Galapita Eco Lodge
Buttala

Galapita Eco Lodge is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Eco Retreats.

If you’ve ever dreamt of sleeping under stars so vivid they feel within reach, with nothing but fireflies for company and the distant murmur of a jungle river to lull you to sleep, Galapita Eco Lodge might just be the place for you. Tucked away in Buttala, deep in Sri Lanka’s southern wilds, this remote eco-retreat is far from artificial light and even farther from the trappings of modern life. The reward is a kind of peace that’s hard to come by elsewhere.

Perched on a rocky bluff beside the Menik Ganga (Gem River), the four large mud huts at Galapita are proudly basic. Don’t expect conventional comforts, there’s no air-con, no polished tiles, no frills. What you will find is soul-soothing simplicity and a deeply grounding return to nature. Open-sided walls, thatched roofs, clay floors and furniture made from contoured driftwood blur the boundary between indoors and out. Peacocks strut through the undergrowth, monkeys chatter overhead and your shower is under the stars. And the Wi-Fi? Oh, that’s just the wind in the trees and the sound of the river.

The experience here is about slowing down. Enjoy traditional Sri Lankan meals lovingly prepared from locally sourced ingredients, often shared communally and served by candlelight. Watch the sunset from the wooden treehouse and fall asleep to a symphony of nocturnal sounds. Cool off in a natural rock jacuzzi or explore the riverbanks in search of gems (literally, this is gem country). The lodge can also arrange canoeing, rafting or short jungle hikes.

Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate how easily accessible Yala National Park is from here, where a morning’s game drive may yield sightings of elephants, deer, buffalo, sloth bears and even the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. And for those seeking a spiritual encounter, the sacred site of Kataragama is nearby, as are the ancient rock temples of Dambegoda and Maligawila, home to the island’s largest monolithic Buddha statue.

Galapita is not for everyone, it is rustic, remote and undeniably raw. But for those seeking adventure and a true escape, one that clears the mind and fills the lungs with clean jungle air, this little hideaway delivers in spades. Include it in your bespoke tour of Sri Lanka if you're after a back-to-nature experience, where the only luxury is the luxury of stillness.

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson