10 Day Meditation, Mindfulness, and Yoga Ayurveda Retreat in Kalutara, Sri Lanka
Wellness Retreat in Sri Lanka
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and join Plantation Villa for a 10-day meditation, mindfulness, and yoga retreat in the serene setting of Kalutara, Western Province. Immerse yourself in daily yoga sessions, guided meditation, and mindfulness practices designed to restore balance and inner peace. Nourish your body with wholesome Ayurvedic meals and experience the healing benefits of traditional therapies. Surrounded by lush greenery, this retreat offers the perfect sanctuary to reconnect with yourself and embrace a holistic way of living. Experience ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation.
Meet the instructors
Highlights
- Twice daily yoga
- Twice daily guided meditation
- Daily fresh prepared Ayurvedic meals and snacks
- Water and herbal tea at all times
- 9 nights of accommodation
- Talks about yoga and Ayurveda philosophy
- Walks in the plantation and paddy field
- Community project activities and cookery demonstrations
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
10 days with instruction in English
Accommodation
Facilities
- Spa
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Barbeque facilities
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Terrace
- Yoga shala
- Tour assistance
Step back in time and experience the colonial charm of the 150-year-old villa, originally the residence of the village chief. Lovingly renovated in 2015 and 2016, the villa now features a welcoming living room, an elegant dining hall, a spacious veranda, and an open living area that invites you to relax and unwind. The property includes both the main villa and the lodge, just a short one-minute walk apart. The lodge, once the home of the colonial treasurer’s first resident, complements the villa, which was built by his son to accommodate his growing family.
The villa offers eight rooms - two luxury suites with both air conditioning and ceiling fans, and large double bathrooms featuring a jacuzzi tub and rain shower, as well as six deluxe rooms with both air conditioning and ceiling fans. Additionally, the lodge offers a selection of standard rooms equipped with ceiling fans, and deluxe rooms with both air conditioning and fans, providing a slightly higher level of comfort than the standard rooms.
Each space has been thoughtfully restored to blend contemporary comfort with colonial elegance, ensuring that every guest feels at home. The lodge’s rooms are all beautifully furnished and feature luxurious bathrooms, complementing the overall charm and comfort of your stay.
Program
Nestled among lush greenery, your retreat offers the perfect environment to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with your mind, body, and soul. Each day, you will be guided through meditation and yoga practices by our experienced instructors, helping you cultivate inner peace and harmony. You will also discover mindfulness techniques that can help you stay grounded and present, not just during the retreat, but in your daily life moving forward.
Enjoy nourishing meals made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and take the opportunity to explore the natural beauty and rich culture of the region through optional excursions. They invite you to join them for a transformative experience that you will carry with you long after you leave.
Afternoon activities
- Guided walks in the plantation and paddy fields to immerse yourself in nature
- Seasonal vegetable and fruit picking activities to experience farm-to-table living
- Seasonal rubber tapping or paddy harvesting to learn about traditional agriculture practices
- Cookery demonstrations to learn new recipes and techniques
- Discussions about yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, meditation, and other wellness topics to deepen your knowledge and understanding
Daily schedule
- 06:30 - 07:30 Morning yoga
- 07:30 - 09:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 - 09:30 Welcome introduction and orientation for new guests
- 10:00 - 12:30 Ayurvedic treatment or free time. Guests can talk to the doctor or yoga teacher, use the pool, join in plantation activities, go for village walks, sunbathe, or read a book from the library
- 12:30 - 14:30 Lunch
- 14:30 - 15:30 Afternoon tea and snack
- 15:30 - 17:00 Afternoon activities
- 17:00 - 18:00 Evening yoga
- 18:00 - 18:30 Meditation
- 18:30 - 19:30 Dinner
- 19:30 - 20:00 Discussions with the Ayurvedic doctor or yoga teacher about Ayurveda or yoga philosophy, special meditations, or activities
Included excursions
During your stay, you will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of engaging activities every afternoon, such as:
- Stroll through a lush plantation and scenic paddy fields
- Take a leisurely walk around the charming local village
- Attend informative and hands-on cookery demonstrations
- Engage in stimulating discussions on yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, meditation, and more
- Experience the joy of seasonal fruit and vegetable picking
- Try your hand at traditional practices like rubber tapping and paddy harvesting during their respective seasons
Instructors
Ishara De Silva
Ishara is the founder and owner of Plantation Villa. She is a regular meditation practitioner whose practice has changed her life. She has practiced and studied Buddhism and meditation over the last eight years. With an inspiring life story, Ishara helps explore the world of meditation through an explanation of the mind, its nature and habits, to overcome obstacles and allow the inherent sense of fulfilment that you all have to shine forth.
Bernardo Staut
Bernardo has been teaching and studying yoga for over a decade. He has been in contact with different teachers and schools, from western and Indian traditional approaches. For the last years, his studies were more in line with the Krishnamacharya tradition, with a focus on the usage of yoga techniques as a therapy tool to restore the wellbeing of the human system. He is a certified Hatha yoga teacher, Vedic healing chants teacher from the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram - India, has studied yoga with the Mohan family from the Krishnamacharya tradition. He is also a certified Ayurveda therapist.
Retreat location
Nestled in the heart of the tranquil village of Nehinna, on Sri Lanka's southwest coast, lies Plantation Villa. Here, guests can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in a lush, idyllic countryside setting, surrounded by verdant greenery. The nearby Madu River, one of Sri Lanka's largest wetlands, and the popular beach town of Bentota are just a short drive away, offering the best of both worlds.
Relaxation and rejuvenation are easily found here, amidst the serene atmosphere. The property itself is an expansive 30-acre plantation of rubber, coconut, cinnamon, and black pepper, home to rare local and migrant birds, butterflies, and an array of tropical flora and fauna. The open yoga shala, surrounded by nature, is the perfect setting for yoga and meditation classes, as well as Buddhist poojas.
They specialize in the ancient art of Ayurveda, utilizing nutrition, relaxation, and herbal treatments to heal both body and mind. At just 80 kilometers from Colombo, they offer the perfect escape from the city, where guests can experience the beauty of Sri Lanka's countryside and indulge in a range of healing practices, all in one unforgettable location.
Unique features
Activities
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Spa
- Steam room
- Swimming
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Whale watching
General
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Garden
- Lounge
- Meditation garden
- Yoga shala
Services
- Bicycle rental
- Car rental
- Free parking
- Free toiletries
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Laundry
- Library
- Medical assistance
- Room cleaning
Food
At Plantation Villa, they are committed to providing our guests with freshly prepared Ayurvedic meals, thoughtfully designed by the resident Ayurveda doctor and crafted according to Ayurvedic principles. Menus are created to balance all three doshas, ensuring that each dish supports your overall health and well-being. They have a farm-to-plate policy so our chefs carefully select the freshest ingredients, including organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs, most of which are grown in their own gardens, without the use of harmful chemicals.
These ingredients are combined using traditional Ayurvedic techniques, resulting in meals that are both nourishing and flavorful. Whether you are enjoying a simple lentil soup, a vegetable stir-fry, or a coconut curry, every dish is prepared with your health in mind. Meals are so loved by guests that they have even created a cookbook, allowing you to bring a taste of Plantation Villa home with you. At Plantation Villa, they believe that food is medicine, and the right combination of ingredients can help balance the body and promote wellness. They invite you to join them and experience the benefits of fresh, Ayurvedic cuisine.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Whole food
- Other dietary requirements on request
- Ayurvedic
Things to do (optional)
Guests can explore the area by bike or hire a car for the following day trips:
- Sinharaja Natural Rain Forest: Experience the last remaining rainforest in Sri Lanka, perfect for a lush and green hiking adventure.
- Whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa: Partnering with a company dedicated to whale conservation, this early morning trip offers an unforgettable wildlife experience.
- Udawalawe National Park: A superior alternative to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, where you can observe elephants in their natural habitat.
- Kandy Town and Temple of the Tooth: A must-visit for those interested in the rich art, culture, and religious history of Sri Lanka.
- Local Turtle Hatchery: Learn about turtle conservation and participate in releasing baby turtles into the sea.
- Beaches: Enjoy a picnic at some of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful beaches.
- Kalutara Bodhiya: Visit one of Sri Lanka’s most famous temples, featuring a historically significant Pagoda and a Bo Tree over 2,000 years old.
- Galle: Explore this vibrant city, where colonial influences and world heritage sites are still prevalent.
- Warakagoda Temple: Discover an ancient cave temple adorned with Sri Lankan art on its natural rock formations.
- Richmond Castle: A British colonial relic showcasing European architectural influences.
During your free time, enjoy:
- Meditation
- Swimming
- Bird watching
- Day trips to local attractions
The resort also occasionally organizes special activities such as Ayurvedic barbecues, outdoor dining evenings, dance or singing performances by local talent, and celebrations of local festivals. At the spa, you can choose from a variety of rejuvenating treatments, including head and foot massages, Panchakarma, Shirodhara, body scrubs, full-body Abhyanga massage, Pinda Sweda, Pichu, and more. For your convenience, all treatments can be easily booked and paid for on-site.
What's included
- 9 nights accommodation
- 2 daily yoga sessions
- 2 daily guided meditations
- Daily Ayurvedic meals and snacks
- Water and herbal tea available at all times
- Guided walks through plantation and paddy fields
- Planting trees in the garden
- Participating in vegetable and fruit picking during harvest seasons
- Observing rubber tapping and paddy harvesting during the respective seasons
- Learning how to prepare Ayurvedic meals through our cookery demonstrations
- Participating in community projects
- Attending talks on yoga and Ayurveda philosophy, daily habits, and mindfulness practices
- All taxes and service charges
What's not included
- Airport pick up or drop off
- Flights
- Visa
- Travel insurance
- Additional treatments
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer available for additional US$ 65 per person
Bandaranaike International Airport
73 km away from your destination
Arrival by train
If you arrive in the daytime, you also have the option to take a train to Kalutara South, followed by a short tuk-tuk ride to the property.
Arrival by taxi
Plantation Villa is conveniently located about a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). They offer airport transfers in a hotel car for 65 USD, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free journey to the villa. The service is available 24/7.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 16% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
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