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Pilates in the Wild — Sri Lanka, 2027.
Daily pilates. Ancient fortresses. Misty mountain tops. 7 nights, 12 guests, one unforgettable Sri Lanka pilates retreat.
7
Nights
4
UNESCO Sites
women
Only
12
Guests
10+
Years
may & oct
Departure Dates
What makes this different
Not just a retreat. A true adventure through Sri Lanka — with a group of women you’ll want to travel with over and over again.
Most retreats put you in one beautiful place and keep you there. This one says: why choose?
Five locations. Seven nights. Ancient rock fortresses, misty highland villages, a legendary train through tea country, colonial fort streets at sunset. Whether Sri Lanka has been on your list forever or somewhere you've been before and want to fall back in love with — The Wild gives you the most complete version of it. By the time you reach Galle on the last night, you'll feel like you actually know the country.
Meet your host
Courtney Lanfranco
Founder, Holistic Escapes · Pilates & Yoga Teacher
Courtney's relationship with Sri Lanka started in 2019 on the back of a Royal Enfield motorbike, riding through the country with nothing but a rough route and a full heart. She's returned every year since — and has never stopped falling in love with it.
Before founding Holistic Escapes, Courtney spent years as a flight attendant — seeing the world, but burning out quietly in the process. Pilates & yoga quite literally saved her. It was the thing that brought her back to herself, and it's been the thread running through everything she does since. Now she travels in a way that leaves her more replenished than when she left. That's exactly what she designs for every guest who joins her.
She leads every session on Pilates in the Wild herself. Every single one.
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With 10+ years of immersion in yoga, pilates and holistic healing — and qualifications in Pilates Mat, 200hr and 300hr Yoga Teacher Training, Yin & Restorative Yoga, Breathwork and Somatic Mind-Body Healing — Courtney brings both depth of knowledge and a rare warmth to every session. Guests consistently say her classes exceed every expectation, that she explains things in a way that instantly makes your shoulders drop away from your ears, and that from the moment you land to the moment you leave, you feel completely taken care of.
The Wild begins the moment you say yes.
When your deposit lands, something else lands in your inbox: access to the Pre-Retreat Training Program — five pilates sessions, filmed exclusively for guests of this retreat, delivered one day at a time in the weeks before you travel.
I filmed them from the Maldives. Each class is 15–18 minutes — short enough to fit a real day, purposeful enough to genuinely prepare your body for what's ahead.
By the time you land in Colombo, you'll have already practiced with me. You'll know my cues, my pacing, what I mean when I say feel the ground before you move from it. You won't be warming up in Sri Lanka. You'll already be there.
WHAT'S WAITING IN YOUR INBOX
Class list:
Day 1 — Core Foundations · 15 min
Day 2 — Hips & the Lower Body · 16 min
Day 3 — Strength & Flow · 17 min
Day 4 — The session I'll ask you not to skip · 17 min
Day 5 — Arrive Strong · 18 min
This is how The Wild begins. Long before the plane.
Every package includes:
No hidden extras, no awkward add-ons. Every element of Pilates in the Wild — from your first pilates session to your last cultural tour — is woven into your retreat price.
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The Wild Warm-Up — 5 pilates sessions filmed in the Maldives, delivered to your inbox before you travel. Included for all confirmed guests.
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Every morning of The Wild begins with a dedicated pilates session led by Courtney — mat-based, energising, and set somewhere genuinely extraordinary. Negombo Lake. The grounds of Sigiriya. A mountaintop above Ella's tea valley. The ramparts of Galle Fort. Sessions are designed to wake your body up and ground you for the day ahead. All levels welcome — from complete beginners to regular practitioners.
Movement that actually means something. All levels welcome — complete beginners to experienced practitioners.
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As the day winds down, most evenings close with a restorative yoga session — yin, sound healing, slow flow or restorative depending on what the group needs. Designed to release the day, soften the body and prepare you for the deepest sleep you've had in years.
The perfect bookend to a full day of movement, culture and adventure.
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Every guest selects one personal experience from the menu below — chosen at the time of booking so everything can be arranged in advance. Your moment to personalise the retreat to exactly what you need most.
Abhyanga & Shirodhara Treatment — traditional Ayurvedic oil massage at AyurVie Spa, Aliya Resort, Sigiriya
Ayurvedic consultation & 30 minute herbal oil massage — private consultation with the resident Ayurvedic doctor at Aliya Resort followed by a tailored herbal oil massage.
60-Minute Spa Massage — signature treatment at 98 Acres Resort & Spa
Private Pilates or Yoga Session — 60 minutes one-on-one at a location of your choice during the retreat
Signature Experience must be selected at the time of booking. Subject to availability and scheduling.
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Private Transportation — Door to Door
From the moment you land in Colombo to your final transfer out of Galle, you travel exclusively in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with your dedicated driver. No shared shuttles, no public transport, no figuring out logistics. Every inter-city transfer between the five locations is handled — you simply show up and move. For a journey that covers this much of Sri Lanka, this alone is extraordinary value.Tours & Entrance Fees — All Included
Every excursion on the itinerary — Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple, the Kandy Temple of the Tooth, Nine Arches Bridge, Minneriya safari, Galle Fort — is fully included with a local guide. Entrance fees, guide fees, and all in-country logistics are taken care of. Nothing to book, nothing to pay on arrival.Five Handpicked Properties
Every hotel has been chosen for its character, setting, and position relative to our movement sessions. From a coastal wellness retreat outside Colombo to a mountain spa above the Ella valley, each property reflects exactly where you are in Sri Lanka — not just a place to sleep, but part of the experience itself.Meals Taken Care Of
Daily breakfast and dinner are included at every property throughout the retreat (arrival night is breakfast only due to varying flight times). Lunches are left free so you can explore local cafés, markets and warungs along the way — one of the best ways to actually experience a country.Daily Pilates + Evening Relaxation
1- 2 sessions daily — an energising mat pilates practice each morning led by Courtney, and an evening restorative yoga or yin session to close most days (details in itinerary). All levels welcome. Every class is sequenced around where you are, how much you've explored, and what your body needs.Your Signature Experience
One personalised treatment, chosen at booking — Abhyanga & Shirodhara at AyurVie Spa, an Ayurvedic consultation and herbal oil massage, a 60-minute spa massage, or a private one-on-one pilates session. Arranged in advance, no extra cost. -
This is a moving retreat — every few days the group travels to a completely new destination, each one more extraordinary than the last.
Negombo — Night 1 Arrive and settle in at Jetwing Lagoon Wellness Resort — a beautiful coastal property just 20 minutes from Colombo airport. The perfect place to decompress after a long-haul flight before the journey begins.
Sigiriya — Nights 2 & 3 The cultural heart of the retreat. Two nights at Aliya Resort & Spa — a stunning property set against the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Visit Sigiriya, one of the world's most extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the Dambulla Cave Temple, another UNESCO site just 20 minutes away. Morning pilates with the rock fortress as your backdrop.
Kandy — Night 4 Sri Lanka's hill capital and cultural centre. One night at Kandy Myst Hotel by Cinnamon — a beautifully positioned property overlooking the city. Visit the Temple of the Tooth, wander the spice gardens and soak in the rhythm of this extraordinary city.
Ella — Nights 5 & 6 The journey from Kandy to Ella by train is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world — tea estates, mountain passes and waterfalls rolling past the window for six hours. Two nights at 98 Acres Resort & Spa — a stunning mountain retreat perched above the valley. Morning pilates overlooking the Ella Gap, hikes to the Nine Arches Bridge and the best sleep of the trip.
Galle — Night 7 Sri Lanka's colonial gem. One night at The Galle Merchant — a beautifully restored boutique property inside the Galle Fort UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander the ramparts at sunset, explore the fort streets and close the retreat in one of Sri Lanka's most special places.
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All breakfasts & dinners are included throughout the retreat at each property. Lunches are your own to explore and usually whilst we are on the road between destinations.
Due to arrivals at various times, our arrival day hotel is breakfast only.
Dietary requirements are fully catered for at all properties — just let us know at the time of booking.
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Every property on the retreat is carefully chosen to reflect the character and landscape of its destination:
Jetwing Lagoon Wellness Resort — Negombo — coastal wellness retreat, 15 minutes from Colombo airport
Aliya Resort & Spa — Sigiriya — luxury resort set against the iconic rock fortress, home to AyurVie Spa
Kandy Myst Hotel by Cinnamon — Kandy — beautifully positioned overlooking the hill capital
98 Acres Resort & Spa — Ella — stunning mountain retreat perched above the valley with spectacular views
The Galle Merchant — Galle Fort — beautifully restored boutique property inside the UNESCO fort
All accommodation is twin share or private room depending on your booking preference.
Full accommodation details and photos are available in The Wild retreat guide — download it below.
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Fly into Colombo — Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Most guests fly via Singapore, Dubai, Doha, Kuala Lumpur or Abu Dhabi. Airlines include Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines and Etihad.
Book early — both 2027 departure dates are in peak and shoulder season. Seats fill fast on popular routes from Australia.
All ground transfers between destinations throughout the retreat are included. Private vehicles and driver throughout — no public transport, no logistics to figure out.
International flights to Colombo are not included and are booked independently.
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International flights to Colombo (CMB) and home
Lunches & drinks
Travel insurance (mandatory — must be purchased at time of booking)
Visa fees — Sri Lanka ETA required, approximately $20 USD, applied for online before travel
Personal expenses, shopping and optional activities
Tips and gratuities
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Over 70% of guests on our retreats travel solo — and The Wild is especially popular with solo travellers. There's something about moving through a country together that creates a deep bond within the group. By the time you reach Galle on night 7 these feel like people you've known for years.
Twin share guests are matched with a compatible roommate. Private room guests have their own space throughout. Either way you'll never feel alone.
Your Signature Experience:
Included in every package — choose one at the time of booking.
ABHYANGA & SHIRODHARA TREATMENT
Traditional Ayurvedic oil massage at AyurVie Spa, Aliya Resort
AYURVEDIC CONSULTATION & 30-MIN HERBAL OIL MASSAGE
Private session with the resident Ayurvedic doctor at Aliya Resort & 30 Minute herbal oil massage.
60-MINUTE SPA MASSAGE
Signature treatment at Aliya Resort & Spa or 98 Acres Resort & Spa
PRIVATE PILATES SESSION
60 minutes one-on-one with your host
Where you’ll stay
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![98 acres resort ella pool]()
98 Acres, Ella
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![Pool aliya yoga retreat sri lanka]()
Pool at Aliya
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![Day club at our hotel 98 acres]()
Day club at our hotel 98 acres, Ella
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![Jetwing lagoon wellness resort negombo retreat yoga pilates]()
Land softly at Jetwing Lagoon Wellness, Negombo (1 night)
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![2 Nights at Aliya Resort & Spa, Sigiriya]()
2 Nights at Aliya Resort & Spa, Sigiriya
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![Spend 2 Nights at 98 Acres Resort & Spa]()
Spend 2 Nights at 98 Acres Resort & Spa
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![1 Night at The Merchant, Galle Fort]()
1 Night at The Merchant, Galle Fort
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![Misty mountain mornings at 98 Acres, Ella]()
Misty mountain mornings at 98 Acres, Ella
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![Kandy Myst views]()
Kandy Myst views
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Our first night in Negombo
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Jetwing Lagoon Wellness
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98 Acres, Ella
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Jetwing Lagoon Wellness
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The Merchant, Galle Fort
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Restaurant 98 Acres, Ella
Is this retreat right for me
This retreat is for you if:
You're a woman who wants more than a stay-in-one-place resort retreat
You love pilates and want to practise in the most extraordinary settings on earth
You're curious about culture, history and the kind of travel that genuinely changes your perspective
You're happy in a small, curated group of like-minded women — maximum 12 guests
You're travelling solo and want the safety and community of a guided group
You want a trip that combines genuine wellness with genuine adventure
The way we move
We love our matcha. But we'll also be the first to order a flat white — because real wellness isn't one aesthetic. Pilates in the Wild is not your spicy pilates trend, the kind that gets you up there, but never quite brings you down the other side to restore.
Here, the pilates is slow, intentional, and completely present to where you are — a mountaintop at sunrise, a cliff beside the ocean, a quiet room surrounded by nature. The setting becomes part of the practice. The kind of practice that stays with you.
Courtney teaches from a place of deep listening — to the body in front of her, to the energy in the room, to what that particular morning calls for. Some days that looks like a strong, grounding flow. Other days it's more slow and still. It always begins with breath and ends with something that feels like reset.
This is pilates for women who want to move well, not just move more. Who understand that the most powerful thing a body can do is learn to slow down enough to feel.
On and off the mat, that's the philosophy of Holistic Escapes. Balance in everything. Presence over performance.
A day in the Wild
No two days look exactly the same — but here's how a typical day unfolds.
Early morning — Pilates, led by Courtney, somewhere genuinely extraordinary. The kind of session that leaves you energised and grounded for everything that follows.
Breakfast — Long and unhurried. Sri Lanka does mornings beautifully.
The day opens up — Your local guide takes the group out. A UNESCO site, a wildlife safari, a spice garden, a highland train. Everything is taken care of.
Lunch & free time — Yours to explore. Wander into a local café, follow a recommendation, eat somewhere completely unexpected.
Late afternoon — Entirely yours. Swim, journal, nap, or sit somewhere beautiful and do absolutely nothing.
Evening — A restorative yoga or yin session to release the day and prepare you for the deepest sleep you've had in years.
Dinner — Together at the property. Long tables, good food, the kind of conversation that happens when a small group of women has spent a full day doing extraordinary things.
Then you do it all again — somewhere completely different.
Cost Breakdown
Spaces are capped at 12 guests per departure.
Book all of this independently and here's what you're looking at:
7 nights across 5 luxury properties — $2,400
Daily pilates, yoga & breathwork sessions — $360
Pre-Retreat Online Training Program (5 sessions) — $79
Signature spa or Ayurvedic treatment — $150
Private A/C vehicle & driver, full journey — $350
Airport transfers (arrival + departure) — $160
All breakfasts & dinners — $560
Dedicated English-speaking guide, 8 days — $640
All entrance fees & guided excursions — $250
Kandy–Ella highland train, first class — $15
Group curation, planning & 24/7 support — priceless
Independent total — approx. $4,900+ USD
Pilates in the Wild — from $2,899 (Early Bird Twin Share)
That's almost $2,000 in savings — fully planned, fully guided, nothing to figure out.
2027 Dates
✈ May 15-22 (Early bird closes: September 30, 2026)
✈ October 3-10 (Early bird closes: December 1, 2026)
Early bird pricing now open — save $300 per person. Spaces are capped at 12 guests.
Secure your place with a $500 deposit per person. Balance due 90 days before departure.
Pricing
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Share a beautifully appointed room with a fellow guest. We'll match you with a compatible roommate — this is the most popular option and how most solo travellers join us. Secure your space with a $500 USD deposit. Flexible payment plans available.
Full price is $3199PP after early bird ends. -
The majority of guests on Pilates in the Wild travel solo — and most choose the shared room option to make the most of their budget.
If you'd like to share, we'll match you with a compatible roommate from the group. We take this seriously. We consider travel style, sleep habits and personality when pairing guests, and in over a decade of running retreats, our roommate matches have consistently become some of the strongest friendships formed on the trip.
If you'd prefer your own room but want to keep costs down, get in touch before booking — if we can find you a match, we'll let you know and you can secure the shared rate. If not, the single room option is available and still exceptional value for what's included.
Either way, you won't be navigating any of this alone.
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Your own private sanctuary to return to each evening across all five locations. Limited single rooms are available — these tend to go first. Early bird price is $3,699 USD, saving $300 on the full price of $3,999. All the same retreat inclusions as the shared option. Secure your space with a $500 USD deposit. Flexible payment plans available.
Not ready to pay in full? No problem.
Secure your space with a $500 USD deposit today, then spread the balance across monthly payments leading up to your departure. Payment plans are available on request — just reach out after booking and we'll set one up for you.
Extend your journey
Add the Maldives
A Maldives Pilates & Yoga Retreat
A custom Maldives extension — 3, 5 or 7 nights following your Sri Lanka departure
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The Maldives extension begins the morning Sri Lanka ends — the transition is seamless. From Colombo (CMB) you'll fly directly to Malé (MLE), approximately 1.5 hours.
From Malé you'll transfer by speedboat directly to the resort. We recommend booking as a group so we can travel together — full flight guidance will be sent once your extension is confirmed.
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Your Maldives extension includes luxury accommodation for your chosen duration (3, 5 or 7 nights), daily pilates and movement sessions, breakfast daily (with meal plan upgrades available), and all speedboat airport transfers. Full inclusions are confirmed in your personal quote.
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Mornings begin with pilates overlooking the Indian Ocean — open air, ocean breeze, that view.
As the day winds down, restorative yoga, breathwork and sound healing bring everything back to stillness.
Movement to reconnect you. All levels welcome. -
The Maldives is one of the most extraordinary marine environments on earth.
Your journey includes:
House reef snorkelling trip
Paddle board yoga classAnd plenty of time for swimming with (friendly) sharks, manta rays in some of the clearest water you've ever seen.
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Morning — Sunrise pilates or movement session · Breakfast overlooking the ocean
Daytime — This is yours. Snorkel the nearby reefs, paddleboard the lagoon — or find a hammock and your favourite book. You set the pace.
Afternoon — Optional movement or breathwork session · Spa treatments available
Evening — Sunset yoga or sound healing · Dinner under the stars
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Kandooma Resort sits on its own private island in the South Malé Atoll — one of the Maldives' premier dive destinations. White sand beaches, crystal clear lagoons, overwater bungalows and a world-class house reef right off the beach. This is not a generic resort — it's a destination in itself.
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This extension is for you if you want to keep going after Sri Lanka.
If you need a few more days before re-entering real life. If you love the ocean, want to move your body in extraordinary places, and want to arrive home genuinely restored. Many guests tell us the Maldives days are the ones they think about most. Choose 3 nights for a taste, 5 for the sweet spot, or 7 for the full reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Pilates in the Wild is a 7-night small group Sri Lanka pilates retreat that moves through five of the country's most extraordinary locations. Each morning begins with a dedicated pilates session in a different setting — from Negombo Lake to a mountaintop in Ella. Days open up into UNESCO World Heritage Site visits, the highland train journey, wildlife experiences and deep cultural immersion. Maximum 12 guests.
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The Wild is led by Courtney Lanfranco — founder of Holistic Escapes and a certified pilates and yoga teacher with over a decade of experience leading small group retreats across Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bali and Sumba. Courtney holds qualifications in Pilates Mat, 200hr and 300hr Yoga Teacher Training, Yin & Restorative Yoga, Breathwork and Somatic Mind-Body Healing. She leads every session and holds the group throughout the entire journey.
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Morning pilates sessions are mat-based, led by Courtney and designed to energise you for the day ahead. Each class is sequenced to work with your body as you travel — activating, grounding and restoring. Evening sessions focus on restorative yoga and breathwork to help you wind down and sleep deeply. All levels welcome — no prior pilates experience is needed.
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The Wild is a pilates-led retreat, not a traditional single-location yoga retreat. While restorative yoga and breathwork are woven into the evenings, pilates is the central morning practice. The retreat also integrates four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the legendary highland train journey, a wildlife safari and genuine cultural immersion — across five different locations in Sri Lanka.
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We balance guided cultural experiences with intentional breathing space throughout the Sri Lanka retreat. You'll never feel rushed or over-scheduled. There is time to wander, rest, journal and simply be — woven into every day alongside the movement and exploration.
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Maximum 12 guests. This is an intentionally small group — it's what makes the pilates sessions more personal, the cultural experiences more authentic, and the connections between guests genuinely meaningful. You'll feel held throughout rather than lost in a crowd.
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You can arrive at anytime on arrival day, there are no formal activities on day one to allow guests to settle in from their various flight times. We will meet for a casual dinner for anyone who is at the hotel early and would like to gather - otherwise rest up and we’ll get straight into it the following morning.
THE EXPERIENCE
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Fly into Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo (CMB). This is Sri Lanka's main international airport with direct and connecting flights from most major Australian cities. We'll send full flight guidance in your welcome pack once your space is confirmed.
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Sri Lanka is a welcoming and safe destination for women travelling solo. We have been running yoga and pilates retreats in Sri Lanka since 2015 and have never had a safety concern. You will be with a small group and guided by Courtney throughout — you are never navigating alone.
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Most foreign passport holders can obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Sri Lanka online before departure — it's a straightforward online process. We'll include full visa guidance in your welcome pack. Always check the latest requirements with the official Sri Lanka immigration website before travelling.
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Yes — comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory for all Holistic Escapes retreats. Please arrange cover including medical, cancellation and travel delay before your final payment is due. We strongly recommend doing this as soon as your space is confirmed.
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Both dates fall in shoulder season — Sri Lanka's sweet spot. May is warm with occasional afternoon showers in the south (Galle), while the north and centre (Sigiriya, Ella) remain mostly dry and clear. October is one of the most beautiful times to visit — lush, green and warm throughout. Pack light layers for Ella evenings (it gets cool at altitude) and sunscreen everywhere else. Full packing guidance is in your welcome pack.
TRAVEL & LOGISTICS
ACCOMMODATION & INCLUSIONS
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The Wild includes carefully selected luxury hotels and boutique properties at each of the five locations — Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella and Galle. Each property has been chosen for its character, setting and proximity to the morning pilates location. Full accommodation details are included in your welcome pack upon booking.
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Daily breakfast & dinner is included throughout the retreat (except night one which is breakfast only). Sri Lanka's food is extraordinary and every meal has been chosen to reflect the local culture and support your body during the retreat.
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International flights to and from Colombo, travel insurance (compulsory), lunches, personal spending and optional activities are not included in your retreat investment. The first hotel is also breakfast only.
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Yes — both twin share and single occupancy options are available. The single supplement is US$800 per person. Single occupancy spaces are limited so we recommend securing early if this is your preference.
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A USD $500 deposit secures your space immediately. Your place is not confirmed until your deposit is received. Flexible payment plans are available, with the final balance due 90 days before departure.
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As soon as your deposit is confirmed, you'll receive a personalised welcome pack covering everything — the full itinerary, accommodation details at all five locations, flight guidance, packing list, visa requirements, and direct access to Courtney for any questions from booking through to landing home.
You'll also receive access to The Wild Warm-Up — an exclusive 5-day pre-retreat training program filmed by Courtney from the Maldives. Five pilates sessions delivered to your inbox, one per day, building your body for what's ahead. It's the part guests consistently say they didn't expect — and loved most.
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Yes — and many guests do. The Maldives Pilates & Ocean Retreat runs the week immediately after Sri Lanka ends, making the transition seamless. Many guests tell us the two weeks together were the best decision they ever made. See our Maldives retreat page for full details.
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Deposits are non-refundable. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance to protect against any changes to your plans. Full terms and conditions are available on our booking terms page.
BOOKING & SUPPORT