Therapy and Rehabilitation in Sri Lanka

Welcome to Sri Lanka, a small island crammed full of treasures, with no fewer than eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This study tour provides unique insight into Sri Lanka’s physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. Meet with your Sri Lankan counterparts and, through a range of specialist visits and talks, gain a general overview alongside specialist visits focusing on mental health, paediatric rehabilitation, elderly care, disaster rehabilitation and traditional therapies. Professional visits range from large hospitals and smaller clinics to NGOs and many visits are complemented by a range of talks and meetings with local therapists.

There is also a full cultural programme and ample free time to relax by the pool, join optional activities or explore at your own pace.

Price (sharing a room)

per person

Price (room to yourself)

per person

Reference:

SRI0225-2

At a glance

What you need to know

Type of tour

Professional

Profession

Therapy and Rehabilitation

Nights

Countries

Tour grade

Moderate

Remaining places

Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

Colombo

Monday

February

Arrive Colombo and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner.

Colombo

Tuesday

February

Travel by rickshaw to Siddhalepa Ayurveda Hospital. Visit their herbal pharmacy and enjoy a foot massage. Visit the National Rehabilitation Hospital. Take a tour and meet with members of the Sri Lanka Society of Physio and Occupational Therapists. Dinner at University of Kalaniya. Learn of the degree programme and meet with physio, occupational, and speech and language therapy students.

Colombo / Sigiriya

Wednesday

February

Visit the National Institute for Mental Health. Visit the Rainbow Centre for children with cerebral autopsy and autism for treatment with developmental disorders. Drive to Sigiriya and overnight.

Sigiriya

Thursday

February

Visit the archaeological site of Ritigala and explore the site of an ancient Ayurvedic hospital on a walking tour. See traditional medicinal plants. Visit Minneriya National Park and see large herds of elephants, sambhur deer and huge flocks of birds.

Sigiriya

Friday

February

Rise early to visit the legendary sky citadel of Sigiriya. The rock fortress is famous for its ‘Lion Rock’ and its ‘Celestial Maidens’ frescoes. Descend the rock and visit a nearby village and its local health clinic before enjoying a Sri Lankan cookery demonstration using local spices, followed by a delicious lunch. Afternoon at leisure.

Sigiriya / Kandy

Saturday

March

Drive to Kandy via the Cave Temples of Dambulla. Visit the spice plantations of Matale en route. Enjoy a delicious Sri Lankan lunch. Arrive in Kandy and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, housing one of Buddhism’s most sacred relics – a tooth of Buddha. See brightly robed monks performing the blessing ceremony with drums and trumpets.

Kandy

Sunday

March

Visit Sirimavo Bandaranaike Children’s Hospital. Continue on to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya to see crops such as coffee, tea, nutmeg, rubber and quinine, as well as its excellent orchid house and the medicinal herbal section. Later that day visit Kandy’s gemstone market to see Sri Lanka’s famous sapphires being cut and polished.

Kandy / Nuwara Eliya

Monday

March

Scenic train ride to Nuwara Eliya. Check in to the hotel and explore this colonial hill station - built by the British in the 19th century - with its half-timbered mock-Tudor houses containing inglenook fireplaces and billiard tables, a golf course, racetrack and clubs. Continue to AMBA and enjoy a sundowner and dinner with a local health worker.

Nuwara Eliya

Tuesday

March

Take part in a walking waterfall loop. Explore the farm and learn of their organic methods for cultivating a range of herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables. Take part in an artisanal tea and coffee production tour and pluck and roll your own batch of tea. At leisure after lunch with option for further walks. Talk: 'Global Therapy and Rehabilitation – the context.'

Nuwara Eliya / Galle

Wednesday

March

Optional sunrise morning short trek to Eagle Rock. A beautiful drive to Galle from the highlands to the coast. Check in to hotel and at leisure.

Galle

Thursday

March

Visit the Karapitya Hospital and hear of the lessons learnt in disaster management and rehabilitation following the tsunami and to the present day. Take part in a discussion group with local physio and occupational therapists. Lunch on the city walls followed by a tour of the old city of Galle.

Galle

Friday

March

Day at leisure – relax on the beach, visit the Geoffrey Bawa Gardens or further explore Galle. Option to go whale watching for sperm and blue whales and dolphins. The waters off Mirissa have the largest concentration of blue whales in the world. Farewell dinner.

Galle

Saturday

March

Morning at leisure and depart hotel after breakfast or extend on the coast.