Welcome to Tamarind Gardens – Experience Authentic Sri Lanka

"Live like a local" enjoying Sri Lankan village customs, whilst staying in a tranquil chalet, with breathtaking views and delectable food 

Your Home Away from Home in Digana

Tamarind Gardens offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of Digana, where guests can experience the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality. Surrounded by lush greenery and overlooking the stunning Victoria Reservoir, our homestay provides a relaxing environment for travelers seeking a break from the hustle of daily life. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or an adventure in nature, Tamarind Gardens is the perfect base for your stay.

Our cozy chalets are designed to blend comfort with nature, allowing guests to wake up to the sounds of birds and enjoy breathtaking sunrise views. Here, you’re not just a visitor—you’re family, welcomed with open arms and genuine hospitality.

Unwind in Tranquil Surroundings

Escape to a world of peace and tranquility at Tamarind Gardens. With panoramic views of the hills and a refreshing breeze from the reservoir, every moment spent here is an opportunity to slow down and connect with nature. Whether you choose to relax with a cup of Ceylon tea on your veranda or take a gentle stroll through the property, you’ll feel at ease in this serene setting.

For those who love adventure, hiking trails and scenic walks await just beyond your doorstep. Reconnect with nature as you explore the rolling hills, vibrant greenery, and the authentic charm of Digana.

Live Like a Local with Cultural Experiences

At Tamarind Gardens, we believe that the best way to experience a destination is by immersing yourself in its culture. Our “Live Like a Local” program allows guests to step into the daily lives of Sri Lankan villagers. Whether you’re cooking a traditional meal, learning a local craft, or exploring bustling markets, you’ll gain an authentic perspective of life in Sri Lanka.

By connecting with local artisans and farmers, you’ll hear their stories, learn their traditions, and leave with more than just memories—you’ll take home new skills and a deeper appreciation for Sri Lankan heritage.

Hands-On Craft Workshops with Locals

Crafting is an integral part of Sri Lankan culture, and at Tamarind Gardens, you can learn these skills directly from the artisans themselves. From pottery-making to traditional weaving, these workshops allow you to create something unique while supporting the local community. Each piece you make carries a story, a memory, and a piece of Sri Lanka’s rich heritage.

Our workshops are not just about learning a skill; they are about connecting with people, understanding their way of life, and taking home an authentic and personal souvenir.

Farm-Fresh Food and Dairy Products

At Tamarind Gardens, we believe that great food starts with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our farm-to-table approach ensures that every meal served is made with love and care, using produce grown on our land or sourced from nearby farmers. From rich, flavourful curries to tropical fruits picked at their peak, every dish reflects the true essence of Sri Lankan home cooking.

Our dairy farm plays a key role in our commitment to freshness. The milk, cheese, and cream we serve are made right here, allowing guests to experience the pure taste of locally crafted dairy products. Whether it’s a warm cup of farm-fresh milk in the morning or a slice of creamy homemade cheese, every bite tells a story of quality and sustainability.

Fresh Milk, Cheese, and More from Our Farm

Our dairy farm is the heart of Tamarind Gardens, where our happy and well-cared-for cows produce some of the freshest milk in the region. Guests can enjoy farm-fresh dairy products straight from our kitchen, including smooth, creamy yogurt, rich homemade butter, and artisanal cheese infused with local flavors.

Beyond just enjoying these delicacies, visitors can also experience the farming process firsthand. Learn about our ethical and sustainable dairy farming methods, see how traditional cheese is made, and even try your hand at milking a cow! It’s an interactive, farm-to-table experience that connects you directly to the food you eat.

Stay in Our Charming Chalets Surrounded by Nature

Tamarind Gardens offers a unique homestay experience, where guests can wake up to the sights and sounds of nature. Our cozy chalets provide the perfect balance of comfort and rustic charm, allowing you to disconnect from the hustle of modern life and reconnect with the beauty of the countryside. Each chalet is designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, offering breathtaking views of rolling hills and the tranquil Victoria Reservoir.

Whether you choose to spend your mornings sipping fresh Ceylon tea on your veranda or exploring the nearby trails, our chalets provide a peaceful and rejuvenating retreat. With warm hospitality, delicious home-cooked meals, and a serene environment, you’ll feel right at home in the heart of Sri Lanka

Discover the Beauty of Digana and Beyond

Digana is a hidden gem in Sri Lanka, offering breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and a slower pace of life. The region is perfect for travelers who want to experience the raw beauty of nature, with lush green hills, winding rivers, and panoramic views that stretch for miles. Whether you’re hiking along the scenic Victoria Reservoir, visiting ancient temples, or simply soaking in the peaceful atmosphere, Digana promises an unforgettable experience.

Beyond Digana, guests can explore nearby destinations like Kandy, home to the iconic Temple of the Tooth Relic, or Nuwara Eliya, known for its misty tea plantations. Whether you're seeking adventure, history, or relaxation, Tamarind Gardens is the perfect gateway to some of Sri Lanka’s most enchanting locations.

What's Going On At Tamarind Gardens?

Pongal Vaarthukal from Team TG,  to all our customers and well wishers who are celebrating today🙏🏾 We wish you all joy, peace and prosperity❤️

Pongal Vaarthukal from Team TG, to all our customers and well wishers who are celebrating today🙏🏾 We wish you all joy, peace and prosperity❤️ ...

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Thank you @roma.wells for all your support and promoting our farm and local community.

Thank you for this lovely shout out on deegibson2017 podcast😍

Welcome to the uplifting oasis of @tamarindgardensfarm . This incredible project allows travellers to experience traditional Sri Lankan village life while supporting all kinds of empowering initiatives to uplift the local community. 

Gems like this, run by the wonderful Ayesha and Nalin, are a perfect example of our kindness mission at @curiousfox.travel. Not only do they offer breathtaking views, flavours and creature encounters but they actively immerse visitors in local culture and contribute to nourishing the local ecosystem.

Also, I very much fell in love with Ringo the dog, one of many animals they’ve lovingly adopted here. When you join a Sri Lanka tour with us, I’m pretty sure you’ll fall in love with him too. 💚 🇱🇰

Thank you @roma.wells for all your support and promoting our farm and local community.

Thank you for this lovely shout out on deegibson2017 podcast😍

Welcome to the uplifting oasis of @tamarindgardensfarm . This incredible project allows travellers to experience traditional Sri Lankan village life while supporting all kinds of empowering initiatives to uplift the local community.

Gems like this, run by the wonderful Ayesha and Nalin, are a perfect example of our kindness mission at @curiousfox.travel. Not only do they offer breathtaking views, flavours and creature encounters but they actively immerse visitors in local culture and contribute to nourishing the local ecosystem.

Also, I very much fell in love with Ringo the dog, one of many animals they’ve lovingly adopted here. When you join a Sri Lanka tour with us, I’m pretty sure you’ll fall in love with him too. 💚 🇱🇰
...

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Thank you so much @roma.wells, for this beautiful piece on @tamarindgardensfarm We loved having you with us earlier this year, and we hope you visit us again soon!

BBC's new Travel Show Presenter, Roma Wells is a Sri Lankan and Irish author, adventurer and nature & travel presenter with a deep passion for wildlife and wordcraft. From sweltering lagoons to screech frost pastures, Roma has a family heritage entwined with wild animals and began pouring nature-infused stories at the age of just seven. 

She's the founder of @curiousfox.travel a sustainable travel company that gives back to wildlife conservation and local communities.

Thank you so much @roma.wells, for this beautiful piece on @tamarindgardensfarm We loved having you with us earlier this year, and we hope you visit us again soon!

BBC`s new Travel Show Presenter, Roma Wells is a Sri Lankan and Irish author, adventurer and nature & travel presenter with a deep passion for wildlife and wordcraft. From sweltering lagoons to screech frost pastures, Roma has a family heritage entwined with wild animals and began pouring nature-infused stories at the age of just seven. 

She`s the founder of @curiousfox.travel a sustainable travel company that gives back to wildlife conservation and local communities.
...

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Seasonal #HomeMade #OrangeChampagne will be available at the @iccbsrilanka #CharityBazaar tomorrow (24), at the Galle Face Hotel. 

#HomeMadeWine
#buylocal 
#supportlocalbusiness 
#FarmFresh

Seasonal #HomeMade #OrangeChampagne will be available at the @iccbsrilanka #CharityBazaar tomorrow (24), at the Galle Face Hotel.

#HomeMadeWine
#buylocal
#supportlocalbusiness
#FarmFresh
...

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Thank you so much Felicia, Roshani and Sharon! So happy you enjoyed your stay. We hope to see you all back again soon! Much love from Ayesha, Nalin & Team #TG❤️

Hi Ayesha, Nalin...just a small note to Thank You both for the lovely stay we had there... especially for the very personalised service, the  amazing food....it was so nice to see the food being prepared with such love and with so much thought, planning going into it....we saw what effort the two of you made to give us the kind of food we had ....which was so varied, interesting and out of the ordinary....also the kind of fellowship we had....a special note of thanks to all your staff too....who gave a great service....already missing the companionship and nice time we had there.

I'm so happy, encouraged and inspired to see the work/ community work you have started....it's such a blessing for the villages and the people who work for you ....once again thank you for everything including the lift which was a great help and wishing you both absolute success at Tamarind Gardens and above all God's Blessings and guidance to you.

Thank you so much Felicia, Roshani and Sharon! So happy you enjoyed your stay. We hope to see you all back again soon! Much love from Ayesha, Nalin & Team #TG❤️

Hi Ayesha, Nalin...just a small note to Thank You both for the lovely stay we had there... especially for the very personalised service, the amazing food....it was so nice to see the food being prepared with such love and with so much thought, planning going into it....we saw what effort the two of you made to give us the kind of food we had ....which was so varied, interesting and out of the ordinary....also the kind of fellowship we had....a special note of thanks to all your staff too....who gave a great service....already missing the companionship and nice time we had there.

I`m so happy, encouraged and inspired to see the work/ community work you have started....it`s such a blessing for the villages and the people who work for you ....once again thank you for everything including the lift which was a great help and wishing you both absolute success at Tamarind Gardens and above all God`s Blessings and guidance to you.
...

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The #LiyaDiriya #Womens Society has sifted the #cow #dung to a tea powder like fine quality. Delivery on Oct 13th to Colombo.

Contact 0779071777 to order👇🏾 

10kg bag  cow dung - Rs. 1200
10kg bag goat dung - Rs. 1300

#organicfarming 
#supportlocalbusiness 
#farmstay
#sustainableliving

The #LiyaDiriya #Womens Society has sifted the #cow #dung to a tea powder like fine quality. Delivery on Oct 13th to Colombo.

Contact 0779071777 to order👇🏾

10kg bag cow dung - Rs. 1200
10kg bag goat dung - Rs. 1300

#organicfarming
#supportlocalbusiness
#farmstay
#sustainableliving
...

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@roma.wells @curiousfox.travel it was our pleasure to host your first #sustainable tour group to #SriLanka 🙏🏽

@roma.wells @curiousfox.travel it was our pleasure to host your first #sustainable tour group to #SriLanka 🙏🏽 ...

54 2 instagram icon

Our Story

Ayesha and Nalin created Tamarind Gardens as a project of passion to meld their desire to look after people with wholesome, tasty, fresh food, in a tranquil village with the most amazing climate, birdsong and views whilst giving back to nature and the local village population through a range of philanthropic ventures to give you and your loved ones a chance to sample village life in Sri Lanka by learning how to cook Sri Lankan food, make local ornaments and sample the support the women of the village who are will share with you their hearts, customs and wares.

Testimonials

Reviews
4.7 Over 164 Reviews
google
This is the best place if you want to live an authentic experience, as Sri Lankan people are living in a village.
Very welcoming people, good food, very nice view.
I recommend !
google
It is a real authentic Sri Lankan experience. You can see how local farming is done, experience how organic cheese is made and visit the local village with the most friendliest people. Aiyshe and her husband are super hosts and can give you a real insight to Sri Lankan culture.
tripadvisor
It is a real authentic Sri Lankan experience. You can see how local farming is done, experience how organic cheese is made and visit the local village with the most friendliest people. Aiyshe and her husband are super hosts and can give you a real insight to Sri Lankan culture.
google
Zimmer waren einfach, sauber und bequem. Sie waren etwas hellhörig.

Das Team vor Ort ist sehr herzlich und bemüht. Sehr persönlich und familiär.

In einem kleinen Dorf gelegen, mit wunderschöner Aussicht auf einen Stausee. Umgebung, sehr ärmlich, aber herzlich und sicher. Dem Hotel angeschlossen ist ein Projekt, wo Menschen aus dem Dorf Arbeit finden: Nähen, Molkereiprodukte herstellen, Räucherstäbchen herstellen, kochen und Service im Hotel.
google
Die Mitarbeiter waren sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit, wodurch der Aufenthalt angenehm war. Die Zimmer waren zwar einfach aber sauber. Der Blick ins Grüne mit anliegendem See war ebenfalls sehr schön und das Essen war sehr lecker und es gab eine große Auswahl für das kleine Resort.
google
This was our favorite place we stayed at in Sri Lanka.
The place is located in the small village of Digana, just a short bus ride from Kandy.
It has a breathtaking view over the lake, which of course you can swim in!
Very clean rooms and amazing food, the best we had in Sri Lanka!
They make their own cheeses and butter from their own dairy! Incredible!
Nalin and Aisha are amazing hosts, so nice and welcoming people.
Truly an unforgettable stay.
Thank you so much❤️🙏🏻

Find out what We Do

Playing Carrom

Tamarind Gardens offers a serene and authentic homestay experience, where guests can unwind in comfortable chalets surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. With warm Sri Lankan hospitality, home-cooked meals made from farm-fresh ingredients, and stunning views of the Victoria Reservoir, our homestay provides the perfect escape from everyday life. Whether relaxing on your veranda, exploring the local village, or enjoying the peaceful countryside, every moment at Tamarind Gardens is designed to feel like home.

Our Live Like a Local experience allows guests to immerse themselves in the rhythms of village life, offering hands-on opportunities to cook traditional Sri Lankan meals, craft handmade souvenirs with local artisans, and explore bustling markets. This unique cultural exchange provides a deeper understanding of Sri Lanka’s heritage, traditions, and warm hospitality, creating memories that go beyond typical tourism. It’s an invitation to step into a different way of life and connect with the heart of the community.

At Tamarind Gardens, we are committed to empowering the local community through sustainable initiatives, ethical employment, and cultural preservation. From providing job opportunities to supporting artisans and farmers, our efforts focus on creating a positive impact that benefits both people and the environment. By staying with us, guests directly contribute to these meaningful projects, ensuring that tourism supports local livelihoods and helps preserve Sri Lanka’s rich traditions for future generations.

Our sustainable dairy farm is at the heart of Tamarind Gardens, producing fresh milk, cream, and artisanal cheese using ethical and eco-friendly practices. Guests can experience life on a Sri Lankan farm firsthand—meeting our well-cared-for cows, learning about traditional dairy production, and enjoying handcrafted dairy products made with care. With a commitment to sustainability and quality, our farm-to-table approach ensures that everything served is fresh, natural, and responsibly sourced.

Enjoy a different cultural holiday in Sri Lanka - village life

Sample the hospitality, food and views of Sri Lanka with a unique style of holiday, which will leave you with memories you wouldn't imagine, smiles that won't leave you and friendships that will last