Jungle Yoga Retreat - Sri Lanka

Our preferred method of registration is online, which is very simple. Just click on the Book Now button and follow the instructions.

Ulpotha is open 7 months in the year. The rest of the year we are closed to visitors as it goes back to being a self-sustaining village. During the periods in which we are open, retreats are held every two weeks starting and finishing on Sundays.

Ulpotha is very much a traveller’s experience rather than a tourist’s, in the sense it’s a place to immerse one’s self in to allow its charms to slowly seep in. In other words, the longer the stay, the greater the benefit. Generally a two-week stay is best – coinciding with a particular Yoga retreat – though a week will confer many of the benefits of a longer stay.

Ideally your holiday should coincide with one of the Yoga retreats in order for you to get the best benefit from the yoga course that is being taught, but this is not at all compulsory.

Yes, they are, though we would like parents to be mindful of other guests, given that Ulpotha is a place where people come to relax. There are no special facilities for children and they cannot be catered to separately. Babies are discouraged simply because of issues of practicality.

You can either pay by bank transfer, which is what we most prefer, or by credit card, although this carries a 3.5% surcharge. You can ask us for further payment details by email.

If the start date of your retreat is more than 8 weeks away, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required within 5 days of booking confirmation to reserve your space, the balance payment is due 8 weeks prior to your arrival date at Ulpotha.

US $2,940 per person for each two week programme throughout the time Ulpotha is open during the year, with the exception of Christmas and New Year when it costs US $3,500 per person for two weeks. One week stays cost $1,470 and $1,750 per person respectively. Ayurveda treatments can be pre-booked at additional cost (see Ayurveda Treatments for costs).

It includes accommodation on a shared basis (sharing with someone of the same gender if coming alone), all meals, snacks, drinks, two Yoga classes a day (except on full day excursion and departure days when there is no yoga, there is morning yoga only on half day excursion day and evening yoga only on arrival days), transport for one excursion per week’s stay (half day in week one and full day in week two), a 1-hour massage from one of our visiting therapists per 7-night stay, laundry service and the use of bicycles, hot water bathing area and taxes.

Since gracious and priceless hospitality is what Ulpotha offers, tipping is not accepted and there are no additional service charges.

Children under 12 years old can come at 50% of the usual rate. However they do not qualify for the complimentary massage, nor can they attend the yoga classes. All other facilities in Ulpotha are available to them though please note that there are no special facilities for children. 

We will meet you at the airport and take you back to the airport after your holiday.

The cost of Airport transfers is US$ 100 each way by car / $120 by van.

From any hotel in Negombo it will be as above.

From Colombo city (4 hours drive) it will be US$ 120 by car / $140 by van.

Please email us should you wish to be collected or dropped off at a location in Sri Lanka other than the airport and need to know the cost.

There is no wifi. This is not the disaster one might expect it to be. In fact we can say from experience that perhaps one of the greatest benefits Ulpotha offers is enforced disconnection. There aren’t many places left in the world that give you an excuse to not be available except a quirky village in the jungle. This is in itself a huge liberation.

However, for those unable to cut this particular umbilical cord, there is digital reception sufficient to allow smartphone activity. Electricity is available within Ulpotha to charge mobiles, smartphones, torches and cameras but not battery or power packs, toothbrushes, tablets and computers. However, arrangements can be made to send the latter to the neighboring village to be charged and returned.

Our highly experienced instructors are fully qualified to teach all ages and all levels of experience and ability. If you are an absolute beginner, you will find it easier to slip into the first week of a retreat to ensure you benefit from the foundation teachings. Just go at your own pace and remember that it’s a holiday after all. And if you don’t feel like going to yoga classes, that’s absolutely fine too. Everything is optional and you can do as much or as little as you like.

Generally there are two classes – a longer one of about one and a half to two hours in the morning and a lighter one in the afternoon. The times of the classes vary and are set according the collective wishes of those practising.

Our yoga classes begin in the evening of the first Sunday of a retreat and end with the evening class on the final Saturday of the retreat, leaving you time to pack before departure on the Sunday at 10:30 am. There is no yoga on the afternoon of the half-day excursion (week one of the retreat), nor on the full day excursion during week two.

Though a limited number of Yoga mats are available, it’s recommended that you bring your own. Ulpotha provides wooden blocks, belts and small bolsters in the Yoga shala.

The Ayurveda practiced in Ulpotha is gentle and unregimented and unlike any available anywhere else. The reason being that Ulpotha itself is uniquely conducive to the health of mind, body and spirit. It possesses healthy food, an environment free of almost all pollution – air, noise, digital and electromagnetic – and is surrounded by unsurpassed natural beauty, all of which contribute holistically to being therapeutic and beneficial to the Ayurveda notion of good health.

It’s very much off the beaten track in the heart of Sri Lanka by a lakeside at the foot of the Galgiriyawa mountains. Geographically, it’s literally in the middle of country on a North-South axis and slightly to the West on an East-West one. In travel time it’s about 1 hour’s drive North from Kurunegala, or 2 hours Northwest from Kandy, and 3 hours Northeast from the airport.

You fly into Sri Lanka’s primary international airport, Colombo Bandaranaike International airport, also known as the Kutuyanake airport, which is an hour North of the main city of Colombo and three hours to the Southwest of Ulpotha. Direct flights with Sri Lankan Airlines take about 10 hours from Europe. Please be aware that from Europe your departure tends to be the day before your arrival and start of the holiday due to time difference and journey time.

All Foreign nationals arriving in Sri Lanka for holiday or business will need a visa on arrival. This can be obtained through your travel agent when booking your ticket or online at www.eta.gov.lk

Please make sure that your passport is valid for at least 180 days before your date of entry into Sri Lanka otherwise you will be refused entry into the country.

We will meet you at the airport and return you to the airport after your holiday.

The cost of Airport transfers is US$ 100 each way by car / $120 by van.

From any hotel in Negombo it will be as above.

From Colombo city (4 hours drive) it will be US$ 120 by car / $140 by van.

If not prepaid, the transfer cost should be paid on arrival to Nirosha in Ulpotha. Please enquire should you wish to be collected or dropped off at a location in Sri Lanka other than the airport.

Please note that the East Pole Foundation cannot be held responsible for medical decisions or conditions. If you are taking medication, please bring it with you.

Recommended injections are a Tetanus booster and Hepatitis A. The World Health Organisation declared Sri Lanka malaria free in October 2012, so Malaria tablets are not necessary.

For comfort, it’s recommended you bring along some Lavender and Tea Tree Essential oils as these are useful for calming any bites that you might get during your stay.

Very little indeed! Repeat guests leave valuables and smart clothes at home. The sarong you’re given on arrival makes a wonderfully cool and comfortable dress, or a kilt for either sex. Ulpotha also sells other sarongs in stunning colours.

During monsoon months (May, September and October) Ulpotha is closed to the public. The rest of the year sees mainly sunny skies, though November and December have occasional showers.

For yoga, we suggest light cotton tops and shorts or yoga leggings. Our in-house tailor sells light cotton fisherman’s pants and tops which are also ideal.

For visiting temples, women need something arm-covering and leg-covering, preferably in white or light colours. You might also need uphill shoes and clothes for walks or cycling. Flip-flops are useful as shoes are not worn in any of the huts or main house, and they are easier to slip on and off than lace ups. Ulpotha provides towels but a beach towel is useful too.

Other useful things are: a good torch (preferably rechargeable), a hat, sunscreen, bathing costume and insect repellent, binoculars if you like to watch birds, and of course any regular medication.

There are also some good books at Ulpotha to borrow if you want to travel light, or you can also choose to load up and charge your Kindle before you come.