2025 Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has been influenced by close cultural interaction with India for centuries. But the islands also lie at a crossroads of maritime routes and have been exposed to cultural influences from multiple Asian civilizations. Sri Lanka’s roots go back to the 6th century BCE and are anchored around the preservation of Theravada Buddhism. We’ll visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and seek to understand Sri Lanka’s natural and cultural nuances.

Let’s embark on a captivating 10-night journey through Sri Lanka’s profound history, spiritual heritage, and architectural marvels. We’ll delve into the roots of Buddhism through visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, guided by esteemed local experts. We’ll visit sacred sites like the ancient capital of Anuradhapura, the medieval Hindu capital of Polonnaruwa, the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple, the towering Sigiriya rock fortress, and the sacred city of Kandy. From the serene shores of Negombo to the vibrant streets of Colombo, our itinerary weaves a tapestry of hidden gems, cultural encounters, and UNESCO treasures. We’ll traverse revered ancient cities, ascend to spiritual heights, and immerse ourselves in the rich heritage of Kandy. We’ll conclude our journey in Colombo, learning about it’s history, and enjoy a farewell dinner at the iconic Old Dutch Hospital Complex.

Let Sri Lanka’s past and present weave an enchanting spell, leaving each traveler with lasting memories.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including  Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya, and the sacred city of Kandy
• Wander the grand ancient capital of Anuradhapura and its sacred Buddhist shrines
• Uncover the medieval Hindu capital of Polonnaruwa, with its well-preserved ruins and historical sites
• Learn about the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple, a complex of cave temples adorned with ancient frescoes and sculptures
• Ascend the towering fifth-century Sigiriya rock fortress, a UNESCO site boasting panoramic views and ancient frescoes
• Get to know the spiritual heights of Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka
• Encounter the architectural wonders of Dambulla’s Golden Temple and its remarkable sculptures
• Experience the royal grandeur of Polonnaruwa’s ancient ruins, surrounded by serene forests and elegant stone pathways
• Experience Kandy’s rich cultural tapestry, including dance, art, and the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
• Traverse Colombo’s historic heart, passing landmarks like Town Hall, Gangaramaya Temple, and Independence Square
• Enjoy an alfresco lunch at the iconic Barefoot Gallery and get to know its cultural hub
• Conclude the journey with a farewell dinner at the historic site in Colombo

See more details below and use the REGISTER NOW button above to join us.

This tour essentially starts and ends in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (The first overnight is in nearby Negombo.) You can view – and download or print – the most up-to-date itinerary here (always subject to change).

You’ll get the most out of study travel if you research what to do during your free time. This allows you to reap the benefits of group travel, while also customizing the tour to your interests and activity level. Read more about How to Be an Independent Group Traveler.

Karil Kucera is Professor of Art History and Asian Studies, and is currently Associate Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies. Her research centers on sacred sites, with her most recently completed work on the cliff sculptures found at the Buddhist cave site of Baodingshan in Sichuan province. This interest has produced a course entitled “Buddhism through Text and Image”, as well as a course on sacred sites of Asia. She is currently working on a digital textbook related to her sacred sites course.

Karil has also spent a considerable amount of time pursuing issues related to the art of teaching. She has been actively involved in working with digital imaging issues, and has lectured on appropriate as well as effective usage of imagery in the classroom. She is a co-creator of a multimedia /multi-cultural/multi-institutional  Asian Studies database, the IDEAS project. IDEAS, an Image Database to Enhance Asian Studies, is available at www.ideasproject.org. Karil has also been actively working with students to put on exhibitions using materials from the St Olaf Flaten Art Museum collection, including exhibitions in collaboration with Professor Ryor and her students. 

Karil completed her Ph.D. in Chinese art history at the University of Kansas, her Master’s degree at the University of Oregon, and her BA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has lived and traveled extensively throughout Asia and has led more than a dozen study tours to Asia for students. 

Kathleen (Katie) Ryor is the Tanaka Memorial Professor of International Studies and Art History at Carleton College, where she is currently serving as Associate Chair of the Department of Art and Art History. While her research centers on the painting, calligraphy and garden culture of the late Ming dynasty, she has also published and presented papers on diverse topics such as twentieth century Buddhist murals in Sri Lanka, Japanese woodblock prints, and contemporary Chinese art. She is currently working on a book project on botanical painting and its relationship to medicine and horticulture in China during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

At Carleton, Katie teaches a wide variety of courses related to Asian art, including a Buddhist art survey, surveys of Chinese and Japanese art and upper level courses on thematic topics. She has worked with Karil Kucera on exhibitions using materials from the St Olaf Flaten Art Museum collection for their courses on East Asian art. She and Karil have also collaborated on scholarly panels at international conferences.  They traveled to Bergen, Norway as part of a project investigating the dispersal of the Munthe Collection of Chinese art.

Katie completed her Ph.D. in Chinese art history and her Master’s degree in general art history at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, and her BA at the University of Virginia. Prior to her appointment at Carleton College, Katie taught at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She has lived and traveled extensively throughout Asia and has directed two off-campus studies programs, one of which was the Intercollegiate Sri Lanka Education Program in Kandy, Sri Lanka.  She has also led two Carleton College Alumni Adventures Tours, one to the Silk Road in China, and the other to Vietnam and Cambodia, in addition to leading several Smithsonian Institution tours to China.

Expect to experience the highlights of this unique country, while starting to understand its history, cultures, and traditions.

Movement between cities will be by air-conditioned private motor coach. Movement within each city and at cultural/historic sites will be on foot, requiring a lot of walking and standing, often over uneven ground. You should be capable of walking a mile or more at a time and up to five to seven miles per day, often over uneven terrain, of climbing stairs that may not have handrails, of climbing in and out of various types of transportation, of keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling, of dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing different cultures, and be a considerate member of the group (prompt, courteous and flexible).

Any participant who has demonstrated an inability, in the opinion of the tour leader, of keeping up with the group or of safely participating in program activities may be prohibited from participating in certain activities.

You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage throughout the tour. Traveling lightly is highly recommended.

Hotels will be tourist class (four-star or superior rating) with private baths, air conditioning, and English-speaking staff.

Inclusions and exclusions vary from tour to tour. Please read the following information carefully.

The tour price is $6,933 per person, based on double occupancy. A supplement of $1,000 applies for single occupancy.

Inclusions: discussions led by Karil Kucera and Katie Ryor, a full-time guide, accommodations, breakfast daily and group meals as listed on the itinerary, admissions for group activities, ground transportation during the tour (except initial and final airport transfers), transportation between the countries, gratuities to group guides, drivers, and meal servers, and some limited medical coverage while overseas.

Exclusions: Airfare to and from Sri Lanka  is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the tour fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: international airfare, airport transfers, any passport and visa fees, any recommended immunizations or vaccinations, baggage and trip cancellation insurance, alcoholic beverages, including at group meals, laundry, dry cleaning, phone charges, room service or other items of a personal nature, expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities, lunch and dinner, unless specifically included on tour itinerary.

This schedule is based on payments St. Olaf College must make to tour vendors to guarantee group rates. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the tour.

Deposit due:                          $500 upon registration
Refund if you cancel:          Full refund ($500) until February 29, 2024. If the deposit is made after January 31, 2024 there is no refund.

Interim payment due:        $3,000 on March 1, 2024
Refund if you cancel:          $1,500 if you cancel before October 31, 2024

Balance due:                         November 1, 2024
Refund if you cancel:         None, unless the tour is full and your place can be resold

Note: refunds for payments made by credit card will be reduced by the amount of the fee paid by St. Olaf to the credit card merchant (usually 2-3% of the payment amount). Cancellations must be in writing.

Read the Terms & Conditions and Release & Waiver.

Review the latest information on recommended immunizations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Look at the International Travel section of the U.S. State Department, including Before You Go, Country Information, While Abroad, and Emergencies.

Check your passport to ensure that it has at least 6 months’ validity past the tour return date. Should you need to renew, visit the U.S. State Department for instructions. U.S. citizens visiting Sri Lanka must have either an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a visa to enter Sri Lanka. St. Olaf will provide helpful information on obtaining the ETA (recommended to avoid long lines on arrival) at the appropriate time prior to departure.

Take time to prepare for your adventure by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, safety overview, and more.

Hold the dates of January 7–17, 2025 but do not purchase non-refundable airfare until we can call the tour a go. Meanwhile, take a look at our tips on Booking Your Flights.