​Our Story
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Polwaththa Eco Lodges was established in 2010. Our vision was to give guests the opportunity to experience rural life in Sri Lanka and for the local community to benefit from this. It was necessary to find a village not too far from the touristic route but still remote, with a pleasant climate, a pristine environment and an authentic Sri Lankan village inhabited by hospitable people – not an easy task by any means, but we did not have to look far. Lying just 19 km from Kandy city, the owner’s ancestral village, Wepathana, was a perfect fit! With humble beginnings and a huge challenge ahead, Polwaththa Eco Lodges was launched at a time when Sustainable Tourism was beginning to pick up. From then on, there was no looking back and our determination to succeed finally paid off, winning the TripAdvisor Certificate for Excellence for consecutive years - thanks to our dedicated and friendly staff who are proudly from nearby villages and our esteemed guests who supported us with great reviews and encouragement to forge ahead.
Our enthusiasm to satisfy our guests continues and we strive to meet the demands of the ever-changing trends in modern-day tourism. Our aim is to provide, besides an enjoyable holiday, an experience - based more on spiritual values and less on material uplift, which will hopefully have a positive influence on your own life. This to us, is one sure way of sustaining this world for us to live in harmony and for our future generations to benefit from. We continue to evolve, with ever expanding and developing new projects that enable us to support more and more local people.
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The idea to start this project came from within the Ellegala family, primarily Nihal who has vast experience in the tourism industry. He had a vision to set up a sustainable tourism project from the time he entered the tourism field and since then, we have been working closely with the local villagers, providing education and training, learning from them, and establishing ourselves as a genuine ecotourism business.
A unique feature of our Eco Lodge is the close bond between the management and the local villagers. The local staff-members and other relevant villagers are consulted when planning and implementing any new projects. The staff, after receiving initial training in necessary areas, are encouraged to handle the guests independently. While this gives them much-needed confidence and skills, it also gives the guests the opportunity to closely interact with a “local”, to discover the real experience of how it is to live in a Sri Lankan village. Although tradition discourages women from working in the hotel trade, we have succeeded in having nearly 30% of women, a number that we hope will continue to rise!​
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​​​​​The active participation of Nel, Nihal's Dutch wife, in areas connected with re-forestation, besides discovering new nature-based treks and promoting local handicrafts, gives a global thrust to a local need. Her deep love for nature combined with an unwavering determination, ensures a high success rate – 70% of the 700+ new trees planted from November 2016, are doing well, despite challenging weather conditions.
Adding to the international flavor are their son, Remon, and his British wife Freya. Remon had his education in Sri Lanka, graduated in Travel & Tourism in the Netherlands and finished his 7-year work-experience in the hospitality trade in London. He together with Freya have gradually taken over the property, as passed on from one generation to another since the early 20th century. Remon looks like a European but acts like a Sri Lankan – a good balance where a European taste and a local culture have to blend!
Our Philosophy & Projects
At Polwaththa, we proudly employ 80% of our staff from the local village and surrounding areas, ensuring that we contribute to the community's well-being. We offer above-average wages, along with a savings account for each employee to encourage better financial planning. We actively involve local staff and villagers in our project planning, and we encourage all visitors to plant a tree before they leave, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship. Additionally, we support local schools, fund education for the underprivileged, and invest in local schools, community centres and agricultural projects, all while promoting conservation through our Forest Healing Foundation.
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Most of our lodges were built using locally sourced materials on the land and we proudly support our community by sourcing all our supplies from local shops a maximum of 5km away. We grow, source and hand roast our own organic coffee as part our commitment to empowering local women and farmers. This led us to launch Eko Land Produce in 2020 which has grown to export over 10 different spices to Europe and the USA.
We're committed to waste management by turning food waste into compost and recycling plastic and glass. We also minimise the use of water and electricity through solar panels and using well water.
And let's not forget our community shop, which showcases local crafts, clothes and provides vital financial support to our talented community!
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The Snug
Welcome to The Snug, our new coworking space and jungle cafe/bar where nature, comfort and productivity come together. Enjoy our artisan coffee or one of our fresh juices while enjoying the stunning views of the forest. Alongside our delicious traditional local Rice & Curry options, we have a range of other tasty treats on the menu inclcuding our home-grown mushroom burger!
Although we try to minimuse the use of technology, we understand that today's reality means access to the internet is essential for many people. In this cosy space we are pleased to provide newly installed high-speed fiber internet. Allow nature to inspire your creativity!
Join us for a unique experience that feels like a home in the jungle!
How to reach us
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We are located in a beautiful jungle only 19 km from Sri Lanka's bustling hill-capital, Kandy (40 minutes) and about 120 km from the airport/ Colombo. The closest town is called Digana from where we arrange a pickup as the last 1km is a steep climb. Please call us on 0704810100 before travelling to us so that we can arrange the pickup. For travel routes from main tourist spots please click below.
Volunteering
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Are you interested in becoming part of our community? Then you have come to the right place! If planting trees, wall painting, social media stuff (making noise!) or documenting our work sounds exciting then please reach out! You can contact Remon at remon@ekoland.lk
Accommodation
You will be staying in our Volunteer Space which is shared with our Yoga Teacher. It is a 6 minute walk through the jungle and has its own lounge, kitchen, office, bathroom and garden. You will have 3 local meals per day at the Lodge included in your stay.
Volunteer periods
All year round.
Volunteer contracts are between 3 - 12 weeks with 20 hours per week. You will be working 4 hours per day, 5 days per week. Working hours are flexible and you will given enough time to explore the rest of the island.
FAQs
What is the weather like?
The rainy season typically occurs from mid October to mid-December, but predicting it can be challenging due to the shifting global climate. We are often seeing sunny spells in the morning which is typical during the monsoon season. On rainy days, you may encounter leeches that resemble small black worms but there's no need to worry—they are harmless! Temperatures generally range from 23°C in the evenings to 26°C during the day. We suggest bringing a jumper as it can be slightly chilly in the evenings. ​
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The warmest period in Sri Lanka is January to April when temperatures can go up to 30°C but the forest will make sure you stay relatively cool.
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What should I bring?
Pack plenty of soft T-shirts and shorts. Please note that Sri Lankan village culture differs significantly from Western norms, so we advise women to wear shorts that reach the knees and to cover bikinis with a T-shirt when swimming or in public areas. Additionally, consider bringing walking shoes, a light rain jacket, a jumper (for the cooler nights), swimwear, and rubber slippers.
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How can I pay?
​​We prefer payment to be made in cash in either US Dollars, Euros, Pound Sterling or Sri Lankan Rupees (SLRs.) which you can obtain from the many ATM machines available nearby which accept debit or credit cards issued by most banks. We also accept card payments but please note there is a 4% process fee.
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Do you provide driver accommodation?
Unfortunately, we no longer provide accommodation for drivers but we can recommend places within a 5km radius that cost between Rs 2,000- 3,000 per night​​​​.