Located off the beaten track in the wilds of Gampola is a hidden gem of a boutique villa called Mount Havana. This five-bedroomed villa is set within 25 acres of tea and mixed crop land and aims to give guests an experience of untamed beauty and natural wonder.

Apart from the beauty of the property, the comfort at the villas, the serenity of the surroundings and the absolute attention to detail, Mount Havana has a certain uniqueness to it. The entire property boasts of sustainability towards its environment, community and guest experience.

Mount Havana is self-sustainable by growing all the produce that is required to fulfill the in-house menu, which comprises delicious dishes made from ingredients taken from the gardens. “All the produce is grown in our gardens and every dish is fresh and free of any pesticides,” said Yohan Fonseka, Business Development Manager at Mount Havana. “Even the milk in your tea, the spices in your meals, and the coffee that you drink is made from produce at our property.

In addition, Mount Havana maintains a healthy carbon footprint by using biogas in the kitchens, for cooking and heating of water.

Mount Havana is owned by Dinesh Saparamadu who had the vision of creating this natural getaway.  “My aim is to offer guests something different. Our guests must experience Sri Lanka’s endemic birds, butterflies and fauna and flora in their natural habitat and be able to disconnect from the rest of the world and relax and recharge themselves,” said Saparamadu.

Adding to that, General Manager Saman said, “We are in the process of replanting our herbal garden. It will include many more varieties of ayurvedic plants that will be used in our inhouse applications. This will be both a value addition to the bio diversity as well as a good educational tool.”

Apart from the sprawling gardens, Mount Havana has an infinity pool, an outdoor dining area, and a beautiful collection of art on display.

Mount Havana is surrounded by some of Sri Lanka’s finest ancient wonders such as the Embekke Devalaya, Gadaladeniya and Lankatileka temples where history is etched on to temple walls, windows and doors. For guests who are into hiking, the trails through the Ambuluwawa mountains is worth exploring. These are just some of the beautiful sites that can be accessed from Mount Havana.

Source : http://www.ft.lk/travel-tourism/Mount-Havana–Gampola-s-hidden-gem/27-643439