Wellness within Sri Lanka

Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to Horathapola Estate, your hotel for the next two nights. Relax after your journey then in the evening meet your expert yoga instructor. After an introduction on the benefits of yoga, you will familiarise yourself with some of the basic postures before enjoying a luxurious dinner. Sample some Sri Lankan light bites and enjoy tropical fruit juices and homemade wines made from ingredients such as king coconut, cashew fruit, ginger and more. 

Salute the sun with a rejuvenating yoga session first thing in the morning, moving through six of the postures (asanas). Afterwards, enjoy an expert talk on meditation over breakfast, followed by teachings of basic breathing techniques and walking meditation. In the afternoon go on a guided tour of the organic estate to discover the range of produce grown on site, and then finally learn the remaining six postures of the Sun Salutation as you breathe goodbye and relax in the twilight.

Demonstrate your knowledge of the Sun Salutation early in the morning, moving through the 12 postures. Afterwards, learn something new with a teaching on Samatha Meditation. Bid farewell to your hotel in the afternoon and head towards Kalundewa Retreat, your home for the next four nights. En route, stop off at Dambulla, a vast cave complex which has been converted into a rock temple. It is regarded today as one of the most important Buddhist monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Continue your morning practise of the Sun Salutation before enjoying an introduction to herbal medicinal plants. Embark on a tour of the local farmlands and learn the myth, history, and benefits of the flora. You may come across Anguna (Sneezing Silk), Thebu (Crepe or Spiral Ginger), and Akkapäna (Air Plant) to name but a few. Afterwards enjoy a leisurely lunch and the facilities of your hotel before attending a guided breathing and walking meditation session. 

Salute the sun, then greet the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the second kingdom of Sri Lanka and now a UNESCO World heritage Site. Look out for the famous Gal Viharaya (Rock Temple) where there are four statues of the Buddha cut into stone, reflecting the four stages of Buddha. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. On your way to and from Polonnaruwa your guide will educate you on Tisanes (organic herbal teas) that the island has enjoyed for centuries, revealing their benefits. Once you have returned to Kalundewa Retreat, another breathing and walking meditation session will be awaiting you. 

Rise early in the morning and climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which offers incredible views. It is the perfect location to immerse yourself in the Sri Lankan landscape and take your yoga, quite literally, to the next level. Breathe the fresh air and relax the shoulders, before returning to your hotel for brunch.  Next, travel to Kandy where you will be spending three nights at the beautiful Santani Wellness Resort. 

This morning you will be introduced to the techniques of Hatha Yoga. This combines breathing techniques and yoga postures together to align the body and calm the mind and spirit. With your previous practising, you will be well suited to this progression. Next, enjoy a guided session of Samatha Meditation, where you will revel in naturally healing landscapes. The location of Santani makes it well suited for this practice, with mountains and natural pools surrounding the hotel. After lunch, indulge in one of the carefully created Ayurvedic treatments or spa therapies, personalised to your needs.

Combine your new yoga techniques together for a fluid morning, moving through the Sun Salutation, Hatha Yoga postures and then Samatha Meditation. You will feel calm, well rested, and ready for the day. You may have also worked up an appetite, which is ideal as you will be able to create a personalised meal plan with the chef.  Finally, meet with the wellness consultants again to choose a treatment that best suits you, from a detox to a re-balance. 

Visit the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places to observe the colourful Buddhist customs and rituals that create spiritual sanctity. Next, meet Rahju, a contemporary artist, spiritual host, and musician. He will recount how yoga and meditation influences his art. Alternatively, attend a traditional Kandyan dance school to meet a Dancing Guru and practise some of the moves, accompanied by rhythmic local drums.  Enjoy lunch and then check in to your new hotel in the atmospheric Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Your day starts on the Galle ramparts, a dramatic location for your final Sri Lankan Sun Salutation or morning meditation. The warm winds from the Indian Ocean will bring you peace and relaxation as you centre yourself upon Paradise Island.  Afterwards, enjoy a guided walking tour of Galle Fort, with its paved streets and chic boutique hotels. Treat yourself before you return to the airport or spoil yourself even further with an extended stay in Sri Lanka, visiting perhaps the southern coast beaches. 

It’s time to bid your farewells to this beautiful country. We’ll return you to Colombo Airport in plenty of time to catch your flight back to the UK.