Aarunya isn’t the kind of place you stumble upon — it’s a place you rise into. From Colombo, the drive takes just over three hours. You leave the city behind, the roads narrow, and the hills begin to take over. You climb, slowly. The trees thicken. There’s a moment where the van has to reverse to make space for a tuk-tuk coming down — tight corners, jungle on both sides. It reminded me of the Amalfi Coast, but wilder, softer, greener.
At the top, everything opens. You’re handed a cool towel, a welcome drink, and for a moment, you just stand still. Aarunya sits at the edge of the Knuckles Mountain Range, with only nine private villas spread across a former tea and spice estate. From the lobby, you look straight out over jungle and mist, with nothing between you and the curve of the hills.
The Knuckles Mountains — officially Dumbara Kanduvetiya, meaning “mist-laden range” in Sinhala — are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (source), protected for their rare biodiversity and endemic species. It’s not just a view — it’s a living, breathing ecosystem that surrounds you completely.
Aarunya means “first rays of the sun” in Sanskrit. It fits. Everything here feels like a soft, slow beginning.
Our villa was already waiting. High wooden ceilings, a plunge pool, a whirlpool on the deck, and binoculars next to the bed — for birdwatching, they said. The air felt cooler here, calmer. There’s space to breathe.
This morning, I woke up early. One curtain slightly open, the rest still drawn. From bed, I could see the layers of mountains through the opening — soft blue outlines, one behind the other. Mist — or maybe it was jungle fog — was rising from the valley. I made tea, stayed under the covers, and watched it move. There were birds calling. A squirrel leapt from a banana tree to the roof. Nothing dramatic — just quiet, perfect movement. Later, I sat outside with the tea, surrounded by sound. No music, no traffic, just the rhythm of nature.
I debated: room service (which is complimentary), or head down for breakfast on the terrace? That’s Aarunya — you choose your pace. We ended up dining with a view. Fresh mango, papaya, a homemade shake, and eggs just how you like them. No buffet. No time slots. No sense of being anywhere other than here.
Walking the estate, we passed jackfruit trees, vines of pepper, clusters of cinnamon and nutmeg but also amazing tropical colourful flowers. You can smell the place — warm, earthy, spiced. It feels honest. Real.
Food plays a big role in the experience here. Aarunya’s destination dining concept, Aahaara, is one of the most romantic things they offer. Nine curated Sri Lankan courses served on a private terrace, surrounded by torchlight and stars. You can choose to wear a traditional batik wrap, or simply arrive as you are. The service is effortless, and the flavours — bold, deep, local — tell a story of place and care.
If you want to get involved, there’s a cooking workshop held outdoors, surrounded by jungle. You learn to grind, stir, and season like a local. You cook over flame. You taste in silence. It’s not a show, it’s a shared moment.
There’s wellness here too, gently woven into everything. Aarogya, the on-site spa, offers couples massages, oil rituals, herbal steam, or a full Ayurvedic programme if you want something deeper. But it’s not imposed. You dip in if you want. No schedule. Just options.
They recently opened a new villa: the Sol Sanctuary. It has two bedrooms, the same incredible view, and enough space for couples traveling together — or for those who just want room to stretch, to pause, to stay longer.
Sunsets here are as quiet as the mornings. You might sit by the infinity pool with a drink, or take a walk as the light fades. There’s a softness to the evenings, a feeling that nothing needs to be documented. Just lived.
Aarunya has been recognised as one of Sri Lanka’s top honeymoon destinations, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. It’s romantic, yes. But not in the cliché sense. It’s romantic because it gives you the chance to be still. To listen. To look up from your phone and see each other. To reset.
The word ‘Aarunya’ means ‘first rays of the sun.’ And maybe that’s what makes this place different. It feels like a beginning. Not just of the day — but of something more lasting.
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