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Pakistan Karakoram Highway Expedition
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Rangala House is a remote mountain lodge, set on the rolling hills outside Kandy. Originally a tea-planter’s residence, the property has been tastefully converted into a simple, yet charming guest-house that exudes colonial style and old-world charm. Perched at 1,000-metres above sea level and surrounded by tea estates on the edge of the Knuckles mountain range, it is the perfect base from which to explore the natural beauty of Sri Lanka’s hill country.
Nestled within a lush forest, Rangala House features just four bedrooms. There are three rooms in the main house, all of which are comfortably furnished and a spacious Studio with a small kitchen, set in an adjacent building. Anthony Newman, a former UK teacher who was the Vice Principle of the Kandy Branch of Colombo International School, enjoyed living in Sri Lanka and decided to settle there, buying the property and converting it into a lovely home-stay lodge.
Dining options at the Rangala House include a fusion of Sri Lankan and Western dishes, served on the veranda of the main house or al fresco in the gardens. There is an outdoor swimming pool to cool off and a veranda with comfortable seating. In the surrounds are many opportunities for hill walking with easy 3-hour walking trails. Guests can visit the nearby Duckwari Tea Factory to learn about tea making and birdwatchers can use the tripod telescope set on the veranda.
Amenities
Bar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomGardenOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesWi-Fi AvailableStay Rangala House has just four bedrooms. Three bedrooms are housed in the main villa and there is one ‘Studio’ in the adjacent building which is slightly larger and with a bunk bed. Each bedroom has attached bathroom with solar heated water, and one room also has a bathtub. All rooms are comfortably-furnished with double or twin beds, overhead ceiling fans, some with large bay windows or a small terrace offering views of the mountains or the gardens.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at the Rangala House. Two rooms in the main villa are close to each other making them suitable for groups or guests with children. The Studio, has a four-poster bed, and another double bed on a raised platform, accessibly by a loft ladder, which can also be used for young guests. There is also a lounge equipped with satellite TV and a mini-kitchen with bar and fridge. However, please note that the hotel is built on a steep hillside.
Dine The inhouse restaurant at the Rangala House makes the most of the produce of this fertile region to offer a variety of Sri Lankan and Western cuisine. Many vegetables and herbs are grown onsite in the hotel’s own garden as well as locally reared meat. Guests are consulted in advance for their preferences and meals prepared to suit the most discerning tastes. Expect English breakfast, light lunches and elaborate candle-lit dinners with Sri Lankan curries and Western favourites.
Relax Facilities at Rangala House include a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, which is perfect for cooling off and relaxing after a day exploring the tea estates of the surrounding countryside. There are plenty of shaded spots in the garden to relax or take leisurely strolls to watch the rich birdlife. Inside, is a lovely lounge where you can cuddle up with a book.
Experience Rangala House is located about 45 minutes’ drive from Knuckles Nature Reserve, named for its rows of mountains which resemble a clenched fist. The area is rich in flora and fauna, including the purple-faced leaf monkey, wild buffalo, and leopard and offers many hiking and biking trails. Bird watchers can see rich birdlife, although many of the species can also be seen near the resort, which has a tripod and telescope set in the veranda.
Location Rangala House is situated about 34km North East of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.
Getting there The nearest airport is Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (10-hour 30-minutes direct flight), roughly 3-hours away by car but you are more likely to arrive with a driver as part of a trip around Sri Lanka.
When to go Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with consistently warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. However, it barely gets unbearably hot in the Hill Country. The months of December to April are probably the best time to visit, when days are warm (around 28C) with cool nights. During the monsoon season from October to December you can expect heavy downpours. June to September are the driest months here when there’s almost no rain at all.
Destination
Central, Sri Lanka
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