Rukgala is a small (boutique!) yoga and wellness-focused centre on the shores of the Victoria Lake near Kandy. The property is built out of an old private house and has been added to a little to give some really comfortable rooms and great chill spaces to relax in a gorgeous setting.

More than the built spaces, though, we’re about offering a unique and refreshing experience of Sri Lanka in a beautiful and still quiet part of the island. We’re mostly about warm welcomes, good food, great yoga and (for those that want) some easy adventure.

There are lots of options for local experiences, from swimming in waterfalls, learning how to make a Sri Lankan curry, hiking surrounded by paddy fields and tea plantations near the Knuckles Mountain range with views as far as the horizon goes, and cultural trips to nearby tea plantations and towns.

All activities are optional, if you’d rather relax by the pool or enjoy walks in the local area then you are more than welcome to! Activities will be paid for as an additional expense on top of your retreat payment.

The food at Rukgala is fresh, colourful, with a nice blend of western cuisine with authentic rich Sri Lankan flavours and dishes. Food will be vegetarian and vibrant, great for your health and plentiful!

Our menus are flexible enough to accommodate any additional dietary requirements, please let us know upon reservation.

We recommend flying to Colombo with a day or two either side of the trip (at least!) so you can acclimatise to the new time zone and climate before the retreat starts. Flights from London to Colombo are regular, the only airline that flies direct are Sri Lankan Airlines. You must secure your own flights and travel insurance for this retreat.

Once in Colombo/Negombo we can help arrange a taxi transfer for you, it takes roughly 3 hours to drive from the airport to the retreat centre. 

Taxis cost about 110 dollars for 2 sharers each way.

To enter Sri Lanka, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.

You will need to have a visa to enter Sri Lanka, you can obtain a visa on arrival to Sri Lanka at the port of entry.

You can also complete your online arrival form up to 3 days before you arrive. The service is free and may save time on arrival.

Tourist visas are normally valid for 30 days. If you overstay your visa the police could issue a fine or detain you. If you want to extend your stay, contact the Immigration and Emigration department.