Once Upon a Time
The sun is always shining on some part of this magical island. Meaning it’s always summer somewhere. And that’s also probably where you will find Summer Explorers team, on yet another wild exploration, with ardent adventure lovers from around the world.
The founders of Summer Explorers have been travelling in their island home with travellers for over a decade and it was only in 2019 that they decided to set up their own company to offer a more cohesive and authentic experience. They offer a wide spectrum of authentic adventures in Sri Lanka, perfected with their experience, enhanced with their unwavering passion in sustainable travelling and made safe for travellers that value safety, privacy and a genuinely caring touch.
All About Us
Why Summer Explorers
There are a few things that sets Summer Explorers apart from all others:
Sustainability – From your arrival to your departure, Summer Explorers have considered the impact of your holiday on the environment and the communities. Where you stay, how you travel, what you do are all carefully studied and brought together in meaningful adventure laden trips that preserve the magic of the island. Summer Explorers guarantees this through their ‘RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL POLICY’.
Authentic Adventures – Summer Explorers specialize in adventure travel. Combined with local insights and decades of expertise, the team goes beyond traditional adventure and offers adventure themed itineraries so that the entire holiday takes on a life of its own. It’s never about the destination, but always about the journey, the fascinating stories and the strange, the unexpected, and most often what few tourists have ever seen.
Safe for Everyone – The planning is always done by passionate travellers who have travelled Sri Lanka immensely under the guidance of the co-founder and chief explorer – Krish. And this means tours that have been developed with the insight and caring touch of a woman. This is evident in how a Summer Explorers tour flows, how guests feel while on tour and why they always recommend us so highly. We are easily one of the most highly rated and recommended teams when it comes to solo women, women only or LGBT travel to Sri Lanka.
Your Guide’s & Mathali’s
In Buddhist fables, ‘Mathali’ is the name of the divine and official driver to the King of Gods. He is also known to be a very reliable & trusted part of the King’s life. We groom our drivers to be as reliable & trusted as Mathali, & therefore name them ‘Mathali’s, not just another driver.
“I’m a traveller with an eye for the extraordinary. I like to travel to off-the-beaten path places of tranquility, peace and extraordinary culture. I was born and raised in Colombo and left the city life in 2023 to live in the beautiful hill country of Sri Lanka. My favourite travel destinations that I never get tired of visiting again and again are the Knuckles Forest Reserve and Horton Plains. I love finding new ways to experience Sri Lanka and showing travellers from across the world, what we have to offer on this small yet fascinating island”
Sanka Kumarasinghe
- SLTDA Licensed National Guide Lecturer
- Diploma at Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (SLITHM) as a National Hiking & Trekking Guide and National Tourist Guide lecturer.
- Awarded Paddle Explorer Level – Sit On Top Kayaking by British Canoeing, Completed an Awareness workshop on Leave No Trace 7 principles for outdoor skills & Ethics
- 10 years of hospitality experience in Middle East (5 & 7 star hotels/resorts)
“I am a passionate hiker and I love being adventurous with like-minded people. I specialise in hiking for wildlife photographers, wildlife expeditions & simple camping trips, where you will get the true outdoor experience with a lot of adventure. I am inspired by responsible travelling and take it as my privilege to share my inspiration with all fellow wanderers.”
Amila Salgado - Bird Watching
Amila got hooked on birds in 1989 after a school project who later joined a local nature club at an early age, which was the beginning of the road to turn him into an all-round naturalist. He is also a certified ‘national-guide’ authorized to guide in all tourist sites.
Amila uses Swarovski EL 8.5 x 42 Swarovision binoculars and Swarovski ATX 95mm telescope with 30-70 x zoom. He is quick in scoping birds, which is helpful for those new to tropical birding.
Amila has contributed articles to ornithological publications such as BirdingAsia and peer reviewed Forktail—The Journal of Asian Ornithology. He has been co-author of popular article in the esteemed Natural History Magazine done by the American Museum of Natural History. A skilled nature photographer, Amila has contributed photographs to many ornithological publications some of which include The Cuckoos of the World Helm Idenitifcation Guides, Hornbills of the World A Photographic Guide by Pilai Poonswad et.al., and Dragonfly Fauna of Sri Lanka by Matjaz Bedjanic et al. and Taprobanica—The Journal of Asian Biodiversity.
Amila has jointly recorded one first record, one second record and one third record of vagrant species of birds in Sri Lanka, all of which have been accepted as valid additions by the Ceylon Bird Club and the Birdlife International partner, Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka.
Nishan - Mathali
Taking you to all corners of the island and seeing you experience my home in wonder and awe is a joy for me. I ensure that I work and interact in a way that makes me feel like a friend or family to you. I take the responsibility entrusted to me very seriously and therefore I do not smoke or drink. I have a strong base in Buddhism and Meditation, and have strong relationships with Buddhist Monks who are fluent in English.
Mahesh - Mathali
I bring my talents, my charisma, knowledge, communication skills, storytelling abilities, organisational skills to the table and the road. Easily swinging between roles such as leader, psychologist, counsellor, mediator or mentor to not only to the clients but the support crew as well. On infrequent occasions, even a lead manager of crisis and a Wilderness First Responder.
Team Summer Explorers
CFO (Chief Fun Officer)
Fun is something a lot of workplaces want at their organisation because they understand how important it is. At the same time, fun cannot be prescribed. Getting the balance of work and play right can be very challenging, but when it does balance out, Rocky is the best.
Jithmi Bandara – Intern
Jithmi is involved in Digital Media Management and Marketing. She is a Badminton player with a passion for the great outdoors. Currently following Professional Diploma in Marketing by Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK, Certificate Course in Human Resources and awaiting Undergraduate for Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation Sciences.
Digital Consultants
Our digital consultants, PeachIT is a company passionate about sustainability as much as we are. They are in the forefront of supporting us to reduce our paper usage in our office & customer communications and play a leading role in enhancing the customer experience of Summer Explorers on digital platforms.