Real Food Adventure

You will begin your day with a morning drive to Chilaw for a ‘Toddy Tapping’ and ‘Arrack Tasting’ experience at a chosen estate followed by a lavish spread of traditional Sri Lankan breakfast. Chilaw is a large town in the Puttalam District belonging to the North Western Province of Sri Lanka. Your first Lankan breakfast will consist of Manioc, Sweet Potato (Bathala), mild Pol Sambol, thick Karawala Hodhi, fried onions, and Kiri Bath (Milk Rice). The authentic Sri Lankan breakfast will be a celebration to your tastebuds and you will surely enjoy the spread laid out for you. Thereafter you will continue the drive to Anuradhapura and upon arrival, you will meet and interact with the village folks clad in typical village attire. You will then treat yourself with a freshly cooked and delicious Sri Lankan vegetarian village lunch (since you have entered the sacred city) served in a banana leaf at a shady corner.

After the hearty lunch, you will check into the hotel to relax before visiting the ruins of Anuradhapura in the evening. Anuradhapura was made the first capital of Sri Lanka in the 4th century BC, and the longest-serving capital has a fantastic heritage in the ancient and modern times and is one of the eight historical heritage sites in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura is a picturesque town located along a riverbank popular for fascinating ancient ruins and deep-rooted Buddhist culture. You will see the ancient Bo tree – Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to ancient monasteries and ruins of historical importance. After learning more about Sri Lankan history during this visit, you will enjoy dinner at a local Chinese restaurant followed by an overnight stay at the Palm Garden Village Hotel in Anuradhapura.

Today you will kick start your day with an English breakfast at the hotel before proceeding to visit the Mihintale temple. Mihintale is a mountain peak situated east of Anuradhapura, and is a pilgrimage site with several religious shrines and ruins. The surrounding area is fringed by jungle and rocks, whilst there are many caves that are believed to be used by monks for meditation. After admiring and being fascinated by the ancient stone architecture and monastic complexes you will head for a Sri Lankan lunch at a local restaurant.

Next, you will visit the famous Aukana statue on the way to Polonnaruwa. You will be amazed to see the masterwork of the colossal buddha statue with a serene expression and gracefully carved robe reflecting supreme spirituality. After immersing yourself in learning interesting facts of the historical past, you will arrive at Polonnaruwa to engage in a Medieval city tour in the evening. During this exciting tour, you will be exploring Polonnaruwa – the historical city and the second capital of Sri Lanka dating back to the 11th & 12th centuries AD. At this World Heritage Site, you will witness the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya with 4 four splendid statues of the Buddha, statues of King Parakramabahu and the Parakrama Samudraya. After an exciting day, you will then check into the Giritale Hotel in Polonnaruwa for an English dinner followed by an overnight stay.

You will start your day with an English breakfast at the hotel and then visit the local market and enjoy an authentic experience of village cookery. Passing the new town of Polonnaruwa, you will reach Kaduruwela, which is famous for paddy cultivation. Then you will cross the Mahaweli River over the Manampitiya Bridge to reach the Manampitiya Village. In Kaduruwela or Manampitiya you will visit the local market, interact with the village vendors and together with the tour guide you will buy your provisions to prepare your lunch. Next, you will visit the remote village of Ginidamana in Nelumwewa, where you will engage in preparing your village lunch together with village folks. You will also meet and interact with the village families as they share their lifestyles and stories with you so that you can feel the pulse of the rural people and the village life of Sri Lanka. After relishing your own cooked Sri Lankan style lunch, you will bid farewell to the villagers and proceed to the Minneriya National Park for an exciting afternoon jeep safari in the wilderness.

The Minneriya national park situated 182 km away from Colombo in the North Central Plains of Sri Lanka, is home to a variety of fauna and flora. At the massive Minneriya Rainwater Reservoir, (the highlight of the park) you will witness the most awaited elephant gathering. This is a thrilling sight and experience, plus a memory to cherish for the rest of your life. The park is home to 24 species of mammals, over 170 bird species, and 25 species of reptiles out of which 8 are endemic to Sri Lanka. After an exhilarating 3-hour safari in the wilds, you will continue the drive to Dambulla, check into the hotel followed by an English dinner and an overnight stay in Dambulla.

Your day starts early today, with the climb to the country’s most famous and iconic rock fortress – Sigiriya. Recognized from miles away, the soaring ‘Lion Rock’ is an archeological wonder and a testament of Sri Lanka’s city planning, water gardens, engineering and fortification in the 5th century AD. The rock peak is home to an incredible blue-green landscape with lush green gardens and advanced irrigation systems. Declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO, you will be thrilled to see the beautiful frescoes and the fascinating mirror wall of the rock fortress. It is undoubtedly the most treasured historical monument in Sri Lanka. Once you climb down the rock fortress, you can enjoy your breakfast packet under a nice shady grove. After absorbing the majestic view, you will proceed to the ‘Hill Capital’ – Kandy.

En-Route to Kandy you will visit the Matale spice garden, one of the best spots for spices on the island. Here you will be introduced to various spices and be shown how these spices are grown and processed much to your awe. You can then rejuvenate yourself with a free head massage using traditional Sri Lankan herbs and oils (only if you wish to). Following that refreshing break, delight in a Sri Lankan lunch and drink it down with the glass of ginger tea. For dessert, you can treat your sweet tooth with Sri Lankan sweets – Lavariya, muscat and ‘Kolikuttu’ banana.

Thereafter, upon reaching Kandy in the evening you will witness a colourful cultural show with an exciting agenda of traditional Sri Lankan dances and pageantry. You will be captivated by the vibrant event filled with colourful costumes, graceful dances and oriental music, making it an unforgettable experience. After an exciting ‘Kottu Roti’ dinner with so many kottu varieties, you can explore more of the Sri Lankan street food. You can then unwind into the night at a local pub (at your expense), where you can mingle with the locals and experience the local nightlife happenings first hand, followed by an overnight stay at the Thilanka Hotel in Kandy.

Today you will embark on a city tour in Kandy (after breakfast) to visit The Sacred Tooth Relic temple – Kandy‘s key attraction and symbol of sovereignty enshrined in great splendour. The Esala Perahera held in August each year is a must-see, and this spectacular pageant honours the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. After visiting the tooth relic temple, you will drive around the iconic Kandy lake admiring the serene and stunning landscape.

Next, you will visit the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, a magnificent 57-hectare garden that treasures the best of tropical flora, aromatic spices and rare medicinal herbs. Delight in a lunch under the shady orchards while engrossing in the beauty of nature. Thereafter continue drive to Nuwara Eliya and visit the famous Ramboda falls en-route. In the evening, you will engage in the Nuwara Eliya city tour that covers the famous Gregory lake. Nuwara Eliya is a city in the hill country and is one of the key locations for tea cultivation, well known for its chilly climate and for being the coolest area in the tropical island. The city still preserves its ancient charm with its well-maintained colonial buildings and private homes with English-style lawns and blooming gardens. Whilst absorbing the breathtaking landscape and the beauty of the iconic Gregory lake, you will enjoy some tasty local cocktails.

The day will be completed with a traditional Jaffna styled dinner with a mix of Indian cuisine. So, do treat yourself with a variety of dosas and other delicious preparations, followed by an overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

After an early breakfast, you will proceed to Ahangama beach via Weerawila. You can enjoy an English breakfast including English Tea and Shepherd Pie, or an India style breakfast with Idly and Upma with tea/coffee). On your way to the beach, stop for a garden lunch near the tank, where you will be served ‘Lamprais’ for your lunch. Lamprais is Sri Lankan dish that was introduced by the country’s Dutch Burgher population. Next, you will make a stop at a local dairy farm in Weerawila to learn the art of curd making and fermentation followed by curd tasting.

On arrival at the Insight Resort in Ahangama, you will engage in a tea tasting session. The resort is blessed with a beautiful beach frontage offering you the perfect island getaway from the busy city life. It is the ideal place to unwind, relax, refresh and experience the heritage, culture, nature and the way of life in southern Sri Lanka. You can indulge in a spa treatment or take a dip in the azure pool if you wish. You will then join the chef on the beach to see hopper making and enjoy a night with a ‘Hopper Fiesta’ Dinner. You will get to try different types of hoppers including egg, jackfruit, milk, plain, jaggery and chopped tomato & onion hoppers. After an interesting dinner by the beach, you will spend the night stay at the resort in Ahangama.

After breakfast, you will travel to Galle. Depending on the season (If November – April you will be transferred to Mirissa for whale watching at 5.30 AM with breakfast packets). Mirissa is on the south coast of Sri Lanka and is a key whale and dolphin watching spot in the country with the most stunning sunrises and sunsets to be enjoyed. Sperm whales, Bryde’s whales are some of the most common whales that you will encounter, and if you are really lucky, you will be able to catch a glimpse of the killer whales (also known as orcas). Among the species of dolphins, you may see the Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and Striped dolphins. These playful creatures would swim alongside your boat and jumping out of the water much to your delight!

Upon reaching Galle, you can take part in a city tour by bicycle/ bike to witness the charming colonial town on the Southern coast. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has a 300-year-old fort, a maritime museum and a historic lighthouse that you can visit to learn more of Sri Lankan history. After the cycle tour in Galle, you will visit the local market to buy fresh ingredients to cook your lunch. This is your ultimate chance to enjoy the taste of scrumptious Sri Lankan food straight off the fire which makes a perfect end to this tour. You will wrap up the tour in grand style by popping into a local house to treat yourself with a traditional Sri Lankan meal freshly made from scratch on an open fire hearth.

You will then drive back to the beach resort to relax in the evening, and conclude the day with a ‘Rotti Night’ dinner with a lavish spread of egg, mushroom, seafood, avocado and pineapple rottis and a seafood BBQ on the beach. Overnight stay at the Insight Resort in Ahangama.

Today is your last day on the paradise isle. Indulge in a lavish spread of Sri Lankan breakfast (Kola Kanda, Kurakkan pittu with more coconut, plain pittu, kokkis, kevum, string hoppers, roast bread with curries and koppa kiribath) before travelling to Colombo. En-route to Colombo, you will take part in a Colombo city tour from Fort and Pettah covering the commercial and residential areas of the city whilst sighting the key landmarks – Galle Face Green, old parliament, the lighthouse clock tower, Colombo harbour, Gangarama Temple, Independence Square and the Viharamahadevi Park. After lunch and a quick shopping tour to your heart’s content, you will proceed to the airport for departure. As the final stop, enjoy dinner at a local Indian restaurant before reaching the airport.

This brings you to the end of an exciting, fun-filled and memorable adventure in Sri Lanka!