Ashburnham is a an estate bungalow with a funkier edge, which has retained its 1930’s planter heritage.
It’s set in its own gorgeous 100-acre tea estate, around an hour north-east of Kandy, in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. The estate boasts stunning waterfalls and beautiful views up to and across the Knuckles Mountains, not to mention around 60 acres of lush tea fields, plucked each day.
English owner of Ashburnham, David Swannell, will take guests on a 3 hour tramp of the estate. A long-term Sri Lanka-phile, David is a great source of knowledge and anecdote on the island. He’s equally passionate about Ash, and loves little more than uncovering new tracks and waterfalls on the property. David will lead a three-hour walk, taking in tea fields, waterfalls, and the other eclectic crops of the property. The walk will conclude with drinks (on the house) back at the terrace.
What: A private tea estate tour
When: Most days by prior arrangement
Where: In Elkaduwa, an hour north-east of Kandy
How much: $220 per group of 4 and $20 for each additional person for a private and immersive experience
Need to know: The tea pickers don’t work on Sundays. While the tour can still be done on Sunday, worth keeping in mind that you won’t get to see the pickers in action.
Five years ago, visitors would have been pretty well advised to skip Colombo and head straight off for hills or beaches. A lot’s changed, though, and the city now has a growing appeal for the curious traveler.
Galle Fort with its centuries old melting pot of cultures, Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches, cobblestone streets and crumbling mansions makes for some great exploring.
Kandy is the hill country capital and gateway to the tea region of Sri Lanka. Once an ancient kingdom, nowadays it is an often traffic-jammed tangle of markets, temples, spice gardens and a picturesque lake.
The Colombo dining scene is not as yet bursting with variety so some thought needs to go in to picking a suitable spot for dinner.
For a small city Galle (and the surrounds) does rather well when it comes to dining options and we do have our long standing and reliable favourites.
In Kalpitiya, between November and April something remarkable happens – hundreds of dolphins come to live and feed in the Indian Ocean. It’s nature at its purest and we can take you there.
Gal Oya Lodge offers the the only opportunity in Sri Lanka to spot elephants from the water. With a little luck you could spot them swimming between islands or bathing at the lake’s edge- a thrilling wildlife experience.
Yala National Park is a natural reserve of 96,000 hectares renowned for the highest density of leopards in the world. We suggest incorporating a stay at Leopard Trails for the best safari experience.
Observing the majestic nature of the largest mammal in the world, the Blue Whale, from an aerial point of view leaves passengers with an incomparable experience and understanding of the true magnitude of the beauty and grace of the species.
Ashburnham Estate is set in its own gorgeous 100-acre tea estate, around an hour north-east of Kandy. The estate boasts stunning waterfalls and beautiful views up to and across the Knuckles Mountains, not to mention around 60 acres of lush tea fields, plucked each day.
This is an immersive encounter for which the basis is local food: Muslim inspired biryani along with a bevy of spicy condiments, an assortment of hoppers and accompanying curries, or a simple but wholesome plate of rice and curry featuring seafood.
Photograph your way through the colourful streets of iconic 17th century Galle Fort, a melting pot of cultures, people and cuisines. The host is a 5th generation resident and photographer of this historic city, who has explored every corner of it since he was a child.
The local host of this homestay experience organizes custom hiking tours in the Knuckles Mountain Range. This in an ideal experience if wanting to go beyond the standard guidebook offers- go with the flow, live in basic conditions and learn about remote communities.
The Veddas are the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of central Sri Lanka. Neighbours of Gal Oya Lodge are one of the last remaining communities of the Vedda people and here, the village chief can be invited to take you on a walk through the jungles of his ancestors.
This experience takes place at a beautiful working cinnamon estate of 25 acres in the south of the island. The cinnamon grown here produces fine cinnamon quills, ground cinnamon and leaf oil. Private tours of the plantation are available, followed by lunch.
There’s magic in the air in the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Floating effortlessly over the jungle to a breathtaking sunrise in a hot air balloon ride is an exhilarating and perfect way to see this picturesque countryside from a different perspective.
This full or half day waterfall chasing experience offers a trek through lush wilderness into the heart of the central provinces of Sri Lanka with an experienced local guide to discover Aberdeen Falls – a spectacular 98-metre horsetail waterfall.
Enjoy the greenery-clad, scenic views of the central hills of Sri Lanka then take in the unique bird’s eye view of the awe-inspiring site of Sigiriya rock fortress, studded with beautiful green gardens, ponds, fountains, promenades and pavilions.
While white sandy beaches may be the first images that leaps to mind when you imagine Sri Lanka, the island is blessed with a mountainous interior making it a very special hiking destination. There are trails for all sorts of experience, from easy walks to more intense treks.
If you’re looking to push the limits come to Sri Lanka for the kitesurfing season and ride the waves of the Indian Ocean. Between May and October, the Kalpitiya coast offers some of the best kitesurfing in the whole of Asia. Travel to the school for day lessons, or stay longer.
Sri Lanka’s position just above the equator guarantees sunshine to all corners of the country at various periods, making it a year-round sailing destination. Our sailing partners’ fleet of yachts provide an exclusive vantage point to stunning landscapes and pristine beaches.
Beaches in the sun-kissed stretch between Tangalle to Galle are some of the finest on the island. While some of these also have big waves and a strong current for the majority of the year, there are plenty of swimming-friendly bays in idyllic settings.
Supported by the Born Free Foundation, this complex is a halfway house for orphaned elephants. Although you can’t get up close and personal with the elephants, seeing them at feeding time (from a viewing platform) is still heartwarming and a lot of fun, specially for the kids.
This is an immersive art-based experience around the livelihood of a local artisan. His work is an act of cultural preservation as much as it is an art form, for it involves the ancient medium of ‘Kolam’ masks native to the coastal town of Ambalangoda.
This Tuk Tuk tour is a fun-filled, fully inclusive, 3-4 hour “off the beaten track“ adventure, that gives a taste of authentic Sri Lanka. The tour aims to showcase the historic bustling city of Colombo, capture the smiles of the locals all while cruising in a retro fitted tuk tuk.
SUP Yoga mixes classical yoga practice with stand up paddle boarding in a beautiful lagoon. Whether you are a regular on the mat or never done yoga before, the floating yoga studio will be an incredible experience.
Tri is Sri Lanka’s first truly contemporary sustainable luxury hotel. The yoga shala is an elegant, elevated retreat space that captures spectacular 360° views to stimulate body, mind and soul for creative expression.
