English +94 (0)767215644 Sinhala/Tamil 0763225644
Our Murder Mystery Weekend (which includes a 4 course traditional British evening meal) is a regular event where guests get together to investigate a murder that happens in our library. One of the guests is secretly playing a murderer, and the other attendees must determine who among them is the criminal. The event opens with a 'death' and the rest of the time is devoted to investigation. The event is facilitated by Dave, who has hosted these events in the UK. Contact us for more information
The Library Gammaduwa Bungalow
We invite you and your friends to a "Murder in the Library" event held here at Gammaduwa Bungalow. It starts with a rice and curry lunch, th...
The Library Gammaduwa Bungalow
The bungalow is recommended by the Tourist Board as a 120 year old Deluxe Heritage Bungalow. It lies in 7 acres of tea estate land with glorious mountain views, hill country tea trail walks, and mountain bike adventures. We offer luxurious guest house accommodation with superb Sri Lankan food cooked in traditional ways within a tranquil rural village environment.
"Gammaduwa bungalow employs and trains local villagers, pays fair wages and is working towards a profit-sharing business. Having come to Sri Lanka as a VSO volunteer in 2009 (at the tail end of the civil war), supporting local peace and human rights organisations, Dave and his partner Sengli renovated this former tea plantation residence. It had been a rundown guesthouse but now is an outstandingly beautiful heritage bungalow. The food, prepared from locally sourced organic products, is a delight." [Guardian Newspaper "10 of the best Ethical Holidays" 24/01/2019 by Kate May]
*Broadband WIFI is available free for guests in the internal social areas.*
COVID-19 precautions
The Sri Lankan Tourist Board have published post COVID-19 guidelines based on WHO recommendations for hotels welcoming local and international guests.
We are proud to say we fulfill all their requirements and can offer you a safe stay. Please ensure you bring your NIC card or passport with you and a suitable facemask.
Guests will have a temperature check before entry to the bungalow - Lets all be safe and happy!
We have an emergency generator with diesel should we experience a power cut during your stay. We guarantee generator power from 7am to 10am and 7pm to 10pm should the main power supply fail. At other times we can usually provide battery lamps. Our meal preparation will not be affected by power cuts.
We offer deluxe rooms with international standard ensuite bathrooms with hot water and all have mountain or garden views. As we are "off the beaten track" we offer half board as standard. Half board includes;
1. a three course traditional Sri Lankan evening meal with many dishes cooked on wood fires using traditional clay pots. The "main" consists of five gourmet vegetable curry dishes none of which will be repeated throughout your stay.
2. A European buffet style breakfast with a different traditional Sri Lankan option each day.
3. Traditional afternoon tea with a different home-made cake each day
Please note Western and Sri Lankan lunches are available on request and are paid for separately when booking.
Please contact us for "local & Expat only" half board and full board options and "Whole Bungalow" party bookings.
Inset: Afternoon tea with homemade carrot and ginger cake.
This large room is full of light and has a private balcony, separate entrance and Mountain View. It has an ensuite bathroom with hot and cold water and a large "wet room" shower, double basins and toilet with bidet spray.
During colonial times the British plantation owner/manager used this as the best guest room, It sports a 4 poster bed, 120 year old original teak beveled ceiling of concentric squares design, and traditional red floors.
The room has a small fridge and tea/coffee making facili
The room has a private elevated terrace and garden views. It has an ensuite bathroom with hot and cold water and a "wet room" shower, basin and toilet with bidet spray.
During colonial times this room was a Billiard Games Room where the Owner/Manager would entertain male friends while drinking Whiskey and smoking cigars.
It sports a 4 poster bed, 120 year old original teak beveled ceiling of concentric squares design, and traditional red floors. The room has a fridge and tea/coffee facilities
This room overlooks the main front garden surrounded by mature orange, guava, mango and teak trees. The garden's huge Eucalyptus tree stands close by. You can access the WiFi directly from this room. It has an ensuite bathroomwith hot and cold water and a "wet room" shower, basin and toilet with bidet spray.It sports a 4 poster bed, 120 year old original teak beveled ceiling of concentric squares design, and traditional red floors. The room has a fridge and tea/coffee facilities .
This suite includes the Garden View luxury double/triple room and a smaller double room which sports the original 120 year old Estate brass wall safe. The rooms can cater for up to 6 adults and overlooks the lovely main front garden. The suite has its own ensuite bathroom with a separate access for each room.
Join us and our tea estate staff for a very special hands-on tea making experience. You will learn our secrets on how we grow, pluck, wither, hand roll, oxidise and dry our own black Monkeytail tea. Examine the only "Lonjing" green tea making machine in Sri Lanka and see it make our Monkeytail green tea. You can follow this with a tea tasting where you will learn the art of the connoisseur tea taster and how to distinguish the flavor and aroma of a truly good artisan tea. - CONTACT US TO BOOK.
1. Short talk on the history of tea and its development in Sri Lanka and here at Gammaduwa Bungalow
2. Identifying quality tea and how to pluck it
3. Tour of our micro Tea Factory and explanation of how we make our OP1 Monkeytail Black Tea
4. Free cup of our OP1 Plain artisan tea or Monkeytail Strong Tea and opportunity to buy supplies at our shop.
1. Complete the "INTRODUCTION TO TEA" course
2. Opportunity to participate with our "Tea Ladies" in the hand rolling of our artisan black tea
3. Demonstration of the process of how we make our Monkeytail "Longjing" Green Tea
4. Free cup of OP1 Plain artisn tea, Monkeytail Strong tea, or our Lonjing Green Tea and a piece of our gorgeous homemade cake
5. Opportunity to visit our shop to buy supplies
1. Short talk on the history of tea and its development in Sri Lanka and here at Gammaduwa Bungalow
2. Table based talk on the making of different teas and what to look for in a good tea.
3. Introduction to a selection of Black, Green and Oolong teas
4. Introduction to the Tea Taster's flavour wheel and tasting process
5. Tea Tasting experience & developing your tea taste buds
6. Free pot of your favourite tea to drink here along with a piece of our gorgeous home made cake.
7 Visit our shop
Open veranda
Offering a different selection of Srilankan dishes at 8.15am each morning together with continental breakfast item.
for example
- Fruit medely, curd and kitthul treacle
- String hoppers, potato milk curry and coconut sambol
- Toast, butter, homemade jams. with Ceylon tea and Sri Lankan coffee.
Alternatively try our very own home grown and produced Planter Coffee or Monkeytail Tea. Just ask.
We offer a fresh homemade soup each day with fresh homemade bread, fruit and Ice Cream.
OR
Quiche, Baked Potato & side salad (min 2 pax)
OR
Tomato & Basil Pasta Bake, with side salad (min 2 pax)
OR
Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch (min 4 pax).
Each day at 4 pm we serve British style homemade cake with our own home grown and home produce Black Monkeytail or Green Monkeytail tea.
We offer a different three course Srilankan evening meal each day followed by coffee or our own home produced Monkeytail tea with a glass of our own arrack liqueur
for example
Starter - Jak seed pate with thinly sliced and toasted multi seed bread
Main meal - Stuffed roasted snake gourd on a bed of gotagola with sweet curry sauce, okra curry, red devil potato curry, fresh salad, poppadoms, homemade chutney/pickle, a fish or chicken curry and white rice.
Pudding - Dwarf red guava fruit trifle
There is a self service refreshment area in each room. Items on offer are free and include a variety of Srilankan and international teas and coffees, and boiled filtered water. Facilities include a kettle and small refrigerator.
All meals are tradition Sri Lankan fare and fully vegetarian. Please discuss Halal, Kosher and other diets based on religious belief with us when booking.
Vegan guests are VERY welcome as we have developed a range of traditional and fusion vegan dishes especially for you.
We can cater for gluten free and other diets on request but please give us plenty of notice.
Children under 5 years are not charged and those between 5 years and 12 years old eating the fixed menu are charged at half the adult rate. If you have a very young child who does not eat solids please bring food with you or discuss your needs when booking. A baby cot is available should you need it but please enquire about this when booking.
Separate western style children's meals can be served by arrangement but will incur an extra charge. Again please give us plenty of notice.
Unfortunately staff are unable to prepare, cook, serve or store food you bring with you. You are, however, most welcome to bring snacks and drinks and store them in your room fridge. There are no facilities for guests to cook for themselves.
If you want to book the whole bungalow for your party we have special rates and can offer a different, previously agreed, fixed menu to suit your tastes. A "Whole Bungalow" booking can only be made for between 6 and 15 persons. Please note we can also provide 2 full single folding beds making the total number of guests catered for up to 17.
We do not have a designated driver room. However we can offer exclusive use of the small staff changing room with a temporary bed if needed. The room has a shower and outside toilet. We can provide this room with meals for 1 driver on request. We charge $10 per night for this service.
Come and share a Colonial tea country experience in the hills overlooking the Knuckles mountains. We look forward to hosting you.
See you soon.
Dave & Seng Li
Gammaduwa Bungalow, Gammaduwa Village, Rattota, Matale
+94 (0) 767 215 644 (Eng) +94 (0) 763 2256 44 (Tamil/Sinhala)
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