safari with guides in open-air elevated jeeps of 6 people each, inclusive of park fees, breakfast and lunch.
Local transport and Guides. In Sri Lanka, we will have a private bus and a guide, Sangeet, who has become a great friend. In the Maldives, the boat transfer will be included to the island and return to the airport.
All lodging: (see below), including daily breakfast. There are some special places on this trip!
Activities: The admission cost for all of the activities listed on the itinerary, unless they are specified as “optional”. This includes cooking class, a spa visit, tea plantation tours, safari park costs, tea-picking experience, and three half-day excursions in the Maldives, based on your preferences (see below).
Guide A private guide for the safari and all of Sri Lanka.
Maldives Full Board: In the Maldives, you are a captive audience on a remote island, so your three meals per day and drinking water are included at our small hotel.
Communication:Clear, detailed plans for each day, adapted as needed and shared by WhatsApp along with a community chat so we can stay in touch.
What's not included
Flights: You’ll need to get to Colombo, Sri Lanka and home from Male, Maldives. Once there, the international flight between the two is included.
Meals: All of your meals, snacks, and drinks other than breakfast. For the safari, your lunch will be included, and in the Maldives, full board in included.
Extended Hotel Nights:Any extra hotel nights before or after the trip
Extra Baggage:Checked luggage on the flights above 1 checked bag per person (and one carry on lightweight bag).
Tips/gratuities: for your safari guide and Sri Lankan guide or those on the Maldives excursions.
Shopping and souvenirs
Other Activities: Activities that aren’t on the itinerary – this is especially relevant for nighttime activities, which are usually not planned to give families flexibility. There isn't a lot of nightlife on this trip, but you may want to do additional spa services or ocean activities.
Diving Trips: If you want to go diving, you can "upgrade" on a snorkeling trip or choose your own diving trip by paying the difference.
Travel insurance: which is required for this trip because of the remote destinations. We use Allianz annual family policies, but they have single-trip policies as well, and there are many companies out there you can compare.
Visa exceptions: If you do not have a passport (such as a US, Canadian, or European) that is eligible for eVisas or visa waivers, please reach out to me to discuss any visa fees you will be responsible for above what is included.
Lodging, Meals, and Transportation
I love looking for the perfect spot! Balancing atmosphere, comfort, and sense of place.
Lodging will be comfortable, mid-range (sometimes luxury!) hotels and guesthouses. When possible, we will book in walkable areas and book with locally owned and operated businesses.
Breakfast will be provided, and there will be options for vegetarians and vegans and those who are gluten-free by preference. Breakfast is usually a choice of Western or Local, and is delicious!
Rooms will have private bathrooms, AC, wifi (possibly not on safari), and will have a bed (sharing for those preferring) for each person on your itinerary (a rollaway may be provided a third adult or child at times).
Meals are offered from a choice of Western and local specialties. In the Maldives, there will be a small menu but it should be suitable for all palates, and there will be amazing local seafood!
Efforts will be made to meet your needs for family rooms, two adjoining rooms, etc.
The specific lodging choices will depend on our group size and composition. I'll let you know ahead of time our plan.
TransportationTransportation, other than your travel to Colombo (CMB) and from Male (MLE), is included in the cost of the trip. This will typically be private vans or buses with air conditioning, seat belts, and professional drivers. Your flight between Colombo and Male (international) is included as part of this trip. The airline will be chosen for safety and professionalism and will meet international aviation standards.
Pricing and costs
The trip can be booked as Sri Lanka only or Sri Lanka + Maldives.A note about the Maldives: The Maldives are a "once in a lifetime" location. They are expensive to get to and expensive to travel in because of the remote nature (see the satellite image above, or check it out on Google Maps!). This is a rare, relatively affordable way to get there and to travel as a group, and it does include three meals a day and excursions and transfers as well as the flight to get there from Sri Lanka. If you want to visit, it's about as affordable as you can get for the quality and value.Children 12 years and up are considered adults for lodging. This trip is designed for adults and families with children 10 years and older. Please contact me to discuss younger children.Solo travelers: Lodging costs in both of these locations are the same for singles and doubles. I have reduced the rate as much as possible, but unfortunately it can't be half. The good news is that I can also help pair you up with someone in a room with two beds, and I can connect you ahead to make sure you are compatible. I usually know everyone who comes on the trip!There is a $200 discount per family ($100 per solo individual) if you pay by cash or a payment app with no fees (Venmo, PayPal friends and family, Zelle, personal check, etc).If you bring along family on the trip, you will also receive a $100 gift on the trip, which you can use for shopping, dining, or experiences.The costs below are PER FAMILY with children 12 years old and up counting as adults for pricing.A "double bed" is a king bed in most places we will stay.If you are a single individual or have 5 or more people in your family, please contact me for pricing.A $500 deposit per family will hold your spot, with the balance due on or before 180 days of the start date. You can see more details in the Policies below.***EARLY BIRD registration is on or before December 1, 2026.***
This chart is best viewed on a desktop, for an image of the whole chart click on the link below the chart
Sri Lanka and the Maldives Pricing (15 days):
| Adults / Children | Room Configuration | EARLY BIRD per family / group | Regular PER family / group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | One room with either 1 or 2 beds | $5100 | $5300 |
| 2A | One room with one double bed / two twins | $8100 | $8300 |
| 1A 1C | One room with one double bed / two twins | $7800 | $8000 |
| 3A | One room with 1 double + 1 twin | $12,300 | $12,600 |
| 2A & 1C | One room with 1 double + 1 twin | $11,900 | $12,200 |
| 1A 2C | One room with 1 double + 1 twin | $11,500 | $11,800 |
| 4A | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $16,500 | $16,800 |
| 3A 1C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $16,100 | $16,400 |
| 2A 2C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $15,700 | $16,000 |
| 1A 3C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $15,300 | $15,600 |
| 5+ people please contact me for pricing |
Sri Lanka Only Pricing (11 days):
| Adults / Children | Room Configuration | EARLY BIRD per group / family | Regular PER group / family |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | One room with one or two beds | $3000 | $3200 |
| 2A | One room with one double bed / two twins | $5000 | $5200 |
| 1A 1C | One room with one double bed / two twins | $4900 | $4700 |
| 3A | One room with 1 double + 1 twin | $7500 | $7800 |
| 2A 1C | One room with 1 double + 1 twin | $7200 | $7500 |
| 1A 2C | One room with 1 double + 1 twin | $6900 | $7200 |
| 4A | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $10,100 | $10,400 |
| 3A 1C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $9800 | $10,100 |
| 2A 2C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $9500 | $9800 |
| 1A 3C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $9200 | $9500 |
| 5+ people please contact me for pricing |
Policies and Cancellations
To hold your family’s spot on the trip:You’ll need to make a $500 deposit to hold your family’s spot. This deposit is fully refundable until 180 days before the start of the trip, when I have multiple non-refundable deposits on my end. At that time. I’ll be making deposits and firming up some of our arrangements, so the deposit will become non-refundable if you need to cancel after that date.180 days before a final decision will be made if the trip is running
This is so you can purchase your plane tickets and make other non-refundable expenses on your end, and be sure the trip is running. If I meet the confirmed minimum before then, I will let you know. I'd also like to confirm earlier!180 days before full payment is due
180 days before the trip, your full balance is due for the trip. If you would like to break it into payments (preferably started before the 180 days) or make another arrangement, please reach out to me. I’ll be as flexible as I can while I make deposits on your behalf, buy plane tickets and visas for your family, and incur other non-refundable costs.If you need to cancel
I will be purchasing flights, the boat cruise, and other non-refundable elements at 180 days, so there will be significant time and money spent on your behalf. There will be a non-refundable fee of up to $1000 per person after 160 days before the trip if you need to cancel. I will do my best to make this fee as low as possible in serious circumstances.If I need to cancel.
In the extremely unlikely event that I need to cancel, I will refund you your full amount.
Your Hosts
We are Bevin, Alexander (17), and Cassia (14) -- we love exploring the world and learning about the past and present and experiencing local culture. We have traveled to over 100 countries around the globe, and are here to help you navigate South Asia to get the most pleasure and learning out of your visit. I have also coordinated and led many trips, overnight educational experiences, and a few Worldschool Pop-up Hubs. I know it can be a lot to trust someone, so if you would like references, I'd be more than happy to provide them!We have been to this part of the world many times, most recently in February 2026, and we can't wait to go back!Our job is to cover the planning and logistics so you can enjoy and learn.
Next Steps
FAQs
What age is this trip best for?
This is a trip for adults and families with older kids and teens. For families with kids, this trip is recommended and designed for ages 10+, but younger siblings are considered. The target age group is 11-17, and my own children are 14 and 17 at the time of the trip. If you have questions about the age of your kiddo(s) and who is coming on the trip, just let me know.How does food work, and what are the expected costs?
A hearty breakfast will be provided each day, included in the trip. Beyond that, you will typically have a variety of meal options when it’s time to eat. We won't typically eat street food in either location. In Sri Lanka, local food is extremely cheap, often vegetarian, and usually quite spicy with a lot of coconut. Typical Western food is readily available but more expensive, but still $5-$10 for a meal, typically.
Restaurants at hotels will usually be about $5-$10 per person, depending on what you are ordering. Alcohol is relatively inexpensive in Sri Lanka and can be found widely but may not be available in the Maldives. There is no pork available in the Maldives.On an average day, we will take breakfast at our hotel at your leisure before our departure time for activities. Lunch will be when we are out and about, and everyone can decide their needs at the time, unless we are on the road, and we will all go to the same spot, which will be chosen to suit the group. For dinner, you and your family can join others, go out yourself, or eat at the hotel. We know we all need breaks at times, so I try to keep it as flexible as possible. This means that for most meals, guests without children can make the choice to visit with families with kids, or not.What’s the daily flow like?
Usually, we will meet after breakfast, sometime between 9 am and 10 am to begin our activities. I’ll have sent you a list of what we are doing for the day, along with times if they are fixed, and we will adjust as needed. We will have a pause or break for lunch and afternoon activities. I always allow plenty of time for play or a diversion as the group needs. Usually, we will wrap up the day by 4 pm or 5pm, so there is time to swim, relax, study, read a book, or go out and see some things that aren’t on the itinerary. Evenings are as you wish, with many choosing to connect for activities and others needing some downtime.I have dietary needs – how will this work?
This part of the world is pretty easy to navigate for dietary needs. Vegan and vegetarian options are easy, and picky eaters can find lots of noodles and fried rice, smoothies, etc. If you tend to eat a lot of meat in large quantities, Sri Lanka can be a little difficult but not unworkable. I will help you make sure you have safe food to eat.My family is LGBTQ is this trip safe and welcoming for me?Your safety as an LGBTQ family is very important to me.Sri Lanka is physically safe, culturally hospitable, and very family-friendly, with foreign visitors rarely facing issues regardless of family makeup. While archaic anti-LGBTQ+ laws technically exist on paper, they are not enforced against tourists, and hotels and tea estates routinely host diverse families without scrutiny. The broader culture is socially conservative, meaning public displays of affection are taboo for everyone—heterosexual or same-sex—so keeping romance strictly private and dressing respectfully around temples and villages ensures a seamless, welcoming trip for parents and kids.The Maldives (on Thinadhoo)
The hotel operates as a comfortable hotel, but because it sits on an inhabited local island rather than a private resort island, the entire island is governed by conservative Islamic law where same-sex relations are technically illegal. The hotel’s staff are professional, discreet, and accustomed to international guests, so LGBTQ couples or families will not face hostility or invasive questions. However, everyone must follow local island norms outside the property: zero public displays of romantic affection anywhere, modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) when walking through the village, and swimwear strictly restricted to the designated "bikini beach" and excursion boats. As long as you are comfortable presenting as a general family group in public spaces, it is a safe and accessible stay. All families on this trip will be notified that, should they have discomfort being around LGBTQ families, then this trip may not be a good fit for them. If you have questions about this or want to discuss, please reach out to me.I don’t have kids, and find them overwhelming at times, but I want to come, should I?
This trip is designed for adults and older children, and there will be limited times you will need to be in close proximity with children other than transportation and some activities. Young children are typically discouraged from these trips to make sure it is suitable and safe for everyone attending. Just reach out to me if you want to discuss.I went on another trip with you. How will this one be different?
If you have been on a pop-up in Abu Dhabi, Oman, or Indonesia, or on a trip to the Mekong or Spain you’ll find the same level of organization, communication, great activities, and community – but this time it’s all together at the same lodging, there will be a strong educational learning focus, and all excusions are included.South Asia is a whole different experience! You’ll find in Sri Lanka comfortable, simple, atmospheric lodging such as historic tea plantations and safari lodges, food full of vegetables and flavor, and some more creature comforts overall. Since these areas are more affordable, you’ll be able to do more with less spending. We will also be walking a bit less and having more daily private transportation. You’ll also be immersed in a totally different culture from home, with wonderful and new experiences each day.What happens if you don’t get enough people to run the trip?
There are minimums needed to run the trip, and this will be by 180 days before the start date or earlier. I hope for earlier, so we can get the best airfares. If the trip is canceled, you will get your deposit back in full. I will communicate with you to make sure you know if there is a chance the trip won’t run before you purchase your airfare.How many people will be on this trip?
The trip is limited to a maximum 24 people, including your 3 hosts.