Our Packages

One-night

Enjoy a perfect wildlife safari at Wilpattu National Park in the afternoon after checking in and as the day draws to an end, head over to the small island for a unique dinner experience. The next morning take a boat ride down the river absorbing the sites and sounds of mother nature.

Two-nights

Take a full-day wildlife safari at Wilpattu National Park and wrap up the first day with a gentle evening river cruise and a fun dinner on an island. The next day, explore the fun-filled seas of Kalpitiya with a spot of early morning dolphin watching, paired with a scenic tour of this colonial port town. Fill in the rest of the day by taking a natural trail for bird watching and a tuk-tuk ride around the village.

Three-nights

Start off with an exciting river safari paired with a bicycle ride passing village scenes and paddy fields. Trek through the property to explore the variety of unique birdlife and try a hand at fishing while relaxing under the afternoon sun. Schedule a full-day safari at Wilpattu National Park to explore the deep jungle and relax with an evening bout of kayaking and a cooling dip in the river. Complete your stay with a visit to Kalpitiya, home to a vast number of Whales and Dolphins

River Safari

Take a relaxing cruise down the river as the backwaters of the Kala Oya meanders through the forest. With the wind in your hair and the cool ripple of the waters, enjoy a calm quiet punting down the river passing scenic views, and creating a memorable experience. As the river and forest seemingly meet at the horizon, gaze upon flocks of storks as they fly across the sky or a solitary kingfisher perched on a branch eyeing its evening snack. Come dry season, you might even catch a glimpse of a lone elephant braving near the banks for a sip of water

Wilpattu National Park

Explore the wild of Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest national park, steeped with a history dating as far back as the origin of Sri Lankan history. An early start on the safari is guaranteed to give bird lovers magnificent sightings of birds fluttering across the treetops, or if you are in luck a solitary leopard taking a morning stroll on the road. Drive deep into the wild jungle to search for three of Sri Lanka’s Big 5 – the elephant, leopard, and sloth bear amongst other animals such as spotted deer, sambar, jackals, barking deer, crocodiles, mongoose, and much more.

Village Walks

Explore the surrounding with a guide from the village or you can explore on your own. Cross little streams and bountiful fields of paddy and make your way to the beautiful Lotus Lake (Nelum Wewa) which is a haven for Weaver bird nests. On your route you will always find friendly locals ever ready to greet you with a heartwarming smile and a refreshing king coconut.

Tuk Tuk Tours

Hop in the all-time favorite tuk tuk and discover the nearby villages and surrounding sights. Drive through winding roads that will take you through cultivated fields, forests, village scenes and lakes. An entertaining adventure in true Sri Lankan style.

Bicycle Excursion

Another active way to sightsee, grab a bike, don the gear and take off. From wild and rough pathways to smooth carpeted roads, cruise through the village at your own pace and even find a quiet spot under a tree to catch up on a bit of RnR. Or for an authentic village experience, get your hands dirty and dig your heels in the cool mud and enjoy some good hard labour come harvest season when the farmers gather the paddy crop.

Island Getaway

Adding to your memorable experience, take this opportunity to visit an island in the middle of the river, just a few minutes away from the hotel. Perfect for a romantic wine and dine evening with your partner or a fun-filled night with family and friends complete with a brilliant bonfire.

Fishing

Reel in your catch of the day with a spot of leisurely fishing from the river deck or a session of trolling in the sea. With an abundance of fish in the backwaters, with equipment provided by the hotel, fishing enthusiasts can take an afternoon off from exploring the wild to chill out on the deck and cross their fingers for a big catch or head over to Kalpitiya to try some bigger fish.

Bird Watching

The diverse habitat found around Backwaters makes it a perfect place for bird watchers to spend their holiday. From resident and migratory waterbirds wading the shallows of nearby lakes, to a glimpse of rare endemic birds as they disappear within the treetops – it’s a birders paradise. From hornbills, eagles, owls, warblers, flycatchers, munias, terns, weavers, swifts, and much more within the nature reserve the surrounding forest gives you a perfect opportunity to capture that perfect picture.

Dolphin and whale watching

A 45-minute trip to Kalpitiya, and a quick boat ride out to sea, takes you to the deep waters and the home of the remaining two of Sri Lanka’s Big 5 – the Blue whale and the Sperm whale. Other types of whales that visit off the coast of Kalpitiya are the Melon-Headed, Pilot, Brydes and Dwarf Sperm whales. Attracted by the krill rich waters, these gentle creatures can be sighted just a short distance from the coastline, making it one of the best places to see whales in Sri Lanka. While these majestic giants roam the deep, massive pods of dolphins also grace our shores – from the playful Spinner and Spotted dolphins, beautifully coloured Striped dolphins and the more abundant Bottlenose dolphin, while the shy Humpback, Risso and Fraser dolphins prefer the comforts of the deeper waters. 

Places of Interest

A short boat ride will take you to Kalpitiya where you can explore the Dutch Bay and drop by the old Dutch Fort in Kalpitiya, a small square-shaped fort constructed with coral and limestone. Just a few meters away from the fort is a small Dutch church.

Roughly one-hour drive North inside the Wilpattu National Park takes you to Tambapanni now known as Kudrimalai Point with its unique red earth cliffs which is an ancient port with great historic significance as it is the place where Prince Vijiya landed, who later became the father of the Sri Lankan people.

Roughly one-and-a-half-hour drive South takes you to Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary, a beautiful harmony of mangrove, coastal and freshwater ecosystems and home to a diverse range of resident, native and migratory birds.

A two-hour drive towards the centre of the island brings you to the sacred ancient city of Anuradhapura – the hub of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. One of the greatest monastic cities of the ancient world, Anuradhapura dates back to the 5th century BC, standing the test of time while remaining the majestic seat of the kingdom of Sri Lanka until the 11th century AD. Ancient stupas, reservoirs, magnificent rock carvings, historic monasteries, splendid palaces, pavilions, and parks, pioneering hydraulic techniques, and colossal stone statues are some of the glorious wonders that make this ancient city the pride of the island. Offering a multitude of places to visit, make it a point to visit the 2,200 year-old Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo Tree) which is the world’s oldest historical tree, the 1st century BC Abhayagiri, and the 3rd century AD Jetawana Dagabas which are both UNESCO World Heritage sites and second in height only to the pyramids of Giza.

Kayaking

Glide your way through the gently flowing backwaters and mingle with the wild. Enjoy the refreshing breeze and the lull of the softly lapping water. The journey down the river gives you a chance to be one with nature and bask in the wonder of this rich ecosystem. Take in the sights of birds flying past or fish splashing near your kayak as you paddle by.

Snorkeling

With a rich marine ecosystem in the tropical waters of Kalpitiya, snorkel your way through the shallow waters of the coastline looking at exotic marine life. Home to Bar Reef – the largest coral reef in Sri Lanka, many colourful fish and sea creatures such as Manta Rays, Sea Turtles, and Reef Sharks have taken residence beneath the waves. .