Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge
Glamping meets British colonial hill station. Think canvas tents furnished with proper king beds and open balconies, an English-style bar where conversation runs late, and an open-air spa in thatched pavilions above a stream.
Wi-Fi only works in the main building — the tents have no connectivity, plan accordingly
Why It Matters
Sri Lanka's first luxury tented eco-lodge on a working tea plantation, sitting inside the Knuckles Mountain Range UNESCO World Heritage Site. The combination of genuine safari-style glamping, a working tea estate you can tour and taste from, and an open-air Aromatherapy Spa is genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere on the island.
Set on a working tea estate 1,000 meters up in Sri Lanka's Knuckles Mountain Range, this 19-room eco-lodge sits about 30 km from Kandy — but plan for a 90-minute drive up a narrow, one-lane mountain road. Safari-style canvas tents perch on the hillside with mountain-view balconies; the main building has hardwood floors, leather sofas, a pool table, and a restaurant with fireplace. No TVs or room Wi-Fi in most lodges, so come prepared to actually disconnect.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Art Suite
From USD600 / nightOne unit. At 72 sqm with a 40 sqm private balcony, the Art Suite is the most expansive outdoor space in the lodge. It comes with a pool/Jacuzzi, flat-screen TV, king bed, desk, shower, and all standard amenities. The art-forward design ethos of the property's owner Philippe Gomez is at its most visible here. Pricing shown as $600/night on the homepage; confirm current rate directly with the property.
King · 72 sqmDeluxe Tented Lodge
From USD440 / nightThe entry-level option and the backbone of the lodge — 14 of these canvas safari tents line the hillside. At 37 sqm, they sleep up to two guests comfortably, or three with an extra single bed (surcharge applies). Expect a king-size bed, a private en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower, and a furnished balcony with uninterrupted Knuckles Mountain views. No TV, no in-room Wi-Fi. Breakfast is served on the balcony every morning.
King (convertible to twin singles) · 37 sqm
Family Tent
From USD510 / nightThree units of this two-storey configuration sleep up to four guests, or five with an extra bed. The upper level is a full Deluxe Tent with a king bed; an exterior staircase leads down to a brick-built room below with twin single beds. Both levels have their own private en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers and separate private balconies with mountain views. A practical and generous layout for families or groups of friends.
King (upper) + Twin singles (lower) · 80 sqm
Honeymoon Suite
From USD590 / nightOne unit. This is the suite most couples come specifically for — a 65 sqm room with a private infinity-edged plunge pool on the balcony, with the Knuckles range laid out below it. King bed, lounge area, flat-screen TV, walk-in shower, and all the expected amenities. The private pool and the view make it genuinely hard to leave the balcony.
King · 65 sqmPenthouse Suite
From USD490 / nightOne unit. At 82 sqm the largest of the suites, the Penthouse has a king bed, a private balcony with mountain range views, and a full en-suite bathroom with both a bathtub and a separate walk-in shower. An exterior staircase leads down to a children's room below — making it more family-friendly than the name implies. Includes in-room safe and both WiFi and LAN.
King · 82 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Head out with a guide at dawn or late afternoon to spot endemic species including Ceylon Hanging Parrot, Sri Lankan Grackle, Yellow Fronted Barbet, Black Eagle, Brahmin Kite, Black Hooded Oriole, Woodpecker, Flameback, and Kingfisher. Binoculars and a bird guide book provided.
A 'tour with cause' project: visit a local family, have tea in true Sri Lankan hospitality, and optionally pick tea with estate workers. Includes traditional welcome, community food, and tea.
A 4x4 or tuk-tuk tour of the Madulkelle area taking in a British-built Anglican church from 1837, colonial-era planter burial grounds, the Madulkelle Hospital, and a Hindu temple blessing at Kelebokka Temple. Transport included.
Visit the Madulkelle Hatale Tea Factory to see the full tea-making process from leaf to cup. Guests can also pick tea alongside estate community workers in the field. Includes bottled water.
A trek through tea plantations into tropical mountain rainforest, ending at Campbell Forest Waterfall. Guide, binoculars, bird book, snacks, bottled water, and leech socks provided on request.
A walk through local countryside and old Ceylon tea plantation to reach the Mini World's End viewpoint. Guide, bottled water, and snacks included. Best time is 8am–5pm.
A full-day trek into the Knuckles Mountain Range starting at the Gomaraya entry point (60 minutes from the lodge). The 7.5 km route reaches 1,864 meters above sea level. Includes guide, transport, national park entrance fees, snacks, and bottled water. Best started at 7:30am.
Driven by 4x4 to the Gomaraya entry point and then walked to a campsite at approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. Includes tented accommodation, entrance fees, English-speaking naturalist, bottled water, and survival meals (dinner and breakfast). Starts at 3–4pm.
Taste and compare a range of teas from the estate — BOPF, PEKOE, Green Tea, and more — while overlooking the Knuckles mountains. Available any time of day.
Join the chef for a walk through the organic vegetable and herb garden to pick the day's produce, then head to the kitchen for a hands-on lesson in traditional Sri Lankan hill country dishes. Includes a lunch of what you cook.
A scenic drive and visit to the waterfalls of Huluganga, Hatale Ella, Saree Ella, and Jodu Ella. Includes bottled water, sandwiches, and 4x4 or tuk-tuk transport.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Free Wi-Fi is available in the main building only. Rooms/tents do not have Wi-Fi. LAN internet is available in most accommodations.
A buffet breakfast is included for all guests each morning. Can also be served on private balconies.
The property hosts weddings and private events.
On-site concierge team that organises all activities, treks, and excursions.
On-site library in the main building.
Free valet parking on site.
A fireplace with mantle in the restaurant/lobby area of the main colonial-era building.
Working organic vegetable and herb garden supplying the restaurant kitchen. Guests can visit as part of the cooking class activity.
Located in the main lobby/lounge area.
A hillside infinity pool that appears to flow down into the valley below. Outdoor, year-round.
Pick-up and drop-off service available. Transfers from Colombo Bandaranaike Airport carry a surcharge.
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