Clove Tree House is a newly converted old tea estate bungalow which is simply furnished to make your stay as comfy as possible. It is situated in an unspoilt valley well off the beaten track in the hills above the Ravana falls, near Ella with spectacular views of Ella Rock and Lipton’s Seat. There are wonderful walks, waterfall pools to swim in and an abundance of birds and wildlife. It is the perfect place to relax. A 5 min walk away is Amba Estate where you can learn the process of tea making in their micro tea factory.
Due to the intimate nature of the accommodation, they can’t cater for children under the age of 5yrs.
Aukana is the tallest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka, standing 12 metres tall. Located in the village of Aukana (close to Kekirawa), central Sri Lanka, the imposing statue dates back to the 5th century and is one of the best and most well preserved statues on the island.
Now a magnet for tourist to Sri Lanka, the forty foot statue is carved out of an imposing slab of granite rock and is an example of Abhayamudra, or a “gesture of fearlessness”, with the right arm bent and raised to shoulder height, palm exposed. This gesture represents peace, protection and the dispelling of fear.
Carved into the granite rock face, the statue is widely considered the best example of a Buddha statue on the island and was skilfully carved. The robe was delicately carved and beautifully conveys the realistic form and shape of the underlying body. The face is placid in expression, projecting and reinforcing the fearlessness the statue represents.
Sri Lanka is stamping its mark as one of the prime family holiday destinations. It offers something for everyone keeping the parents, as well as the children happy.
The children love the random wild life they come across on their day to day excursions such as monkeys, Monitor Lizards, Mongooses, Palm squirrels and sometimes even wild Elephants standing by the busy main roads. The adults are focused on the safaris to try and find The Leopard or the Sloth bear. The big storks, Hornbills and Kingfishes too draw the visitor’s attention.
The activities such as the bike ride through the rice paddy fields and the little villages, Climbing the Lion rock, Walking through the tea plantations, White water rafting, Village tours drinking coconuts and eating rice and curry keep the children on their toes. The parents like to walk in the quiet ancient cities and the calm temples absorbing the slow peaceful walk of life of this Island nation.
The families that like to be adventurers and go off the beaten track have so much to explore. The Knuckles Mountain range is an amazing place for trekking and hiking. You could experience all the different climatic zones in Sri lanka within the knuckles range. You could walk in isolation and feel the real tropical jungles.
Climbing up Ella rock too is a great experience, seeing the southern plains and sometimes even the sea which is about 80 miles away.
After a busy tour the adults and the children will be ready to lie down on the golden beaches of Sri Lanka. Water sports such as surfing, Scuba diving and snorkelling can be very easily arranged locally.
Most of all the Sri Lankan people are very friendly and welcoming. The families will feel very safe blending with these gentle and helpful people.
This home stay is on a delightful small organic estate growing both tea and spices. It isn’t as grand as many of the tea bungalows but does have a rustic charm all of its own. You can stay in the main bungalow which has 4 double rooms and 2 bathrooms. It is about 40mins from Ella and is perched above Ravana Falls with fantastic views of Ella Rock and Lipton’s Seat. You can take tours of the tea estate and micro tea factory or enjoy one of the many walks to be had in this area and the fantastic sunrises and sunsets. Would recommend a minimum of a two night stay.
One of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, the Aluvihare Rock Temple is a treasure trove of ancient relics from the 3rd century BC right up until the present day.
Founded by first Buddhist king, Devanampiyatissa, the temple remains a place of worship and is laid out over several levels of the lush and mountainous landscape. The temple and surrounding area is a wonderful and intriguing place to visit during any Sri Lankan tour.
