Polwaththa Yoga & Meditation Retreat

We had a wonderful experience at the yoga retreat. The retreat was community focused and sustainable. The yoga and breath-work sessions were thoughtfully structured and taught with such skill and compassion by Danielle, who is incredibly inspiring. The food was delicious and we felt so nourished. A big thank you to Danielle, Karina, Prassana and the rest of the team for creating such special experience for us.

We booked online for a 3 night / 4 day all inclusive yoga retreat at Polwaththa Yoga and Meditation retreat. The booking process was easy and the cummunication and joining instructions were clear. (The 1hr bus trip from Kandy to Digana is a great experience). As soon as we arrived at the retreat we were well taken care of. Everything was well organized and the staff spoke good English. We could instantly relax. The accommodation is clean and beautifully simple. Our cabin was built into the hillside with a veranda on stilts - the views and the sounds were five stars. There was an intamacy with the jungle that would have been lost if we had stayed anywhere else. Take mosquito repellent (this applies anywhere in Sri Lanka) The yoga practise suited us perfectly. The practice takes place at the yoga shala which is a roofed open area. Special. The hike to the waterfall was very informative. It wasn't a big day by hiking standards but in the tropical heat that is no bad thing. One of the highlights was swimming in the small gap between the waterfall and the rock. A GoPro selfie moment of a lifetime! The food was delicious and plentiful. We opted for local dishes which were exactly that. The cooking lesson used ingredients from the jungle that we had seen on our hike. Planting a tree on the last day hit home the importance of the work these guys are doing and of the magical experience that they have managed to create. I highly recommend it.

I booked my 4 day, 3-night yoga retreat at Polwaththa on a whim. I just loved the appeal of being surrounded by nature after a week or so of being in big cities. I didn’t know much about the space before I arrived and it totally exceeded my expectations. Communication with Remon via email beforehand was clear and quick, he responded speedily and answered all the questions I had prior to arriving. Polwathatha is a welcoming family run lodge that is managed by the Sri Lankan / Dutch couple and their son. Polwaththa offer free pick-up from Digana, the closest town, which is a short 40-minute drive from Kandy. You can take a bus or easily hail an Uber. I was given clear instructions on where to wait in Digana and shortly after my Uber dropped me off, a Jeep arrived with two friendly staff members. I hopped in the back and we chatted as we drove up into the hills. The first night I was taken to my beautiful wooden Cabin in the hills. They have a variety of wooden cabins scattered in the forest, all peacefully located far enough away from each other so you feel remote yet immersed in nature. The view from my balcony was unforgettable. That evening I was welcomed by the resident yoga teacher and met the owners and other staff members. Dinner was sensational. A mix of chicken curry, vegetable dishes, delicious eggplant, stir-fried beans, rice, popadoms, homemade coconut sambal (which we learned to make the following day in the cooking class, which is included in the yoga retreat price). Following dinner we had fruit and were offered tea. Every single meal from breakfast through to dinner was amazing, homemade local Sri Lankan dishes cooked to perfection. Vegetarian and vegan options were available as well as some more western cuisine if that is what you prefer. The following morning we met in the communal space at 6.45am and took the easy walk through the forest to the beautiful yoga shala. The space is magical. A wonderful view, we practised Vinyasa surrounded by nature and the sounds of local birds. We ate breakfast, rested for a while and then was guided through a cooking class of local Sri Lankan dishes. The vegetables were taken from their organic garden or bought from local sellers in the village. I was also offered to plant a tree in their forest, as they have an ongoing reforestation programme on their land. That evening was our first yin class. We practised as the sun set and meditated in candlelight, a truly unforgettable experience. Freya, the yoga teacher has a wonderful way of connecting with you in class and adjusting the practice to your needs. It’s suitable for beginners or more advanced yogis. I was truly welcomed from the first minute of arriving and felt at peace in the forest. The following day we did yoga again in the morning and then head out for a 4km walk with a guide to a nearby waterfall where we ate lunch, swam and let the fish nibble on our feet. That afternoon was a tropical storm, I high-tailed it back to the room and listened to the rain pattering on the rooftop. The room itself is a cosy little cabin, sunlight floods in through the windows in the morning, there are extra blankets for when it gets chillier in the night and mosquito nets. They provide you with torches to navigate the forest in the dark, umbrellas (just incase) and a little book giving you information about what you can do in the local area. The common area has a variety of books you can pick up and read, games you can play or hammocks to relax in. I’d highly recommend visiting Polwaththa eco retreat for a few days if you’re in Sri Lanka to reset, enjoy the beautiful nature and ground yourself. I enjoyed myself so much that I extended for a few days.

My 16 year old daughter and I completed the 4 day yoga retreat at Polwaththa Eco Lodges. It's hard to describe the days we encountered, you must go and experience the energy, hospitality, atmosphere, and uniqueness that awaits. The lodges are simple, yet spotlessly clean with comfortable beds, fresh linen and towels, and mosquito nets if required. The nights are silent, albeit some subtle jungle sounds may be heard as you drift off to sleep. We awoke one morning to a family of monkeys enjoying playtime in the tree tops in front of our bungalow. The food was amazing and so much on offer. The owners and staff warmly welcome you and feel like family by the end of your stay. The best bit - the 🧘‍♀️ yoga. Our utmost thanks to Amy, who gave love, openness, and boundless knowledge for our morning and evening classes. Amy's teaching made this the best practice I've experienced with over 20 years of off and on yoga learning. The village tour, with waterfall trek, spice tour, and tree planting all located in the jungle far from the hustle and bustle was authentic and an experience not to be forgotten. Thank you 🙏 I shall return ❤️

We had a wonderful time. The Yoga was great, and the staff was very friendly. It is a very calming place in the jungle. I can definitely recommend!