Sati - a retreat into mindful presence
| January 9 - 15, 2026 |
Welcome to Sati - a 6-night, 7-day retreat rooted in mindfulness (සති), presence, and the quiet power of nature.
Set on a private jungle estate overlooking the serene waters of Koggala Lake, this retreat is more than an escape - it’s a return. A return to stillness. To simplicity. To the essence of who you are beneath the noise.
In Pali, Sati means “mindfulness” - not merely as a practice, but as a way of being. A sacred remembrance of presence. At its heart, sati is about waking up to life as it is, moment by moment. It is the gentle art of attending fully - to your breath, your body, your inner world, and the natural world that surrounds you. And it is this living awareness that forms the foundation of our retreat.
Here, time softens. Nature speaks. And in the quiet in-between, you rediscover what it means to truly be.
Moments become meditations.
Movements become prayers.
Presence becomes your home.
Through daily yoga, meditation, movement, and sound, we’ll journey inward - held by the elements, nourished by fresh and vibrant meals, and supported by a community of like-hearted souls.
This retreat is not about escape, but immersion. We believe in the power of purposeful rest, of intentional living, and in honoring ancient wisdoms that remind us how to heal. Around the world, in every culture, you’ll find rituals of reflection, connection, and renewal. This retreat draws from those traditions - especially the deeply rooted philosophies of mindfulness and Ayurveda, guiding you into deeper harmony with your body, your mind, and the Earth.
You’ll have the opportunity to weave various healing modalities into your journey - from conscious movement and sound therapy, to mindful eating and stillness practices. Each element is chosen to help you tune in, recalibrate, and remember.
This isn’t just a retreat.
It’s a sacred pause.
A homecoming to yourself.
A return to now.
Come as you are. Leave as more of yourself.
Right here. Right now. Sati.
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Location
Immerse in tranquility. Align with nature.
Tucked along the shores of Koggala Lake, Kurulu Bay - meaning “Bird Island” in Sinhalese - is a 5-star boutique sanctuary designed for deep rest, reflection, and reconnection. Surrounded by lush jungle and expansive water views, this space was built in harmony with the land, offering a rare balance of wild beauty and refined simplicity.
Every element of Kurulu Bay has been intentionally curated to support wellbeing, privacy, and serenity. From its architecture that flows with the landscape, to the quiet elegance of its interiors, this retreat setting invites you to slow down and return to what truly matters.
Perfectly aligned with the spirit of Tribe Retreats, Kurulu Bay offers more than just a place to stay—it’s an invitation to realign with nature, reconnect with your inner rhythm, and be fully held by a space that nurtures body, mind, and soul.
Accommodation
For this special retreat, we are taking over more than 70% of the entire Kurula Bay property, creating a truly immersive and intimate experience. Scattered across the lush, undulating landscape, our home for the week includes a thoughtfully curated mix of cottages, garden suites, a private pool villa, and the beautifully designed Kurula House. Each space - commissioned by award-winning Shanghai-based architects A00 - offers a seamless blend of modern design and natural connection, with sweeping views over Koggala Lake.
From the minimalist elegance of the Garden Suites nestled into the hillside, to the warm charm of the lakeside cottages, every detail supports rest, beauty, and quiet luxury. This is not just a place to stay—it’s a space to settle, soften, and feel completely held by the land.
Yoga
Our Yoga Shala is a serene, open-air space overlooking the tranquil lake, embraced by blooming Frangipani trees and jungle sounds. Here, you’ll practice with the sun on your skin, a breeze on your face, and the distant hum of temple bells in the air. It’s a sacred space where nature, movement, and breath come together - inviting you to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with yourself in the heart of Sri Lanka.
Each day begins with dynamic morning practices - from energising vinyasa flows and kundalini kriyas to grounding mandala sequences that awaken the body and centre the mind. As the sun begins to set, our Yoga Shala transforms into a cocoon of calm, holding space for restorative and yin sessions designed to soothe the nervous system and guide you gently inward. These daily rhythms create a beautiful balance between movement and stillness, expansion and integration - supporting a deep return to presence, vitality, and inner harmony.
Movement sessions
At the heart of this retreat is the belief that movement is a celebration - a joyful expression of presence and care for the body you live in. Over the course of 7 days, we’ll explore a variety of body conditioning and functional fitness practices, designed to awaken strength, mobility, and inner alignment. These sessions are suitable for all levels and are guided by the principle of Sati - bringing mindful awareness into every breath, every movement, every moment.
Whether you choose a dynamic workout or a slower, grounding flow, each session is an invitation to listen inward and honour what your body truly needs. All practices - both yoga and physical training - are entirely optional. This is your time to return to yourself, to move with intention, and to fall in love with the practice of taking care of you.
Food
The Kitchen at Kurulu Bay embraces a sea-to-table philosophy that celebrates the richness of the land and ocean. With a deep respect for nature and a commitment to quality, we source the freshest seafood and sustainably harvested produce from the surrounding area. Every dish is prepared in our open kitchen using organic oils and carefully selected ingredients, resulting in simple yet elegant plates, each with a distinctive touch from our chefs.
Menus are thoughtfully crafted and can be tailored to suit a variety of dietary preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options. Guests will be treated to nourishing daily brunches and indulgent three-course gourmet dinners, all served against the breathtaking backdrop of Koggala Lake and complemented by a fine selection of beverages.
SPA
During your time with us, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the deeply nurturing offerings of the Kurulu Spa - a space designed to support your healing, balance, and inner peace. Treatments are available throughout the retreat for those who wish to dive deeper into rest and restoration. Whether you’re seeking to soothe tired muscles, rebalance your energy, or simply indulge in a moment of stillness, there’s something for every body.
Optional treatments include:
– Abhyangama Therapy (Ayurvedic full-body warm oil massage)
– Marma Point Therapy (energy point activation and balance)
– Hot Bundle Therapy (medicinal rice and milk compress for deep relief)
– Signature Massage (tailored to release tension and restore flow)
– Reflexology
– The Kurulu Calm (signature full-body healing treatment)
– Ayurvedic Body Treatments
Each session is offered at an additional cost and can be booked during the retreat. This is your space to listen inward and give your body what it most needs - held in the gentle hands of nature and traditional healing.
Our retreat guests receive 10% off on all SPA treatments.
Sample day schedule
7am Meditation/ pranayama or yoga practise
8am Fitness session
10am Breakfast
11am Free time/ workshop/massages or
Catamaran/temple day trip
4pm Yin/restorative yoga/ yoga Nidra or sound healing/cacao ceremony
7pm Dinner
8pm Free time & rest
Interested in joining us?
Traveling can sometimes feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help make it as smooth as possible! Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions - we’re here to clarify any doubts, offer support regarding visas/ flights, and share our top recommendations for your trip, whether it’s before or after the retreat.
Book your room
Shared Garden twin room
A refreshing breeze drifts through the large, open patio doors - an unparalleled connection to nature that extends to the en-suite bathroom. You'll be in the garden suite or a cottage.
Garden / lake views, En-suite bathroom, outdoor seating area
Price:
£2,100 pp
payment plans available, with a 5% surcharge
Private Tree House
Quietly nestled at the back of the property, perched on a hillside, sit our treehouse. Raised above the surrounding fauna, surrounded by lush greenery, the treehouses offer views that stretch over Koggala Lake and the pool at the back of the property, while offering added privacy. Natural light spills generously through the large windows, inviting the outdoors to become an integral part of the experience.
Garden / lake views, En-suite bathroom, king bed, outdoor seating area
Price:
£2,700 single occupancy or
£2,250 per person (enquire)
payment plans available, with a 5% surcharge
Private double en-suite room in a 2 bedroom villa
Banyan, the 2 bedroom cottage sits on a small hillside, surrounded by lush greenery, offering views that stretch over Koggala Lake. The spacious living area boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the lake and the vibrant fauna, while light floods the contemporary interior.
The 2-bedroom, 2 bathroom villa features a living area with a small kitchenette nestled between the bedrooms, as well as a small, private pool with sunloungers to unwind and relax.
Price:
£3,300 pp
1st bedroom - sold out
2nd bedroom - available
payment plans available, with a 5% surcharge
Private Suite - Kurula house
The Kurulu House is a beautifully designed house by renowned Sri Lankan architect Channa Daswatte, trained under Geoffrey Bawa.
Private Garden Suite
A refreshing breeze drifts through the large, open patio doors - an unparalleled connection to nature that extends to the en-suite bathroom.
Garden / lake views, En-suite bathroom, outdoor seating area
What is included
- 6 night stay in 5* Kurulu Bay boutique hotel
- Daily breakfast & 3 course gourmet dinners (vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian)
- Daily program including yoga, meditation, fitness sessions
- Opening & closing ceremonies
- Sharing circles
- Catamaran boat trip
- Temple day trip
- Sound healing
- Cacao & breath-work ceremony
- More surprises from Tribe team...
What is not included
- Flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Surf lessons
- SPA treatments
- Lunch*
- Airport transfer**
* you’ll be able to pop out into town or enjoy Kurulu Bay restaurant
** we can help you with low or premium cost transfer options after your booking is complete.
Reservation policy
To secure your reservation, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required, unless otherwise indicated (e.g., full payment or a custom payment plan). After a 30-day grace period, your selected payment plan will begin. Please note that the deposit always constitutes 50% of the total price and is non-refundable.
You may cancel your space at any time, for any reason, providing that the cancellation is made by the person submitting the booking form and it is communicated to us in writing. Cancellation will take effect the day such notification is received by us. As this incurs administrative costs, we will retain your 50% deposit. Please note that your deposit is non-refundable in all cases. If cancelled less than 8 weeks before the start of the retreat, the full cost is non-refundable. All payments will be cleared before November 8th, and by doing so, you authorize our payment plan system to automatically process the charges.
For more information please refer to T&C upon your reservation.
FAQ:
Can you help me arrange transfers from/to airport?
Absolutely! Once you reserve your spot, you’ll receive all the relevant information. We're also happy to assist with organizing taxis or coordinating car shares with other participants.
Who can participate?
We welcome solo travellers, couples, friends or family members. All levels of fitness and yoga! Tribe Retreats is for anyone who wants to getaway from the everyday stresses and strains of life. Take the opportunity to step back, relax, move the body, contemplate, learn and re-energise. Eat delicious food. Make new friends!
Do I have to participate in everything?
Not at all. This is your time to do whatever it is your heart desires!! If that means skipping yoga or fitness and going for a walk, do that! Everything is optional, there’s no right or wrong here - we provide a schedule and you choose what you want to do - it’s your retreat.
I have special diatry requirements, is that a problem?
Not at all. If you have special requirements, such as gluten-free/vegan, then you can let us know on a form that we will send you during your reservation.