High in the hills of Gampola, our boutique villa is surrounded by rare endemic plants, a living forest and the quiet rhythm of the countryside. Mount Havana is a place to relax, reconnect and experience a different way of living.
The Place We Call Home
Mount Havana has something different to offer. Rich in biodiversity, with an abundance of rare endemic plants and trees, the estate is a haven of peace and quiet — an ideal retreat from the pace and pressure of busy working lives.
Listen to birdsong throughout the day. Take in the fragrances of the countryside. Discover the lifestyles of local communities, photograph rare endemic birds and butterflies, and capture the sights and sounds that make this destination so special.
From the swimming pool, guests can look across prominent mountain ranges and, when the views are clear, towards the famous Adam’s Peak. It is a landscape made for slowing down and taking everything in. A visit to Adam’s Peak can also be part of a separately planned hill-country journey.
Here, the most memorable moments are often the simplest ones.
A Living Landscape
Take the time to notice what is happening around you — the gentle movement of the trees, the calls of birds, and the colours of life in the gardens and forest.
Birdsong fills the air from early morning. Watch and photograph the beautiful birds that find refuge among the trees, and enjoy moments of quiet in the estate’s birdwatching summer huts.
Butterfly gardens and flowering plants attract delicate winged visitors, while endemic and introduced flowers bring colour to the grounds.
Estate trails wind through gardens and forest, inviting you to discover indigenous plants, small wild creatures and the changing scenery at your own pace.
Our Commitment
Sustainable living is not simply something we talk about at Mount Havana. It shapes how we look after the land, what we grow, how we welcome our guests and the environment we hope to protect for generations to come.
The estate’s natural forest includes indigenous and medicinal plants, and has become a safe haven for small wild creatures. We care for this living environment with the future in mind.
Endemic and introduced fruit trees and flowers grow across the grounds. Their variety supports a thriving landscape, with nature trails providing a close-up experience of estate life.
Our resident cows provide fresh milk, beehives provide honey, and our own gardens yield tea, coffee, organic vegetables, fruit, spices and fragrant herbs for the table.
We hope our approach inspires others to live more sustainably too. Protecting the places we love means appreciating what we have today and preserving it for the next generation.
“We must appreciate what we have and save it for the generations to come.”
Explore Our EstateThe Mount Havana story also includes a meaningful moment of recognition: a 2014 Certificate of Excellence — Winner award. It remains part of the estate’s history and the welcome we continue to offer.
History of Gampola
Gampola was once a medieval royal capital of Sri Lanka, associated with the kingdom of the 14th and early 15th centuries. Long before that era, archaeological evidence suggests settlement in the surrounding region near the beginning of the Christian era.
The original account of Gampola also describes evidence of early Brahmin presence in inscriptions on the drip-ledges of nearby caves. Among Gampola’s oldest Buddhist sites is Niyangampaya Viharaya, whose history is traced back to the ninth century AD.
Niyangampaya Viharaya is remembered among the earliest Buddhist shrines of the region. Cave inscriptions speak to a history reaching back even further.
Gampola rose as a royal capital under Bhuvanekabahu IV. This period left a strong artistic and architectural legacy that can still be explored today.
As royal power fragmented and influential generals rose to prominence, the political centre gradually shifted toward Kotte, closing a remarkable chapter of Gampola’s history.
Lankathilaka, Gadaladeniya and Embekke are among the region’s outstanding historic religious sites, associated with the Gampola kings. Their temples, sculptures, frescoes and woodcarvings preserve a rich interplay of Buddhist and Hindu cultural influences. Many of these works can still be seen today.
These heritage landmarks are described on Mount Havana’s original page as approximately 45 minutes away. Explore independently or ask our team for guidance about the region.
In His Own Words
Hello and a warm welcome to Mount Havana. As the founder of this boutique villa, it is a great pleasure to personally welcome each and every one of you while you enjoy your stay here.
Your rooms overlook the picturesque Kingdom of Gampola. An era of abundance, riches and antiquity, Gampola flourished in splendor from 1341–1415 AD. Created in the midst of Gampola, Mount Havana captures a world of indulgence, beauty and simplicity of the hill country.
At Mount Havana, we not only advocate for sustainability, but also adopt it as a lifestyle. We strive to make our patrons one with nature. The butterfly gardens, nature trails, summer huts for bird watching and handpicked organic foods are all little measures we take to ensure that you are treated like royalty.
I urge you to take a stroll down our nature trek and breathe in the freshness of Sri Lanka’s hill country, and relax as you unwind by the pool.
Wishing you a pleasant stay.
Come Experience Our Story
Come for the landscapes, stay for the little moments — a cup of tea, the sound of birds, a walk through our gardens and the joy of being surrounded by nature.
Gampola was once an important medieval kingdom (1341–1408 AD) a former area was the capital city of ancient Lanka. There is historical evidence proving that this area was inhabited even at the beginning of the Christian era.
Evidence of Brahmin presence in the marked with original inscriptions on the drip ledges of caves found in the neighborhood of Gampola.
The Niyangampaya Viharaya. with a history dating back to the 9th century A.D. is the earliest known Buddhist shrine on record to have been built in the Gampola area.
Other Viharas worth mentioning are Lankathilaka, Gadaladeni and Embakke Viharas. They are three of the most outstanding sites of religious worship built by the Gampola Kings. Records show that these temples fostered unity through an amazing integration of Buddhist and Hindu religions and culture. These amazing temples with outstanding frescoes and sculptures can be seen even today. (Visits can be arranged from the hotel, only 45 mins away) the last important King to have ruled the empire was Parakramabahu IV (1341 – 1353 A.D.)
According to historic evidence, after the reign of King Parakramabahu IV several other monarchs ruled after him until 1408. However, these monarchs were notably weaker and more prominence was given to their generals who subsequently move the capital to Kotte.
Hello and a warm welcome to Mount Havana. As the founder of this boutique villa, it is a great pleasure to personally welcome each and every one of you while you enjoy your stay here.
Your rooms overlook the picturesque Kingdom of Gampola. An era of abundance, riches and antiquity, Gampola flourished in splendor from 1341-1415 AD. Created in the midst of Gampola, Mount Havana captures a world of indulgence, beauty and simplicity of the hill country.
At Mount Havana, we not only advocate for sustainability, but also adopt it as a lifestyle. We strive to make our patrons one with nature. The butterfly gardens, nature trails, summer huts for bird watching and handpicked organic foods are all little measures we take to ensure that you are treated like royalty.
I urge you to take a stroll down our nature trek and breathe in the freshness of Sri Lanka’s hill country, and relax as you unwind by the pool.
Wishing you a pleasant stay.
Dinesh B Saparamadu