The property
Gileemale Walawwa originates back to the 18th century during the Kotte reign. This was bestowed upon the ancestors of the family who own it to cater to the King and family and the other dignitaries whenever King or other dignitaries visited Adams Peak. The original part of the house was built in the 18th century and the front portion was built in 1911.
The name of the Gileemale Village originated from the act where the people in the village made a large bonfire (Ginimale’) at the beginning and at the end of the Adams peak season to pass the message to the King.
The Gileemale village is a hamlet away from the hustle and bustle of the city and away from main roads surrounded by nature and two rivers it is actually sitting on a delta. One of the rivers flow adjacent to the house and the River Kalu is 500 meters away from the front of the house. 350 meters away from the house to the right is a Temple dating back to the 17th century. The village livelihood is Small scale tea plantations, Rubber plantations and paddy. Traditional gem pits are in abundance.
Staying at The Gileemale is a fantastic step back in time within one of the most authentic Colonial Mansion set up at the feet of one of the Western Gate of The Famous Adam's Peak. Come, learn and work with its villagers on multiple forms of local agriculture as Tea Pucking/Rubber Collection/Cinammon pick up all in having the most simple way of life, where time goes with the light.
Accommodation
The Walawwa comprises of 8 spacious bedrooms. The other areas include a large front verandah , Two spacious halls upstairs and down stairs , Large balcony overlooking the inner court yard (Meda Midula). Down stairs at the back portion of the house comprises a paved inner court yard (Meda Midula) with a spacious terrace round. The land extent is 18 acres round the House. The antique furniture includes 4 poster beds in every room, Ebony couches chairs, old plates, a dining tables for 18 etc.
Cuisine
Much of the produce is sourced from our own organic farm, with other ingredients purchased locally from farmers or from the market in town. All Sri Lankan meals are included in the price. If you have any special requests we will always try to accommodate them. You can also learn how to cook any of your favourite dishes in our complimentary cooking classes.
Heaven for vegetarian and organic lovers as all sources will come from the farm and will be collected daily following the exact need for each of you. Other ingredients will be purchased locally from farmers or from the market in town.
All meals are included in the price.
If you have any special requests we will always try to accommodate them. You can also learn how to cook any of your favourite dishes in our complimentary cooking classes.
Special, non-spicy, dishes can be prepared for children. Similarly, we will always do our best to prepare meals accordingly for people with special diet requirements or allergies.
Facilities & Services
You will be gather by multiple activities as joining some yoga session by the river side offering the freshness spirit to evolve with the nature surrounding, visit & experience the Herb Garden-Agri & Organic Farm, lose y9urself into the countryside and village roads around Gilemalee. Grab a Kayak or a Canoe and ventrue yourself on the river and embrace yourself with calm of the element. For the Birders, come and join us here, it is a birding paradise due to its altitude and surround which offer nest, food for endemic and resident birds, best time to spot them will be early morning and evening time.
Meals are served either in the patio, ground or first floor terrasse.
Guide
Local Guides come from the village with a few members from slightly further afield.
The Gilemale is committed to the principles of responsible, community-based tourism. The project aims to create as much local employment as well as to keep continue local agricultures through retaining largely traditional processes
