Discovering the outdoors this holiday season
Aside from the long holidays and customs, the Sinhala and Tamil new year also brings with it a sense of stepping away from the old routine and into a new one. This week, we’ve put together a list of adventure based activities that are certainly worth trying out, especially if you’re looking for a different kind of experience this holiday season.
Paramotoring
Sky Club (pvt) Ltd offers Tandem Paramotoring and Paramotoring. We are told the activity can be enjoyed by a wide range of people. For example Tandem paramotoring consists of two individuals taking part in the activity on a tandem paratrike. Whereas, Paramotoring is done by one person at a time on a foot launcher.
Safety is a priority at Sky Club and it is fully insured to protect both the customer and employee. The organisation adheres to set guidelines, set by international standards for safety when it comes to the sport.
Aside from this, Sky Club is also equipped with the latest machines that are manufactured and imported from Spain. Their pilots are veterans (Sri Lankan Airforce and Army), who have completed over 15,000 flights over the years. In addition to this, their customers are also provided with safety equipment such as helmets,safety harnesses and safety jackets.
Prices range from Rs. 8500 for
fifteen minutes and Rs. 12,000 for 20 minutes.
Check them out at facebook.com/skyclubsrilanka/
Splash Water Sports Club
Splash Water Sports Club offers their customers everything related to water sports. Activities include rental jet skis (or with an instructor), Wakeboards, Water skiing, Bodyboards, SUP surf and tubing.
The club also comprises experienced instructors who conduct Wakeboarding and Water skiing lessons for anyone who wishes to to learn (provided you are aged ten and above). You could also ride a jet ski by yourself if you’re18 and above.
Check them out on facebook.com/splashwatersportsclub/
Hot Air Ballooning
Hot air balloon rides are usually conducted from November to May, when the climate is more suitable for safe flying. Sun Rise Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd and Lanka Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd offer balloon rides in Dambulla, owing to the scenic/ breathtaking views and the beautiful sunrise.
Both companies offer excursions that will last about 3 ½ hours commencing from the moment you are picked up from your hotel (This could be between 4.45 am to 5.15 am, depending on the distance from the hotel to the launch site).
The flights take off at sunrise when the air is cool and the winds are calm and could last for about one hour and ten minutes approx. The pilots are also well experienced and fully trained in fire and first aid.
Sun Rise Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd offers their passengers a glass of champagne , juice and water onboard.
On the other hand, Lanka Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd offers customers a package that includes breakfast before take off and cold water on board.
A glass of champagne, juice and cake are also offered at the landing site.
Both companies adhere to strict safety measures. The weather reports are methodically taken and followed. The balloons are also checked by the Civil Aviation Authority and have been provided with a certificate of airworthiness, that is issued on an annual basis.
The packages for both companies are priced at USD 210 per adult and USD160 per child (0-12 years) and we are also told that a first time certificate is handed over to the passengers, just before they depart.
Check them out at-
Sun Rise Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd- srilankaballooning.com/
Lanka Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd- www.srilankaballoon.com/
Adventure travel experiences
The Ceylon Ramblers Club is a company that facilitates adventure tourism and extreme sports for locals and foreigners. These include rock-climbing, cycling, surfing, diving, hiking and more.
It works through three different models. These include the members based model, private tours for local groups and companies and finally the inbound adventure tours.
Their main focus is on individuals who are interested in sustainable outdoor adventure and those seeking to develop their interest and skills in this area. In terms of safety, the club always conducts a pre-visit before the actual camp. Through this they explore the routes, terrain and estimate the physical demands it would have on their customers, who are then informed. Private and inbound tours are catered to meet the level of fitness and interest of those participating. Health, safety and the required international certification for all activities are obtained, especially when they work with service providers (e.g. Diving, surfing, paragliding etc.).
Their prices range from Rs. 4500 (members, one day event) and upwards. The prices vary on the nature of the excursion and the number of days it involves and if it’s a private or scheduled tour.
Check them out on www.facebook.com/CeylonRamblersClub/