Embark on a soul-nourishing journey at our retreat in Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka, where yoga, surfing, relaxation, and poolside dining converge. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a novice seeking more guidance, our package programs offer an ideal blend of yoga and beginner to intermediate yoga & surf experiences along the Southern Coast. With awe-inspiring vistas and expert guidance from our friendly team, you'll discover a newfound sense of adventure and self-discovery. Begin your days with invigorating yoga sessions, followed by exploring the local nature or a joining surf lessons that promise to leave you feeling fit, sun-kissed, and connected with like-minded travellers. After an active day, unwind with additional yoga and meditation sessions before gathering by the infinity pool for refreshing drinks from our poolside restaurant. With the perfect mix of sun, surf, yoga and camaraderie, your week at The Salty Pelican is sure to be filled with the best memories and good vibes.
Yoga
Embark on a transformative journey with our Yoga Package, offering a comprehensive introduction to Hatha Flow & Yin yoga suitable for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. Whether you're new to yoga or a seasoned enthusiast, our classes cater to all levels of experience, with two sessions scheduled daily (excluding all-day Monday and Thursday afternoon). During peak seasons, we may even offer an additional morning class to accommodate your preferences. This flexibility allows you to seamlessly integrate yoga into your daily routine, alongside other activities like surfing and local exploration. By practicing Hatha & Yin yoga, you'll find harmony in your nervous system, enhance mind-body balance, and fortify your lymphatic system. Plus, don't miss the opportunity to join our unforgettable elephant safari tour to Udawalawe National Park, including a visit to the baby elephant orphanage transit home. Nestled within our lush tropical jungle, our serene yoga shala deck provides the perfect setting for your practice, complete with all necessary mats and equipment.
Meditation
Daily, our yoga classes seamlessly incorporate meditation to enhance your practice. Led by our experienced teachers, these sessions guide you through both yoga postures and meditation techniques, helping you find balance and tranquility within yourself. Explore different breathing exercises to deepen your relaxation and mindfulness experience. Please note that these integrated meditation sessions are part of our daily yoga classes, except on Mondays and Thursday afternoons.
Morning Hatha Flow Yoga
Awaken your body and mind with invigorating Hatha Yoga sessions designed to infuse you with energy and focus at the start of your day. Led by our skilled yoga instructors, these morning practices are tailored to enhance muscular strength, stamina, flexibility, balance, and breath awareness. Experience the harmonious union of body and mind as you cultivate lightness and strength within yourself. Regardless of your level of experience, our classes welcome everyone, offering mental benefits such as heightened focus and body awareness. Please note that during peak seasons, we may offer two separate start times for this class each morning, except on Mondays and Thursday afternoons. Join us and embark on a transformative journey, regardless of your prior yoga experience.
Afternoon Yin Yoga
We start our practice with a Yin Yoga class right before sunset on our rooftop yoga platform or in our shala... We hold long deep postures with a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. Almost every posture is done at beach level and the stretches will maintain for 2-5 minutes at a time. This will take us deeply into our connective tissue expanding flexibility and aiding healing energy to our bodies. This practice is for everyone and it's a beautiful way to start your yoga journey. Traditionally the Yin evening classes are more soft, slow, restorative to integrate with the days surfing activities and prepare the body for a great rest overnight. Let yourself emerge into a nice flow of your yoga practice. Enjoy breathing, relax your body, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and also your mind.
Sample Daily Program
- 07:00 - Breakfast served at our poolside restaurant ( *finishes at 10:00 )
- 07:00 - Early morning Hatha Flow yoga class incorporating meditation
- 09:30 - Alternative 2nd Hatha Flow yoga class ( *peak season sometimes )
- 10:30 - Morning surf lesson ( *check package inclusions )
- 12:00 - Lunch at our poolside restaurant or at the beach (Not included)
- 13:00 - Udawalawe elephant safari half-day tour departs every Monday & Thursday afternoons ( Not. Included but highly recommended )
- 14:30 - Free time to chill around our pool, explore, free surf or book a massages or body scrub from our poolside wellness centre
- 14:00 - Afternoon Surf lesson
- 17:00 - Yin Yoga class combined with meditation
- 19:00 - Group dinner MON/WED/FRI/SUN ( *You can join any group dinner during your stay with us )
Surf Lessons & Surfboard Rental
Your package doesn't include surf lessons, allowing you ample time to relax, explore, and indulge in various activities. Whether it's swimming, free surfing, pampering yourself with a massage or body scrub, exploring Udawalawe National Park, or discovering local hidden gems, there's something for everyone. If you're interested in surf lessons, they can be arranged as optional extras upon your arrival, offering flexibility to tailor your itinerary to your preferences. Our certified surf instructors employ a unique teaching approach to ensure you learn proper surf techniques. With our prime location boasting rideable waves almost every day of the year, you'll have the opportunity to make the most of our diverse range of premium FLOWT surfboards, available for guest use throughout your stay except on your departure day. Feel free to grab a surfboard whenever you please and experiment with different types, from soft to hard or long to shortboards, enhancing your surfing experience with us.
Wellness & Spa
On your arrival day, a schedule is open to book your full-body massages, body scrubs, and other Ayurvedic treatments. Our wellness and spa area is located in our beautiful peaceful garden and has two poolside rooms where we pamper your bodies with treatments. Really take the time to appreciate and absorb the special locally made oils that your body and mind need. Our relaxing Ayurvedic massages and head massages will make your stay even more zen after a good day of surf or exploring… Help your body to find the perfect balance. Included in your package, is a 1 x 50 minute full body oil massage, 1 x 50 minute deep tissue massage, 1 x body salt scrub, 1 x 20 minute head massage
Udawalawe National Park Elephant Safari Tour
If beautiful beaches, delicious food, rich culture, and stunning landscape aren’t enough to convince you to hop on a plane to Sri Lanka, then take a look at the amazing wildlife that this little island in the Indian ocean offers. Despite its size, the country possesses an extremely high degree of biodiversity and is considered one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world. Going on a safari in Sri Lanka is one of the best things to add to your itinerary. Udawalawe National Park is our favourite, where there are more than 500 elephants that roam freely and wild buffaloes that play in the water holes. Its a quick 2hr private air-conditioned transfer away and we visit this park on both Mondays and Thursdays. You will depart after lunch from The Salty Pelican for a unique elephant safari tour including a visit to the baby elephant orphanage transit home. You will also have the chance to see incredible birdlife and lizards too. Highly recommended and shouldn’t be missed on your travels to Sri Lanka.
Breakfast, Dinners & Nightly Activities
Wake up to a diverse à la carte breakfast included with your stay, featuring energising options like avocado toast, rise & shine scrambled eggs on toast, chia & cashew granola, fruit platters, Benedict hoppers and more. It's the perfect start to your day in paradise. Each day we try and get all our guests together to socialise over a good meal and some delicious cocktails or mocktails from our onsite restaurant - The Backyard, which offers a modern and lively poolside dining experience characterised by bold flavours, colourful presentations and a welcoming ambiance. With a focus on shared plates and communal dining, you’re going to love every moment here at The Salty Pelican. Join us for a variety of group dinners during the week, from the Tropical Temptations 3-course on Mondays to the Ayurvedic BBQ on Wednesdays, to the Ayurvedic Curry & Rice on Fridays, to the Seafood & Veggie BBQ on Sundays, all created to promote community and guest connections. Included, as part of your stay with us, you'll have the flexibility to join any or all of these 4 scheduled group dinner experiences.
