Travelling with responsibility, without harming the sustainability of the destinations and its inhabitants but at the same time enjoying the visit is about being an environmentally friendly and conservation conscious traveler. Eco tourism had made it possible to meet the challenge of transporting millions of tourists to their destinations while maintaining the pleasure without harming the existence of the destinations. Sri Lanka is in the forefront of this endeavor and is an ideal destination of eco tourism with a wealth of activities for the whole family. From nature trails, hiking, cycling, bird watching, photography or wild life safaris are just the beginning of the list. Ecotourism has been known by other names: alternative tourism, sustainable tourism, community-based tourism, volun-tourism, among others. Definitions and criteria vary widely. Ecotourism and alternative tourism are umbrella expressions however alternative tourism does not necessarily prize responsibility. Sustainable tourism is more specific, focusing on economically, socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable tourist activities. Community-based tourism necessarily implies the participation of local communities as the planners, managers and primary beneficiaries and Volun-tourism is a relatively new concept that sees visitors volunteering with local organizations, making sure that they give back as much as they can to the land offering them temporary hospitality.
Located at 3250 ft amongst mountain tops and flanked by Kobonilagala and Dumbangala, Corbets view is "your window to the natural world" and is a place that caters not only to your everyday needs, but to your spirit as well. To make sure you forget the world you left behind, there is no electricity, telephone, and TV available. Corbet's View offers simple accommodation with its 2 spacious bed rooms which can accommodate 3 guests in each room and one separate room to accommodate 2 more guests. Rooms are with breathtaking views of the knuckles mountain range and afford you to watch sunrise from your bed room. Relax in Hammocks under the forest cover and enjoy scenery from viewing decks. Corbet's view is part of 150 acres of Tea and forest cover and draws water from a natural spring, solar power as energy for lighting and blends harmoniously with the environment.
Boulder Garden is set on the fringes of Sinharaja Rainforest, hand-built into, under and around a slew of extraordinary gigantic boulders, seamlessly integrates with its environment and surroundings. This ingenious, nature-incorporating design gives Boulder Garden a mysterious and mystic feel. Winding stone steps and deep corridors give guests a medieval ambience of rock walls, grilled windows, massive timber beams and mirror-polished cement floors. Accommodation comprises of eight suites arranged in four rising tiers. Two rooms are natural caves. There is a one split level family room and seven suites with private balconies and terraces from which the magnificent evergreen patch can be viewed. All rooms have en suite bathrooms. open-air restaurant, with canvas chairs and storm lanterns, rests beneath the largest boulder of all, which supports its own mini-waterfall when it rains, whilst keeping guests dry underneath. This is a remarkable Eco-boutique hotel in the island.
Perched high on the hills of Bandarawalla, overlooking the city below, the Dutch House is a brand new three-bedroom boutique villa with a feel of an 18th century colonial bungalow. It has the character and feel of a Dutch period colonial house and the owners have gone to great lengths to ensure an authentic look by using antique doors and windows, including a satinwood and ebony staircase, all reclaimed from old colonial houses in Sri Lanka.The house sleeps six people. Accommodation comprises of three loft style bedrooms upstairs with exposed timber beams and hardwood floors; two double rooms with large four poster beds and en-suite bathrooms and one twin room with the bathroom on the landing. One of the most extraordinary features of the house is an enclosed swimming pool with two spa seats.
Ambiente is a simple eight-bedroom guesthouse situated on a ridge high above the village of Ella with magnificent views of Ella gap, Ravana Falls and little Adam's Peak. Situated 3,300 ft. above sea level, Ella can be reached via Ratnapura or Nuwara Eliya. The town of Bandarawela is just half and hour away and Haputale is one hours drive. The Ella train station is located nearby. Out of the eight double rooms on offer, CFH recommends the four double rooms in the New Wing with more modern en suite bathrooms and a private terrace with magnificent views. Rooms are furnished with twin beds and mosquito netting and the bathrooms have hot and cold showers, wash basin, and w/c. Two rooms are located in a separate cottage with lounge area and two more adjoin the restaurant.Ambiente serves mainly Sri Lankan rice and curries that is prepared using fresh vegetables and meats purchased from the local market.
Anilana Craigbank is a highly-regarded four bed roomed hill country villa with a colonial feel situated amidst landscaped gardens in a prime vantage point above Nuwara Eliya, overlooking the golf course. The bungalow has spectacular views of Single Tree Mountain and Pidurutalagala. Nuwara Eliya, an old colonial hill station, lies more than 2,000 meters above sea level. One Master bedroom and three Standard rooms with fireplaces, electric heaters and are comfortably furnished with double or single beds. The en suite bathrooms have h/w showers, bathtubs and twin vanities. The drawing room and the verandah, overlooking the gardens, offer plenty of spaces to relax and unwind. There is a Plasma TV with satellite channels, DVD player, DVD library, shelves with interesting books on Sri Lanka, and plenty of board games.