When: anytime

Length of stay: visitors are welcome for stays of any lenth

Minimum number of guests: 1 or more

Languages: English is spoken

Fee: In view of the isolated location of Tree Tops Farm we offer only full board rates including tea, coffee, herbal juices, coconuts, fruits, drinking water, and a sunset drink to spice up the atmosphere of wild jungle life.

BASIC PRICE, F/B ACCOMODATION in large comfortable tent, clay hut or tree house: US$ 30.00 per perso. Includes:all meals, free tea/coffee, drinking water, coconuts, + a 'sundowner' to spice up the atmoshere of wild jungle life. Discount:   Stay three days bonus: free guided jungle trek. Discount: Stay more than 3 nights - and as long as you want…US$25 per day

ADDITIONAL

• 
• Short trek, 2-3 hours: - US$ 6.00 (max. 8 persons)
• Long trek, 6-7 hours: - US$ 15.00 (max. 8 persons)
• Camping out in the jungle: - US$ 30.00 (min. 2, max. 4 persons)
• Tracking wildlife at night: - US$ 35.00 (max. 4 persons)
• Journey into the jungle in a cart drawn by bulls - US$ 50.00 (max. 4 persons)

On the above mentioned excursions you will be accompanied by min. an experienced English-speaking guide and two local hunters.
DISCOUNTS

• 3 nights package incl. f/b and one days trek: US$ 90.00 per person.
• Stays more than 3 nights: US$ 25.00 per day per person, including short walks into the jungle in the immediate vicinity of the Farm

TREE TOPS FARM:
Tree Tops Farm offers visitors an unspoiled jungle experience, living in harmony with nature. We believe in basic comforts and blend discretely with our beautiful surroundings; - the virgin forest, the rocky hills, the native people and the wildlife. We are located in the wilderness close to Sri Lankas' largest protected area - the 1300 Kilometer2 Yala National Park. We live amidst a wide range of wild animals found in the neighboring Yala Park. The most prominent amongst our wild visitors are the elephants, who are generally around, at nights they can often be seen from our sitting area. Large herds move around the area quite frequently.

Tree Tops Farm is NOT a zoo. We can't guarantee that you see animals. Yes, the forest around us IS abundant in Wildlife - but first of all you should come to experience the atmosphere, and to feel the soul of the jungle. What we can promise is protection and safe sleeping at Tree Tops Farm. We warn - and hopefully attract you - of the fact that elephants often visit the Farm at nights. In this case we may have to wake you up as a safety precaution.

You will then have an opportunity to observe wild elephants from a safe place, so we feel free to disturb our guest's sleep - but you get a reward: nightlife in the jungle, the canopy of stars, the moon, and observing wild elephants. Nothing less than a lifetime experience. Our night watchers are perfect guards; being hunters these local men are very experienced 'jungle experts', highly skilled in the art of using eyes and ears to interpret the signs of nature. We will share this knowledge with our guests when on treks, and the more days you spend with us, the more you will learn to read the signs of the jungle.

Please note: we could keep visitors occupied for as long as they want to, as this is a vast area of jungle that we are talking about and cannot be seen in a day or two, as sight-seeing will be done on foot. Some guests who come to the Farm prefer not to walk about but, just to relax and enjoy the soul of the wilderness.

Night walks could be arranged for the hard-core nature lover, including tracking and observing elephants, bear and maybe leopard on foot. The nightlife in the jungle is amazing and with a lot of activity happening. Nights in the jungle is a totally different experience when compared to the days in the jungle, the main reason being due to the animal activity happening at night, which is out of this world and is considered dangerous because of the diverse wildlife in the jungle. Note: night walks will be at our discretion as it is dangerous. We have the right to refuse this request, depending on a lot of factors and will be decided on the spot.

History of the Tree Tops Farm area
We are in the part of Sri Lanka historically known as the Ruhunu (Southern) District. More than two millenniums ago this area became the domain of famous Buddhist kings like the hero king Dutugemunu (2nd century B.C.) and his brother, King Saddha Tissa. Around Tree Tops Farm there are many indications of the Buddhist civilization existing here at least 2200 years back in history.

We are situated at the base of a mysterious ring of hills called "Arahat Kanda" meaning 'Hills of Enlightenment'. In the era of the Ruhunu Kingdom, the top of these hills was the abode of Buddhists monks and it is believed that several monks reached the state of Nirvana at this place; hence the name Arahat Kanda (Kanda: hill; Arahat: an enlightened person having reached Nirvana). The closest town to the Tree Tops Farm is Buttala, nine km away.

According to the Buddhist chronicle, "The Mahavamsa", Buttala was the northern border of Dutugemunus' Ruhunu Kingdom and a defense base was placed in the vicinity of Buttala. The Mahavamsa relates that King Dutugemunu - having started his military campaign to unite Sri Lanka under 'one Buddhist umbrella' - came this way with his war elephants going towards Anuradhapura where he finally won the battle against the Tamil king, Elara. From this time Anuradhapura was the Buddhist capital for a thousand years.

Arahat Kanda would have been a good spot for King Dutugemunus' scouts; as from these hills there is a superb view over the area. Actually the hills are dotted with caves of different kinds; upon closer inspection signs of ancient habitation could be seen.

As part of Sri Lankas ancient large scale irrigation system, King Saddha Tissa - Dutugemunu's brother and successor on the Royal Throne in the 2nd century B.C. - constructed Weliara Wewa, the large tank ('wewa': artificial lake) is located between Tree Tops Farm and Yala National Park. King Saddha Tissa was a great engineer and agriculturist.

The south-east district - Ruhunu - is actually in the dry zone but with the highly developed art of tank building, Buthala ('buth': rice, 'hala': mound) was known as the 'rice bowl' of the country. The ancient irrigation system is still used today, especially for the irrigation of paddy fields.

The 35 km Buttala-Kataragama road used to be - and still is - one of the main pilgrim routes to the important religious shrines of Kataragama. Captain John Davy of the British Army went this way on his journey to Kataragama, as described in his book 'Travels across Ceylon' (1821). Captain John Davy and his men had spent the night at a place called 'Galgewal' (stone houses), which is now known as 'Galge'.

Most important of the shrines in Kataragama is the Maha Devala - a temple for the six-faced, 12-armed Hindu war god, Skanda; the same God as the Buddhist God Kataragama - one of four guardian Gods of Sri Lanka. According to mythology of this very popular pilgrim center, the shrine of Kataragama Devio (resident God) was build by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century B.C. The large white Buddhist Kirivehara Dagoba dates back to the 1st century B.C. This is where "Bhakti" ('emotional') a kind of religious activity is observed; thousands of devotees gather here to make vows, walk on fire, pierce themselves with big needles etc.

Peak seasons for the pilgrimage to Kataragama are the days around the Full Moon ('Poya'), especially in April, May, and August. On Poya days central elements of the Buddha's life and teachings are celebrated.

For those interested in Buddhist rock monuments there are two first class attractions close to Tree Tops Farm - Buduruvagala and Maligawila. Both about 45 minutes drive away. Being remote and off the crowded beaten track, these monuments are not objects for mass tourism - and they can be recommended as alternatives to the much more famous archeological monuments of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Dambulla.

The seven gigantic rock figures of Buduruvagala, dating back to the 10th century A.D., are carved out of a large rock wall. These figures are quite unique being of the Mahayana Buddhism, as the Theravada school of Buddhism historically has been all-dominant in Sri Lanka. One of the beautiful figures is thought to be the mythological Bodhisattva, Avalokitesvara.

The huge crystalline limestone rock statues of Maligawila dates back to the 6th century A.D. For centuries they laid fallen and covered by thick jungle until they were rediscovered in the 1950s and restored during 1989-91.

The 11m high Buddha is regarded to be the largest freestanding Buddha rock statue in the world.

Some Nature Facts of the Area:
Situated at the foot of a ring of rocks in the wilderness just outside the northern border of Yala National Park, we share flora and fauna with the large protected park. We are in the real wilds, the jungle around the Farm, which is home to many species of wild animals and a unique bird life. A colony of wild parakeets live in a tall tree, best seen from our bathing place.

Among common animals lurking around Tree Tops Farm are elephants (Elephas Maximus), wild boar, sambur, spotted deer, jungle cat, rusty spotted cat. Sloth bear and Leopard inhabits the hills nearby.

Tree Tops Farm is situated in the dry zone of Sri Lanka with semi-arid climate due to the scarcity of rain. The rainy season is the northeast monsoon from October to January. Mean annual rainfall is about 1300mm, and the annual mean temperature is 27 degrees. After the rainy season the area is lush and green.

Our neighbor - Yala National Park, also known as Ruhunu National Park was originally a reserve for hunters. It was declared a Protected Area in 1900, a Sanctuary in 1909, and a National Park in 1938. The Park is an agglomeration of protected areas and consists of a variety of different ecosystems, and is essential for the diverse wildlife that inhabits this jungle. This vast area of wild nature stretches from Tree Tops Farm to the south coast, 50 km away, and to the east coast, 60 km away - which means 1300 km2. Yala and bordering forests hosts more than 1,500 elephants, making this area Sri Lanka's most important elephant habitat.

Up to 130 species of birds has been recorded at Yala, among them several endemic dry zone species. Peacock is a common sight. The forest around Tree Tops Farm consists - like Yala - primarily of centuries old secondary forests; there is thorn scrub and dense forest where you will see many flowering trees and rare tropical woods.

The jungle around the farm has many plants of great medicinal value, for example neeramulliya (Hygrophilla spinosa), polpala (Aerva lantana), nilaveriya (Indigofera tinctoria) and vishnukranthi (Evolvulus alsinoides) and many more.

Our staff - the villagers - has the knowledge to use these plants to eliminate a lot illnesses. For those wishing not only a holiday away from it all - but also rejuvenation by use of herbal medicines, our staff will find the right herbs from nature!

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT - for visiting our wild hideout in the jungle:

1. .A powerful torch, preferably 4 cells, using 'D' size batteries. Nights are dark
2. Well fitting garments for the jungle treks and fitting shoes or boots
3. Bathing suits for a swim in the lake
4. Mosquito/insect repellent
5. Binoculars would be an advantage
6. Your personal water bottle for treks
7. Hat or cap
8. Anything else that you might need, as the closest shops are 9 kilometers away from Tree Tops Farm
   

The following is just a samply of activities that could be offered to visitors who wish to - "Live in Harmony with Nature" - at Tree Tops Farm. Of course this itinerary can be altered in many ways to suit your special interests and needs

ITINERARY

Day 1
Arrive early afternoon at Tree Tops Farm for tea and get acquainted with Nature and different sounds. Rest, relax and bath from the waters of the well and then we start to get ready for the night. Dinner served between 8.00 - 9.00 p.m.

Day 2
Wake up to the sounds of Nature, a diverse variety of bird life greeting a new day being born. Coffee/tea/herbal juice/coconut juice will be served in the Farmhouse. Breakfast will be served to your convenience.
Tour of the farm, inspecting plants and organic cultivation.
Rest of the day: slow down activities … trying to attain the state of living in harmony with nature.

Day 3
Excursion, choose from the suggested itineraries.

Day 4
After breakfast and a bath from the freshwater well, departure late morning.

ADDITIONAL POSSIBLE HIKE #1:
Treks could be arranged through virgin jungle to an ancient irrigation tank called the Weliara wewa in time for lunch, which will be served there. On this trek, you will come in contact with a diverse variety of native and migrant bird life. You may be able to come into contact with wildlife, but that depends on your skill in the jungle. Rest, relax and swim in the Weliara wewa, an ancient irrigation tank built several centuries B.C by one of our prominent Kings, King Saddha Tissa. 4.00 pm - begin trek back to the Farm. En route, stop over at a watering hole that is frequently used by wildlife. Reach the Farm by 5.30 pm for tea.

ADDITIONAL POSSIBLE HIKE #2:
Another trek up into the mysterious hills behind the Farm could be arranged as well. These hills are called 'Arahath Kanda' (Hills of Enlightenment), which is spotted with caves and was one of the habitats of Buddhist Priests and Kings several centuries B.C. This trek goes through virgin jungle that has a variety of plant and tree life. The trek up to the summit of the hill is quite a difficult one but upon reaching the peak, you can see the beauty of the terrain around us. You will also be able to see the terrain north and south dotted with irrigation tanks and paddy fields - a part of an ancient irrigation system, built several centuries B.C. Lunch, Rest and relaxation at the peak of these hills. Begin trek back at 3.00 pm to reach the Farm around 5.00 pm for tea.

CAMPING IN THE JUNGLE:
Tents could be provided for those who may want to camp out in the wilderness amidst the diverse variety of wildlife that live in the jungle, which includes elephant, bear and leopard, amongst other species of wildlife that line there. This is an experience those real hard-core nature lovers and is a good way of testing your skills at survival.

CART RIDE SAFARI:
We offer you another specialist journey into deep jungle, in "no mans' land", in a cart drawn by bulls. A "safari with a difference", where we can travel long distances with all our gear loaded into the cart. It is even possible to camp out in any place of our choice, "and live in the jungle in harmony with nature" for as long as a visitor likes.

APPENDIX:

Appendix 1: Aku's story about having supper with a wild elephant