Culinary adventures in Sri Lanka

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival (Negombo)

  

  Arrival at Colombo International Airport. Welcome upon your arrival at the airport, then transfer to Negombo (about 15 min / 8 km). Nicknamed Little Rome, this port is home to one of the largest fishing communities on the island, mostly Catholic. You can see many churches near the shore, where fishermen moor their catamarans. Every morning (except Sunday), the fishermen sell their fish at the auction on the beach. Rest of the day free. Overnight in Negombo.

• day 2

  Negombo - Pinnawala - Dambulla - Habarana

  

  After breakfast, discover the Negombo fish market (except on Sundays). Next, head to Sigiriya. Visit Pinnawala and Dambulla on the way (about 4h16 min / 176 km). Visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (about 2 & ½ hours / 107 km). The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a sanctuary created in 1975 with seven orphaned baby elephants at its origin. Today, the orphanage welcomes many abandoned or injured elephants, who are cared for with love and affection. The elephants at the orphanage bathe every day in a nearby river. In 1975, the initial goal of the establishment was more focused on promoting tourism, but over time, it has become a center for conservation and education. Thanks to local and foreign experts in the field, Pinnawala launched a scientific breeding program for elephants. Attend a cooking class in Dambulla. You will have the opportunity to discover and learn how to cook the wonderful Sri Lankan dishes with their many spices. Visit Dambulla and its famous Rock Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This large carved rock is the center of the most impressive Buddhist cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka, inhabited since the 3rd century. You can admire an incredible collection of Buddha statues (the largest statue in this ensemble is directly carved into the rock and stretches over 14 meters), spread across five large caves. Overnight in Habarana.

• day 3

  Habarana - Hiriwadunna - Sigiriya - Habarana

  

  After breakfast, visit of Hiriwadunna. You will leave for Hiriwadunna for a 3-hour walk through this picturesque village of Sri Lanka. The walk begins with a stroll around the artificial reservoir of Wewa. During this walk, you will have the opportunity to observe many species of birds, beautiful butterflies, and perhaps crocodiles. Observe the daily life of the villagers, especially during their morning fishing tasks. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a village house. Early morning visit to the Sigiriya fortress, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. The spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya, located 19 kilometers northeast of Dambulla, is one of Sri Lanka's main attractions. The rock was once the fortress of King Kasyapa, who murdered his father and stole the throne from his elder brother, the legitimate heir. Kasyapa built his fortress in this 182-meter-high rock to protect himself from his enemies. After Kasyapa's death, the fortress slowly fell into oblivion. The ruins were discovered in 1907 by the British explorer John Still. Today, Sigiriya is renowned for its "Wall of Graffiti" and its magnificent frescoes of the Maidens (creatures half-goddess, half-princess). Overnight in Habarana.

• day 4

  Habarana - Matale - Kandy

  

  After breakfast, departure towards Kandy. On the way, visit the Matale Spice Garden - (about 3h10 min / 101 km) Visit the Matale Spice Garden, which will be an opportunity to learn or deepen your knowledge about the origin and use of the different spices grown in the country: lemongrass, cinnamon, ginger, cocoa, nutmeg, cloves, saffron, and various other spices. You will have the opportunity to buy fresh spices. Visit the sacred city of Kandy, located in the middle of Sri Lanka, in the heart of hills that are home to plant species unique in the world. Visit the Temple of the Tooth. Located in the royal palace complex of the former kingdom of Kandy, this sacred temple houses one of the most venerated relics of Buddhism: a tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics, as it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. The Temple of the Tooth, the palace, and the sacred city of Kandy are deeply linked to the history of the spread of Buddhism. The Kandy temple is the site of the last pilgrimage of the Buddha's relic. It is the testimony of a cult that is still practiced today. Kandy was the last capital of the kings of Sri Lanka. The temple is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kandy is also famous for its great Esala Perahera festival (a parade of elephants and dancers), which lasts more than ten days during the month of Esala (August). Enjoy a traditional show at the end of the evening. Overnight in Kandy.

• day 5

  Kandy - Peradeniya - Nuwara Eliya

  

  After breakfast, departure to Nuwara Eliya. On the way, visit a tea plantation and the Peradeniya Botanical Garden (about 2h31 min / 76 km). Visit the magnificent Peradeniya Botanical Garden, located about 6 km from Kandy. It was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhalese king, then expanded by the British. The botanical garden covers about 60 hectares; it contains more than 5,000 species of endemic trees and plants. A true paradise for walkers, the park has magnificent vegetation, including a sublime collection of orchids, a row of palm trees, and cannonball trees. Visit a tea plantation during which you will have the opportunity to taste a cup of the famous Ceylon tea. Transfer to Nuwara Eliya. Also known as "Little England," this city was once the favorite mountain resort of the British, who tried to make Nuwara Eliya a typical English village in Sri Lanka. The city enjoys a refreshing and mild climate, breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, and mountains; it is hard to imagine that Nuwara Eliya is only 180 km from a hot and humid Colombo. It is the nerve center of Sri Lanka's tea production and produces a significant share of the best tea in the world. A trip to the Sri Lankan highlands can never be made or completed without observing or taking part in the traditional tea making and sipping a cup of Ceylon tea. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

• day 6

  Nuwara Eliya - Yala

  

  After breakfast, discover the picturesque covered market of Nuwara Eliya. Next, enjoy a cooking class and tasting in a local home. Then, head towards Yala. Also called Ruhuna, Yala is a leading national park located on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka. The reserve covers 979 km², although only 141 km² are open to the public. Much of the reserve is a park, but it also features beaches, jungles, freshwater lakes, rivers, and scrublands. Yala has the largest leopard population in the world, although it takes a lot of luck to spot this nocturnal carnivore. There is also a good population of elephants, crocodiles, wild boars, wild buffaloes, mongooses, jackals, and many other large animals. The park is also home to hundreds of bird species, such as the black-headed ibis and the eagle. Overnight in Yala.

• day 7

  Yala - Galle

  

  After breakfast, departure towards Galle (about 4h / 170 km). Enjoy a second cooking class in the magnificent fortified city of Galle. On the way, visit Galle. It is the 4th largest city in the country, located 115 km south of Colombo and close to Hikkaduwa. Galle is a city with a rich historical past and was once the center of Dutch rule in the 17th century, as evidenced by its majestic fort. The city of Galle is one of the best-preserved colonial-era cities in Southeast Asia and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Galle was a major port in Sri Lanka and still is today. The Dutch Museum, the Groote Kerk (the Great Church), and the National Maritime Museum are some of the famous attractions in Galle. The city is also renowned for its delicate handmade lace and ebony carvings. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Galle.

• day 8

  Galle - Colombo

  

  After breakfast, enjoy a free morning. Use this time to explore the fish market and the Dutch market (Green Market). This market, probably the oldest in Galle, has been offering stalls with the freshest local products for over 300 years. A walk through the markets is an experience in itself; you can also buy and taste fresh local fruits. Colombo, the dynamic capital of Sri Lanka, is a city that harmoniously blends old-world charm with modernity. Located on the west coast of the island, this bustling metropolis is the economic and cultural heart of the country. With its fascinating mix of cultures, colonial architecture, sparkling skyscrapers, and majestic Buddhist temples, Colombo is a city of many facets. The streets of Colombo are full of life, with lively markets, restaurants offering authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, and shopping centers featuring handicrafts as well as international brands. The Galle Face Green waterfront is a popular spot to relax in the evening and enjoy local snacks while taking in the sea breeze. The city is also home to historical sites such as the Colombo Fort, a well-preserved colonial district, and the Gangaramaya Temple, which reflects the Buddhist influence in the region. Colombo is also a major educational center, with several renowned universities. It is a dynamic metropolis that embodies the cultural diversity of Sri Lanka while offering a captivating urban experience. It is an ideal starting point for further exploring this beautiful tropical island. Overnight in Colombo.

• day 9

  Departure

  

  After your breakfast, departure towards Bandaranaike International Airport for your return flight (about 37 min / 32 km).