A Spiritual Life - Retreat & Tour to Sri Lanka
8 - 22 January 2026

Let me be your host, teacher & guide as I show you around this magical island where I was born & raised.

Discover the Magic of Sri Lanka with Avril

Sri Lanka is a land of contrasts — where ancient traditions meet modern life, and diverse cultures and spiritual paths intertwine. Known for its warm people, rich heritage, stunning landscapes, and healing traditions, it’s the perfect setting for deep transformation.

Avril, born in the coastal town of Trincomalee and now based in Melbourne, invites you on a unique journey blending yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and soulful exploration.

‘A Spiritual Life’ is more than just a tour — it’s a spiritual adventure. With Avril as your guide and teacher, you’ll explore sacred sites, connect with local culture, and immerse yourself in daily practices that nourish the body, mind, and spirit.

You’ll step away from the noise of everyday life and rediscover what truly lights you up. This experience includes a personal initiation into Vedic Meditation, giving you a lifelong tool for inner peace and clarity that helps develop your spiritual life.

If your soul is calling for something deeper — and Sri Lanka is on your bucket list — this retreat is for you.


“What we are seeking is a way back to ourselves to reclaim & reunite with our authentic Self, our Soul” - Avril Bastiansz

“Avril’s meditation and yoga retreat to western, central and southern Sri Lanka was unforgettable. It was interesting, relaxing, well organised and most importantly, an elixir for the body mind and spirit.

 

Highlights included a 4 day stay at an Ayurvedic Treatment Centre and our daily group yoga and meditation sessions looking out over rainforests, the tea plantations of Ella and the Indian Ocean. Avril is such an inspirational and stimulating teacher. She provided us with so many tools to weave into and enhance our daily lives, and loads of resources to explore Vedic meditation and yoga further.

 

Avril looked after us all so well in so many ways. All my expectations were met and more. It was truly transformative.”


Sally, 2023.

 

DETAILS & INFORMATION

DATES : 15 January - 28 January 2026 (14 Days)

As most International flights arrive/depart to and from Colombo late at night, your accommodation for the 22nd of November & 5th December and airport transfers to and from are included in the cost of the retreat. The retreat begins on the 23 November, at 12PM Noon at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo where you will be staying on arrival. The retreat will conclude on the 5 December with transfers from Villa Saffron in Hikkaduwa to the Colombo International Airport.

ITINERARY

Colombo, Kandalama, Kandy, Ella, Galle, Hikkaduwa

Days 1 & 2
Welcome to Colombo, the Capital City of Sri Lanka

22 & 23 November - COLOMBO
Retreat begins at 12pm on the 23 of November Welcome. Colombo City Highlights Tour. Blessing at Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple followed by Lunch and a bit of Shopping at Barefoot Gallery Cafe adn Shop. Back to hotel for tea & rest. Welcome dinner, briefing on itinerary before bed.

Days 3 & 4

Visit to the Elephants & Climb Sigiriya Rock

24 & 25 November - KANDALAMA & SIGIRIYA
Travel to Kandalama after breakfastt via Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage & stop for lunch. Arrive at Kandalama Hotel for Tea. Rest by the pool until sunset. Yin & Meditation Circle before Dinner.
Next day we climb Sigiriya rock & tour of Sigiriya. Back in time for lunch and to relax by the pool. Afternoon tea followed by restorative Yoga & Meditation before dinner.

Days 5 - 8
Kandy Samadhi Ayurveda & Meditation Centre

26 - 29 November - SAMADHI
We travel to Kandy after breakfast from Kandalama via the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Lunch on way. Arrive at Samadhi Ayurveda & Meditation centre for tea. Rest.
Shakti Vedic Meditation Course begins with daily knowledge & practice sessions and Satsangs after dinner each night. Individual Consultation with Ayurveda Doctor & treatments will be scheduled in between Vedic Meditation Course program & yoga over the four nights here. All three meals will be Ayurvedic & Vegeterian. Plenty of time to basque in nature in this beautiful setting.

Days 9 & 10

Scenic Train Ride Through The Hill Country & Tea Plantations to Ella

30 November & 1 December - ELLA
We leave Samadhi after morning meditation with a packed breakfast via Nuwara Eliya and the Tea Plantations to get the scenic tain ride to Ella.
Arrive in Ella ifr a bit of shopping & evening meditation before dinner in town. Explore Ella the next morning by foot, meditation in the hills followed by more shopping or rest in the afternoon. Evening medittion & Satsang before dinner at the hotel

Days 11 - 14


The South Coast, Galle Fort & Hikkaduwa

2 - 5 December - GALLE & HIKKADUWA

We leave Ella after meditation and breakfast via Ravana Waterfalls for Galle & Hikkaduwa. Stopping for a lunch on way at the Galle Fort. Arrive at Villa Saffron in Hikkaduwa in time for tea. Rest. Walk, Swim. Meditation. Dinner. Satsang & Women’s Circle.

Daily Yoga & Meditation with lots of beach time, rest time and shopping time. Another visit to the Galle Fort or Lunuganga ( The Home & Gardens of Legenary Architect, Geoffrey Bawa) for lunch. A special closing celebration dinner on Day 13, the eve of before our departure Day 13.
Day 14 is a leisurely day, time to pack-up. Transfer to Colombo airport after an early dinner and a closing women’s circle at approx 6pm.

 


INCLUSIONS

All Meals - during our stay at Samadhi Ayurveda & Medtation Centre we will have Vegetarian cuisine.

All Accommodation - 14-nights stay in unique accomodation including 5-star hotel, a unique ayurveda & meditation centre and an exclusive private villa on the beach, all twin-share basis. Please enquire for single room supplement.

All yoga practices - No prior experience needed.

Vedic Meditation Course with Individual Mantra Initiation (valued at $999 AUD)

Ayurvedic Consultation & 2-hour full-body treatment (valued at $250 AUD)

Satsang, Knowledge Sessions, Womens Circle

Sri Lankan Cooking Class

Train Ride to Ella

Tour (s) of Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple, Pinnawela Elephant Orphange, Temple of the Tooth, Tea Plantation & Galle Fort

All transporation around the island in an air-conditioned van with a Driver.

Transfer to and from airport on arrival (22 Nov) & departure (5 Dec)

Souvenir Gift

 

EXCLUSIONS

Airfares are not Included - Sri-Lankan Airlines flies direct from Melbourne to Colombo daily. Airfares are approx $2000 AUD

Entry Visa is required with valid Australian passport and is approximately $50 USD. It can be purchased through the Sri Lanka Immigration Official website : Online Visa Application (eta.gov.lk)

Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)

Additional Drinks, Coffee or Alcoholic Beverages & Snacks

Gratuities, laundry and incidentals

A Special Note
SRI LANKA IS A DEVELOPING COUNTRY AND THINGS MAY NOT ALWAYS GO TO PLAN. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND TRAVEL WITH A GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS OF SPIRIT

Additional Information about Sri Lanka can be found at :
SLTDA | Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

 

PRICING

$5,555 AUD

Early Bird Offer Book Before April 30 and receive $250 Off full price.

Bring a Friend and Receive $200 off the Full Price

BOOKINGS & PAYMENT

Only 8 spaces available for this exclusive tour

Reserve your spot with a $900 Non-Refundable Deposit

Balance due on or before 30 November, 2025

Pay to : AVRIL BASTIANSZ | COMMONWEALTH BANK| BSB 063141 |ACCOUNT 1053 0477
Payments can be made via PayPal - Please Inquire. Fees Apply.

Sleeping Buddha , Dambulla Cave Temple, Sri Lanka