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"The living conditions far exceeded expectations, both in terms of comfort and aesthetics." - The Financial Times
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Fact
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FACT SHEET
At Ulpotha you will find treatments are based on the ancient Vedic wisdom found in local village medicine. The region around Ulpotha is the oldest continually inhabited area of Sri Lanka, and it retains much of the ancient healing wisdom of the ages. The special herbs used for the traditional steam bath, or infused into warm oil treatments, which mesmerise, sooth and calm, have been valued in this area for thousands of years. All the yoga, massage and native village treatments are included in the cost of your holiday. Full Ayurvedic packages ranging from five day to four week treatments are also available at an additional cost subject to a free consultation with our Ayurvedic doctor. Please go to our Ayurveda page to learn more about what is on offer. Many of the UK's most respected yoga teachers come to Ulpotha. As the teachers usually change every fortnight several types of yoga - usually Hatha, Sivananda, Iyengar and Astanga - are available at different times in the season. If you are keen on doing yoga we recommend you look at Our Yoga Programmes to see which teacher is coming before you book. Every morning there's usually an optional yoga class in a large, open-sided building with a palm leaf roof, or in the cool dappled shade of a banyan tree. Some teach one class a day, others two and some run separate classes for yoga students of different standards. Many also guide early morning walks in the beautifully wooded surrounding hills. If you are coming from the UK it may be worth trying out a class in Britain or talking to the teachers who teach at Ulpotha before deciding when you'll book. As Ulpotha attracts some world-class yoga instructors some guests go mainly for the yoga classes. But it isn't primarily a yoga centre, there's no pressure to attend classes and life doesn't hinge on classes of any kind. So you won't feel an outsider if yoga isn't for you. This is a place to unwind, be gentle with yourself, live close to nature and simply be, rather than a place to exercise and strive. Ulpotha provides yoga mats, wooden blocks, belts, small flat cushions & bolsters in the yoga shala. The western massage treatments range from Thai or deep tissue massage, or aromatherapy, to Shiatsu. They are done by fully qualified massage therapists from Europe and massage styles change from month to month, as Ulpotha uses different massage experts each month. So, if you yearn for a particular type of massage, it's wise to ask when it's available before booking your holiday. Guests can expect one free massage from visiting therapists per week. Any further massages can be arranged with the therapists subject to availability at a cost of $50 per hour. Please note though that if you are undergoing an Ayurveda programme the doctor may advise you not to have any Western massage therapies that may interfere with your treatment. For
flights from the UK
Check In / check out times Ulpotha's official check in and check out times are below. We will always try to accommodate both arriving and departing guests at busy periods to the best of our ability and at no extra cost. However if you want to be certain of your ability to check into your hut on arrival and check out on departure, and you arrive outside of the times below, we recommend you pay for early check in or late check out. Please take into account Ulpotha is 3 houres from the airport. Check in – 12:00 / Check out - 10.30 am For guaranteed check in prior to 12:00 a reservation needs to be made for What to take: Very little indeed. Repeat guests leave valuables and smart clothes at home: virtually nobody wears them and termites may nibble them. 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. So people wear little else. Women need something arm-covering and leg-covering, for occasional cool evenings, and preferably in white or light colours, for visiting temples. You might also need 'uphill shoes' for walks or reaching the mobile phone spot and clothes for cycling or walking. 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. Rain is rare but, when it comes, it deluges. Ulpotha has umbrellas but shoes that tolerate drowning are useful. Ulpotha provides towels but a beach towel is useful too. Some essentials are: a good torch, a spare bulb and plenty of batteries, at least one bath towel, sunscreen, bathing costume and insect repellent, binoculars if you like to watch birds, and appropriate medication. There are also some good books at Ulpotha to borrow if you want to travel light. When to go: Ulpotha only takes guests for 11 weeks in June - August and for another 18 weeks from November to March. The weather varies little and groups are timed to coincide with the end of the rainy season. More of the owners' friends come at Christmas - so it's very lively, and there may be more children. That could make it less restful than usual, but it's very popular, so you need to book Christmas early. How long to stay: To ensure a house-party atmosphere, and to get the most from Ulpotha, we recommend you stay for two weeks and coincide your holiday with that of a particular Yoga teacher - unless you are particularly interested in a longer Ayurveda programme. Remember holidays run from Sunday to Sunday. Prices: $1,300 per person per week on a full board, twin sharing basis*, inclusive of excursions, yoga, massage and any other local treatments apart from the specialised Ayurvedic treatments. Christmas/New Year period only $1,500 per person per week Early Bird Discounts are available for those booking far in advance, and Ulpotha also offers one or two generously discounted places on each group for those who have a good reason to go but simply can't afford it. Though you do need to make your request in writing and explaining your circumstances. *Accommodation is available on a twin-shared basis for singles or double-bedded basis for couples. Single room supplement - $500 per week Children are welcome, and in general, enjoy the freedom that Ulpotha offers immensely, however there are no special facilities. Children from 6 - 16 can stay at Ulpotha for 50% of the adult price and 25% if they are under 6. In keeping with the spirit of a retreat we discourage babies from coming. For details of each holiday and who will be teaching please go to Our Calendar of Holidays
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