About Us
YOUR cozY RETREAT IN THE HILLS
Escape the chaos of everyday life with a memorable stay at beautiful HapuTales – an enchanting mountain villa, nestled in the quiet, misty mountains of lower Haputale – a hill town located in the central hills of Sri Lanka. Haputale (pronounced Haputhaley) is surrounded by hills covered in cloud forests and vast, green tea plantations. At an elevation of 1431m (4695 ft) above sea level, the area has a rich bio-diversity dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna.
Nestled amidst 27 acres of what once used to be an old tea plantation, the villa is surrounded by a forested hillside coloured in multiple hues of green. The property itself sits on an acre of land on which tea bushes have been replanted in keeping with the tradition and history of the area.
Encircled by natural forests and mountain ridges, HapuTales offers its guests front row seats to an unobstructed, bird’s eye view of the Haputale-Beragala Gap as well as the bright, blue waters of the Udawalawe Reservoir in the far distance. The South-West boundary of the Uva basin is marked by the Haputale mountain ridges, which continue on to Horton Plains and Adam’s Peak to the west.
Breathtaking vistas of rolling hills and lush greenery greet you each day. The view of the mountains covered in mist is truly a breathtaking sight to behold. And it is common to see clouds floating by at or below eye-level. The cloud formations across the mountains and valleys create a mystical and dreamy atmosphere that is perfect for some great Instagram clicks.
The Southern plains, forests, lakes and paddy fields can be seen for miles in the valley below. On a clear day you can even see the southern coast. Come nighttime, the twinkling lights of the Mattala Airport and the Kuragala Ancient Buddhist Monastery, can be seen gently illuminating the darkness in the distance. On cloudy days, great swaths of mist cling to the hillsides and soft cotton clouds float lazily above, covering the entire valley in a fluffy, canopy of white.
Come, treat yourself to the ultimate escape of relaxation, adventure and self-discovery amidst cozy comfort in lush, green surroundings.
Climate
kiss the clouds
HapuTales, at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level lies in the misty mountains of Sri Lanka’s south central highlands. Due to its elevation, the climate is degrees cooler and less humid than Colombo, but not as cold as Nuwara Eliya. The salubrious tropical rainforest climate boasts a healthy air quality index and daytime temperatures average 27°C (80°F) while nighttime temperatures average 18°C (65°F). Pack for cool mornings, warm to hot days and cooler evenings.
Although we have a fresh and refreshing temperature throughout the year, the preferable months to visit us are from January to March and June to September when it is less likely to rain. The monsoonal months of April, May, October and November usually see more rain, but it is still a magical place to be as you will witness the surrounds covered in clouds and the mist slowly twirling around. During a heavy downpour curl up with a book, enjoy a siesta, play some board games, watch a movie, or watch the rains roll in over the hills. If you are lucky, you will spot a rainbow or two.
Flora and Fauna
where stories come alive
The rich ecosystem of the forest surrounding you means you are never far from wildlife during your stay. Discover a variety of endemic and migratory species of birdlife and butterflies. Wake up to the soothing cooing of the spotted doves perched outside your room or watch the black-headed oriole as it flits across the deck in a flash of black and yellow.
On your walks, you will often see toque macaques or black-faced-langurs sitting on the sides of the road or hanging on wires or trees. Peacocks and jungle fowl dart across our garden and black eagles circle around in the valley below. Listen to the pulsing cadence of cicadas and the creaking chorus of frogs in the evenings.
In addition to the diversity of flowers you will find in our gardens, and our mini tea plantation, you will also find a variety of fruit & spice trees on your walk-abouts. Banana, Papaya, Jackfruit, Mulberry, Passion fruit, Lemon, Lime, local Orange, Mango, Pomegranate, Durian, Guava, Soursop, and Avocado to name a few.
We have also planted Coffee, Pepper, Vanilla, Cloves, Cardamoms, Cinnamon, Agarwood, and Bamboo. Our herb garden includes Ginger, Curry Leaves, Chilli Peppers, Rosemary and Basil and we do our own composting.
We try to follow the definition of Ecotourism in our day-to-day activities by conserving our natural environment, sustaining the well-being of the local people, and creating knowledge and understanding through interpretation and education of visitors, and staff.