Jungle Yoga & Ayurveda Wellness Escape in Sri Lanka

Ulpotha is Sri Lanka's original yoga retreat, and it still feels like a well-kept secret even after three decades. The retreat is set in Embogama, a rural area about four hours from Colombo, surrounded by dense jungle, paddy fields, and a large lake. What makes Ulpotha unusual is that it's a living village — the same community that hosts guests also farms the land, cooks the food, and runs the Ayurveda center. You're not a customer in a resort; you're a guest in someone's home, albeit a home that happens to be a lush tropical paradise.

The yoga program is led by a rotating roster of internationally respected teachers, each staying for two weeks at a time. Recent winter teachers include Molly McLaughlin (Awake Nature), Jules Jenkinson (Return to Rhythm), Florentina Lam Clark (Rejuvenating Yoga & Sound Healing), Rob Hess (Prana Flo), James De Maria (Conscious Yoga Flow), Mick Barnes (8 Limbs of Hatha), Georgia Marnham (Iyengar), Mika de Brito (Vinyasa Krama), Samanta Duggal (Ultimate Stress Reduction & Sound Flow), and Gingi Lee (Flow, Breath & Meditation). The style varies with the teacher, so you can choose your dates based on who's teaching, or simply trust that the level of instruction is high.

Beyond yoga, Ulpotha is known for its Ayurveda. The village has its own Ayurveda center with a team of experienced practitioners offering treatments ranging from Abhyanga massage to full Panchakarma cleanses. These are booked as optional extras and can be arranged for 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10-day packages. The food is another highlight — all organic and vegetarian, grown on the estate and cooked over open fires. Breakfast might be Sri Lankan hoppers or Ayurvedic porridge, lunches are big shared meals, and dinners are served by firelight.

Life at Ulpotha is deliberately simple. There's no electricity in the mud huts, which are lit by oil lamps in the evening. Phones can be charged in the main house but are only meant to be used in the privacy of your hut. The community is small — no more than 25 guests at a time — and the atmosphere is one of quiet, communal living. Many guests come solo and leave with lifelong friends.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation in shared or private mud huts - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Daily yoga classes - Group excursions/activities - Free massage (for bookings via our platform)

What's not included

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