Where to Stay in Knuckles Sri Lanka: Hotels, Homestays & Glamping
- Kate Colliety
- May 10
- 6 min read
Updated: May 23
Knuckles Mountain Range is the gem of hiking located in Central Province Sri Lanka. Home to the Knuckles Five Peaks Hike, Gombaniya Mountain and a unique cloud forest ecosystem that has UNESCO World Heritage Status, it’s easy to see why you want to visit. We also added the Knuckles Mountain Range to our Sri Lanka bucket list but found planning the trip to be complicated. We have all your Knuckles Mountain Range tips and information in our dedicated blog, but this blog focuses on where to stay in the mountain range.
With a mixture of camping, glamping, homestays and luxury Knuckles hotels there’s something for every type of traveller. We chose a local Homestay, home to an eccentric host and panoramic views! An off-grid haven that was perfect for us!
Contents
Why Visit The Knuckles Mountain Range?
If you enjoy hiking then there’s no better place in Sri Lanka! The unique ecosystem, undulating landscape and tiny local villages give a snapshot into Sri Lanka in the past. Home to leopards, this cloudy, atmospheric area full of waterfalls, streams and diverse wildlife is Knuckles is perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. We loved our time here, even though it rained consistently, and it felt as though this was one of the most hidden adventures in the country.
Best Time To Visit Knuckles
As mentioned above it rained A LOT when we visited. This didn’t stop us hiking but it did break both our phones. Therefore, the best time to book your Knuckles hotel is when the weather is good during the dry season, which is Jan-Mar. Also the leeches aren’t for the faint hearted, come prepared with leech socks and avoid hiking after heavy rainfall.
Discover The Top Things To Do In Sri Lanka!
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Luxury & Mid-Range Knuckles Hotels
Looking for the best hotels near Knuckles Mountain Range, Sri Lanka? Our carefully selected options below range from luxury to budget-friendly.
Location: Illukumbura
Price Range: $$-$$$
Ideal For: Comfort seekers
Nearby Trails: Mini World's End Trail, Pitawala Pathana, Sera Ella Waterfall
Perched in the heart of Sri Lanka’s central highlands, The Riverston Grand is a comfortable hotel offering panoramic mountain views, spacious rooms, and an on-site restaurant. It's a great base for exploring the Knuckles Mountain Range, with popular trails like Mini World’s End and Pitawala Pathana just a short drive away.
Location: Corbett's Gap area
Price Range: $$$
Ideal For: Luxury travellers, Couples
Nearby Trails: Knuckles Summit Trail, Dothalugala Nature Trail
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature, but still want comfort, Wild Glamping Knuckles offers tents with proper beds, bathrooms and hot water. You also will get to enjoy a private deck with mountain views, hot tubs, yoga sessions and a farm-to-table dining experience.
Location: Illukkumbura
Price Range: $
Ideal For: Eco-conscious travellers, hikers
Nearby Trails: Mini World's End
Tucked away in the lush jungle of Illukkumbura, Genderless Jungle is a peaceful eco-retreat offering simple yet serene accommodations for nature lovers. With a focus on sustainability, it’s an ideal base for exploring the Knuckles Mountain Range.
Budget-Friendly Homestays In Knuckles
Location: Near the base of Five Knuckles Peak Trail
Price Range: $
Ideal For: Budget travellers
Nearby Trails: Five Knuckles Peak
This was our pick of Knuckles Accommodation. Rohana Estate offered us a simple room and the choice of a catered stay or use of the kitchen. To save some money on our tight budget we stocked up on food (mainly noodles) before we arrived and cooked all our meals ourselves. Knuckles is wild, there’s hardly any or no restaurants around so most people eat at their accommodation.
Rohana Estate is also very close to the Knuckles Five Peaks making it the perfect place for us to stay before our hike. We share more information about our DIY Knuckles Five Peak Hike here, and why we recommend you hire a guide.
Where To Stay In Meemure
Location: Remote Meemure village
Price Range: $
Ideal For: Adventurers
Nearby Trails: Lakegala Mountain trail, Meemure nature trails
Located in the remote Meemure village, Sri Lanka’s most isolated town, this traditional homestay offers a truly immersive experience for those looking to escape the bustle of city life. The village is surrounded by lush jungle, scenic mountain views, and is accessible only by a challenging road, which makes it an adventurous getaway. Guests can explore the nearby Lakegala Mountain Trail, known for its stunning panoramic views, and the Meemure Nature Trails, which wind through untouched landscapes.
Camping In Knuckles Sri Lanka
Alongside a guided tour you can camp amongst nature. With an overnight trek package like this one a hike takes you deep into the range where you set up camp and enjoy the simple things in life like a hot cup of tea. Camping is only permitted with proper permits and a guide.
Staying In Kandy
Many people choose to use Kandy as their base before venturing into the Knuckles Range. Lots of tour operators arrange pick-up from Kandy which is a 4 hour drive away. There’s plenty of accommodation to choose from in Kandy!
How To Get To Knuckles
There’s a few ways you can get to the Knuckles Mountain Range. The easiest way is via a private taxi or arranged tour but the bus routes are also manageable or if, like us, you’ve hired your own tuktuk you can drive yourself! More information on how to get to the Knuckles Mountain Range.
Guide Hiring Recommendations
When planning our trip we were in contact with Sri Lanka Trekking who offer different outdoor activities including camping and hiking in the mountain range. They offer 1-5 day trekking routes which start at $65 per person per day.
Or you can book with Get Your Guide or Viator although these seem to have limited reviews. The best one we found was this Viator tour with 28 reviews!
More information about planning a trip to the Knuckles Mountain Range and Knuckles Mountain Range Hiking can be found here.
FAQs About Knuckles Hotels
What Are The Best Knuckles Hotels For Families?
Laggala valley homestay offers family rooms and an outdoor garden with mountain views.
What Are The Best Knuckles Hotels For Couples?
Wild Glamping Knuckles offers a comfortable glamping experience, we think this looks like the perfect romantic getaway.
What Are The Best Knuckles Homestay For Backpackers?
We stayed in Rohana Homestay and it was perfect for backpackers. Simple, affordable and with stunning mountain views.
How Do I Book My Stay In Knuckles?
We found and booked our homestay on booking.com. From here we WhatsApped our host to sort out meals and hiking.
Can You Camp In The Knuckles Mountain Range?
Yes, with a permit and your guide many companies offer overnight camping in the Knuckles Mountain Range. Book your camping trip in Knuckles here!
Knuckles Mountain Range Travel Tips
Be prepared: Bring leech socks (they’re no joke), a raincoat and water filter if you plan to go hiking.
Visit during the dry season: We were caught in a torrential downpour that not only soaked us through but broke both our phones.
Support Local Villages and Homestays: They often offer the most authentic experiences
Hire a local guide: Many trails are unmarked or confusing. A local guide not only helps you navigate safely but can also point out wildlife and local plants.
Rent a Tuk Tuk as Transport - This made our trip! Not only did we have complete freedom and flexibility it allowed us to have authentic relationships with locals. Use our code "KandM" for 5% off Tuktuk Rental
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Sri Lankan adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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