AMENITIES
POOL (FROM NOVEMBER 2018)
AIR CONDITIONING AND FANS
TV, XBOX, DVD PLAYER
BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS
WIFI
WASHING MACHINE AND DRYER
FULL TIME CLEANER
ONSITE CARETAKER
PROPERTY MANAGER
ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY SOLAR WATER HEATING
CCTV AND ALARM SYSTEM
SMOKE ALARMS FITTED THROUGHOUT
LARGE RANGE OF BOOKS
CHILDREN'S INDOOR AND OUTDOOR GAMES
AMENITIES
POOL (FROM NOVEMBER 2018)
AIR CONDITIONING AND FANS
TV, XBOX, DVD PLAYER
BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS
WIFI
WASHING MACHINE AND DRYER
FULL TIME CLEANER
ONSITE CARETAKER
PROPERTY MANAGER
ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY SOLAR WATER HEATING
CCTV AND ALARM SYSTEM
SMOKE ALARMS FITTED THROUGHOUT
LARGE RANGE OF BOOKS
CHILDREN'S INDOOR AND OUTDOOR GAMES
EXPLORE
The Tree Retreat is a beautiful oasis of calm and tranquility 15 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Hikkaduwa, 30 minutes from the historic fort town of Galle and less than 2 hours from Bandaranaike International Airport.
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa, a lively seaside town in the south west of Sri Lanka is popular for its beaches, surfing and many restaurants and bars. The Tree Retreat is close enough to Hilkkaduwa to enjoy the beach and nightlife whilst also being just far enough away to escape to your personal tropical sanctuary after a short 15 minute drive from the beach through paddy fields and local cinnamon and tea plantations.
The shallow waters opposite Hikkaduwa Beach shelter Hikkaduwa National Park, a coral sanctuary and home to marine turtles and exotic fish. The turtles are regular visitors to Hikkadwa beach and are often spotted in the shallower waters to the left of the main beach.
Hikkaduwa is known all over the world for its surfing which can be enjoyed by both experienced surfers and beginners. There are a range of schools lining the beach which provide lessons and board hire. Our children have attended Reef End Surf School and found the instructors to be very attentive and patient.
Body boarding is also a lot of fun and body boards can either be rented or you can pick up your own on the first floor of the nearby Sandigari supermarket. If you are a serious boarder and prefer a higher quality board, we recommend you bring your own as board options in Hikkaduwa are limited.
Built in 1684, the historic building reflects its heritage in every architectural and decorative detail.
This old Dutch warehouse houses the National Maritime Museum.
The beach is protected by a reef and has a great restaurant and bar serving fantastic pizza and cocktails
Enjoying the sunset waves
Further afield
There are a number of amazing sights to be seen across Sri Lanka. Our personal favourites are below.
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Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park located in the south-west of Sri Lanka. It is has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is Sri lanka’s last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. Sinharaja has much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to over 50% of Sri Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians.
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Nearby
Close to Hikkaduwa it is possible to visit Gangarama MahaVihara - a Buddhist temple decorated with hand-painted murals depicting the life of Buddha as well as Hikkaduwa Lake - home to wildlife such as monitor lizards and birds.
Nearby, you can also visit Hikkaduwa Turtle Farm and Hatchery, a haven for several endangered turtle species, including Hawksbills and Leatherback turtles. In the nearby village of Telwatta, the Tsunami Photo Museum exhibits photos and salvaged items from the 2004 tsunami, which devastated this coastal area.
Northeast is the Moonstone Mine, where you can see how moon stones are mined and prepared to be sold.
Less than an hour away
Boat tour - mangroves, cinnamon plantation and Buddhist temple
Around 45 minutes north of Hikkaduwa it is possible to take a boat trip to visit the mangroves and wildlife along the Madu river where you can see everything from monkeys in the trees to water monitors, kingfishers and sometimes even a snake or two. You can stop for a fish pedicure en-route to visit Cinnamon Island, where you can see how cinnamon is grown and harvested. You can also pay a visit to a Buddhist temple on an island only accessible by boat which is occupied by resident Buddhist monks. Bracelets blessed by the monks are placed on your wrist for good luck and health.
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Galle
A visit to the historic city of Galle is an unmissable experience. Located less than 45 minutes from The Tree Retreat, Galle is a Unesco World Heritage Site known for Galle Fort - the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. The wonderful old town is a pleasure to explore on foot. You can wander through its winding lanes past quirky cafes, stylish boutiques and beautifully renovated hotels enjoying architecture reflecting its Portuguese, Dutch and British heritage. The famous Galle Lighthouse stands on the fort’s southeast tip.
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Unawatuna, Mirissa and Wijaya Beaches
These stunning beaches are all located less than an hour south of The Tree Reteat. Unawatuna has a stunning semi-circular palm-lined beach and turquoise waters and offers a great range of restaurants with fantastic sea views. Mirissa is also a beautiful beach although quieter than Unawatuna. It is the main location to take whale watching tours from December - April.
Wijaya beach is close to Mirissa and protected by a reef is well known for its sheltered waters. Wijaya Beach Rrestaurant and Bar is located just behind the beach and serves delicious pizzas from its wood-fired oven as well as a wide variety of Asian and European cuisine. There is also an extensive range of very tasty cocktails.
Kandy
Kandy is a city of magnificent colonial and Kandyan architecture. It is built on a plateau encircled by mountains - home to tea plantations and acres of rainforest. At the heart of the city is the picturesque Kandy Lake which is popular for walking. Kandy is famous for its sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine - one of Buddhism's most sacred shrines. Although teeming in history and culture and great to visit at any time of year, the city is renowned for its famous Kandy Esala Perahera festival (held annually in July/August).
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is a hill-country village know for its temperate, cool climate. It lies at the heart of the country's famous tea industry and is surrounded by many tea plantations. Known as 'Little England because it was established by the British in the 1840s, Nuwara Eliya was a hill country retreat where the British colonialists spent time enjoying pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting, elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket.
Ella
Ella is a beautiful hill-country village, with incredible views through the Ella Gap. You can enjoy stunning walks around Ella, strolling through tea plantations to temples, waterfalls and viewpoints such as Adam's Peak and Little Adam's Peak. Many visitors arrive by train from Nuwara Eliya - regarded by many as one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. It passes through tea plantations, into the clouds and then weaves in and out of the many mountain tunnels before descending into Ella.
Passekudha and Kalkudah
Kalkudah Bay is a 2km long wide stretch of beach well protected by the off shore reef. Passekuda beach is wide and long and spreads for 4km long just south of Kalkudah. The beach also houses a variety of tropical fishes and exotic coral reefs. The combined beaches of Kalkudah and Passekudah are ideal for bathing as the sea is clear, calm and reef-protected: a perfect setting for sun bathing, windsurfing, and skiing.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphange
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants. It was founded to care for orphaned baby and adult elephants lost in the wilderness and is now home to the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2011, there were 10965 elephants, including 4643 males and 968 females from three generations, living in Pinnawala. A visit is not to be missed and highlights include watching the baby elephants being bottle fed by their carers and also witnessing the herd bathing in the nearby river.
Yalla National Park
Yala National Park is Sri Lanka's most famous national park in southeast Sri Lanka, covering a huge area of forest, grassland and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean. It is home to wildlife such as leopards, monkeys, elephants and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of bird species. Due to Yalla's popularity, the park can get crowded particularly along the main tracks and viewing spots.
Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe is smaller than Yalla - about a third of the size - covering 308 square kms and far less busy. Nonetheless, given its smaller size, it has a greater density of animal to size ratio, particularly elephants. Yala is famous for its variety of animals and Udawalawe for its elephants, attracted to the Udawalawe reservoir. Both have leopards but Yala is more popular and crowded so it is often easier and more enjoyable to spot animals at Udawalawe than Yala.
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay Beach is a wide sweeping sandy beach in front of the village of Arugam Bay and is famous for attracting surfers from all over the world. It is close to Yala National Park making it possible to easily combine a trip to these two very different but equally enticing destinations. Peak season at Arugam Bay runs from June until August and this is when the surfing is at its best and the beaches are at their busiest. Outside these months, the weather is still good, but the atmosphere is more relaxed and the beach is much quieter.
Sigiriya
Referred to by locals as the Eighth Wonder of the World, the ancient palace and fortress complex of Sigiriya is a world heritage site with significant archaeological importance. It attracts thousands of tourists every year and is probably the most visited tourist destination in Sri Lanka. The Sigiriya rock plateau is 200 meters higher than the surrounding jungle resulting in spellbinding views. The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains. The view at the summit is breathtaking and fully worth the climb.
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Dambulla
Approximately half an hour's drive from Sigiriya, you can find the Dambulla Cave Temple. Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, it is a world heritage site housing the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. There are more than eighty documented caves in the surrounding area however the main attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings related to Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses including Vishnu and the Ganesha.
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Polonnaruwa
The second most ancient of Sri Lankan's kingdoms, a former capital city and world heritage site, Polonnaruwa is well worth a visit. The home of kings who ruled the central plains of Sri Lanka 800 years ago, Polonnaruwa was a commercial and religious centre with a past that can still be imagined today. The splendors of that era can be found in the archaeological sights that help create an image of how the city looked when it was a thriving hub of activity. Polonnaruwa is a delight to explore, with hundreds of ancient structures – tombs and temples, statues and stupas – in a compact core.
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Colombo
Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka and its largest city. Based on the west coast, it boasts a rich colonial heritage,with a mix of races, religions and cultures. The city is a contrast in itself, with mansions, lush gardens, fine dining options, and shopping malls packed with expensive designer brands next to Colombo's congested roads, street markets and never-ending stream of people . There are many sights to visit however and if you enjoy dining out, try lunch at the Paradise Road Gallery cafe, a sunset drink at the famous Galle Face Hotel’s Sea Spray bar and dinner at the famous Ministry of Crab. Breakfast the next day at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel is also a treat.
