our story, since 2012
“With over a decade of experience in curating bespoke itineraries and private travel in Sri Lanka, we are known for our meticulous, personalised service. An owner-managed and women-led full service boutiqe travel company effortlessly blending authenticity with luxury and positive impact. To us, its all about connections - not only to the best accommodation in Sri Lanka but especially to our fascinating off beat network of simple, local experience hosts who host immersive experiences for our guests. Each memorable private experience is designed by us based on the interests of a guest on art and artisanal livelihoods, nature treks to cultural history and archaeology walks, wellness and mindfulness to private safaris and birdwatching, special events on fashion, food, music and dance, or simply to listen to cicadas sing at a private wildlife camp. To allow time to consult and refine each journey and its impact, we intentionally design a few trips each year with a climate conscious and social impact lens. Curious about our stories and our storytellers on an island famously known as Ceylon? We’d love to hear from you.”
Chamintha Jayasinghe, Co-Founder
IMPACT
Ayu in the Wild is a Travel Partner of The Long Run.
3% of our revenue supported our positive impact initiatives in 2021/22 and 2022/23. Each journey can support our Classroom in the Wild spoken English initiative - ongoing since 2014; or our newest cause to sustain a school that helps hearing impaired kids to enter mainstream schools and universities starting in 2024. The halo effect of our local experiences supports partners not on the usual tourist trail from the North to the South of the island.
ABOUT US
DESTINATION
EXPERIENCES
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
TRADE PORTAL
CONTACT and support our INITIATIVES
WHY RESPECTFUL TRAVEL MATTERS TO 22 MillioN SRI LANKANS…
I am 103 rivers flowing through beautiful rural villages.
I am the watersheds of Adams Peak, of Horton Plains and the Ceylon Tea mountains.
I am the leopard and langurs on the wild dunes of Yala.
I am the farmlands of rice-paddies and Cinnamon that ignite your senses.
I am the oceans for whale watching and rainforests for endemics.
I am the slow life of artisans; of elephant corridors and little hamlets.
I am the warm-hearted Sri Lankans, inheritors of a cultural triangle, centuries old.
I am a biodiversity hotspot. An Indian Ocean island, warm all year.
REVIEWS
“…Everything is perfect with this trip... it is the best ever since 2001 when I started organising these cultural journeys. All of your work is very delicate and every detail is meaningful. I wish I could find you around the world in all our future trips..”
- Director of an International Network on Culture, in Europe
“…We cannot recommend Chamintha and the team at Ayu in the Wild high enough. Fabulous trip for 2 mums and 3 kids! Living in South Africa we have been fortunate to experience many safaris and eco-tourism destinations. When I asked for the same style of fun, interactive, connecting, real, authentic and enriching travel experiences in Sri Lanka I was not sure what we would get. But we had the most exceptional trip which was soulful and life enriching for our children and for us as mothers…”
- Suzanne Bayly, MD, Classic Portfolio
“…Ayu in the Wild’ is a gem of a company…We are confident putting clients in the hands of Chamintha and her team. They are professional and responsive. We look for companies that align with our dedication to delivering journeys that are not just sustainable on paper but also beneficial for the local communities involved and ‘Ayu in the Wild’ go way beyond ticking all the boxes! They listen carefully to our needs and proactively put together itineraries that are truly bespoke. They then deliver all the details with meticulous attention. They are quick to respond with itinerary proposals which are seamless and outstandingly authentic. Each trip is completely bespoke with unique and exclusive experiences that are immersive and off beat whilst also enabling guests to enjoy the best highlights of Sri Lanka. Working with Ayu in the Wild, enables us to achieve our wider aim of connecting our guests to the bigger picture and to deliver journeys that make a true difference to all those involved.…”
- Founder of a Tour Operator specialising in Sustainability Sabbaticals, Film Shoots, Slow Journeys & Climate Collaborations - UK
© Brian Harrisburg
what makes ayu in the wild different
Those little details
In tailor made travel, meticulous attention to detail is everything - from the planning process until each trip ends. After our first call, we match the tastes and wishes of each guest with our deep knowledge of Sri Lanka, draw on partnerships with preferred partner Sri Lanka hotels and lodges and then add that extra sparkle of unique experiences hosted by our local connections.
Soulful Luxury Travel
We design local experiences revealing the true essence of Sri Lanka. To us, curating private travel in Sri Lanka is about redefining how luxury travel can make an impact on community economics and cultural conservation by reviving forgotten livelihoods, sustaining unique traditions and showcasing the island’s biodiversity through our Inspiring Walks of Sri Lanka Portfolio and privately guided safaris.
Responsible travel
Each bespoke trip supports our impact-initiatives including children's education and science-led conservation. We pioneered the Sustainable Travel Sri Lanka Initiative to encourage thought leadership and social impact action through tourism. We advocate against elephant back safari rides or any animal exploitation; keep our environmental footprint light and our community ties strong.