Nestled amongst the tea bushes the cottage is perfectly situated in the middle of your very own private 50 acre organic tea estate. Wake with the chirping of birds , skip through the tea with monkeys, hike through forests, or simply laze on the lawn with a book. Haldummulla is a place to unwind in a homely uncluttered open space. We love it, and hope you will too. The bungalow is rented on a full-board basis - the price includes all meals. The house has a living room with open fireplace and dining room, both with large bay windows overlooking the lawn towards the panoramic views of the south. There are two double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. One of the bedrooms also has a set of bunk beds; this room is accessed from and opens directly on to, the covered terrace. You will be looked after during your stay by Priya who lives on site. Wonderful aromatic curries are always simmering in her little kitchen. The mainstays of the menus is produce from our organic kitchen garden and our hens. Priya would usually cook you a lovely fragrant rice and curry lunch and a "western" evening meal however you are welcome to chat with her and plan your own menus. Being right in the centre of the Island, fish is not a common ingredient and protein tends to come from chicken. Priya's non-Sri Lankan repertoire is growing all the time as our guests teach her new things. Our guests have full and exclusive access to the whole cottage and its private gardens. Beyond the gardens there are 50 acres of organic tea estate to roam in too. Please feel free to wander freely in the tea estate that surrounds the Bungalow. Stroll amongst the tea bushes and watch the local women plucking leaves. Don’t be surprised to be invited to visit their colourful homes on the borders of the estate; Sri Lankans are famous for their generous hospitality to friends and strangers alike. Likewise if you are staying with children they will soon have a host of new friends to explore with especially if they hang out near the gate as the local kids walk past the top of the Bungalow’s drive on their way to and from school. Priya and her family will look after you during your stay. Priya has basic English enough to deal with food, housekeeping and basic requests, and with the help of a bit of mime and the occasional drawing, more complex requirements too! In exceptional circumstances the Superintendent of the neighbouring tea estate is on hand to assist. He has good conversational level English and is fabulously unflappable. The 50 acre estate is situated on an undulating plateau just under the high pass and quaint railway station of Idalgashinna, on the famously scenic Kandy to Badulla line. The land is a mixture of tea and wilderness with spectacular views over the plains below to the south. Watch the tea being plucked by brightly clad women and give them a helping hand. You may soon make some friends to visit in their equally colourful homes bordering the estate. There are plenty of activities and walks to do in the area. Bambarakanda Falls, Sri Lankan's tallest waterfall, is a short drive away. The remains of an old Portuguese Fort sits in a forest adjoining the land and there are many ancient archeological remains in and around Haldummulla. Or you can simply Be, and instead soak in the fresh mountain air, eat lovely curries and rest. Considering its remoteness, Haldummulla is surprisingly well connected. It is just 10 minutes off the main A4 Colombo/Batticaloa Road and the railways stations at Idalgashinna and Haputale are a short drive away. Priya can arrange tuk-tuks for local journeys and trips. Because of its remoteness, Haldummulla Estate bungalow is offered on a full-board basis. Before you arrive we will discuss your menus with you and Priya will shop for you in advance. She can buy more groceries for you when you are there but remember she may then be gone for a couple of hours as we are quite remote! We have plenty of fresh vegetables growing on the land and neighbouring properties, and fresh cows milk and eggs. However please bring your own alcohol and any food items that you cannot live without and that you can imagine would not be available in a remote location such as this. Do check with us if you are unsure what to bring. If you are staying for a few days why not lend a hand and try making your own tea? If you enquire in advance we can try to give you our Tea Experience (subject to seasonality) which involves a couple of hours in the morning plucking the tea with our ladies and then rolling your own batch the next morning. What could be more satisfying than leaving with some very fine tea that you made yourself? The experience is free though you do have to pay for any tea you buy even if you roll it yourself!