Luxury hotel holiday Ulpotha Embogama

A site of pilgrimage and traditional working village located close to the Cultural Triangle, Ulpotha promises peace and tranquillity in a beautiful rural setting. Spend plenty of time exploring the outstanding natural environment around the village. Guests will enjoy the fresh vegetarian cuisine, yoga classes and holistic Ayurveda treatments. Expressions Holidays recommends Ulpotha for the unique opportunity to relax in simple, rustic surroundings on one of our touring holidays of Sri Lanka.
Included in your Expressions holiday
  • Accommodation in a double or twin room on bed and breakfast
  • Scheduled flights with Sri Lankan Airlines
  • Transport by private car with driver-guide
  • Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
  • Optional room, board and flight upgrades. Details on request

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Ulpotha, Embogama

Ulpotha is a unique luxury boutique resort in a beautiful rural location, which is world-renowned for its yoga and Ayurveda therapies. There is no electricity or mod-cons, offering the ultimate opportunity to get away from the stresses of modern life.

Facts in brief

Official star rating Luxury boutique

Location In the countryside, approximately 35 miles from Dambulla

Annual opening November to March and June to August

Closest airport Colombo

Distance from airport About 3 hours by car

Hotel facilities and services

Dining pavilion (vegetarian cooking), Ayurveda treatment centre, Yoga Pavilion, Therapy huts, Lake with small raft and rowing boat, Extensive grounds of farmland, paddy fields and forest.

Complimentary

Yoga and meditation classes, Use of yoga mats, wooden blocks, belts, small flat cushions & bolsters in the yoga shala, One massage per week from visiting therapist, One excursion per week, 3 vegetarian meals per day plus snacks, A cool and comfortable sarong on arrival.

Special offers for this holiday>

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Mud hut for 7 nights

From about

£3,960

Holiday Code EXH714

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Ulpotha, Embogama

Special offers for this holiday>

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Mud hut for 7 nights

From about

£3,960

Holiday Code EXH714

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Ulpotha, Embogama

The journey and how you get there

For a holiday to Ulpotha in Sri Lanka, our clients fly to Colombo, usually with Sri Lankan Airways on a direct flight from London Heathrow (or with Emirates from other UK airports via Dubai). This hotel is 3 hours and 15 minutes' drive from Colombo airport and is usually stayed at as part of a tailor-made touring holiday accompanied by a driver-guide.

Additional information

Minimum stays: 7 nights

Children: Children can stay at Ulpotha for free if they share a bed with an adult. Older children, up to 16 years of age, and who need a separate bed, can come to Ulpotha with a 50% discount.

Other information: Tthere is no electricity at Ulpotha except in the main house which has limited solar power (sufficient to charge a mobile phone).

Special offers

Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Mud hut for 7 nights

From about

£3,960

Holiday Code EXH714

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Ulpotha, Embogama

Highlights of the Cultural Triangle

Sigiriya Rock Fortress; Dambulla Cave Temples; Polonnaruwa – ruins of the ancient capital; Anuradhapura – sacred city; Wildlife safari in Minneriya National Park (or Kaudulla National Park); Elephant rides/treks; Birdwatching on the ‘tanks’; Hot air balloon ride; Cycle ride – local village life; Ayurveda health treatments, massages, herbal steam beds and aromatic baths; Ritigala monastery ruins (walking required); Aukana Buddha; Mihintale; the story of Buddhism; the story of Ayurveda. Day trip or continue on to Kandy, visiting spice gardens, batik workshops, Temple of the Tooth, Kandy market, city centre, view from hills, workshops for woodcarving, brass and musical instruments.

Cultural highlights of the Cultural Triangle

Four of Sri Lanka's eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in what is popularly known as the Cultural Triangle. Between them they tell a fascinating story of Sri Lanka’s civilisation. The 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress is one of Sri Lanka’s most awe-inspiring archaeological sites and its prime tourist attraction, well worth climbing to see the majestic views from the summit. Nearby are the Dambulla Cave Temples, each cave filled with murals and gilded statues depicting the life of the Buddha. The well-preserved ruins of Polonnaruwa, the 12th century capital, tell a story of Buddhism, royalty, kinship, war and power. Highlights are the Royal Palace, Council Chamber and four graceful Buddha statues of Gal Vihara. The ancient city of Anuradhapura is a vast archaeological site of palaces, monasteries, temples and dagobas, mostly in ruins, although some have been resorted. This was one of the grandest monastic cities that the world has ever seen. Other sights worth seeing are Mihintale Sanctuary, known as the ‘cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka’; Ritigala, ruins of a 9th century monastery hidden amongst dense forest; and Minneriya National Park, a park filled with wildlife including elephants, buffalo, wild boar and crocodiles.

Festivals in the Cultural Triangle

The Buddhist festivals: monthly on Poya (full moon) days, especially Vesak (May) and Poson (June). Poson marks the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arahat Maha Mahinda, son of Asoka of India at Mihintale in 3rd century BC. July to October – the Elephant Gathering: during this season in the evenings, hundreds of wild elephants gather along the banks of the Minneriya Tank.

Climate in the Cultural Triangle

As the climate is very hot with an average temperature of 30° C, it is best to do sightseeing and activities in the early mornings and late afternoons, with time to relax at the hotel, eat or travel in air-conditioning at the height of the day. Average humidity is 60%, with very little rainfall most of the year - most of the rain falls between November and February when the North-east monsoon prevails.

Other holidays you might be interested in...