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Reservations

Welcome to a forest hideaway of treehouses by Pidurangala, where ancient wonders meet quiet calm.

Back of Beyond – Jungle Hideaway

Jungle Hideaway - Pidurangala

Reservations

Why guests
love Jungle Hideaway

Located away from the hustle and bustle of Sigiriya, this quiet jungle retreat offers a tree house experience for those who wish to add living like Tarzan and Jane to their bucket list.

Families & groups

Several tree-houses and cottages scattered around the property accommodating up to 28 pax for family and office group trips.

Travellers

The closest accommodation to Pidurangala rock and proximity to Sigiriya rock and the thrill of staying in a tree-house, as well as exploring other historical sites.

Wild life lovers

Safaris to see elephants, checking out the bird life on the property and spot a loris.

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Location

  • Pidurangala – 1 km from Sigiriya, 20 km from Dambulla.
  • Minneriya National Park – 30 minute drive.
  • Kaudulla National Park – 45 minute drive.
  • From Colombo – 4.5 hour drive, 175 km of good tarred road, 400 m of well-maintained village roads.

Facts in brief

Hidden in 4 acres of jungle at the base of the Pidurangala rock is our retreat, which the villagers have named as “Kurulu Uyana” (Bird Park). A bird park, it certainly is, but what makes it unique is that it is walking distance to Pidurangala rock, which rises to 650 feet literally next door. Pre-breakfast climbs for sunrise, and another climb at sunset are really wonderful, especially because you have a great view of Sigiriya from the summit of Pidurangala. But often our guests (particularly return guests), prefer to enjoy the quiet and serene atmosphere and spend entire vacations right here within our premises, with the only “disturbance” being an occasional elephant walking through.

Several tree-houses and cottages scattered in the forest cater to the solo-traveller, families and large groups up to a maximum of 28 pax. At the turn off to our property, is a small Wellness Centre and Vegetarian Café, offering ayurveda massages, health foods and snacks.

Accommodation:

7 tree-houses and 2 cottages for a maximum of 28 adults and children on bed and breakfast, half board and full board basis. Tree Houses for 2, 3, 4 and 5 pax are available. Attached washrooms with hot water.

Dining:

Custom prepared Sri Lankan and western meals will be served in the dining areas. Tea, coffee and drinking water provided free of charge. Alcohol not provided, guests are at liberty to bring in their own.

Meal times and check in/out times:

Flexible depending on occupancy.

Staff:

Includes manager/naturalist, cooks, housekeepers and gardeners.

Accommodation

Tree houses

  • Ehetu & Welang – 2 pax each
  • Ebony – Triple
  • Milla, Dambu, Weera – 4 pax each
  • Ratmal – 5 pax

Cottages

  •  Malkoha & Shama – 2 pax each

Spread out in the forest are 7 tree houses and 2 cottages, accommodating 2 to 5 persons in each, providing the ideal lodging for small families who wish to stay together as well as for gatherings of the clan (upto a total of 28 pax). It is best to book well in advance as Pidurangala is one of our most popular sites.
The tree houses are loved by children, honeymooners as well as older folk and the experiential traveller who have “living in the trees” on their bucket list.

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Tree houses
Cottages

Stay elevated: Treehouses overlooking Pidurangala.

Named after trees of the area, our tree houses have well-built wooden steps leading to the sleeping quarters which is furnished with hand-crafted comfortable beds. The rooms are open and you feel as if you are part of the boulder-strewn forest. You are surrounded by the whisper of rustling leaves and bird song. The spacious lounge deck on the upper floor is the ideal place to sit by the safety railing with binoculars in hand.

At the base of the tree house at ground level, you have an open lounge to relax and sip a drink. The modern washroom is attached and with hot and cold water in the open air shower area. You can enjoy a long shower under the skies watching the eagles soaring overhead.

Milla, Ebony and Weera tree houses face Pidurangala rock.

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Forest hideaway cottages with birdsong charm

Our two individual cottages are named after two of our favourite resident birds, the Shama (the songster) and the MalKoha (a rare bird). The cottages, each with its own verandah, are designed to give you the maximum feel of the forest. Rooms have attached washrooms with hot and cold water.

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Things to do

History & Culture

Safari & Nature

Back of Beyond adventures

Sigiriya Rock Fortress & museum

History & Culture

Polonnaruwa ancient city

History & Culture

Minneriya national park

Safari & Nature

Kaudulla national park

Safari & Nature

Loris watching

Back of Beyond adventures

Pidurangala sunrise / sunset (guided hike)

Back of Beyond adventures

Private candle - lit dinner

Back of Beyond adventures

Cycle ride

Back of Beyond adventures

Activities and experiences

Back of Beyond is far more than an accommodation provider. We have chosen locations that not only make your stay memorable, we also curate authentic experiences that are enjoyable and are designed to give you a better insight into the area. We travelled all the back roads and delved into the stories of the village for our 400 page guide book Sigiriya & Beyond and are now best placed to guide you through our heritage, with quite a bit of adventure thrown in.

  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress & museum
  • Polonnaruwa ancient city
  • Dambulla cave temple
  • Ritigala forest monastery

  • Minneriya national park
  • Kaudulla national park
  • Hurulu eco park

  • Nature walk (bird watching / village tanks)
  • Loris watching
  • Pidurangala sunrise / sunset (guided hike)
  • Pidurangala picnic (guided hike, snack on summit)
  • Village breakfast (transport included)
  • Village life (cycle ride, village life, lunch)
  • BOB Dehigaha Ela (cycle ride, lunch)
  • Private candle-lit dinner (if HB/FB basis – $30)
  • Scenic boat ride
  • Scenic boat ride with breakfast
  • Boat ride with dinner at campsite
  • Moonlight boat ride with dinner
  • Jungle dinner under the stars (camp site)
  • Ayurveda treatments (see separate sheet)
  • Cycle rides (see separate sheet)

Contact us if you need to arrange a customised tour, around Sri Lanka or in the proximity of our lodges.

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Facilities and special notes:

Back of Beyond is deeply committed to the environment and sustainability (please see our policy statement) and therefore we have endeavoured to provide facilities for a comfortable stay while, at the same time, “touching” the environment as gently as possible.

Lodges with modern washrooms & hot/cold open-air showers

Linen, towels, basic toiletries, mosquito nets, natural repellents

Fan-cooled rooms, no air-conditioning

In-house cook and flexible menus

No built swimming pool

Low lighting except in the bedrooms

Alcohol not served, guests may bring their own

Mobile phone connectivity usually low

Free Wi-Fi in lobby & dining hall

No TV and other noise generating entertainment

Tea, coffee and safe filtered drinking water, no bottled water

Home library

Dining

The gastronomic experience is a vital part of any holiday, and at Back of Beyond we believe food should be as memorable as the surroundings. Our versatile cooks take pride in catering to every palate – from authentic village-style meals prepared with time-honored recipes, to western favorites with a creative twist, as well as fusion dishes that bring together the best of both worlds. Each cook adds a personal touch with their own signature specialties, making every meal a unique experience.

In keeping with the traditions of our Back of Beyond retreats, the emphasis remains on wholesome, home-style cooking. Fresh vegetables, leafy greens, and herbs indigenous to the area are central to our menus, giving each dish a genuine village flavor. Even our western dishes are infused with a distinct Sri Lankan touch, whether it’s a hint of local spice, a fragrant curry leaf, or the warmth of coconut milk. Guests can look forward not just to nourishment, but to a journey through the tastes and traditions of the region, served with care and authenticity.

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What our clients say

Real experiences from people like you

A culinary delight: Unforgettable flavours and phenomenal dishes at Back of Beyond!

Oh the food – loved it! I couldn’t find anything to complain about. Each dish had it’s own individual tastes – from the barbecue with fire cooked pork to the kiribath and the strings – Oh the food! Phenomenal…

Neil , Australia

A perfect escape: Hidden adventures, tranquil getaway, and endless memories!

It was a great escape from the city and we had many fun adventures. We even found a hidden passage through the forest around the ancient ruins… Despite the lack of a television, we weren’t bored for a minute…
Good bye and take care and hope to hang out here once again.

Jet Ray and friends, Sri Lanka

Friendly, attentive staff who go above and beyond!

The staff were wonderful. Friendly, efficient and always willing. A special touch is that there was always someone volunteering to go with us as a guide anywhere we wanted to!! They were always available without ever being intrusive.

Nalinika, Colombo

Comfortable cottages, amazing food, and beautiful natural surroundings!

We stayed 3 nights here and really liked it. The cottages are great, first time with such a good sleep even without AC. Great aircon going through the cottage ! everything was very clean and well maintained in a great natural environment with trees, birds, animals running around. The food is amazing and so good: congratulations to the cook.

Karine & Christian, France

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