Samurai Camp & Muay Thai Retreat in Sri Lanka: An 8-Day Residential Martial Arts Immersion

The camp runs out of Muay Thai Sri Lanka's main centre in Ragama, a town about 30 minutes by train from Colombo Fort. Training takes place in a dedicated hall with mats, heavy bags, and pad racks, plus an open area used for stunts and weapons work. Morning sessions are Muay Thai fundamentals and conditioning: skipping warm-up, shadow boxing rounds, pad work with a coach, then clinch and sparring for the more advanced group. The afternoon slot changes daily between wrestling, Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido, MMA, and stunt training, so guests get a spread of disciplines rather than one. Yoga runs twice a week in the late afternoon, and there is a recovery slot on day four where you can book DORN method or Ayurvedic treatment instead of training.

What separates this from a standard Muay Thai holiday in Thailand is the Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido strand. This is a Japanese martial arts style that Grand Master Renil Fernando is the Sri Lankan ambassador for, combining traditional weapons work, unarmed technique, and Japanese history study. Camp attendees spend at least two sessions on sword and staff basics, and on the final day there is a short grading or demonstration for whoever wants to take part. No prior experience with weapons is needed; the instructors start from stance and grip.

The stunt academy side is unusual for a fitness retreat. Kaushalya Nirmana and Renil Fernando have worked on Sri Lankan action films, and the sessions cover falls, rolls, basic wirework, and fight choreography for screen. It's optional, and most guests pick either the stunt track or the full martial arts track for days five and six rather than doing both. Gear is provided, though you'll want your own gloves and shin pads if you have them.

The centre's head instructor is Grand Master Renil Fernando, who introduced Muay Thai kickboxing to Sri Lanka in 1987 and has since trained fighters and instructors across the country. He organises the annual Samurai Camp, which in 2026 ran twice in Sri Lanka (April and June), and represents WKA, WUMA, IKBF Germany, the International Muay Thai Organization and WTRBK in Sri Lanka. Teaching is in English. Some instructors also speak Sinhala and German. Food is Sri Lankan home cooking — rice and curry, lentils, coconut sambol, and egg hoppers for breakfast — served three times a day in the centre's dining area, and they will prepare vegetarian or vegan versions if you ask on arrival.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation at the Ragama training centre - 3 meals daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Daily Muay Thai training sessions - Wrestling, MMA, and Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido sessions - Twice-weekly yoga classes - Stunt academy sessions on days 5 and 6 - Training gear loan (gloves, pads, weapons) where available - Final grading and certificate presentation - Wi-Fi in common areas

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance (mandatory, must cover martial arts training) - Airport transfers (can be arranged for a fee) - Personal expenses and souvenirs - DORN method, acupuncture, and Ayurvedic treatments - Laundry service - Extra nights before or after the camp