Luxury hotel holiday Kalundewa Retreat Dambulla

In the village of Kalundewa in historic Dambulla, the Kalundewa Retreat offers a unique experience peace, tranquillity and raw natural beauty in the cultural triangle. Modern chalets stand on stilts atop the lake's waters, providing a nature and wildlife experience not far from the cultural sights of Sri Lanka's central region. 
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 Kalundewa Retreat, near Dambulla

Kalundewa Retreat is an exclusive luxury boutique hotel in a beautiful rural location. Delicious cuisine, sublime nature and excellent wellness facilities afford guests a truly tranquil and serene experience.

Facts in brief

Official star rating Luxury boutique

Location In the countryside, approximately seven miles from Dambulla

Annual opening All year

Closest airport Colombo Airport

Distance from airport Colombo Airport, 90 miles

Hotel facilities and services

Private dining, Outdoor swimming pool, Room service, Excursion assistance, Bicycle rental, 24-hour front desk, Daily housekeeping, Laundry, Parking, Doctor on call.

Out and about nearby

Dambulla, Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama Reservoir, Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya, Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks, Anuradhapura, Polonnanuwa, Sigiriya.

Special offers for this holiday>

Thank you. We had an amazing holiday. Really appreciate the work put in to give us the trip of a lifetime!
Mrs H, Jan 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Deluxe bungalow room for 7 nights

From about

£2,020

Holiday Code EXH1612

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 Kalundewa Retreat, near Dambulla

Room descriptions

Kalundewa Retreat has two chalets and one three-bedroom bungalow with minibar, safe, balcony/terrace, hairdryer, air conditioning, coffee and tea facilities, WiFi.

Deluxe Bungalow Room
Deluxe Chalet
Grand Deluxe Chalet Room with Jacuzzi
Deluxe Bungalow Suite
Romantic Lake Chalet with plunge pool
Luxury Chalet for four occupants
Luxury Bungalow for six occupants

Special offers for this holiday>

Thank you. We had an amazing holiday. Really appreciate the work put in to give us the trip of a lifetime!
Mrs H, Jan 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Deluxe bungalow room for 7 nights

From about

£2,020

Holiday Code EXH1612

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 Kalundewa Retreat, near Dambulla

The journey and how you get there

For a holiday to Kalundewa Retreat 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 30 minutes' drive from Colombo airport and is usually stayed at as part of a tailor-made touring holiday accompanied by a driver-guide.

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.

Thank you. We had an amazing holiday. Really appreciate the work put in to give us the trip of a lifetime!
Mrs H, Jan 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Deluxe bungalow room for 7 nights

From about

£2,020

Holiday Code EXH1612

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 Kalundewa Retreat, near Dambulla

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.

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