8 Day Yoga, Temple, and Ayurveda Journey in the Sri Lankan Highlands

The Kandy Samadhi Centre sits on an abandoned tea estate, 25 km from the city of Kandy, in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. The property is a collection of individually decorated rooms, some with walls made from a traditional mix of mud and cow dung, others with antique teak furniture and open-air bathrooms. All rooms are unique, and the only soundtrack is the Hulu Ganga River and the calls of tropical birds.

Morning yoga happens in a four-sided open shala where the jungle air moves through freely. Maheshe Kodikara, the resident teacher, has over 40 years of experience in yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong, and leads classes that suit beginners as well as advanced students. The teaching stresses body alignment and a gentle approach, with both Hatha and Iyengar-based sequences, plus yin classes for deeper release and meditation.

The retreat also spends time exploring the local area: guided nature walks, waterfall treks, visits to the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, and excursions into the Knuckles Range. A traditional cooking class is included, and you’ll likely see paddy fields, spice gardens, and tea bushes along the way. Guests often arrive solo and leave with new friends, and the 'house-guest' feel means you’re treated more like a visitor than a customer.

Meals are eaten in a 360-degree open-air restaurant that sits close to the river. The food is organic and grown on the property as much as possible, with 13 varieties of ancient heirloom rice, cooked over wood fires. Vegetarian and vegan options are standard, and the kitchen can cater to gluten-free and diabetic-friendly diets with advance notice. Ayurvedic treatments such as Shirodhara and synchronised massages are available at extra cost and are worth trying if you want to go deeper into rest and reset.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation in your chosen room (Private Mud House or Private Classic Wing) - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) plus snacks - Daily yoga classes (Hatha, yin, alignment-focused, and more) - Welcome drink on arrival - Traditional cooking class - Guided nature hikes with a trusted local guide - Free wifi connection - Luggage storage - Free parking - Access to river bathing spots - Use of the yoga shala and meditation areas

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Excursions to Kandy (Temple of the Tooth) and Knuckles Range—available at an extra cost - Ayurvedic treatments and massages (book and pay on site) - Lunch on full-day excursion days - Travel insurance - Personal expenses