Ulpotha Village

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Known in yoga circles simply as ‘paradise’, this is a unique, mountain-ringed village in the heart of Sri Lanka, the retreat concentrates almost exclusively on diet, yoga, ayurveda and massage. Ulpotha makes you live close to nature in simple-but-comfortable accommodation spread amongst the flowers and fruit trees of this beautiful 22-acre organic farm. The nearby lake where everyone swims is half-covered in tiny water lilies. Open to visitors about 20 weeks a year, Ulpotha is run as a warm, easy-going house party, combining both friends and 12-15 paying guests, and attracts an interesting mix of people in the arts, media and professions, many of whom come alone. Its profound sense of peace invites you to just relax and luxuriate in its gentle beauty and quiet.

4 / 5 Review by contributing editor George Monkhouse