Paraparaumu College - Sri Lanka: Galle, Ella Treks, Kandy & Elephants

Day 4 - Day 6: Ella Treks

Travel to the small village of Ella, which is surrounded by idyllic green hills and tea plantations.

Hit the markets to buy some food supplies for your treks. Set off early to climb Little Adam's Peak - a short but beautiful trek.

Step forward as t e a m leader and set the pace through pine woods, and tea. pickers' villages. From the top you should be able to see Ella Rock, Ella Gap and the top of Rawana Ella Falls:

Now for something bigger. Step up the challenge and summit Ella Rock for jaw-dropping views over Sri Lanka. This trek is more demanding, so work together and keep morale up.

At the summit, stop, breathe, put this in your memory bank.

Day 9 - Day 12 : Elephant Conservation

You're off to a national park in the heart of Sri Lanka - a protected area where the Sri Lankan elephant can be seen in large herds. Spend four days contributing to wildlife research. Meet the conservationists a n d scientists working alongside the community to overcome local challenges - and lend a hand where you can.

Learn how to identify elephants and their behaviour Gather d a t a and watch from a tree hut to see how they interact with humans. Speak to villagers who have had crops and houses damaged by ellies, and listen to their concerns about the conflict between humans and elephants.

You could also help out with a witd cat study, and collect data on fishing. This is a side of Sri Lanka that few tourists see. Grab every opportunity and you'll leave with a rare insight into another way of life.