Tour Culinary Expedition (11 Days)

Transport

Transport in a Private Vehicle, inclusive of all chauffer accommodation, cost of fuel, parking & highway tolls.

Guide

Service of an English-Speaking Chauffer Guide throughout the tour.

Others

Daily 1ltr bottle of water Per Person.

Accommodation

Accommodation on sharing a one double room and occupying a single room at the hotels specified in hotel collection or similar depending on availability. Negombo - Hotel J Dambulla - Fresco Water Villa Nuwara Eliya - Summer Hill Bandarawela - 9 arch Yala - Oak Ray Regency Galle - Cantaloupe Aqua Colombo - Sapphire Hotel

Meals

Meal plan on Bed and Breakfast basis starting with breakfast on day 2 and ending with breakfast on day 11.

Not included:

Flights

International / Domestic Airfare.

Others

Entry Visa Fees, please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more details / submit your individual visa application. International / Domestic Airfare. Any expenses of personal nature. Tips & Portages. Cost of Beverages Meals where not specified. Entrance fees where not specified

Insurance

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Airport > Negombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Airport > Negombo

After arrival at the Colombo Airport, you will be picked up from the Airport by your Chauffeur Guide from Lakpura. After the introductions, you will be escorted by air-conditioned private vehicle to your hotel in Negombo.

Over night stay at a selected Hotel
Day 2 Day 2: Negombo > Dambulla
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Negombo > Dambulla

After breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Dambulla. On arrival to Dambulla, check in the hotel and relax. Later that evening, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple. (Travel Time: 4 to 4½ hrs)

Dambulla Cave Temple

Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.

Over night stay at a selected Hotel
Day 3 Day 3: Dambulla > Sigiriya > Polonnaruwa > Dambulla
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Dambulla > Sigiriya > Polonnaruwa > Dambulla

After breakfast at the hotel visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ‘ the Lion Rock’. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.Thereafter proceed to Priyamali Gedara and participate in a Cooking Demonstration and enjoy a lovely farmer’s lunch. (Travel Time: 15 to 20 mins)

Cooking Demonstration and Lunch at Priyamali Gedara

This experience provides an authentic farm lunch and cooking demo done by an actual local farming family. Learn the ins and outs of Sri Lankan cooking as the farmer’s wife and daughters demonstrate their art. Chat with the farmer to learn more about how the fresh ingredients are obtained from the surroundings. Indulge in a healthy farm meal cooked over wood fires and served on lotus leaves over woven trays. Traditional rice, lentils, fresh local vegetables cooked into fragrant curries, fried fish, and poppadum will play a major role in the meals. Those who are interested can also request the farmer’s wife for some delicious kotthu, which they can purchase separately. Thereafter proceed to Polonnaruwa and visit Ancient Kingdom.

Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka’s ancient history.

Over night stay at a selected Hotel
Day 4 Day 4: Dambulla > Matale > Nuwara Eliya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Dambulla > Matale > Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Matale and visit a spice garden. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 1 ½ hrs)

Matale Spice Tour and the Cooking Class

Do a guided tour of a spice and herbal garden, where you learn about spices, such as coriander, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg; and their uses. Take part in a traditional cooking class that shows you how to make Sri Lankan cuisine while making full use of spices. Learn to make roti or create curry powder from scratch in one of the workshops.

On completion proceed to Nuwara Eliya, En-route make a pause at Bluefield Tea factory and get guided tour through the Tea Estate and learn more about the varieties, processing methods and qualities of tea. (Travel Time: 2 ½ to 3 hrs)

Tea Factory Visit

Learn how tea is manufactured in Sri Lanka. You can observe the tea pickers, locally known as ‘tea pluckers’ as they move between the lush green rows along the mountains with their large baskets.Thereafter you will be given a guided tour explaining fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and the grading of tea. Finish with a tea tasting process and learn of the history, and why Ceylon Tea is considered among the best in the world.

Over night stay at a selected Hotel
Day 5 Day 5: Nuwara Eliya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast at the hotel visit a local strawberry farm.

Strawberry Farm

Visit a local strawberry farm to experience how strawberries are grown and harvested. Walk through the expansive greenhouse and with their plants yielding the ruby red fruit. Learn more about the climatic conditions necessary for the growth of strawberries. Feast on fine fat strawberries; in the forms of strawberry milkshakes, strawberries with cream, chocolate topped strawberries, pancakes with strawberries, and much more at the farm’s very own shop. Get a chance to purchase some of the fresh fruit to take back with you too.

Thereafter go on a scenic tour in Nuwara Eliya City.

Nuwara Eliya City

Visit the highland city that was the premium holiday resort town of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy walking through the streets with their pretty little cottages, quaint villas and beautiful mansions. Make a memory in the old red-bricked postoffice as you purchase an inexpensive and colorful postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.Thereafter proceed to Grand Hotel to enjoy a High Tea Session.

High Tea

Get this chance experience a proper High Tea with all its embellishments at Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya. Sit down for tea at 3:30 sharp in the semi open air tea lounge, or in the lawn. Get served elegant waiters in crisp white livery. Drown your taste buds with delicious little sandwiches, cakes and various varieties of teas, this is an authentic experience passed down from the era of the British.On completion return to the hotel.

Over night stay at a selected Hotel
Day 6 Day 6: Nuwara Eliya > Ella > Bandarawela
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Nuwara Eliya > Ella > Bandarawela

After breakfast proceed to Ella and explore Ella area (Travel Time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs) After breakfast at the hotel check out and explore misty Ella.

Explore the Marvels of Ella

Explore Ella’s most interesting places. Pass through bright green tea fields, and tough stretches of rock, and get to see the magical views of Little Adam’s Peak. Walk over the history seeped Nine Arches Bridge and listen to the story of its construction. End your hike at the Demodara Railway station with its unique loop-over track design. This tour gives you the chance to see the best sights of Sri Lanka. On compleion of the day proceed to Banadarawela and check-in to the hotel (Travel time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Over night stay at a selected Hotel
Day 7 Day 7: Bandarawela
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Bandarawela

Morning do a Cookery Course at Koslanda

Cookery Course

These experienced chefs at Koslanda are always delighted to pass on their knowledge of Sri Lankan cuisine through our cookery demonstrations and classes. Learn how to make traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry, string hoppers, hoppers, rotis, pittu, sambals and all manner of regional specialities.There after Visit the Diyaluma Falls & Rubber Plantation

Visit the Diyaluma Falls & Rubber Plantation

The beautiful Diyaluma falls are just a short drive or walk from hotel. At 220m high, it’s one of the highest waterfalls on the island and a spectacular sight. Afterwards, you may want to visit the nearby rubber plantation and learn about traditional methods for harvesting and processing rubber.

Jungle Trek

Guided trek of our very own stretch of jungle. It’s a great way to get to know the native plants and trees and find out about pepper and coffee cultivation during the colonial era. They will also arrange for you to plant a tree and participate in our forest restoration programme. On completion return to the hotel.

Over night stay at a selected Hotel
Day 8 Day 8: Bandarawela > Yala
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Bandarawela > Yala

After Breakfast at the hotel proceed to Yala later in the Evening do a safari game drive in Yala national Park.

Halfday Evening Safari in Yala National Park

This amazing Safari offers the opportunity to visit Yala National Park, the second largest in the island based off the Southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Get a chance to see the famous Sri Lankan leopards, indigenous wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. The park is also home to many other species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

Over night stay at a selected Hotel
Day 9 Day 9: Yala > Galle
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Yala > Galle

After breakfast at the hotel check out and go on an educational tour to know how to make buffalo curd.

Visit a Local Village and Learn Buffalo Curd Making Process

If you have ever wondered how the local buffalo curd or even normal yoghurt is made; this is the ultimate experience for you. Get a guided tour to the farmhouses in Tissa Village. Watch the buffalos get milked. Let the experts teach you the process of converting milk to curd. Try your hand at curd making with the assistance of your tutors. Finish up by tasting this delicious dessert topped with Kithul Treacle.

Thereafter proceed to Ahangama and have a great authentic Sri Lankan Sea Fish Lunch at Garton’s Cape hotel. (Travel Time: 3 ½ to 4 hrs)

Enjoy an Authentic Sri Lankan Sea Food Lunch in Ahangama

You will be treated to a delicious and authentic Sri Lankan Seafood lunch; consisting of Jaffna Crab, Negombo Prawn and the South Coast “Ambul Thiyal” (Sri Lankan style fresh fish curry), along with small crispy fried fish and village grown vegetables cooked to perfection. Whilst you are having your lunch you can watch the live cooking show where the chef will demonstrate the cooking methods of the dishes you are enjoying. After the lovely lunch proceed to Galle and visit Colonial City. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Old Colonial City of Galle

Discover the city of Galle, where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters, and its secrets. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best preserved fortifications in Asia. View the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names as you learn more about their histories.

Over night stay at a selected Hotel
Day 10 Day 10: Galle > Balapitiya > Colombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Galle > Balapitiya > Colombo

Transfer to the Capital City of Sri Lanka on this day. Go on a lovely boat safari at Balapitiya on your way.

Enjoy a Boat Safari and Visit Cinnamon Makers

Go on a wonderful boat ride down the Madu River with its flourishing ecosystem. Pass through the secretive passages created by the mangroves. See the basking crocodiles and water monitors. Visit one of the small islands with its cinnamon harvesting natives. Enjoy the restorative qualities of the famous fish massage. Observe the water birds in their natural habitats.

Visit small secretive islands that dot the river to find the cinnamon makers. Learn how cinnamon bark is obtained and processed. Learn how the quills are divided according to their qualities. Purchase the freshest top quality cinnamon to take back home, or gift to your loved ones.

Thereafter proceed to Colombo and check in to the hotel and relax.Later in the evening go on street food walk in Galle Face Green

Street Food Walk in Galle Face Green

This experience gives you the chance to try the various varieties of Sri Lankan street food all in one go. Walk along the sandy beaches of Galle Face and stop by the most delicious and stomach friendly food kiosks in this guided foray into the street food world of Sri Lanka. Shock your taste buds with the mouthwatering flavours of egg hoppers, normal hoppers, tempered kadala, prawn vadé, parippu vadé, and kotthu (vegan, chicken, etc.). Enjoy the splendid sunsets of the tropics as you relax with food in hand.

Over night stay at a selected Hotel
Day 11 Day 11: Colombo > Airport
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Colombo > Airport

After breakfast at the hotel on your final day, proceed to the Colombo International Airport (CMB) and get ready for your departure after spending a memorable time on the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

11 days tour

Culinary Expedition (11 Days)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Culinary Expedition (11 Days)

Day 1: Airport > Negombo

Day 2: Negombo > Dambulla

Day 3: Dambulla > Sigiriya > Polonnaruwa > Dambulla

Day 4: Dambulla > Matale > Nuwara Eliya

Day 5: Nuwara Eliya

Day 6: Nuwara Eliya > Ella > Bandarawela

Day 7: Bandarawela

Day 8: Bandarawela > Yala

Day 9: Yala > Galle

Day 10: Galle > Balapitiya > Colombo

Day 11: Colombo > Airport

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