OUR MISSION
Our mission is to provide a peaceful sanctuary where people from all walks of life can experience the transformative power of authentic yoga and meditation, while creating meaningful connections with and contributing to the local community through volunteering and shared initiatives.
Our purpose is to nurture the soul and open the heart to healing and growth by offering a peaceful, nature-filled sanctuary where the ancient wisdom of yoga is shared with authenticity and passion
OUR PURPOSE
ABOUT GAIA
Gaia Ella is more than just an ecolodge. It’s a small mountain community built for people who want to slow down, breathe properly again, and experience Ella away from the crowds and noise below.
We’re located high on the edge of Ella, surrounded by jungle and overlooking Ella Rock, Little Adam’s Peak, and the Kuda Ravana waterfall. Reaching Gaia involves around 152 stairs — we promise the view will take your breath away anyway, the stairs just make you healthier first. And if your bag isn’t sharing the wellness mindset, our staff are always happy to help carry it up.
Gaia was built in 2024 using natural materials and low-impact systems designed to work with the environment around us. Our hot water is heated by the sun, we don’t use air conditioning — up here the mountain breeze does the job naturally. Filtered drinking water is available if you want to reduce your plastic waste, and most of the food served in our kitchen comes either from our garden or nearby farms. The people who run Gaia are local too, this place is deeply connected to the community around it.
Mornings here usually start slowly: mist moving through the valley, fresh fruit and homemade breakfast, tea before yoga, birds and squirrels louder than traffic. Some guests head out hiking, others stay all day in the yoga shala, reading in the chill spaces, cooling off in the ice bath, or watching the clouds roll over the mountains.
Our yoga classes are open to everyone, whether you practice every day or have never stepped on a mat before. More importantly, every class directly supports local village projects. The yoga proceeds go into school renovation initiatives and bringing yoga programs to children and teachers in nearby communities.
Gaia is not a party hostel, and it’s not a luxury resort pretending to be “eco.” It’s a peaceful space for travelers who enjoy nature, good food, meaningful conversations, and waking up somewhere that actually feels different from the rest of the world.
And one thing you really need to know: most people come for a few nights. Quite a few end up changing their plans and staying longer. We can’t wait to welcome you to our sanctuary in the hills.
Arriving and settling in
When you reach the Gaia Ella sign downstairs, you’re at the last little climb before the property. Reception is upstairs, but if you would like help with your bags before coming up, just call the phone number on the sign downstairs and our staff will come down to assist you.
Once you arrive upstairs, if nobody is at reception at that moment, simply ring the doorbell and someone from our team will be with you shortly.
Gaia Ella is a cash-only property, so we recommend bringing cash before heading up the hill. You’ll need it for your stay, meals, drinks, activities, and any extras you may want to add.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, yoga classes, ice bath sessions, towels, and laundry are available for an additional charge. Yoga classes and ice bath sessions are open to both staying guests and outside visitors, but spaces are limited and need to be booked or registered in advance. Please check the schedule with our staff and sign up during your stay.
If you want to explore Ella, arrange a pick-up or drop-off, or continue your journey from here, we can help organise tuk tuks and taxis for an additional charge. You can also contact us before arrival if you would like help arranging transport.
Families with children are welcome, especially if you are comfortable with a nature-based hillside stay. Gaia Ella is not child-proofed, and some private rooms have elevated/bunk-style beds, so children must stay under full parental supervision and responsibility. Please contact us before booking if you have any questions about whether Gaia is suitable for your family.
GOOD TO KNOW
OUR JOURNEY
Jan, the founder of Gaia Ella was born and raised in the Czech Republic. Jan’s love for travel led him to the U.S in his early 20’s where he began a career in construction. A former athlete, Jan had spent much of his life immersed in sports—hockey, basketball, and athletics. By 2010, his body had paid the price for years of intense physical activity. That’s when he discovered yoga, a practice that not only served him physically but opened his heart to a deeper way of living and a deeper connection between mind, body, and spirit.
Jan’s passion for adventure took him on many hiking journeys across Europe and America, but in 2023, during a trek in the Indian Himalayas, he felt a pull towards warmer climates. Intrigued by Sri Lanka, he arrived and immediately connected with the island’s energy, its people, and its landscapes. In the town of Ella, he found a sense of peace and belonging unlike anywhere else.
It was here he met Bhagya, a strong and kind woman who ran a small homestay with her son, Baba. Her husband, Chandana, who worked in the military, would only return home for brief visits every few months. Bhagya shared her dream of expanding the homestay, and both her and Chandana asked if Jan would be interested in joining them in this endeavor. Moved by their resilience, Jan saw an opportunity to combine his love for yoga with his desire to help others. Though Jan was initially hesitant, he later felt a deep calling to return to Ella. Something in his heart told him that this was the path he was meant to follow. And so, GAIA Ella Eco Lodge came to be.
The vision was clear: a space that honored nature, mindfulness, and the healing power of yoga. They made a promise to each other to build sustainably, ensuring that no trees would be cut down during construction. The lodge was designed to blend seamlessly with the stunning landscape, with a viewing deck facing the sunrise—a tribute to the practice of Surya Namaskar.
Today, GAIA Ella Eco Lodge stands as a sanctuary for travelers seeking peace, connection, and a chance to reconnect with nature. Jan is proud of what he, Bhagya and Chandana have created—it’s not just a place to stay, it’s a living reminder of nature’s healing energy, the power of yoga, and the importance of living in harmony with the world around us.