2024 Sri Lanka REST RETREAT
Finally we can return to Sri Lanka. (I’ve been three times)
This is going to be special.
We’ll stay at Rukgala Retreat, 1 hour out of Kandy, high up in the mountains, overlooking Lake Victoria. The Retreat will be ours. Exclusively. Its like waking up above the clouds and staring at heaven.
I stayed there for a week just before COVID hit and although its not the typical Sri Lankan beach experience, there’s something about these mountains.
It’s a place that most tourists don’t get too and hence why I want to share it with you.
ABOUT RUKGALA
At the end of an unassuming village road, Rukgala Retreat is low key luxury. The local village is small and quiet. Cricket gets played on the local oval in the afternoons. There’s a general store at the end of the road, where the old men sit and gossip. Village life happens around you, but the locals are more than happy to walk and talk (well mostly walk unless you speak Sinhala) You can explore the village roads, but my favourite thing to do, was sit on the balcony and watch clouds over the mountains in the distance.
To just BREATHE.
The Yoga:
This will be a Rest Retreat - with a theme of Breath. Morning energising slow flow, then evening yin/restore with some myofascial release and Yoga Nidra.
Rooms:
Choose your own Queen Room Suite, or share with another (only a few twin rooms available) each will have a terrace or balcony to look out onto the Lake and in the distance, the knuckles range. The Garden Cottages have baths and cute little mezzanine floor to gaze at the mountains, Top Cottages have private balconies and showers. All have Crisp Sheets, Fluffy pillows, luxe fit-outs, places to relax, safe box, and air conditioning. Rooms are fully enclosed and air-conditioned. But with options to open beautiful French doors for that cool evening breeze.
Food:
All meals included, morning pre-yoga smoothie/fruit, post yoga coconut to keep you hydrated.
both Traditional Sri Lankan food, plus more familiar favourites, like eggs, muesli, homemade toast/local jam, lunches light meals, dinner Sri Lankan Curries and desert.
All day tea/coffee and herbal teas.
INCLUSIONS:
Yoga x 2 a day which the beautiful staff prepare and cleanse.
Morning meditation, pranayama and energising Vinyasa and evening Restful Restorative.
Opening and closing ceremony.
3 Incredible meals daily, the MOST delicious Sri Lankan Food, (including homemade elixirs pre dinner, desert, smoothies pre-class and afternoon tea)
Fresh coconut after morning class.
7 nights accommodation in Your Own Ensuite Room OR choose to share in Twin room. low key luxe is how I describe it,
Sri Lankan Coffee, Tea & herbal teas throughout the day.
Sri Lankan Cooking Class with Kumari.
Hike to local Bambaragala Buddhist Caves with a guide.
Day trip tp Ashburnham Estate for lunch at the Waterfall- walk through old tea trails, small villages and end with lunch at the private waterfall.
Coconut Ridge Sunset Hike with a Sundowner one evening.
Access to Stand Up Paddle boards ( x 2 ) on the croc free lake.
A stunning common room lounge, chill out area, balcony - comfy couches, chairs and nooks.
Beautiful pool & deck area, fire pit and lawns.
Transfer TO the Retreat (ONLY from Colombo and if coming on Day of Retreat - can take up to 4 HOURS)
OPTIONAL
Hike to glorious but remote Knuckles Range - full day ( lunch and transport included)
Massages
Extra drinks or food ( there is no alcohol but you can bring your own and they will serve it)
extra excursions like a day trip to Kandy or elsewhere.
TBA Bodywork- My favourite Bodyworker may also be in attendance. He’s pretty amazing. (still to be confirmed, but if he can’t attend they have amazing therapists on site. )
WHY Rukgala and not the Beach?
This is a part of Sri Lanka most don’t get to see. Its out of the way, remote and absolutely spectacular.
Its a place that reminds you of the beauty of nature and enoughenss of just being alive and breathing it all in.
Its remote, quiet and the real Sri Lanka.
You can visit the beach before or after, but this part of Lanka is uncommon for tourists to venture too.
I am aiming to see if we can travel together by train from Colombo to Kandy, then by Taxi to Rukgala.
Recommendations:
I recommend getting into Colombo at least the day before, Staying at Prana Lounge Colombo, Sri Lax N Stay ( around the corner) these both have lovely cafes on site. If you’re staying before hand or after on the sth coast, I can recommend several places to stay.
Dates: 9-16th March 2024
COST: TBA, still awaiting costings. Approx $2890pp for Single King Room
SIGN UP below to be on the VIP Sri Lanka Retreat for Early Bird Pricing released on Friday 13th October.
View from Main Lounge/Outdoor Dining Room
Garden Cottage Queen Room with Mezanine above
Top House Queen Room with Balcony
Stunning view from Ridge hike
Views to the knuckles range from main dining/outdoor area
Stunning Jungle Shala
Waterfalls on Ashburnham Estate
FAQ
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Rukgala is approximately 4 hours from Colombo by Van/Car. Its a long drive up windy roads - not recommended I you get car sick, but if you can sleep in the car, then great!
From Kandy, about an hours drive east.
My recommendation?
2.5 hours by the train. A beautiful experience, I highly recommend.
For many people the train is the best way to do it. It’s quicker and can be fun. The best Colombo to Kandy trains leave first thing in the morning (6.30am) or in the afternoon (3.35pm). You need to book a ticket in advance and collect it (showing your passport) from the station - this can take some time so leave an extra 20 minutes to be sure.
I usually book a first class ticket, its air-conditioned, and you get a seat.
If there’s a few of you wanting to catch the train I recommend all arriving together to the train station .
Tickets can be booked here
From Kandy train Station, we can arrange pick up via car or Open air fun experience is tuk tuk.
Transfers from Colombo is included via car if you wish.
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INCLUDED:
Welcome gift pack, Transfers via Van/car from Colombo, twice daily yoga, 7 nights accommodation at Rukgala Retreat ( including all props) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, plus pre yoga smoothie and fruit and post yoga coconut in the morning, Cooking class with Kumari fro local village, guided Hike to Ashbourne Tea Estate including lunch and transport, Guided hike to Buddhist caves, Coconut Ridge Hike one sunset with Sundowner drink, Tea/coffee and herbal tea all day, daily turn down service, Welcome drink on arrival and use of paddle boards for the Lake.
EXCLUDED:
Flights to Sri Lanka, Travel & medical insurance, additional food/drink, massage, optional activity Day Hike to Knuckles Range, other day trip you might want to do ( ie to Kandy)
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I strive to teach accessible yoga, having said that, this isn’t a beginners yoga retreat, so some knowledge or at least a few classes of yoga is recommended. Please contact me I you have specific injury and want to discuss with me.
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It warm and tropical so loose, comfy clothes, Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country and locals wear long skirts or sarongs/pants, and tops. Always good to bring long sleeve tops for temple visiting and socks for hot stone as you don’t wear shoes.
I’d recommend visiting your GP about 3 months in advance and getting vaccinations as recommended. ( if that’s your thing)
I also carry a small medical kit that has antihistamines, pain relief, sting lotion, antibacterial gel, PLUS also gut health Tabs such as SB ( sacharomyces boulardii) useful to take during trip to protect against upset belly and to also treat it Ifyou get it, also hydrolyse tablets and any other meds you might need yourself.
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Yes you do , and ensure you Passport has 6 months validation on it. Its also a condition of this retreat that you have travel insurance.
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Please read the T & C at the top of the Registration Page.
Challenges are ever present and I will do my best to work with the circumstances. If the Entire retreat needs to be postponed your deposit will be transferred to another date.
AT HOME retreat
Considering there are many of us that still can’t actually leave the state we live in, I’ve created an AT HOME 3 Day Retreat.
$88 for a 3 Day Retreat with 2 x Daily Practices of Flow and Restorative, Meds and Pranayama, Plus mantra and journaling prompts.
CLICK below to RETREAT AT HOME.
BALI Rejuvenation retreat - august 2023 SOLD OUT
Keen for 2024? EMAIL ME below!
Join me for 6 nights at the Bali Eco Stay Lodge, located in the heart of Bali. Located far away from the hustle of Ubud and Canggu, Bali Eco Stay is located deep in the energetic heart of Bali, amongst the Balinese jungle, with rice paddies as far as the eye can see.
Together, we will rest, rejuvenate and reset our systems.
Let Bali work its magic as you become immersed in the daily ritual of Sadhana~ twice daily yoga practices and Yoga Nidra, and most of all, plenty of time to REST.
This will be less about adventure and more about taking time to SLOW DOWN, REST and RESET, whilst being held in a nurturing environment.
This is a true return to NATURE re-treat - open air treehouses, zero wifi, mosquito nets on luscious beds, verandas overlooking verdant jungle, fireflies dancing around you at night, food cooked straight from garden, power supplied by hydro-electricity, heritage rice fields and on site waterfalls and pools to swim in.
Dates TBC 2024
COST: TBA -
Inclusions: Breakfast and Dinner Daily, Twice Daily Yoga, 6 Nights in a Balinese Tree House or villa, , twin share, All vegetarian meals, Jungle hike, lush gardens and rice paddies wander, welcome ceremony with local priest, private waterfall and more. Return Airport Transfers included if arrive and departing day of retreat start and finish.
SIGN UP BELOW to be the FIRST to be notified of the next Retreat HERE.
private retreat
THIS RETREAT IS BY REQUEST ONLY.
An Intimate Self-Study Retreat. With only 4-6 People, each with your own room or Luxe Belle tent, this is not just another Yoga Retreat. This is nectar for your spirit. An illuminative experience of daily Yoga encompassing practices to dissolve darkness and remind you of your true nature.
We’ll be deep in the heart of Fleurieu Peninsular in South Australia, on 130 acres of rolling hills, in a restored farmhouse that gives sensational views across the land.
Our meals are prepared by an Award Winning Chef & a Nutritionist to nourish and nurture us from the inside out.
Every morning we’ll wake with the sun and complete journalling on the deck or by the fire with our Chai. ( okay, or coffee) We will then move to our mats to flow. We will Follow our movement with Mantra, Pranayama and Meditation to cleanse our spirits. Breakfast will be Chai, Coffee, cold-pressed juices, plus porridge, granola, stewed fruits and sourdough breads.
This will be followed through the day by workshops, Lunch, bushwalks, Afternoon Yoga Nidra, Evening Fireside Restorative Yoga, and a Sumptuous Dinner
There will be plenty of time for journalling, reading, solo Hikes or curling up in your lush bedroom watching the world go by.
This is what you've been waiting for.
Join me to Illuminate and start our Inner Revolution.
WHAT’S THE INVESTMENT?
TBA Please note this retreat is by REQUEST only and is an Intimate and Luxe Retreat Location with Spectacular views, Luxury accommodation and chef & nutritionist prepared meals, two yoga teachers and MANY inclusions not offered on other retreats.
Approx. $2400
yallingup REvive retreat .
THIS RETREAT IS CURRENTLY ON HOLD.
Its time to head to the Margaret River region in WA, to Premalaya. Set on 6 magical acres, This retreat has been built with love and intention to allow you to melt into the land and yourself, being nourished with bird song, ocean breezes, nourishing food and nature.
There’ll be twice daily Yoga, scrumptious brekky and dinner ( leaving you to explore or self cater for lunch) meditations and walks on beach, sound baths, even opportunity to take part in a sweat lodge, ( plus a few other options activities )
Dates and Costs TBA
ON HOLD
