Where It All Began
In Diyandara, Matara, at the intersection of academic discipline and a nationally awarded craftsman's eye, a conviction took shape: Sri Lanka's landscapes, ancient kingdoms, and living artisan traditions deserved a tourism partner who understood both the island's soul and the precision international travellers expect.
Art Jewel Nature Trails was founded in 2017 by Mr. D.A.N. Wanigarathna — a BSc graduate in Agricultural Sciences, a qualified educator, and a nationally recognised gem and jewellery craftsman whose combination of scholarly grounding and hands-on artisan mastery created precisely the kind of company Sri Lanka's authentic tourism market was missing.
There is a particular kind of traveller — the European couple who want to hike through misty highlands in the morning and watch a master goldsmith set a stone by afternoon; the Australian family who crave a genuine wildlife encounter followed by a hands-on village craft experience. Art Jewel Nature Trails was built precisely for them, by someone who understands craftsmanship from the inside.
Our Milestones
From a shared vision in 2017 to a trusted authentic inbound tourism specialist
A Craftsman's Foundation
D.A.N. Wanigarathna completes his BSc in Agricultural Sciences and a Diploma in Education, while building a parallel career as a gem and jewellery craftsman that would later earn him national recognition. These two disciplines — scientific grounding in the land, and an artisan's discernment for quality — would become the foundation of Art Jewel Nature Trails.
Art Jewel Nature Trails Founded — A Name That Carries Its Purpose
Mr. Wanigarathna establishes Art Jewel Nature Trails (Private) Limited in Diyandara, Matara. The name reflects its founder's craft directly — the same patience and precision applied to shaping fine gemstones is applied to shaping every itinerary. SLTDA registration is achieved as an authorised inbound tour operator, launching with English, French, Mandarin, and German language capability.
Market Deepening — Europe, Australia & New Zealand
Europe — the United Kingdom, Germany, and France — emerges as the primary market, alongside steady growth in Australia and New Zealand. A signature portfolio of cultural, wildlife, wellness, and artisan tour packages is professionally developed, including goldsmith and gem-focused experiences unique to Art Jewel Nature Trails. A growing network of licensed multilingual guides and an in-house vehicle fleet complete the operational foundation.
Recovery & Growth — Exceeding Pre-Pandemic Performance
Sri Lanka's tourism recovery brings Art Jewel Nature Trails to 1,200+ individually crafted tours annually, with a 95% guest satisfaction rate confirmed by independent audit in 2023. Testimonials from guests across France, Germany, Italy, China, the United Kingdom, and the UAE validate the founder-led, craftsmanship-first model. Fleet and staff expansion follows in 2024.
Nearly a Decade of Authentic Delivery — Building Toward 2030
Approaching ten years of operations, Art Jewel Nature Trails is recognised as one of Sri Lanka's most distinctive boutique inbound operators. A virtual reality preview platform enters development, deepening pre-travel confidence for international guests. Continued investment in the Green Travel Alliance membership and community partnerships strengthens the company's sustainability commitments.
Regional Leadership & Legacy
Targeting recognition as South Asia's Most Sustainable Tour Operator, with an expanded in-house fleet, a larger licensed guide network, deeper community partnerships across 20+ villages, and continued growth in custom tour volume beyond 1,200+ annually — all rooted in the founder's original craftsman's standard.
Three Forces, One Purpose
The convergence that makes Art Jewel Nature Trails impossible to replicate
A Master Craftsman's Discernment
D.A.N. Wanigarathna — National Award, Gem & Jewellery Craftsmanship
A nationally recognised eye for quality and detail translates directly into how Art Jewel Nature Trails selects suppliers, trains guides, and curates every itinerary — the same discernment once applied to a gemstone is now applied to every guest experience.
Scientific Grounding in the Land
BSc Agricultural Sciences — A Genuine Understanding of Sri Lanka's Countryside
A formal scientific background in agriculture gives the founder a working understanding of Sri Lanka's seasons, ecosystems, and rural communities — the foundation behind the company's eco-tourism and sustainability commitments.
Genuine Sustainability DNA
Environmental stewardship built into every decision since founding
Art Jewel Nature Trails's commitment to responsible tourism is not a marketing layer — it is built into every supplier partnership, itinerary decision, and community relationship since 2017, including active Green Travel Alliance membership and fair-wage support for 20+ local communities.
The Art Jewel Nature Trails Difference
A Founder-Led Craftsman's Standard
Every itinerary reflects the same patience and precision its founder applies to fine craftsmanship. Art Jewel Nature Trails does not sell shelf packages — every journey is built from the ground up around the guest in front of us.
24/7 In-Country Guest Support
Round-the-clock support coordinated through our mobile travel assistant app, for every active tour guest — with direct lines of communication built into every itinerary we deliver.
Full-Service Destination Management
Every element of the guest journey is managed end-to-end — no element is outsourced without direct quality oversight. This integrated model maintains Art Jewel Nature Trails's standard throughout every programme.
More Than a Tour Operator
Art Jewel Nature Trails embodies the convergence of academic discipline, nationally recognised craftsmanship, and unwavering commitment to responsible experiences that benefit every stakeholder: guests, communities, and the natural environments we steward.
We are scholarly grounding meeting artisan mastery. We are a craftsman's discernment meeting personalised itinerary excellence. We are ambitious growth meeting genuine community respect and Sri Lankan cultural authenticity.
"There is a particular kind of traveller who wants to feel a place, not just see it. For these travellers, a standard tour will not do. They need a partner who understands craftsmanship from the inside. Art Jewel Nature Trails was built precisely for them."
The Road to 2030
Three strategic phases building Sri Lanka's most distinctive sustainable tourism brand
Foundation & Digital Growth
- Strengthen SLTDA-registered operations from Matara headquarters
- Expand in-house fleet and guide network
- Complete virtual reality preview platform development
- Deepen European, Australian, and New Zealand market presence
Growth & Market Deepening
- Expand multilingual guide network with additional language capability
- Launch virtual reality preview platform for prospective guests
- Grow community partnerships beyond 20+ local communities
- Pursue additional sustainability certifications
Regional Leadership & Recognition
- Establish Art Jewel Nature Trails as a leading sustainable operator in South Asia
- Achieve recognition as South Asia's Most Sustainable Tour Operator
- Expand corporate retreat, MICE, and destination wedding offerings
- Grow annual custom tour volume beyond 1,200+ tours
ආයුබෝවන් · Ayubowan · Journey Well
Be Part of the Art Jewel Nature Trails Story
Your journey adds another chapter to a craftsman's decade of Sri Lankan travel