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 Old 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 Old 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.*
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. The Half Board Special is offered at the reduced rate of $17 and includes;
1. a three course traditional Sri Lankan evening meal with some 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 and finger sandwiches each day
Please note World lunches are available on request and are paid for separately when booking. Sri Lankan 'rice n curry' lunches are only available for orders of 5 or more people.
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 has 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 facilities.
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 room has all the amenities of the other rooms, a roomy bathroom, with 120 squft of space in the main room for you to enjoy. The sleeping area leads to a pleasant sitting area with french doors opening out onto the rear garden and superb mountain views. It is possible to exchange the extra length single bed for a full double if two guests are staying. (This room opens in March 2025)
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 learn how to pluck the top leaves and a bud from our highly skilled lady tea pluckers. They will help you pluck enough tea to make your own tea later
3. Learn all about how we make our black teas then use the tea you plucked to make your own Artisan Ceylon Longjing "Dragons Well" Green Tea, package it, and take it home with you.
4. Enjoy a pot of whichever Monkeytail tea you fancy
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
Please reach us at gammaduwabungalowbooking@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Walks: Our staff will be happy to provide recommendations and directions for self guided local walks. ... and our bungalow dog mouse would love to show you the way.
Mountain Biking: We have 6 US built Mongoose "hardtail" bikes with helmets free to those booking 3 nights or more half board, otherwise $10 perday.
Accompanied (not by a guide) local walks: for the less experienced $15 perday
Tuctuc visits: to nearby waterfall swiming or river swimming, hilltown visits, spice gardens, hilltop temples, and Knuckles mountains views ie Reverston Peak, Little Worlds End, and the Knuckles Conservation Area.
At the bungalow: we have a badminton court, Giant Jenga, Carram, Darts and other games available as welll as an interesting library and musical instruments for those who already know how to play.
Yes we can, through our trusted partners. We will get you at least 2 quotes for your trip/s without you having to commit to choosing either. We charge a $4 arrangement fee if you decide to book one of the quotes
Unfortunately not. We are very small so we offer a large fixed menu instead ie 5 different curries for dinner. Guests always praise our meals and compare them to high end hotel meals so we are pretty sure you're going to be very happy with the meals we provide.
We pride ourselves on making excellent traditional and unusual vegetarian Sri Lankan food, often from little known old village receipes. Please look at our meal reviews where some guests, who dont usually eat meat and fish, are suprised how they love our food. Try it - you'll love it!
We can offer this for "whole Bungalow " bookings. Please ask us for more information if you are intetestrd in this option.
There is a small fridge and kettle in each room. Guests are welcome to bring any snacks or liquer they wish but we are unable to store or cook foods you bring with you.
However, we are more than happy to provide you with the crockery, cutlery and glasses you need for the drinks and snacks you bring.
No we dont charge. You are welcome to bring your own, or buy from us, and we will provide glasses
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 at least two options from various countries depending on availability. Please ask.
We dont usually offer a Sri Lankan 'Rice n Curry' lunch unless it is pre ordered and is for a minimum of 5 guests
Each day at 4 pm we serve our own homemade cake with finger sandwiches and our own home grown and home produced 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.
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 pumpkin curry, fence gourd curry with roasted curry powder, plantain banana flower mellum, poppadoms, homemade chutney/pickle, and healthy red 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 traditional 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 8 and 15 persons. Please note we can also provide 2 full single temporary beds making the total number of guests catered for up to 17.
We do not have a designated driver room. However we can arrange local accommodation in the village for 3000LKR excluding meals which can be arranged with the accommodation provider. Alternatively 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 $15 per night for this service.. The driver eats the same meals as the guests.
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, Nanda, & the Gammaduwa Staff Team
Gammaduwa Bungalow, Gammaduwa Village, Rattota, Matale
WhatsApp: +94 (0) 767 215 644 - Dave - (English/French) WhatsApp: +94 (0) 763 2256 44 - Nanda - (Tamil/Sinhala/English)
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