2008 Dates:
9 December - 23 December (Astanga Yoga with Paula Weisman); 23 December - 6 January (Dynamic Ashtanga Yoga with Stephan Thomas);6 January - 20 January (Scaraveli & Kripalu Yoga with Sandra Callender); 20 January - 3 February (Hatha Yoga with Claire Farman); 3 February - 17 February (Astanga Yoga with Jean Hall); 17 February - 2 March (Dynamic Astanga Yoga with Will Lane); 2 March - 16 March (Astanga Yoga with Mika); 16 March - 30 March (Sivananda based Yoga with Anoushka Pletts); 15 June - 29 June; 29 June - 13 July (Asana Yoga with Pranayama & Meditation with Granville Cousins); 13 July - 27 July (Fluid Hatha Yoga with Deepa Moodgal); 27 July - 10 August (Astanga Yoga with Angus Ford-Robertson).
Ulpotha has been a pilgrimage site for thousands of years and remains an oasis of tranquility in the heart of Sri Lanka. A beautiful private hide-away open to guests for part of the year. A place of total peace, where you can experience the warm, generous and gentle hospitality which Sri Lankans love to offer. Ulpotha is a traditional working village cradled on the one side by low mountains and a lotus ringed lake and on the other by tiny emerald green paddy fields. Guests are welcome to Ulpotha and those who come will find a natural sanctuary of exceptional beauty where the main activity is simply relaxing in its remarkable atmosphere of peace and calm.
A new introduction to Ulpotha is Dr Srilal, an acclaimed Ayurvedic doctor. Subject to consultation and an additional fee he can administer a variety of specialized and individual treatments. This is in addition to our existing local treatment center and massage therapies that are all included in the cost of your holiday.
Getting there: Nearest Airport is Colombo, Sri lanka via Sri Lanka Airways. Airport transfers to Ulpotha are included for those on the designated group flight. This is the direct flight from London Heathrow to Colombo with Sri Lankan Airways, UL506 departing Saturdays approx 10.30am, arriving Sundays approx 02:40am. The return flight is UL505 on Sundays at approx 02:55am.
Many of the UK 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 under Yoga Teachers, (above menu) 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 center, 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's health center offers an interesting combination of east and west, modern and traditional. 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. All the therapies and treatments in Ulpotha are free and each guest is guaranteed at least 2 massages during their two-week stay and sometimes more depending on how full the group is.
In contrast to the western massage the ayurvedic treatments are unvarying and belong to the great healing tradition of Sri Lanka. 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 sages. The special herbs used for the traditional steam bath, or infused into warm oil treatments, which mesmerizing 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 one week to four week treatments are also available at an additional cost subject to a free consultation with our Ayurvedic doctor. Please go to our Ayurvedic page to learn more about what is on offer.
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 colors. So people wear little else. Women need something arm-covering when visiting temples or for occasional cool evenings. You might also need 'uphill shoes' for walks or reaching the mobile phone spot and clothes for cycling or walking.
Rain is rare but, when it comes, it deluges. Ulpotha has umbrellas but shoes that tolerate drowning are useful. 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 6 weeks in June -July and for another 14 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, bookings are for set, two week periods. A longer or shorter stay isn't always possible, as it will depend on how other bookings dovetail, but it's always worth asking before you book or if you want to extend your stay once there.
Peak season prices: 2 week holidays between November and March cost £1,200 per person, and over Christmas/New Year £1,450 per person. Off season prices: 2 week holidays in June and July cost £980 per person. 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 only available on a twin-shared basis for singles or double-bedded basis for couples.
Children are welcome, however there are no special facilities. Children can stay at Ulpotha for free if they share a bed with an adult. However, as they have limited accommodation they have to charge full price, regardless of your child's age, if they need a separate bed.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices:
- Two-week holidays cost £1,300 per person (each extra night £95) - One-week holidays cost £650 (each extra night £95)
- Two-week Christmas/ New Year holidays cost £1,600 per person (each extra night £115)
- One-week Christmas/ New Year holidays cost £800 (£115 for each extra night).
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Sri Lanka
Yoga & Spiritual Experience
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