There’s more to Ulagalla than just the view. Guests can wake up with the dawn chorus and take a guided walk around the estate and beyond. This leisurely 90-minute ramble includes a walk along the banks of Wannemaduwa ‘tank’, a traditional irrigation reservoir built to a design over two thousand years old.

Guests can take to the waters of Wannemaduwa tank in a kayak at dawn or dusk to experience the wildlife of the forest at its most active. Paddle quietly with friendly staff guide through floating islands of lotus blossom, stands of water bird-haunted reeds and overhanging boughs. The soft light of the rising or setting sun turns the air to honey and touches the dragonflies’ wings with gold.

Guests discover the elegant simplicity of Sri Lankan village life on this two-hour guided bicycle excursion, while keeping an eye open for exotic birds and small wildlife along the route. The destination is Veheragalla, a traditional farming village not far from the hotel. Guests will meet the inhabitants and be welcomed at the home of the village headman.

For the nature-loving foodie, guests can enjoy a guided tour of the organic herb and vegetable garden, during which they can hand-pick fresh, juicy ingredients for their lunch. Ending the walk with a visit to the traditional health kitchen, where the herbs and vegetables they’ve selected will be transformed into delicious Sri Lankan dishes.

Surrounded by green woods at Ulagalla, guests may want to try their hand at being Robin Hood. If so, the hotel can supply the equipment – bows, arrows and targets – as well as expert advice and even some friendly competition from the recreational assistants, who are graduates of the Colombo School of Archery. Or guests can engage in a tournament with their own party or fellow guests.

An expert visiting instructor conducts programmes for guests on request. Sessions vary in duration and intensity depending on guests' preference.

This very special excursion only takes place on Poya (full moon) days, which are holy to the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. A Buddhist guide will take guests to Veheragala Temple, where they can observe and participate in the traditional rites of Sinhalese Buddhism such as lamp lighting, circling the stupa and offering floral tributes.

Kite making and kite-flying are popular traditional pastimes all over South Asia. Guests can come along and learn how to make, launch and fly a bamboo and paper kite of classic Sri Lankan design, such as a nye sarungala.