Sri Lanka, From Colombo to Colombo

Finding well-being in Sri Lanka

Arrival at Colombo airport. Welcome and assistance at the airport by a representative and transfer to Sigiriya (Approx. 190km - 4 hours drive).

On the way, visit the Ridigama temple. Lunch at the temple and meditation class. Later, arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

This morning, breakfast at the hotel.

We begin our stay in the heart of the northern plains, at a charming resort focused on the virtues of Ayurveda and ancient treatments.

Arrival and check-in at the hotel followed by an introduction to Ayurveda:

Ayurveda, developed by the Rishis of India, is an ancient life science that connects the mind and body. Based on five elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether), it identifies three constitutions (doshas): Vata, Pitha, and Kapha. This wisdom uses nutrition, herbs, massages, yoga, and meditation to restore the balance of the doshas and promote overall health.

You will have your first Ayurvedic consultation with the retreat doctor, who will tailor your treatments to ensure they suit your body and health. This is followed by lunch, after which you will enjoy approximately 2 hours of Ayurvedic treatment (treatment times will be set by the doctors).

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

This morning, after breakfast, a session of yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic treatments as advised by the doctor.

Later, visit to a village school for a donation of school supplies (except on public holidays/weekends and school holidays).

Then, in the afternoon, departure for the Talkotte temple and offering of Dhanaya to the monks: A hermitage is located about 30 minutes' drive from Sigiriya. It is an isolated spot surrounded by rice paddies, vegetable fields and forest. Wewala Aranya is a Buddhist temple with natural caves in which some Buddhist monks meditate. You will join the villagers in offering a vegetarian lunch (dhanne) to the monks (duration: approx. 2 hours).

A typical on-site lunch in the monks' presence: a meal prepared with vegetables and spices grown in the monks' kitchen gardens.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Tip: In the temples and in the presence of the monks, it is advisable to wear white clothing covering the shoulders and knees. Visits are barefoot, so bring socks.

This morning:

Breakfast, yoga session, meditation and ayurvedic treatments.

Followed by a shrub planting session at the hotel.

Free optional excursions during your stay:

- Take part in a paper recycling workshop

- Experience traditional pottery with a local craftsman

- Take part in bird and butterfly watching sessions with a naturalist

- Pick vegetables from our organic garden and prepare your harvest with our chefs to discover Sri Lankan cuisine

- Visit the hotel's CSR-funded computer and language centre, R.e.V.

After lunch, head out to visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla. Founded in the 1st century by King Valagamba, it is a remarkable site. The five central caves contain ancient sculptures and paintings of the Buddha and various Hindu deities. These original works of art have been added to over the centuries, and they stand as a monument to the evolution of artistic styles. (Approx. duration: 1h30).

Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Please note:

- Bring clothing that covers shoulders and knees. The tours are barefoot, so bring socks.

- There are 364 steps to climb.

In the morning, yoga session, meditation, Ayurvedic treatments, and breakfast.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Meals and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then departure for Weligama (approx. 300km - 5h30 drive). Upon arrival, check-in at the new hotel and have lunch, followed by an initial Ayurvedic consultation with the retreat's doctor to refine your treatments, then a session of yoga and meditation.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, breakfast, yoga session, meditation, and Ayurvedic treatments.

In the afternoon, visit the Bimbarama temple, a beautiful Buddhist temple located 10 km from Weligama and 1.2 km from Ahangama. Discover beautiful frescoes and representations of Buddha (duration: approximately 1 hour).

Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Note: At the temple, wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Visits are done barefoot, so bring socks.

In the morning, enjoy breakfast, a yoga session, meditation, and Ayurvedic treatments.

In the afternoon, travel by vehicle to the stunning Koggala Lake, which was immortalised by the renowned Sri Lankan writer Martin Wickramasinghe. Once there, enjoy a boat ride with an English-speaking local guide to explore the lake's pristine mangrove ecosystem and its abundance of birds.

Take a bicycle or tuk-tuk ride from the pier to explore the village of Koggala, passing through lush countryside and rice paddies. Stop at a cinnamon plantation to learn about the harvesting process. Did you know that Sri Lanka produces more than 75% of the world's cinnamon? Finish off with some refreshing cinnamon tea and kithul hakuru, a palm-based jaggery.

Return to the hotel at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning routine: yoga session, meditation, breakfast, and Ayurvedic treatments.

In the afternoon, visit the Galle Fortress: Galle is the main city on the South Coast, with its oldest monument being the 17th-century Portuguese and Dutch fort. The journey to Galle follows palm-fringed beaches passing through Hikkaduwa with its beautiful coral gardens and exotic tropical fish.

Visit the Dutch Fort and the city of Galle. As you walk through the streets, you will see strong Dutch influences in the architecture, as well as some old British residences and various mosques with Arabic features. The tour takes about 2 hours on foot.

Return to the hotel at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Morning: yoga session, meditation, breakfast, and Ayurvedic treatments.

Afternoon at leisure.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel or packed according to your flight schedule, then transfer to the airport to catch the flight (distance from Weligama hotel to Colombo airport: approx. 173km - about 2h45 by highway from Weligama).

We hope this stay has brought you well-being and relaxation!

Entry to Sri Lanka is subject to the issue of an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). Applications can be made online at http://www.eta.gov.lk/ or on arrival at the BIA office at the airport.

On arrival in Sri Lanka, visitors must carry a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry, a return ticket and proof of means for the duration of their stay.

Return airport-hotel transfers and transfers between hotels and to the sites on the programme are included and operated in a private, air-conditioned car for 2 people/car with an English-speaking driver. Luggage will be transported in the vehicle.