Massage treatments

Massage, beyond Ayurvedic massage, is by no means as ubiquitous in Sri Lanka as in some other parts of Asia. So finding good local (especially female) therapists is close to impossible.

We bit the bullet and brought in a very well experienced trainer to work with ladies from the village - both teaching them a valuable skillset and lessening the stigma around massage that remains across most of Sri Lanka.

To keep things simple we offer just a single treatment - a full-body 1 hour therapeutic massage. You can of course request a lighter or deeper pressure.

(1 hour full body therapeutic massage - $35)

Cooking class

A lot of our guests asked for tips and recipes for some of the Sri Lankan dishes we served so we’ve put together a small and simple cooking class. We run it in the boat-shed and most often with Kumari (one of our housekeeping team from the village). With the invaluable assistance of one of the guys for translation, she’ll get you making a small but delicious Sri Lankan meal - ideal for impressing pals back home.

($25 per person)

Paddle-boarding and wild swimming

The first thing to mention is that lake goes up and down (quite a lot). The water feeds into one of Sri Lanka’s numerous hydro-power generators so, disappointing as it is to see it drop in the dry season, we know it’s going to a good cause.

That said and done, for most of the year it still makes for great paddle-boarding and wild swimming - indeed, after the rainy season it’s right up to our gate. There are NO crocs in the lake - it’s one of the few in Sri Lanka that can claim that - so mucking about is bite-risk free.

You’re welcome to hire paddle-boards and take them out yourself or one of our guiding team can take you on a sunrise paddle; one of favourite things at Ruk.

For wild swimming we have safety floats (that you attach to an ankle or around your waist) that bob along behind you and give a bit of added confidence. (No charge for use of these.)

(Paddle-board hire - $10 per person for as long as you like / Guided sunrise paddle - $20 per person)

Art at Ruk

We have worked with local artist, Rudrani Devidas, to create a simple art activity. We’ll set you up either on the main deck or down by the boathouse and give you all the tools to let your creativity flow.

($35 per person - including all painting materials)

Rudrani is also available on request to join you at Rukgala and give a more in depth guided class. Full details of costs for Art at Rukgala here.

Trips out

If you’re staying at Ruk for a few days you might like to head out. From here you can easily get to Kandy (Sri Lanka’s ‘Cultural Capital’) as well as tea estates and factories, and paddy fields that line the foothills of the Knuckles.

Gatagahawela Tea Factory - a fascinating tea factory in a beautiful spot. Head out after breakfast and visit the factory and plantation before a tea tasting experience and then on a small hike to a beautiful waterfall for a picnic lunch.

($40 per person)

Kandy - about 50 minutes drive from Rukgala. You could start off with a walk through the ancient Udawatakele Forest and from there drop down to the Temple of the Tooth in the centre of Kandy by the lake.

Have a coffee at the Queen’s Hotel or stroll down Sri Dalada Veediya to the markets selling everything from saris to soursop.

(Tuk Tuk to Kandy approx. LKR 4,000)