`Tranquil Sri Lanka’ is a special holiday designed with
a Yoga and Ayurveda focus. We wanted to create an island tour
that allows the traveler to experience rest and rejuvenation
in some of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful landscapes –
from the north central cultural triangle area to the southwest
Tropical rainforests. Your travels will take you through ancient
ruins of Sri Lanka’s rich past and the `unhurried’
lifestyle of present day rural villages. You also have the
option of indulging
in the benefits of Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda, a unique
ancient holistic approach to life, good health, and healing
that is practiced widely in Sri Lanka and Southern India.
Finally, your journey ends aside the turquoise blue waters
of the Indian Ocean. Upon leaving the shores of this beautiful
island, you will be ready to face what’s ahead with
renewed energy and inspiration.
Holiday highlights
• Ulpotha’s rural village life
• Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage
• The calming effects of Yoga and meditation
• The ancient form of Ayurvedic rejuvenation
• Wonder through Sinharajah’s tropical rainforest
• Jeep safari through Yala wildlife sanctuary
• Exploring the UNESCO protected Galle Fort
• Tranquil retreats and beautiful boutique hotels
Itinerary:
Day 1: Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, transfer to Horathapola
Estate, a small planter’s house set in a fruit and spice
estate a short 45-minute drive from the airport. This planter’s
bungalow is an ideal haven for acclimatizing to Sri Lanka’s
tropical climes and relaxing after the long flight.
Accommodation profile: Horathopala
is a small five bedroom British planter's bungalow that was
built in the 1920's. The building design follows the traditional
architectural style of columns and verandas. Ancestral antique
furniture, including four-poster beds lined with handmade lace,
gives a glimpse of this idyllic Planter’s lifestyle. Surrounded
by well-clipped lawns and breathtaking hardwood trees, ample
bird song and butterflies, all contribute to a calm and peaceful
atmosphere that can be best enjoyed just relaxing in a Planter’s
chair in the veranda with a good book and a cup of tea. The
estate, which produces coconut, mango, pineapple and spices,
is still run by the Fernando family, Javanah and Pia, who add
a friendly, laid-back but efficient air. The Sri Lankan rice
and curries cooked in traditional clay pots over a firewood
flame are mouth-wateringly delicious with many of the ingredients
grown on the state.
Day 2 to 8: Early next morning, travel to the north central region
to Ulpotha, one of Sri Lanka’s greatest secrets, a Yoga-focused
eco-retreat, hidden away in the heart of the Cultural Triangle
close to Anuradhapura. Here you will linger for seven days in
peace and tranquility amidst nature at its best. Immerse yourself
in Sri Lanka’s traditional `unhurried and balanced’
lifestyle that is still prevalent in the rural areas. Here time
does standstill and wait for you. We recommend Yoga where sessions
are conducted in an open sided building with a thatched roof
or in the cool shade of a Banyan tree. Ayurveda, an ancient
form of healing and well being practiced in Sri Lanka, is also
a specialty at Uplotha. The land which Ulpotha is situated on,
is rich with herbs, which are used for the therapies. You have
the option of consulting Ulpotha's resident Ayurvedic specialist,
Dr. Sri Lal who will draw up a personalized relaxation and rejuvenation
treatment programme. Thereafter, the daily therapies which include
oil applications, massage, steam and medicinal bath therapies,
will continue complemented by a special diet, recommended by
the doctor. Your meals will be cooked using locally available
fresh vegetables and herbs which will enhance the effect of
the therapy. The effectiveness of this holistic and natural
approach to the well being of mind and body will be understood
only by those who have indulged in it. Sri Lanka's famous cultural
triangle with its many UNESCO world heritage sites also offers
plenty to explore over the next seven days. Anuradhapura, once
a royal capital and the greatest monastic city of the world,
served as Sri Lanka's capital for around 1,400 years until Polonnaruwa
took over in 1073. Archaeologists in the 18th century felt they
were discovering a lost city, and you will understand why as
you gaze upon the remains of the palaces, statues and pleasure
gardens. The ruined capital of Polonnaruwa, the lion rock of
Mount Sigiriya and Dambulla’s Buddhist Cave Temples are
all part of this islands unique historical past.
Accommodation profile:Ulpotha
(meaning `water spring’, named after the numerous underground
springs throughout the land on which it is located) is not a
hotel. It has no large concrete buildings, electricity, phones,
television or radio. Instead, visitors stay in wattle and daub
huts within this village and eat traditional Sri Lankan food
cooked in clay pots over a hearth. Rooms have oil lamps, spring
water in a pot to drink, and mosquito nets covering the beds.
A central `Ambalama’ (an open-sided pavilion for relaxing
and eating) provides the sprawling property with a central focus
for both relaxation during the day and eating in the evenings.
There are also bedrooms, a modern kitchen and an office in the
main `Walauwa’, a restored manor house with its courtyard,
verandah and bedroom walls drenched in vibrant hues. You can
swim in a lake strewn with water lilies, go on nature walks
in the woods and the hills, cycle, boat, and dance to the rhythm
of the village music - all special experiences of this lifestyle.
Day 09 & 10:
After a weeks rest of relaxation you begin your journey once
again, leaving the e cultural triangle to Sri Lanka's hill capital
- the small lakeside city of Kandy. In the afternoon, relax
at The Kandy House, the finest property in the area - a beautiful
old house set in magnificent tropical gardens. The following
day, if you can drag yourself away from the poolside, explore
Kandy's age-old Botanical gardens, with its orchid collection
and formally laid-out trees and visit the Sri Dalanda Maligawa,
also known as the Temple of the Tooth
where a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined.
Accommodation profile: The Kandy House
is what the hill-country-capital has been waiting for so long:
a brilliant small boutique hotel capable of offering stylish
and private accommodation, personal service, delicious food,
all in a stunningly beautiful natural setting. The inspired
refurbishment of the ‘walauwa’ – with its
light white interiors, polished hardwood floorboards, jack wood
staircase, Dutch-style antique furniture and careful injections
of colour – has been a triumph. The bedrooms are the finest
in Kandy, with four-poster beds, soft white linen, concrete-washed
bathrooms and Victorian bathtubs. The freshwater infinity pool
in the garden provides an irresistible opportunity to unwind
and relax under the shade of tropical trees.
Day 11 & 12:
You now travel out of the hills and head southwest to Sri Lanka’s
beautiful tropical rain forests. Spend two nights at the Rainforest
Edge, a new eco-themed boutique hotel located next to Sinharaja,
a UNESCO protected tropical rainforest. Moist and muggy, murky
and mysterious – an experience of Sinharaja is like nothing
else in Sri Lanka. Trekking through this magnificent tropical
jungle – the last surviving stretch of virgin rainforest
on the island – you should be ready to pour with sweat
as they make their way through a bewildering land of exotic
colours and wonderful sounds. From top to bottom the forest
is teeming with life whether it be gushing waterfalls, gurgling
streams, ants marching, leaves rustling, leeches waiting (you’ve
been warned!), crickets creaking or butterflies fluttering by.
Apart from the very distinct atmosphere, which is created by
this great cacophony of noise and movement, Sinharaja is particularly
renowned as a hotspot for bird life. There are 140 bird species
seen here during a calendar year including 34 out of 36 species
endemic to Sri Lanka.
Accommodation profile: Rainforest
Edge is blessed by one of the most restful panoramas in Sri
Lanka – and harmony with nature is the essence of its
appeal. This is an isolated, pollution-free environment without
discomforts. From this appealing new property, a triumph of
designer-rustic, you can gaze upon rolling tea plantations,
studded with occasional tea bungalows and factories, some now
disused, some still in operation. Service standards –
initially at least -- might not always possess the impeccable
professionalism found in more accessible parts of Sri Lanka,
but you have the chance to enjoy the hospitality of Sinharajah
villagers in a beautiful natural setting.
Day 13, 14, 15 & 16:
Your next destination is the Talalla Retreat located in between
Matara and Tangalle on the Southern coast. This retreat sits
meters from Sri L anka’s most peaceful and protected beach,
Talalla Beach that is an undiscovered crescent cove of glassy
crystal clear turquoise water, spotless golden sand and mesmerizing
sunrises. Founded by a group of yoga practitioners & teachers,
the vision was to create a luxurious retreat in one of the most
secluded places on earth. To sooth your soul, calm your mind
and invigorate your body, Yoga and Tai Chi classes and guided
Mediations are offered. Tallala is also a place to rest, swim,
surf and breathe in a beautiful and pristine environment. Spend
a restful four days here. You may like to explore the local
area. The UNESCO-protected Galle Fort, an hour’s drive
away, is in the midst of a cultural and architectural revival.
Several hours can be spent wandering through the narrow streets
and along the ramparts, browsing through shops and art galleries
and sipping lime sodas on the veranda of Galle Fort hotel.
Accommodation profile: Talalla
Retreat offers a harmonious blend of stylish accommodation against
a backdrop of awe-inspiring lush tropical jungle that overlooks
an undiscovered crescent-shaped mile long beach of white sand
and turquoise waters. Tallala offers eight elegantly decorated
two-storey villas set in landscaped gardens. Each villa has
four spacious bedrooms, making 16 twins and 16 doubles. All
have mosquito nets. The rooms are bright and airy and each has
its own private balcony or veranda. There is no need for air
conditioning in the rooms as they are all cooled by natural
sea breezes and ceiling fans. Every room has its own large open-sky
marble bathroom. There is a fresh water swimming pool, a restaurant
serving local & organic foods and a small Spa offering massage
and Ayuvedic treatments – all geared to create wellness
throughout. The palm-filled garden leads down to the private
cove where the water is calm most of the year.
Day 17: Your Sky Taxi will be waiting,
to fly you to the airport for your return journey home.
Cost: TBC
Package price includes:
•
16 night’s accommodation on twin-sharing
basis • Full board at Ulpotha
and Rainforest Edge. BB in other properties. • Airconditioned car and
English-speaking driver for tour and transfers • SriLankan Air Taxi from
Dickwella to International Airport • Entrance fees: Anuradhapura,
Dambulla Cave Temples,Sigiriya Rock, Polonnaruwa
• Entrance fees for a guided
trek in Sinharaja Rainforest • Yoga tuition included
while at Ulpotha
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in the benefits of Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda, a unique
ancient holistic approach to life, good health, and healing
that is practiced widely in Sri Lanka and Southern India.
Finally, your journey ends aside the turquoise blue waters
of the Indian Ocean. Upon leaving the shores of this beautiful
island, you will be ready to face what’s ahead with
renewed energy and inspiration.
