The best tea plantations are located in the central highlands but there are still opportunities to visit infamous tea plantations all the way down to the coast because of the climate and fertile soil that provide excellent tea growing conditions. Not only is tea thriving but all kinds of crops and vegetation that grow on the entire island.

Day Trip

We recommend day trip tea plantations including the Handungoda Tea Eastate where the Virgin White Tea is grown and you can experience a guided tea plantation tour followed by a complimentary tea tasting session. This can be including with a day trip to Galle which is 1.5 hours from the Villa.

Longer Trips

Leading tea plantation include areas around Kandy that are 4 -5 hours drive from the Villa largely dependent also on traffic. We recommend that you visit these properties with overnight accommodation. Leading tea plantations are located in Nuwara Eliya takes also 5-hours to reach. Tea here is grown at an elevation of 6000ft and because of its central location this can included before, during or after your stay. Some of the more well-known estates include Pedro Estate, Damro tea factory and Blue Field tea Factory.

Kandy to Ella train journey

After you leave Weli Kasba, you may want to consider to take the train journey from Kandy to Ella to explore the central highlands.

This is perfect for a day trip to walk the old colonial fort as it is 1.5 hours from Weli Kasba. The Governor’s House, a splendid design of the Dutch, has now been converted to one of Sri Lanka’s finest hotel, The Amangalla.

Yala National Park

The most famous national park in Sri Lanka is Yala National Park which is around 1-hour from Weli Kasba. It is home to 215 bird species and 44 different mammals. Most easily spotted are roaming elephants, sambar deer, crocodiles and buffalos. Whilst the park is also home to the highest concentration of leopards they are extremely hard to spot.

Udawalawe National Park

This park is also around 1-hour from Weli Kasba and is framed by the beautiful Central Highlands. This national park is probably one of the best places in the world to see wild elephants with herds of 100 often see roaming together. Other animals worth spotting include the water buffalo, sloth bears and spotted deer.

Bundala National Park

Perfect for bird watchers in this protected costal wetland. Located near Weli Kasba, this is a perfect half day trip for the families to spot flocks of greater flamingos, pelicans and ibis. Occasionally crocodiles, elephants and turtles have been spotted too.

Elephants

The Asian Elephant is the most sought-after animal by tourists that visit Sri Lanka. The best places to see the elephants would Udawalawe, Yala National Park and Minneriya National Park.

Whales

Just located an hour from the villa, Mirissa is the spot to see the blue whale, the largest animal in the planet that live permanently in the area. The best times in Mirissa would be from November to April.

Bird watching

Within a 10-min drive from the Villa is a small costal wetland called Kalamatiya which is the perfect half-day trip to spot various species of birds. Ask our team to organise you the perfect picnic.

Turtle

15 – 20 mins away from Weli Kasba, our team can organise an evening trip to Rakewa beach to watch the turtles lay their eggs that occurs all throughout the year. This conservation team Sri Lanka’s effort to help with conservation of this amazing species. Sri Lanka is home to 5 species of marine turtles, and the government is making efforts to educate the locals not to eat or steal the eggs, and Sri Lanka has since a boost in its turtle life. For children, visit the turtle orphanage in Marissa called the Sea Turtle Hatchery.

Surfing

Close to Weli Kasba, our team can organize for surf enthusiasts surfing lessons or surfing trips for all the family. It’s the second-best beach for surfing in Sri Lanka. This secret location is just 30-mins from the Villa.

Golf

If you can’t be without your clubs during your stay we can arrange for a day’s golf at the Shangri-La hotel located 40- minutes away.

Fishing

To get in with the local culture, our team can organise a day trip with local fisherman. Please note this is day at your own risk as sea conditions are unpredictable. Should you prefer professional fishing on a yacht this can also be arranged in advance.