Active Yoga & Cultural Nature Retreat in Kandy, Sri Lanka

The retreat begins when you arrive for lunch on the first day. After settling in, there is time to relax by the pool or in a hammock overlooking the lake before the first yoga class at 17:30. The opening session is followed by dinner at 19:00, and you quickly get into the rhythm: early yoga and meditation, a full breakfast, a half-day excursion, a big lunch, another activity, a second yoga class, and dinner.

The excursions are the heart of the retreat. On the Tea Plantation & Waterfall Tour, you ride a tuk-tuk through the tea fields to five waterfalls, with a short walk to the largest for a swim, a picnic lunch, and a stop at a local tea shop. The Heeloya Trek takes you through rice paddies, tea plantations, pine forests, and past villagers' homes with a licensed guide who explains the local herbs and spices; you eat lunch by a waterfall. On the Local Cooking Experience, you hike about 3 km into the rice paddies to two mud-and-wood houses recreated by a local family, harvest ingredients from the property, and cook your own Sri Lankan lunch in an outdoor kitchen. Afterward there is often a chance to help with planting or harvesting rice, and everyone ends up swimming in the river and the family's own waterfall.

Yoga classes are taught by Serena, a classically trained dancer who qualified in Dharamshala, India, and teaches Ashtanga, flow, and restorative yoga. She adapts each class to the group, so beginners and advanced practitioners are both looked after. Classes run about 90 minutes and finish with guided meditation. There are also daily pranayama (breathing) sessions.

This is a small, personal retreat with a maximum of 15 participants, and the hosts make a point of connecting with everyone individually. The estate is in a UNESCO-designated area with very little tourism, so you get a genuine look at rural Sri Lankan life. The hosts work with local guides, cooks, and drivers, so your trip also supports the immediate community.

What's included

- 2 nights accommodation in beautiful nature - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama classes - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Group excursions/activities - Pre and post retreat support from our team - Parking - Luggage storage - Wifi connection

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments