A guided tour in our “private” estate

Want to know how coffee grows? Upon request our host can give you a guided tour through our private estate where you can learn about spices traditionally cultivated in Sri Lanka such as cocoa, coffee, black pepper, banana trees, coconut trees, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon. You can also explore this area on your own. A plan of the area with the location of the different trees and spices is available.

Village Walks

Starting from the cottage you can make various small hikes through the area and the villages in the surrounding. Meeting locals and getting a peek into their daily lives. In this area you will find different crafts such as weaving and woodwork. A village hike will cover approx. 5-6 km and will take you around in 2 hours. Lushan will be happy to guide you around. But walking by yourself is not a problem at all.

Varied walk in the area

Starting from The Pepper Cottage you will go on a 12 km hike with Lushan.

The hike brings you first to Bulu-land, adjacent to the Ecolodges. This land is part of the Forest Healing Fund. In 2016 this was almost barren land and it was acquired for reforestation.

From there on the hike continues and you will come across little villages, beautiful mountain and valley views, as well as breathtaking rice fields  and tea plantations. A very nice and varied tour in the surrounding area of Wepathana.

Forest Healing Fund (guided tour)

Forest Healing Fund is a collaboration between the Pepper Creek Cottage and Polwaththa Eco-lodges to protect and restore the forests surrounding us in the Wepathana area. A plot of land was acquired and planted in 2016/2017 and is a 20-minutes walk from our cottage. This tour is free of charge but a contribution to the regeneration and protection of the forest is more than welcome.

Knuckles Range

Lushan can organize a challenging day hike to the Knuckles Range. The Knuckles range is one of the loveliest nature attractions of Sri Lanka. The changing terrain of grasslands, rugged mountain peaks interspersed with streams and cascading waterfalls make Knuckles mountain range the trekker’s paradise.

The hike will cover between 10 to 25 km by foot and start by a small journey by tuktuk or jeep.

The duration of the hike is about 6 – 8 hours and will treat you with breathtaking mountain views as you walk through tea plantations and amazing nature. The hike includes a Knuckles entrance ticket, transport, lunch and extra guide fees.

Please note that this hike is not suitable for those who are not in a good physical condition, as it contains continuous climbing at times and the conditions could be warm and humid.

Day tours / short walking tracks

Many more day tours (Victoria Lake and Dam and Reservoir, Bambaragala Temple and surroundings, Hulu Ganga and waterfall, etc) as well as short walking tracks are possible in the area. Information about these tracks can be acquired from Lushan or are available as digital tours through the Track-App and / or Google Maps.

You can explore on your own or ask our host Lushan to organize it for you and / or join you.

Digana Swimming Pool

In 2017 a 50 meter long swimming pool was opened in Digana. A great option to cool down from the midday sun. Tickets are Rs. 150 and valid for one hour. The swimming pool is opened daily from 07.00-21.00. When you enter the complex make sure you walk up to the main gate to buy the tickets. Please note that this pool is not meant for recreational splish-splash, but rather for doing some serious laps.

How to get there: take a tuk tuk from the main road or hop on bus 654 in the direction of Kandy (mention to the ticket salesman that you want to get off at the Digana Sports Complex).

Digana Village Resort: swimming and relaxing

If you fancy a swim but don’t feel like doing laps, or if you have kids who’d want to poodle and play, the Digana Village Resort is a good option. Located in the town of Digana, but a great calm place for some relaxing time. They serve cold drinks and local food. The Digana Village Resort is opposite the Digana Sports Complex.

The Victoria Dam – impressive waterworks

This is the tallest dam of Sri Lanka and the point where the Hulu Ganga meets the Mahaweli River. The sight is worthwhile: it’s an impressive structure that will offer you beautiful panoramas. There’s a little tea shop for some refreshments.

How to get there: take a tuk tuk from the main road.

Victoria Golf & Country Resort

This place offers a ton of things to do. You can take a chance on the golf court, cool down in the swimming pool or send yourself to the tennis field and let your racket do the talking. Equipment can be rented at the front desk. If you’re not up for activity, just sit back and have a tea or a drink from the bar.

How to get there: take a tuk tuk from the main road. Be aware that this place is exclusive and not cheap!

Massage at The Pepper Cottage

What do you think of a good Ayurvedic massage at the house itself? This can be arranged. We have contacts with specialized people from the nearby Ayurvedic Hospital in Kengalle. They can come to The Pepper Cottage for a good Ayurvedic massage. Prices from 2000LKR onwards.

Please ask Lushan to organize this for you.

Other Day tours in the area

In Kandy you can visit the Temple of the Tooth, the Botanical Gardens,  the Udawattakele Forest, Market and Shops, or walk the Hantana Range.

Visit the area around Habarana and Dambulla to climb Sigiriya Lion’s Rock or Pidurangala, walk into the Dambulla Cave Temple or visit Namal Uyana, south-east Asia’s largest Rose Quartz Stone Mountain! 

A trip to Mahiyangana via the spectacular 18 bends roads, visit the temple, a traditional ayurvedic doctor or the Vedas and come back the other way via the famous Randenigala dam road, which is definitely also worth a visit!

Drive 30 km to Hunas Falls for the waterfalls, a good walking track and a visit to the tea estates.

Take the road to Matale to see the Aluvihare Rock Temple, the Lanka Porcelain factory or several famous batik places and spice gardens.

Last but not least go to Gampola to visit the Ambuluwawa Rock Temple with its rich biodiversity and stunning views.

Any other questions about things to do in the area can be asked from Lushan!