Reconnect with nature on a holiday that takes in some of the most beautiful landscapes in Sri Lanka, from jungles to paddy fields to beaches and a host of tropical gardens. Travelling in tranquility down the southern coast, you will stay in two hotels that have a strong commitment to sustainability. This, combined with gentle excursions, delicious Sri Lankan food and warm hospitality, makes for a rewarding and restorative holiday.
Ease into your holiday with two nights in Balapitiya, a quiet town on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. Your lovely boutique hotel, River House, sits on the banks of the broad and sleepy Madhu Ganga river, where we have arranged a complimentary boat trip on your second day. Spend the morning exploring the mangroves, river banks and lily-clad islands in search of monitor lizards, crocodiles and swooping birds of prey.
OVERNIGHT FLIGHT // 2 NIGHTS AT THE RIVER HOUSE
Head to the hill country now for four nights in the secluded Jetwing Kaduruketha, Wellawaya. The climate here is pleasantly cooler than the coast, and the landscapes burst with tea leaves, forests and magnificent viewpoints. A chalet-style eco-lodge, blissfully free of tech, your hotel is set in a 50-acre plot dotted with fruit trees and paddy fields, and teeming with wildlife. This is an idyllic place to switch off and connect with nature.
4 NIGHTS AT JETWING KADURUKETHA
While enjoying the gardens and pool will keep you nicely occupied, we have also included several complimentary experiences to help bring the region to life. These include a cycle tour to Ella Wala, a hidden waterfall in the jungle about five kilometres from the town (where you can have a wild swim!), a morning birdwatching walk with the resident naturalist and a night walk to discover the nocturnal wildlife.
You will be escorted by a private chauffeur-guide to explore the forgotten temples of the lower hills: the towering statue of the Maligawila Buddha, the ancient forest monastery at Buduruwagala and the imposing Yudaganawa stupa. This is an excellent opportunity to explore some of the island's more atmospheric ruins, away from the usual crowds.
It's a stunning location to relax in, with a glorious swimming pool and multiple decks looking out over the fields. The cuisine is fantastic, locally sourced and varied. There are also plenty of ways to help connect you further with nature, be it discovering the intricacies of paddy farming, exploring local villages or taking nature trails.
Now it’s time to head to Sri Lanka’s gorgeous deep south for five peaceful nights in Tangalle. Tangalle is one of our favourite beach destinations in Sri Lanka due to its sense of total seclusion. While most beach-goers in Sri Lanka go to one of the busier spots on the south or west coast, Tangalle has wild, untouched shores and a wealth of unique activities that reveal the fabric of the region. Your hotel, Ravana Garden, heightens this feeling of calm: a stylish beachfront property with a strong sustainability ethos, Ravana offers a large pool, airy rooms and a healthy, delicious menu. It’s the perfect place to soak up the sun in peace and serenity.
5 NIGHTS AT RAVANA GARDEN
In one of our most unique and insightful tours, we will guide you to the home of a dairy farmer in Tangalle to see how he and his wife work at keeping an age-old cottage industry alive. Observe and participate in the process of making buffalo curd, get to know the farmer and his wife and of course, savour this creamy, sour treat for yourselves.
You may wish to explore the Madunagala Forest or nearby temples, or perhaps join the local fishermen in the traditional 'Madal fishing' technique to catch your supper! For those seeking total relaxation, simply stretch out upon the hot golden sand before an invigorating swim in the sea. There are lovely spaces to relax around the hotel too, such as the poolside or sky bar, or you could even indulge in a late afternoon massage in the garden spa cabana.
Ravana Garden has sustainability at its heart, influencing everything it offers from cuisine to experience. Enjoy organic locally-sourced produce as a picnic, a private candlelit dinner, or at the restaurant with views over the paddy fields and the beach coast. Plus, for this holiday we have arranged an Ocean View Garden Suite to help you make the most of the gorgeous setting.
The two monsoon seasons can often leave travellers confused as to the best time to visit Sri Lanka. When travelling to the southwest coast, we’d recommend travelling from late December through to April, or July to September (essentially, just skipping out the May - June south-west monsoon).
We have arranged a free boat ride down the Madhu Ganga River, as well as a cycle tour to a hidden waterfall and two guided walks with an expert naturalist at Jetwing Kaduruketha. During your stay at Ravana Garden, enjoy a complimentary head and shoulder massage on arrival to soothe you after your car journey and a private picnic at the beautiful Ussangoda mountain.
Revitalise is a culmination of 16 years’ work, research and client feedback. Our travel team take annual trips to each of our destinations, testing the experiences and inspecting the hotels (someone’s got to do it, right?). We are passionate travellers in our own lives, and we have all visited Asia with our friends, family or backpacks. Basically, we’ve done the legwork: we know travel. And that’s why these trips are nothing short of magical.
We understand that while you may be itching to travel again, committing to a trip right now feels daunting. That’s why we have introduced our COVID-19 promise. We promise that if you book a holiday with us, but for any reason cannot travel due to COVID-19, we will refund you the bulk of your money, up to the day of your departure. We hope that this will give our travellers a little peace of mind and help you enjoy the magic of travel anticipation once again.
An ETG experience cannot begin unless our travellers feel secure in every respect. Financially secure: we are fully ABTA and ATOL bonded. Fully supported: our friendly team is on hand to help 24/7 before, during and after your trip. Free from hassle: we will ensure your trip runs like clockwork. Plus, all our experiences are tried and tested by our discerning team, so you can rest assured every excursion you book with us is both worthwhile and ethically sound.
With ETG, the experience starts the moment you pick up the phone. We are committed to seamless service at every stage of your journey. Before you depart, your dedicated travel consultant will provide all the information and insider tips you need to get you prepared (and excited!). Your in-country experiences will be distinctive, tailored to you, and always reveal the fabric of the destination. And you will come home with memories to share - not just photos to show.