At Aarunya, the land is an integral part of the guest experience.
Set within our natural surroundings, the resort’s gardens and cultivated areas are managed through a distinctive combination of traditional Sri Lankan agricultural knowledge, organic practices and biodynamic principles, developed with the guidance and direct involvement of agricultural consultant Dr. Asoka Seneviratne and the Managing Director, an Environmentalist Dr Lal Rankothge over nearly two years.
Rather than being simply ornamental, the landscape is a living agricultural environment where guests can discover the origins of many of the flavours, aromas and natural products associated with Sri Lanka.
A Living Kandyan Forest Garden
Aarunya combines tea, spices, fruit trees, vegetables, medicinal plants and forestry species in a mixed-cropping environment designed to encourage biodiversity. Thirty-one fruit and plant species have been introduced, with particular attention given to traditional, underutilised and medicinally valuable varieties.
Guests can walk through the cultivated areas, discover unfamiliar tropical fruits and, where appropriate, pick and taste fruit directly from the trees—a simple but memorable connection with the land.
Biodynamic Farming in Practice
Aarunya incorporates biodynamic principles into its agricultural programme, including the preparation and use of BD500 horn manure, BD501 horn silica and biodynamic compost on the property.
Traditional agricultural knowledge is also respected, including the use of seasonal and lunar calendars when undertaking selected farming activities. These practices form part of Aarunya’s philosophy of working with nature rather than simply cultivating the land.
From Garden to Table
A dedicated home garden produces vegetables, culinary herbs, fruits and selected medicinal plants for use by the kitchen and staff. Guests may also participate by selecting vegetables for preparation as part of their dining experience.
The garden includes familiar culinary herbs such as basil, rosemary, oregano, lavender, parsley, thyme, mint, coriander and lemon balm, alongside Sri Lankan crops and traditional plants.
Discover the Spices of Ceylon
Aarunya’s agricultural landscape provides an authentic introduction to some of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated crops, including Ceylon cinnamon, pepper, cloves, nutmeg, coffee, cocoa, vanilla and tea.
The property has approximately 300 cinnamon bushes, and Aarunya has trained its own staff in cinnamon harvesting, peeling, quill-making and drying—allowing this important part of Sri Lanka’s agricultural heritage to become a tangible experience for guests.
Selected spices and produce are also transformed into Aarunya-branded products, including Ceylon cinnamon, pepper, clove, nutmeg, mace, coffee and tea.
An Experience, Not Just a Garden
For guests interested in nature, food, wellness and authentic Sri Lankan culture, Aarunya’s agricultural programme offers opportunities to go beyond conventional sightseeing.
Depending on the season, guests can explore the gardens, learn about traditional and biodynamic cultivation, discover the origins of Sri Lankan spices, participate in practical demonstrations and experience produce grown on the property.
The programme has also included demonstrations of biodynamic preparations, natural plant treatments, tea pruning, cinnamon processing, pepper cultivation, nutmeg and clove harvesting, and the processing of pepper, coffee and other crops.
Our Philosophy
Aarunya believes that a truly distinctive boutique resort should have a genuine connection with its landscape and community.
Our agricultural programme is therefore not designed merely as a sustainability statement. It is a living part of Aarunya—linking the land, local knowledge, food, biodiversity, wellness and the guest experience.
For discerning travellers seeking an authentic and meaningful Sri Lankan experience, Aarunya offers the opportunity to stay within nature, taste what the land produces and discover the traditions behind it.
