ABOUT US
OUR STORY OF THE PAST AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE
WHAT WE DO
Work Behind the Words
Our mission is rooted in wildlife conservation, but it doesn’t stop there. We created a circular model where every project supports the next, proving that travel and tourism can be a force for good. The nonprofit hostel is the heart of this model, showing a better way to build and travel while directly funding conservation work. Our shuttle service, storytelling, and sustainable consulting extend the impact even further, turning everyday ventures into a source of lasting change. At the center of it all is one purpose: protecting wildlife and the places they call home.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
My Story
For more than 17 years I’ve wandered the world with a backpack on my shoulders, drawn to wild places and the creatures that call them home. Along the way I saw more than just landscapes and cultures. I saw forests shrinking, oceans choking, and animals being pushed to the edge by a world that seemed to care more about profit and possessions than the life we share this planet with.
I always knew my purpose was never going to be found in materialism society holds valuable. I felt I had higher calling in life, to protect the animals who cannot protect themselves. To stand up for them, fight for them, and create something better.
Travel gave me that path. It became more than just a passion — it became a way to tell stories, to shine light on urgent issues, and to fuel action through connection and community.
Beyond the Backpack was born along this journey. It is the belief that travel should be more than escape. It can be a force for good, a way to give back, and a way to protect what truly matters.
MEANING IN EVERYTHING
Behind the Logo
Our logo was never meant to be just a mark. Every element carries intention, each part reflecting the thought and purpose behind what we do.
The tree reminds us that no part of life can survive without the other. It symbolizes growth, roots, and our connection to the earth. Hidden in the branches are fourteen animals, each one a symbol of the wildlife we fight to protect. The map represents a love for travel and exploration, a reminder of the beauty of this planet and the responsibility we carry to protect it.
Together, they form a circular whole that reflects our belief in interconnectedness. It is a reminder that purpose should guide every step, and that even the smallest journey can create ripples of lasting change.
WHERE WE'RE GOING
Vision Meets Action
Beyond the Backpack is more than a project, it is a movement built on belief that change is possible when we act together. Our work has only just begun. The hostel in Hiriketiya is the first step, a living example of what sustainable tourism can look like when purpose comes first.
From here, we are building conservation programs, supporting communities, and creating a platform where travel fuels protection of the planet’s most vulnerable wildlife.
But this is not something I can or want to do alone. The vision is bigger than me, and it only becomes real when you choose to be part of it. Whether through travel, monthly giving, or simply sharing our story, you have the power to help protect wildlife and reimagine how we move through this world.
Together, we can create something that lasts, a movement rooted in connection hope for the future.