Travel is fun. Luxury travel is absolute bliss. The thing about luxury holidays is that they often tend to take a tremendous toll on our environment. All those creature comforts we crave come at a cost. What if we could indulge in modern luxury while also caring for the environment? It may seem like a pipe dream, but it really isn’t. Sustainable luxury tourism ensures that travellers get the best of amenities while also taking steps to protect the natural world. Sri Lanka has many eco-friendly resorts that take their pledge to care for nature very seriously.
Mount Havana is one such resort that is committed to sustainability. In fact, being eco-conscious is a fundamental of its philosophy. Located in Gampola, in the central region of Sri Lanka, Mount Havana seamlessly blends luxury with nature. Here, you can enjoy a guilt-free indulgence in the lush and elegant, secure in the knowledge that preserving the natural world is a top priority for the resort.
Redefining eco-friendly luxury
Sustainability was the guiding principle of the design of Mount Havana. The very concept of this resort was to meld luxury and ecology. This blending is evident in every facet of the villa and its operations.
Eco-conscious architecture and design
Every single structure at this resort has been constructed using locally sourced material. The style too is a harmonious combination of traditional Sri Lankan craftsmanship and modern aesthetics. The large windows and many open spaces were deliberately included to maximize natural light and ventilation, thus reducing the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning.
Sustainable energy practices
The resort uses bio-gas technology to produce green energy for cooking and heating. By converting organic waste into clean, renewable energy, pollution levels are diminished significantly.
Organic and locally sourced ingredients
Mount Havana has its own vegetable garden which provides most of the ingredients for the meals served to guests. The cultivation is completely organic. Not only is there minimal damage to the environment, you get to eat fresh and healthy food. You are invited to join in the gardening and you can even pick the vegetables you would like to eat!
Waste management
There is no need to bang on about the gravity of waste – everyone knows that waste management is a critical issue that needs to be handled urgently. Mount Havana does its part to mitigate the problem through recycling and composting. The added advantage is the creation of organic fertilizer for the vegetable garden.
Bee farming
Yes, you read that right, Mount Havana really does have a bee farm! Bees are considered critical to our planet’s biodiversity owing to their role as the greatest pollinators. In light of this, the bee farm at Mount Havana is invaluable to the overall wellbeing of the planet. Of course, as a guest you get to enjoy tasty organic bee honey as well!
Immersive guest experiences
Stepping out of the villa and into the 25-acre estate of Mount Havana you will be able to witness some stunning sights and sounds. There are so many outdoor activities that give you the rare chance to revel in nature and learn more about the environment.
Birdwatching
When it comes to natural beauty, birds are in a class of their own. Quite apart from their attractive appearance, their melodious chirping is both uplifting and soothing. Their flight and interactions are fascinating to observe. Take a walk around Mount Havana at dawn and dusk and you can see some unusual species of birds, including the endemic flame-back woodpecker and scimitar babbler.
Butterfly spotting
You can find a range of colourful butterflies flitting around the butterfly garden. These winged beauties have been encouraged to make Mount Havana their home through the integration of feeder and host plants. The creation of a hospitable environment has successfully invited some rare and striking varieties of butterfly, including the psyche, blue Mormon, blue glassy tiger and crimson rose.
Nature walks
Something unique about Mount Havana is that it has its own revering forest. Curious to know what this is? Take a walk along the nature trail and you can learn more about this endemic forest. The summer hut is a vantage point so make sure to stop there and observe the flora and fauna of the sub-montane region.
Tea plucking
Eight of the 25-acres of the Mount Havana estate is covered in tea. Grab this unusual opportunity to learn about tea cultivation. You can watch the tea pluckers deftly select the two-leaves-and-a-bud and enhance your appreciation of the effort that goes into producing the legendary Ceylon tea.
