Sri Lanka by Teardrop Hotels

Location: Negombo
Duration: 2 hours
Host: Wallawwa Chef (optional – please book 24hrs in advance)
Group size: 2–6 people
What to wear: Closed toe shoes are recommended for the fish market. We have Wellington Boots for you to borrow, and socks are available to buy at cost price in our shop. Ladies should cover their legs and shoulders to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
Other: The tour will leave the hotel at 6.30am (in order to see the sales of the larger fish) and you will return by about 8.30am for breakfast. Alternatively we can provide a packed breakfast upon request. Please do take your camera. The fish market is a very vibrant place and there are many
excellent opportunities to take pictures This tour will not operate on Sundays and poya (full moon) days as the fish markets are closed.

Fishing is hugely important to the country’s economy; approximately one million people are involved
directly and indirectly in the fishing industry. The Sri Lankan coastline is dotted with fishing communities who live off the sea from one generation to the next, and Negombo’s big commercial port is the hub of the island’s fishing industry. Under the Portuguese, Dutch and British, Negombo’s port was used for trade in cinnamon and other spices. The canals running north and south of town were very important in connecting the spice-rich villages around Negombo to Colombo’s vital sea ports; these are now used mainly by local fishermen.

Today Negombo’s fishing industry is vibrant and vital; row upon row of colourful fishing boats are moored up around town, and the hardworking fishermen unload their catches on the beaches and in the town’s shallow harbours having been out in the Indian Ocean overnight or for weeks at a time. The majority of the fish caught in Sri Lanka is Yellow Fin Tuna, a staple of the Sri Lankan diet, alongside Red Snapper, Mullet, Herring, Sailfish and the slightly-harder-to-catch Kingfish. Negombo’s wholesale fish market opens at around 3.30am in the morning (until around 9am) and attracts serious buyers from Colombo and across the country keen to purchase the biggest, best and freshest offerings to sell in their restaurants, shops and stalls.

This tour takes in the wholesale fish market beside the town’s main harbour as well as the local fish market near the beach where fish is sold by small-scale fishermen and third party vendors. One of our chefs will accompany you if you wish and tell you about the different kinds of fish being sold. He’ll teach you how to identify the freshest fish and advise which recipes these different types of fish would suit. The local fish market is also home to a line of fish butchers who are paid to clean and slice each fish to perfection. Behind the market is an authentic fishing beach where you will usually see fishermen pulling in smaller fish from the nets on their boats. These small fish are salt washed and sun dried, and later added to curries or sambols which gives a more pungent fishy flavour to dishes. Along the shores of this beach you can watch the fish (and purple squid) being soaked in huge vats of brine and being laid out to dry on hessian mats in the heat of the Sri Lankan sun.

Location: Meet at the Colombo Fort Café at the Old Dutch Hospital
Tour Duration: 4–5 hours including transfers from/ to The Wallawwa
Host: Colombo Fort Walks
Group size: 2–6 people
What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes, and something to cover your shoulders in case you enter anywhere that requires you to be covered
Other: The drive into Colombo is about 45 minutes each way so the complete tour will take more than half a day The tour usually starts at 3pm. There are many great picture opportunities so please do take your camera; the guide will let you know when it is not appropriate to take pictures.

Your tour starts at the Old Dutch Hospital where you will meet your guide and anyone else taking part in the tour. Your guide will start by giving you a talk about the history of Colombo from the city’s days as a former colony of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. Colombo’s Fort area is home to some of the city’s most historic buildings, including the splendid Old Dutch Hospital, and you’ll have the opportunity to visit and photograph many of these ageing landmarks on your tour. As you are guided around the Fort’s most historic streets, you’ll gain an insight into colonial Colombo’s former greatness. A highlight of this part of the tour is a refreshing break for tea at the city’s oldest hotel, overlooking the grandiose harbour.

After exploring the Fort, your tour continues in neighbouring Pettah, the largest wholesale market in the country, which sells everything imaginable from electronics and haberdashery to spices and locally grown fruit and vegetables. The market is a complete contrast to the relative tranquility of the Fort and encompasses many streets, each of which specialises in a different product; buyers from across Sri Lanka come here to stock up on goods for their stores. The market is chaotic from dawn until dusk, but your guide will lead you down the best and most interesting streets and if there’s time, to some of the area’s hidden gems such as the Jumma Mosque and the Dutch Period Museum. Bring your camera and expect to be blown away by the sights, sounds and smells of this fascinating market.

These tours are the best way to experience Colombo and learn about its fascinating colonial history. Each tour is fully customisable, so you could choose just to focus on the Fort or The Pettah, rather than a combination of both. They also specialise in photographic tours. Be aware that on poya days (full moon holidays) and on Sundays the markets are closed so your tour will focus on the Fort instead. On Sundays traffic in the Fort area is very much reduced so this is a good day for photography.

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Location: The Wallawwa
Tour Duration: 90 minutes approx. plus lunch
Host: Wallawwa Chef
Group size: 2–6 people
What to wear: Very casual
Other: Do bring a camera if you’d like to take pictures

Meet with the Wallawwa chef for an in-depth demonstration on how to replicate some of the fabulous rice and curry dishes served at our restaurant. You’ll learn about the various spices used to flavour the dishes and the different methods of preparing each of the delicious curries. The chef will select fresh vegetables from our kitchen garden prior to the cook and you are very welcome to join him on the kitchen garden tour if you like, so please let our team know at the time of booking whether you’d like to join the chef.

In the demonstration the chef will use clay pots to cook each curry. These clay ‘chatties’ are the secret to providing an authentic and distinctive flavour to Sri Lankan cuisine and have been used across the island for centuries. Villagers in rural areas still use them for cooking on an open hearth.

You will have the option of picking from a fish, chicken or seafood curry, along with a dhal (lentil) curry and a selection of vegetable curries depending upon what is fresh and in season. The chef will also share his method for making a traditional rice accompaniment. You may get involved as much or as little as you wish and you’ll have many opportunities to taste the curries during the cook. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like – our chefs will be happy to indulge you!

After the demonstration, enjoy a lunchtime feast of the delicious curries you’ve prepared followed by a traditional Sri Lankan dessert.

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Location:Local tea factory
Duration: 90 minutes
Host: Factory manager
Group size: 1+
What to wear: Trainers or other comfortable shoes (preferably closed toe). We will provide a white coat to go over your clothes for the factory tour.
Other: No photographs are allowed inside the factories.

Camellia Hills is surrounded by acres of verdant neatly plucked tea bushes that have been flourishing here for close to a century. This region of Sri Lanka is home to some of the island’s finest upcountry teas. Most of the tea in the immediate valley is produced by Bogalawantalawa Plantations (the mother ship of Norwood Estates) whilst in the next valley across the main holding company is Maskeliya.

During this experience, you’ll learn all about the tea production process by visiting one of our local tea factories. The factories themselves are icons of the Hill Country; vast, atmospheric and filled with heavy machinery, some dating back over a century, these multi-windowed warehouses are where the magic process of tea production happens. The leaves are brought in from the tea gardens, dried, withered and rolled, before being fired to remove as much moisture as possible. Finally, they’re sorted into fragrant particle sizes ranging from the finest dust to the most prized variety, orange pekoe.
One of the factory managers will host you on this experience and take you on a guided tour, showing you the processes, introducing you to the machines and demonstrating how each of them works. You’ll also be accompanied by a Camellia Hills butler who can assist with any in depth interpretation. At the end, you’ll have the opportunity to taste a few varieties of tea in an insightful tea tasting session. The factories have a few varieties of tea for sale so if you wish you can purchase some to take back home.

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Location: Fairlawn Estate
Duration: Half day
Host: Camellia Hills butler
Group size: +1 (private tour)
What to wear: Good walking shoes or trainers and comfortable clothes. Bring a light jacket in case of rain.

This half-day experience involves a very scenic drive through undulating tea estates to Fairlawn Falls, a pretty off-the-beaten-track waterfall on the Maskeliya Oya, for a picturesque walk and a picnic. The waterfall cascades around four-metres down a rock face, in the process creating several pools, however since it falls in three segments, the total extent of the waterfall is more like 15-metres.

This is an easy walk that involves a bit of an ascent. You’ll be dropped off at the estate village of Fairlawn close to an abandoned tea factory, and then walk up with our guide through the lower forest and tea estates. The vegetation is lush and the river cuts a deep crevice down the hill. Houses scatter the hillside and the estate path winds up into the misty reaches of the mountain above. After a short walk, you’ll come to a clearing on the river bank and enjoy a picturesque picnic and, depending on the season, have the opportunity to dip into the river near the falls for an invigorating wild swim.

The drive to Fairlawn takes around 01 hr and on the way you’ll pass a few Hindu kovils. If you like we can stop off at one of these kovils and explore its characteristically colourful interior. Hindu shrines are very photographic, and this one sits on the side of a valley with tea bushes all around.

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Location: Around Camellia Hills
Duration: 1-2 hrs.
Host: Camellia Hills driver
What to wear: Comfortable clothes, hats, sun cream and camera
Other: This location is ideal to for a picnic lunch, afternoon tea or just a few cocktails after a busy day plucking tea.

The story of tea in Sri Lanka starts with the Scotish planter James Taylor in 1866 in “Loolecondara” estate in Galaha the remnants of his cottage and tea bushes are still preserved as a permanent memento to the man credited for introducing tea to Sri Lanka, he died aged 57 and was buried in Kandy cemetery, in the country he came to love as a planter. Today, almost one hundred and fifty years after James Taylor, Sri Lanka’s central hills from Hatton, Dickoya, Bogawanthalawa, to Nuwara Eliya and every small town in higher elevations have their ground covered in a carpet of premium quality Sri Lankan tea.

The view and ambiance from the “secret view point” are such that nearly all our guests are mesmerised with the beauty and serenity of the tea estates and Castlereagh reservoir. The trip entails a short walk around the surrounding tea estate and up some steep steps to the view point where waiters stand by or leave you in peace to take in the priceless view.

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Host: Camellia Hills butler and local fisherman
What to wear: The banks of the lake can sometimes be a bit muddy or wet so you might prefer to wear flip flops or remove your shoes to get in/out of the boat. Shorts are better than trousers.
Note: Visitors are very welcome to join the English services held every first and third Sunday of the month at Warleigh Church. Please let us know if you’d like to attend and we can assist with transport.
Other: It takes around 45 minutes to drive to Warleigh Church and 40 minutes to travel there by boat, plus a short walk. This experience could also be combined with a tour of Norwood Tea Factory. Darawella Club can also be visited independently, for an atmospheric pre- or post-dinner drink.

If you’re interested in learning more about the pioneers of Ceylon Tea in this part of the Hill Country, this experience is for you as it offers a greater insight into the lifestyle of the British planters.

We’ll take you to quaint Warleigh Church, a tiny church perched on a hill above the Castlereagh Reservoir. One of the best ways to reach the church is by boat, a 40-minute float across the reservoir and a 10-minute hike up the bank. You can get some great photos of the church from the water.

The church was built in 1878 by British planters (for British planters), and its stone exterior exhibits a typical colonial style. The interior is cosy, with worn timber pews, yet it is very well preserved. There’s a trio of 19th century stained glass windows above a carved wooden altar and the church’s original, yet weather-beaten bible, is still here, along with an ageing pipe organ in working condition.

The church is set within a lush garden beneath towering cypress trees, and its graveyard is where the story of the British planters comes alive. Many of the tombstones you see bear names more in keeping with an English or Scottish graveyard, than one in Sri Lanka. Whole families perished here in Ceylon, in their adopted homeland, and many gravestones are of tiny children, some just a few days old.

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Location: Castlereagh Reservoir
Duration: 1 to 1 ½ hours
Host: Camellia Hills butler and local fisherman
Group size: +1 (private tour)
What to wear: The banks of the lake can sometimes be a bit muddy or wet so you might prefer to wear flip flops or remove your shoes to get in/out of the boat. Shorts are better than trousers.
Other: You can either go for a relaxing punt around the reservoir or stop on an island for a picnic.

The Castlereagh Reservoir is one of the most engaging components of our valley, and it stretches itself for five kilometres between steep mountains cloaked in green tea. Getting out on the water is a really tranquil way to appreciate this stunning scenery and on this experience you’ll board a traditional dugout canoe, and gently explore the lake with a local fisherman. As you travel, almost silently, across the still water of the lake, you could enjoy a short circuit or a longer one taking in perhaps a visit to Warleigh Church at the reservoir’s northern end. You could also head south to explore the ruined spire of a Buddhist temple that pokes up from the water near the dam. This is one of the only visible remnants of a village that was flooded to create this reservoir and dam (for a hydro-power station).

Another option is to stop off at one of the many islands on the reservoir and enjoy a very secluded picnic or a snack. Our team can set up a table for you to enjoy lunch in one of Sri Lanka’s most dramatic dining destinations, or we could arrange a picnic for you with hot tea, cool drinks and gourmet snacks. If you’d like to surprise a loved one (perhaps with a proposal?), we can help make the occasion extra special. We’ll work behind the scenes to ensure they know nothing of it until they reach the island. The boat trips are best enjoyed earlier or later in the day when the heat of the day is a little less. In the morning, if you go early enough, you may be lucky to photograph mist peeling itself off from the surface of the lake, and floating weightlessly up through the tea bushes and into the clouds. Magic!

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Location: Castlereagh Valley
Duration: 1, 2, 3+ hours
Host: Alone or with Camellia Hills butler (optional)
Group size: 1+
What to wear: A good pair of walking shoes or trainers and a raincoat if it looks showery
Other: After rainy weather you’re highly likely to encounter leeches, especially when walking ‘off road’. Leeches aren’t harmful, and more of an annoyance than anything else. If one attaches to you, try to resist the urge to pull it off. The best thing to do is to apply salt, which will encourage the leech to fall off by itself.

A combination of killer views, spectacular scenery and a temperate climate makes Camellia Hills a superb place to get active. We have researched a number of trails from our bungalow that take you through some of the region’s most inspiring hill country scenery. Whether you’re looking for a short one-hour amble or a longer hike, we have a few trails of varying difficulties designed to suit all.

In the immediate vicinity of the bungalow are acres of tea bushes, and most of our trails navigate tea estate paths, roads and tracks that look down upon the picturesque Castlereagh Reservoir. The views from our side of the valley are stunning, and we’ll either take you on loops west into the Norwood Estate, east into the village or up the hillside behind our bungalow to a viewpoint for wide-angled panoramas of the valley. There’s also a little waterfall up here too. We can also arrange surprise picnics and refreshments along some of these routes, in secluded spots chosen for their views.

What will you see? You might see groups of ladies methodically plucking tea leaves and pause to watch them at work. The trails also pass little Hindu shrines and tea weighing stations where the ladies congregate to get their sacks of leaves weighed a few times a day. In the villages, you may suddenly find yourself surrounded by a gaggle of children, eager to practise their English skills with you and say hello. Many species of birds reside in the forests fringing the tea fields, as do wild cats and leopards.

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Location: Dalhousie.
Duration: 8 hours
Host: Camellia Hills driver and guide
Group size: 1+ (private tour)
What to wear: Good walking shoes or trainers, cotton or moisture wicking clothing, a sun hat, a jumper and a pair of socks for the summit (you’ll have to remove your shoes at the top as it’s a temple).
Other: The sheer number of steps make this very tough on the knees.

The hike up Adam’s Peak is one of Sri Lanka’s greatest activities. Not only is this an excuse to stretch your legs and attempt Sri Lanka’s fifth highest peak, but it’s also very much a cultural experience. From the full moon in December to the full moon in May, devotees from all four of Sri Lanka’s religions – most barefoot, some carrying infants, and others on crutches – climb to the top of this peak to pay homage to Sri Pada, or the ‘Sacred Footprint’, which lies at the summit. The temple at the top is Buddhist, and the original story claims this as the footprint of The Buddha, made at the request of the local God Saman. However, over subsequent years it has been claimed by other religions too; Muslims attribute it to Adam, Hindus to Shiva and Christians to St Thomas, the founder of Christianity in India.
Adam’s Peak is traditionally climbed in the early hours of the morning so that you reach the summit at dawn. This offers the best chance of appreciating the spectacular views free of cloud, and of the island’s enigmatic conical-shaped shadow. From the drop off point in the nearest village of Dalhousie, it usually takes around 3-4 hours to reach the summit depending upon your level of fitness. The route is well marked, and during the December-May season it is also well lit and flanked by snacks, drinks and food stalls (lots of rotis, waddes, sweet tea and sugary treats) catering to weary pilgrims so it is almost impossible to go hungry. It’s tough; the 7-kilometre climb is mostly stepped (think over 6,000), and this can tax even seasoned hill walkers (especially on the way down). Aim to reach the summit around 6-6.30am and try to avoid weekends and public holidays, when the route gets crowded.

Climbing at night, and during the season, is the most rewarding time. Dawn breaks as you reach the top and suddenly you are surrounded by the most spectacular scenery. The descent is quicker and takes around 2.5-hours (though your legs will have turned to jelly), and it feels like a different trail as you suddenly have verdant mountains, lakes, waterfalls, cloud forest and hills to appreciate.

The mountain, located within the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, is also home to a lot of wildlife. You can climb the peak during the day if you wish (though it may be cloudy at the top, and also very hot) or out of season (May to November), though bear in mind there will be no food stalls or lights. There are many more walks in the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, so please ask us if you’d like to venture further.
We can arrange a guide to escort you to the top or you may just wish to go yourselves.

Location: Camellia Hills Garden
Duration: 1 hour and half (plus lunch)
Host: Camellia Hills Chef
Group size: 2 guests
What to wear: Comfortable clothing
Other: Your camera if you want to take pictures

Meet with one of head chefs at 11 am for an in-depth demonstration of how to make some of the stunning rice and curry dishes served in our restaurant. You’ll learn about the spices used to flavor the dishes and the different methods of preparing each of the delicious curries. The chef will select some fresh vegetables from the local markets prior to the demonstration to use in the cook; you are very welcome to join him on his visit to the fresh produce market if you like so please let our staff know at the time of booking if you’d like to visit the market too.

In the demonstration the chef will use clay pots to cook each curry; these clay chatties impart an authentic and distinctive flavour to Sri Lankan cuisine and have been used across the island for centuries. Villagers in rural areas still use them for cooking on an open hearth. You can choose from one fish, chicken or seafood curry, along with a dhal (red lentil) curry and a selection of vegetable curries depending upon what is fresh and in season. The chef will also share with you his secrets for making the perfect rice accompaniment. You may get involved as much or as little as you wish and you’ll have many opportunities to taste the curries during the cooking process. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like – our chefs will be happy to indulge you!

After the demonstration, enjoy a lunchtime feast of the delicious curries you’ve seen prepared followed by a traditional Sri Lankan dessert.

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Location: Local tea factory
Duration: 90 minutes
Host: Factory manager and butler
Group size: 1+
What to wear: Trainers or other comfortable shoes (preferably closed toe).
Other: No photographs are allowed inside the factories

Goatfell is surrounded by acres of verdant neatly plucked tea bushes that have been flourishing here for close to a century. This region of Sri Lanka is home to some of the island’s finest upcountry teas.

During this experience, you’ll learn all about the tea production process by visiting one of our local tea factories. The factories themselves are icons of the Hill Country; vast, atmospheric and filled with heavy machinery, some dating back over a century, these multi-windowed warehouses are where the magic process of tea production happens. The leaves are brought in from the tea gardens, dried, withered and rolled, before being fired to remove as much moisture as possible. Finally, they’re sorted into fragrant particle sizes ranging from the finest dust to the most prized variety, orange pekoe.

One of the factory managers will host you on this experience and take you on a guided tour, showing you the processes, introducing you to the machines and demonstrating how each of them works. You’ll also be accompanied by a Goatfell butler who can assist with any in depth interpretation. At the end, you’ll have the opportunity to taste a few varieties of tea in an insightful tea tasting session. The factories have a few varieties of tea for sale so if you wish you can purchase some to take back home.

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Location: Concordia Estate
Duration: 1, 2, 3+ hours
Host: Alone or with a butler (optional)
Group size: 1+
What to wear: A good pair of walking shoes or trainers and a raincoat if it looks showery

A combination of killer views, spectacular scenery and a temperate climate makes Goatfell a superb place to get active. We have researched a number of trails from our bungalow that take you through some of the region’s most inspiring hill country scenery. Whether you’re looking for a short one-hour amble or a longer hike, we have a few trails of varying difficulties designed to suit all.
In the immediate vicinity of the bungalow are acres of tea bushes, and most of our trails navigate tea estate paths, roads and tracks that look down upon the picturesque valley and Ragala town.

What will you see? You might see groups of ladies methodically plucking tea leaves and pause to watch them at work. The trails also pass little Hindu shrines and tea weighing stations where the ladies congregate to get their sacks of leaves weighed a few times a day. In the villages, you may suddenly find yourself surrounded by a gaggle of children, eager to practise their English skills with you and say hello. Many species of birds reside in the forests fringing the tea fields, as do wild buffalo and spotted deer.

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Location: Goatfell’s garden
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
What to wear: Comfortable clothes, hats, sun cream and camera
Other: This location is ideal to for a picnic lunch, afternoon tea or just a few cocktails after a busy day plucking tea

The story of tea in Sri Lanka starts with the Scotish planter James Taylor in 1866 in “Loolecondara” estate in Galaha the remnants of his cottage and tea bushes are still preserved as a permanent memento to the man credited for introducing tea to Sri Lanka, he died aged 57 and was buried in Kandy cemetery, in the country he came to love as a planter. Today, almost one hundred and fifty years after James Taylor, Sri Lanka’s central hills from Hatton, Dickoya, Bogawanthalawa, to Nuwara Eliya and every small town in higher elevations have their ground covered in a carpet of premium quality Sri Lankan tea.

The view and ambiance from the Goatfell’s view points are such that nearly all our guests are mesmerised with the beauty and serenity of the tea estates. The trip entails a short walk around the surrounding tea estate and up some steep steps to the view point where waiters stand by or leave you in peace to take in the priceless view.

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Location: Goatfell’s garden
Duration: 1 hour and half hours (plus lunch)
Host: Chef Lakjana
Group size: 2 guests
What to wear: Comfortable clothing
Other: Your camera if you want to take pictures

Meet with Chef Lakjana or one of the other chefs at 11 am for an in-depth demonstration of how to make some of the stunning rice and curry dishes served in our restaurant. You’ll learn about the spices used to flavour the dishes and the different methods of preparing each of the delicious curries. The chef will select some fresh vegetables from the local markets prior to the demonstration to use in the cook; you are very welcome to join him on his visit to the fresh produce market if you like so please let our staff know at the time of booking if you’d like to visit the market too.

In the demonstration the chef will use clay pots to cook each curry; these clay chatties impart an authentic and distinctive flavour to Sri Lankan cuisine and have been used across the island for centuries. Villagers in rural areas still use them for cooking on an open hearth. You can choose from one fish, chicken or seafood curry, along with a dhal (red lentil) curry and a selection of vegetable curries depending upon what is fresh and in season. The chef will also share with you his secrets for making the perfect rice accompaniment. You may get involved as much or as little as you wish and you’ll have many opportunities to taste the curries during the cooking process. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like – our chefs will be happy to indulge you!

After the demonstration, enjoy a lunchtime feast of the delicious curries you’ve seen prepared followed by a traditional Sri Lankan dessert.

Location: - Nuwara Eliya City
Duration: Full day
Host: Camellia Hills driver
What to wear: Comfortable clothes, hats, sun cream and camera

Nuwara Eliya is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate, located at an altitude of 1,868 metres (6,128 feet). Due to its unique weather, it is considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka. The town is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. It is the heart of Sri Lankan tea country interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls. And true to the expectations, we find breath-taking views of valleys, meadows, mountains and greenery in salubrious climate.

The town's attractions include the golf course, trout streams, Victoria Park, and boating or fishing on Lake Gregory. Victoria Park is an attractive and well-used oasis. There are many popular water falls around the town. Many could be visited as a part of trekking and/or hiking expeditions. St.Clair, Aberdeen, Lakshapana, Lover's Lea, among others.

Nuwara Eliya is popular bird watching country & there are two excellent areas close to the town. Galway Land Bird Sanctuary covers 60 hectares to the north of Lake Gregory, while in Victoria Park, in the centre of town, 38 species have been identified. Victoria Park also has an unusual ornithological distinction: despite its proximity to the town centre, it's a sort of an ornithological hotspot, being visited by a number of rare Himalayan migrant birds, including the yellow-eared bulbul, Kashmir flycatcher, Indian blue robin & the Pied thrush, Grey tit, Pacific swallow as well as Sri Lankan endemics such as the Sri Lanka white-eye. Along the stream that runs through the park are green sandpipers.

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Location: Peak Wilderness
Duration: Full day
What to wear: Comfortable clothes, hats, sun cream and camera

Horton plain, its surroundings forests and the adjoining Peak Wilderness, consolidate Sri Lanka’s most important catchment area of almost all the major rives. The plains are also of outstanding habitats and endemic plants and animals’ representatives of the country wet and montage zones.

Horton plains comprises a gently undulation highland plateau at the southern end of the central mountains massif of Sri Lanka. It is dominated to the north by Mount Totupolakanda (2,357 metres) and to the west by Mount Kirigalpotta (2,389 metres). Two escarpments filling from the Horton Plain have contributed immensely to its awe-inspiring physiognomy, “big worlds end” by 884 metres. The charm of the verdure of the mountains encircling he plains as intermittently concealed by mist is heightened by the sparking Baker’s fall. The altitude of the park ranges from about 1,800 to 2,389 metres at the top of Kirigalpotta. Temperatures are low, with an annual mean temperature 15ºC and ground frost is common in December to February.

Horton Plains is well recognized for its rich biodiversity, its flora given to a high level of endemism. 5% of species are found to be endemic to Sri Lanka. The plateau supports grassland fringed and interspersed with patches of dense montane cloud forest. A rich herbaceous flora flourishes on the patanas with numerous species of both temperate and topical origin. A vast extent of the patanas was broken and brought under potato cultivation a few decades ago. The origin of the montane grasslands has long been debated. Some workers opining that the grassland are an artificial community created by forest clearance and maintained by periodic burning while others considering them to the natural vegetation of these uplands.

A century ago, Horton Plains was rich with elephants though, sadly, British hunters shot them to near-extinction; however signs of a small population of elephants in the Peak Wilderness area are still evident. Now the park is frequented by Sambar Deer and due to their large numbers the population of the Leopard also has increased. Wild Boar, the endemic Bear Monkey and Toque Monkey, Slender Loris, Fishing cat, Otter, Barking deer, Strip-necked Mongoose, Long-tailed Giant Squirrel are some of the other mammals found here.

All of the highland endemics are found in Horton Plains. A birdwatcher must visit Horton Plains to complete the list of endemics in Sri Lanka. Some of the highlights here include Sri Lanka Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka White-eye, Spot-winged Thrush, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Scaly Thrush, Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Brown-capped Babbler, Sri Lanka Spur-fowl and Sri Lanka Jungle-fowl. Other highlights are the Himalayan migrants Pied Thrush, Kashmir Flycather & Indian Pitta.

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Location: Bentota
Duration: 2 hours
Host: Lunuganga butler
Group size: 1+ (private tour)

What to wear: Cool, lightweight clothing, footwear suitable for walking, a hat, sunscreen and camera.

This inspirational experience takes place at Lunuganga, the former holiday home of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated architect, Geoffrey Bawa, whose inspiration continues to this day.

Spread over 15 acres, this iconic estate sits at the banks of the Dedduwa Lake in Bentota. Although the name Lunuganga translates to ‘salt river’ in Sinhala, the estate is said to have been used as a cinnamon plantation, followed by a rubber plantation during the Dutch and British period respectively, before being taken over by Bawa in 1949 to develop as his weekend bungalow. The enchanting retreat and fascinating gardens of Lunuganga was often considered a beautifully crafted experimental ground for Bawa, whose extraordinary work can be seen amidst the many architectural charms across the estate.

Now, under the management of Teardrop Hotels, the estate continues to provide telling insights into the life’s work of this prolific architect. Elements of Italian Renaissance gardens, English landscaping, Japanese garden art, and the water gardens of ancient Sri Lanka come together to form Bawa’s most extravagant creation - a mecca for those passionate about landscape design and architectural history.

Geoffrey was famous for his tropical modernist style of architecture, features of which include blurred boundaries between indoor and outdoor areas, linear verandas, and windows that framed views of both, inside and outside a room. His work has had a tremendous impact upon architecture throughout Asia and is unanimously acclaimed by connoisseurs of architecture worldwide.

Lunuganga now also includes the three-bedroom house of Bawa’s dear friend – Ena de Silva. A batik artist based in Colombo, Ena de Silva commissioned Bawa to design her home in 1962- a pivotal project in his life’s work. In 2009, Ena sold the house to The Bawa Trust, which then moved the property brick by brick from its location in Colombo to Lunuganga. The house took three months to disassemble and six years to rebuild, led by architect Amila de Mel and conservation specialist Nilan Cooray. Everything from the frangipani tree in the front courtyard to the slabs of river stone remains just as it was in the original house.

A staff member of Lunuganga will meet you on arrival and introduce you to life and times of the late Geoffrey Bawa whilst taking you on a tour through the magical gardens. Every turn and bend in Lunuganga is an interesting experience - with so many exotic plants, trees and views to take in. The house is also adorned with paintings and photographs that is a marvel in its own right. You will also have the opportunity to visit Ena de Silva’s house, if it isn’t occupied at the time.

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Location: Ambalangoda
Duration: 60-90 minutes
Group size: 1 to 3 guests
What to wear: Comfortable clothes (no beachwear)
Other: Option to paint your own mask for an additional LKR 1,750 per person
(allow another 90 minutes).

Southern Sri Lanka is famous for its arts and crafts, and Ambalangoda, just a five-minute drive south
of the hotel, is its undisputed capital. For years, craftsmen have been carving life-like masks out of
balsa wood to use in three types of dance drama; devil dancing, folk dancing and medicinal masks.

On this tour you will first visit a mask museum in Ambalangoda. You’ll see how the masks are made
(you can have a go yourself if you wish for an additional LKR1750 per person) in the workshop and
then have a tour of their little museum. Some of the masks in here are 200-years-old, and the
museum provides a brief glimpse at the different uses of masks. There’s a shop upstairs. Across the
road is another mask museum (the two museums are owned by brothers), with a smaller selection of
masks.

On your way back to the hotel, you have the option of stopping off at the house of Dudley Silva,
a noted local batik artist. Dudley learnt the craft of batik-making from his uncle and now exhibits
his creations across Asia. He has a tiny workshop at the back of his home where you can see the
process of batik making, and plenty of finished batiks available for sale in his shop.

Location: Kosgoda
Duration: 1 hour
Group size: 1 to 3 guests
What to wear: Comfortable clothes
Other: No flash photography is allowed.

Kosgoda Beach, a 20-minute drive north of the hotel, is one of Sri Lanka’s most important nesting
grounds for marine turtles. As many as five out of the world’s seven species of marine turtle visit and
lay their eggs on Sri Lankan shores yet all of these species are considered to be either threatened or endangered. Female turtles come ashore and lay their eggs on the very same beach they were born. Once their eggs are buried, they return to the sea and leave them unattended to mature and hatch.

Unfortunately, although it’s illegal, turtle eggs are still collected and sold as a gourmet/medicinal
delicacy in Sri Lanka. Turtle hatcheries, such as this government-accredited one on the beach,
purchase the eggs directly from ‘egg poachers’ and rebury them safely in their hatchery. It’s not
cheap. The current rate per egg is LKR20, and a turtle lays, on average, 150 eggs in one sitting.
Turtle eggs take around two months to mature, and when ready, the hatchlings emerge from their
eggs and make a bid for the sea. The scamper to sea and their first days and weeks in the ocean
are fraught with danger. Not many of them make it. Only around one percent of turtles will reach
adulthood.

This is a small but tidy hatchery. You’ll be guided around and are very likely to see baby turtles
(though these are usually released into the sea at night within one day of them hatching), juvenile
turtles and adult turtles – these will be a mix of green (most commonly seen), olive ridley and
leatherback species. There is also a small museum. Your donation goes towards protecting local
turtles.

Although there are a number of turtle hatcheries in the area (that all seem pretty similar), we chose
this one for a few reasons. They are committed to protecting the turtle’s habitat by organising weekly
beach cleans every Thursday (along a 5km stretch), and encouraging school children to get involved
by coming to learn about marine turtles. They also have overseas volunteers working here.

It might be possible to see the release of baby turtles into the sea if your visit coincides with a time
that hatchlings are planned to be released into the sea. This is usually done at night and you can
ask at the hatchery if you can return at night to see the release of hatchlings (additional cost may
apply).

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Location: Kumu garden or beach
Duration: 90 minutes plus lunch
Host: Kumu Beach Chef.
Group size: 2 guests
What to wear: Comfortable clothing
Other: Your camera if you want to take pictures.

Meet with one of Kumu Beach chefs at 11 am for an in-depth demonstration of how to make some of
the stunning rice and curry dishes served in our restaurant. You’ll learn about the spices used to
flavour the dishes and the different methods of preparing each of the delicious curries. The chef will
select some fresh vegetables from the local markets prior to the demonstration to use in the cook;
you are very welcome to join him on his visit to the fresh produce market if you like so please let our
staff know at the time of booking if you’d like to visit the market too.

In the demonstration the chef will use clay pots to cook each curry; these clay chatties impart an
authentic and distinctive flavour to Sri Lankan cuisine and have been used across the island for
centuries. Villagers in rural areas still use them for cooking on an open hearth. You can choose from
one fish, chicken or seafood curry, along with a dhal (red lentil) curry and a selection of vegetable
curries depending upon what is fresh and in season. The chef will also share with you his secrets for
making the perfect rice accompaniment. You may get involved as much or as little as you wish and
you’ll have many opportunities to taste the curries during the cooking process. Feel free to ask as
many questions as you like – our chefs will be happy to indulge you!

After the demonstration, enjoy a lunchtime feast of the delicious curries you’ve seen prepared
followed by a traditional Sri Lankan dessert.

Location: Madu Ganga River
Duration: 2 hours
Group size: 1 to 6 guests
What to wear: Comfortable clothing

The Madu Ganga is a shallow 915-hectare lake system home to 64 islands (15 that are surrounded by water year-round) that’s connected to the sea by a brackish estuary. This crucial waterbody is fringed by vital mangrove plants and is one of the south coast’s most unique wetland ecosystems. It is home to over 300 plant species and 200 vertebrate animals. The mangroves are also a sanctuary for 110 species of aquatic birds such as eagles, cormorants, kingfishers and herons. On a typical trip you are also very likely to see monkeys, water monitors and giant squirrels, and maybe even a crocodile. Most of the villagers living in the vicinity of the lake and the islands make their living from fishing and farming, to a lesser extent, cottage industries such as the production of cinnamon quills and oil.

The entrance to the wetlands is just a few minutes’ drive from the hotel. You’ll board your private
boat (seats up to six) from a jetty and cruise the short journey up the estuary to reach the wetlands.
The boat has a shade that can be quickly put up if you require (once you’ve passed under the low
bridges). A guide will point out any wildlife, and take you to a series of destinations on the lake –
these include dark and shady mangrove ‘tunnels’, which the boat drives through, an island where
you can see the production of cinnamon, and to the Koth Duwa Maha Raja Temple, a well-kept
Buddhist temple with old bo tree which is once thought to have sheltered the sacred tooth relic of
the Buddha. There are also a couple of fish spas on the banks of the wetlands which you can stop at
if you wish.

The boat trip takes around two hours and is best done first thing in the morning or in the late
afternoon, when it is cooler and when you’re more likely to see more wildlife. Life jackets are provided.

If you wish, we can pack you a picnic and some cold beers (or wine) to enjoy on the rocky banks of
one of the islands – please just let us know in advance so we can let the boatmen know.

Location: Hikkaduwa Beach
Duration: 120 minutes including transportation
Group size: 1 to 3 guests
What to wear: Comfortable clothing

Surfing is a major part of the Sri Lankan coastal culture. Sri Lanka has been a major surf destination
since the 1970s, with the main surf spots in the South Coast (during December to March), and the
East Coast (from July through to October). From Hikkaduwa up to Tangalle, there are reef-break
points and dive spots on almost every beach, with less of a crowd on the waves than the East Coast.

A few beaches over from Balapitiya and a 20-minute drive, Hikkaduwa has great surf, especially for
beginners. With white water waves, shallow water, longboards and foam boards available, Hikkaduwa
is the perfect place for everyone to learn how to surf! The more advanced-level waves are further
back behind the white water waves, with offshore winds making clean waves and consistent swells,
and rain at a minimum during peak season.

The surf lesson begins with half an hour of theory and explanation of the basic moves and
techniques. The theory is then followed by a one-hour practical lesson in the surf with the instructor
to help get you up on the wave! Lessons are suitable for everyone - children, locals, foreigners,
expats and even advanced surfers. The lessons can also customize for the level required.

Location: Galle Fort
Duration: 1 -2 hours
Host: Atheeq Ifthikar - Ceylon Soul
Group size: 1+
What to wear: Cool, lightweight clothing, suitable footwear and your camera

The Ceylon Soul Galle Fort Walk with a Resident is hosted by a local guide that comments on the attractions and cultural history of the Galle Fort . Nestled within fourteen strategically erected bastions, which demarcate Galle Fort’s extent, are numerous places of worship, a plush hotel originally used as the Dutch Governor’s residence, an old warehouse utilised to safekeep ship equipment and store spices, several local schools, a post office, a lighthouse, and a clock tower, all criss-crossed by a grid pattern of streets.

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Description to follow

Location: Kanneliya
Duration: 3.5 hours, including transfer time (1.5 hours one way) from the hotel
Host: Trekking porter
Group size: 1+

What to wear: Comfortable and light clothing, comfortable footwear, a rain jacket/umbrella (during the monsoon season) and sunscreen.

The Kanneliya Rainforest is one of Sri Lanka's lesser known forest reserves, yet astonishingly, it is one of the world’s 21 biodiversity hotspots! Marked as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2004, the forest covers an area of 5,306 hectares and boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna. Some 220 faunal species (of which 41 are endemic) have been recorded, including 86 species of mammals, 36 species of snakes (17 endemic forms), and several varieties of fish, butterflies, dragonflies, amphibians and reptiles. Of the 26 endemic birds in Sri Lanka, 20 of them can be found here. Flora includes over 500 types of tress and a wide variety of medicinal herbs and rare plants. The reserve is also a major catchment area for two of the most important rivers in the region, the Gin and Nilwala Ganga (river), which feed numerous other rivers and streams.

Four attractions in this enchanting forest include the cascading Anagimale Waterfall, an ancient tangled giant creeper the height of a person, the little waterfall of ‘Narangas Ella’ and a massive Nevada tree with an observation platform, a great spot to look out over the lush reserve.

Neatly tucked away just 35km from Galle, the outskirts of the Kanneliya forest houses around 78 villages. Your tracker is from one of these villages and has spent his entire lifetime living within the reserve. Our recommended trek, approximately 2 hours, takes you passed the Nevada tree to the beautiful Anagimale Waterfall. The tracker will walk you through the forest, showing you particular plants and trees, and pointing out any animal sightings along the way. If you're feeling adventurous you can even crawl through a mini cave underneath the rainforest floor! You will stop at the waterfall for refreshments and a quick break, before heading back to the entrance of the forest.

The cherry on top – You’ll finish up with a hearty, authentic, Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch cooked by your tracker's wife in their nearby home, and served at a table in the shallows of an idyllic lake. The scenery in the area is straight out of The Jungle Book and the opportunity to be out in nature makes this a fantastic experience for children and families. If the event of rain, the lunch will be served at their home overlooking the lake.

If you wish to go on one of the longer treks (3.5 hours or 5 hours) please get in touch with the team who will assist in arranging this for you.

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Location: Kumu Beach | Mihiripenna
Duration: 2.5 hrs including transfers
Host: Eva
Group size: 1+
What to wear: Lightweight sports/yoga clothing or breathable shorts and T-shirts

Southern coast is an emerging yoga destination and full of promise of spiritual renewal and reawakening. If you’d like a yoga session, we can connect you with Eva Priyanka Wegener, one of Galle’s best yoga teachers and a practitioner of Hatha Vinyasa Yoga (certified with Yoga Alliance, E-RYT +500). Eva has practiced yoga and meditation since 2002 when she was first introduced to Buddhist meditation on a retreat in Sri Lanka.

You can choose to enjoy a private one on one session with Eva, either in the hotel’s library or at the
beautiful purpose-built Sri Yoga Shala, tucked deep into the Mihiripenna hills, a 20-minute drive from
Galle. This centre is a tranquil timber construction that looks out over the palm trees and inland jungle, and also has a swimming pool and (soon-to-open) health food café.

If you prefer to join one of the group classes at the Shala (usually held from 7.30am to 8.30am and again from 9am to 10am), this is also possible. There are also other experienced visiting yogis who come and conduct classes at the Shala, and our Front Office will be able to check for you which practitioners are currently in attendance along with their daily schedules (group classes take place every day except Sunday).

About Eva
Eva holds certificates in Contemporary Dance and Hatha Vinyasa Yoga (Yoga Alliance). She received her education in Sri Lanka (Nilambe Meditation Center), Germany (Yoga Shala Berlin initial
200hour TT), India (Krishnamarchaya Yoga Mandiram Chennai), with David Swenson in Hong Kong (Ashtanga Teacher Training Immersion, 30hrs), with Louisa Sear, Rose Baudin, Lucy Roberts and Stuart Girling in Bali (Yoga Arts Australia 300hrs TT), with Sri Nanda Kumar (Senior Iyengar Teacher) at Dayananda Ashram in Rishikesh, with Sianna Sherman (Anusara- inspired) and Sally Kempton (Tantric Philosophy & Meditation) in London. Eva conceived and designed the Sri Yoga Shala, which opened in late 2015.

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Location: Inland Galle
Duration: 2-3.5 hours (depending on your route), including transfers from the hotel
Host: Idle Bikes
Group size: 1+
What to wear: Sensible shoes and lightweight, breathable clothing (T-shirts and shorts are ideal), and your camera.
Other: Bicycles, helmets and refreshments are included in the rate.

Sri Lanka’s beach-blessed coastline is a major draw for many visitors to the island, however, its enigmatic rural interior is every bit as appealing. Oceans of paddy fields fringed by coconut palms, local villages, tea estates, ancient temples and lush jungle, all form part of a rich tropical countryside that lies less than a kilometre inland. On festival days you often catch sight of white-clothed devotees making their way to pray at their local temple, and during harvest times, farmers hard at work using a pair of buffalo to plough the fields in a scene reminiscent of yesteryear. The habitat is home to an assortment of wildlife, from exotic birds such as electric blue kingfishers that gaze down at you from telephone cables, mynas, hummingbirds and peacocks, to stealthy monitor lizards and scuttling mongooses.

One of the best ways to explore these magical surroundings and to cover a decent amount of ground is to take a guided bicycle ride. We work with Idle Bikes, who have established guided bicycle adventures in inland Galle. The team have researched a number of routes, of varying lengths and terrains, and have been designed to take you on quiet roads and back lanes so that the experience is safe and enjoyable.

The classic Paddy Trail, suitable for all, is a gentle 12km loop which passes through a bird sanctuary and fields of paddy.

The Paddy and Lake Trail is an extended version for cyclists who wish to stretch their legs a bit more. The 26km ride includes cycling along the shoreline of Koggala Lake and its cinnamon plantations.

The Hiyare Hill Climb is a 41km journey devised for keener cyclists. The route starts with a climb to the pristine Hiyare lake nature reserve before descending back to the beach through the paddy fields via Koggala Lake.

There may be various stops along the way depending on your route (a visit to the Yatagala Temple perhaps) as well as refreshing thambili (king coconut water) hydration breaks.

The bikes are good quality lightweight mountain bikes and are available in different sizes to suit all guests. The team also has children’s bikes and baby seats; please let us know in advance if these are required. The guides have waterproof handle bar bags on their bikes, which they use to safely carry items such as phones and sunscreen.

Tours take place at any time of day, however we recommend the early mornings or late afternoons to avoid the strong midday sun.

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