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tastes of sri lanka
Join us on a Culinary Masterclass across this gem of the Indian Ocean.
Why go on a culinary trip in sri lanka?
Some, eat to live, but us - we're the type that live to eat. Food, we believe, is perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of travel. Travelling to a destination is way more than just clicking pictures and visiting key sights. What food does is it transports you straight into the heart of the place and gives you a taste (pun intended) of how diverse our planet actually is.
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Gastronomy after all, is pathway into the culture, history and tradition of a country through an experience that is sensory and memorable. Get ready to be taken on an incredible culinary journey through the heart of Sri Lanka. Over 11 days you will experience the many flavours of this stunning island, with personal cooking demonstrations, classes from renowned home chefs, whilst visiting some of the vibrant island’s most spectacular sites and staying in the most beautiful boutique hotels. This is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine; learning how kittul treacle is made, cinnamon is grown, rice harvested and much more.
A GLIMPSE OF what's possible..
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Day 1: Arrival into Sri Lanka & head to Kotugoda: Once you land, look out for our local rep who will accompany you through passport control, customs, baggage collection and money changers, all the way to the arrival VIP lounge where we address any last-minute questions you have about the itinerary and introduce you to your chauffer guide who will take your luxury hotel in order to begin this exciting culinary journey. Both the rep & driver would be wearing masks and gloves to ensure complete hygiene.
You will travel on back roads through rice fields, villages and the occasional coconut plantation. Arrive at the hotel, unpack and relax in the gardens. During evening drinks on the verandah, your guide for the next 11 days will give a formal introduction to the trip.
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Day 2 : Explore the Cultural Triangle: After breakfast this morning, we will travel to Sigiriya in the Cultural Triangle, along roads that run through cashew, pineapple, coconut and rubber plantations, stopping en route to try a refreshing king coconut and some traditional snacks known as “short-eats” and also your first cookery demonstration at Ena De Silva.
A spectacular 25-dish lunch at the workshop of Ena De Silva
Immerse yourself in the rich craft traditions of the heritage centre that was once the workshop of Ena de Silva, Sri Lanka’s
foremost batik artist. Then sit yourself down to a feast prepared by the Aluvihare Kitchens, of 25 spectacular dishes
cooked by a team of local village ‘ammas’ who have worked closely with Ena for decades.
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Day 3: Hiking & Traditional Village Cooking Experience
Morning: Climb UNESCO Sigiriya Rock Fortress
In the morning, we will explore the water gardens and climb up the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya, famous for its voluptuous painted maidens, which adorn the rock walls. We will then return to our luxe hotel for an evening cocktail and watch the sun set behind Sigiriya Rock.
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Afternoon: God’s Village Farmer’s Cooking Experience
Today we will enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then climb Sigiriya Rock and travel to a nearby farming village in Habarana
for a typical farming experience. Enlightening and exhilarating, this village safari gives you a glimpse of a uniquely interlinked Sri Lankan village life which begins on a bullock cart through the backwoods of Hiriwadunna village – an area the locals call ‘God’s village’ and said to be a refuge of King Wasaba (66-110 AD). The ride will lead you to an inland canal, where on a colourful ‘Oruwa’ (boat), you’ll float gently along to a much larger lake brimming with lotus fronds, where wild elephants sometimes stop for a drink
during drier seasons. You will witness a lunch prepared in the old ways, served up on lotus leaves under a thatched roof hut.
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Day 4: Batiks & Spices: After breakfast we set off for Kandy en route we stop at the Spice Garden for Local lunch with Cookery Demonstration. From here we travel to a lovely boutique property in Kandy. On arrival we will unpack before enjoying early evening drinks and the dinner a la carte.
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Day 5: Kandyan Delights: Following breakfast, we will be shown around the fruit and vegetable market in Kandy and then we will travel to Sky pavilion hotel for another cookery Demonstration.
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Evening: The Sacred Temple of the Tooth and a Magical Cultural Experience
The afternoon will feature a visit to the Temple of the Tooth, one of the most sacred buildings in the Buddhist world, and tea at Queen’s Hotel, which will reveal a hint of 19th century Ceylon. Our time in Kandy will come to a close as we watch the magnificent cultural show before the lake at sunset.
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Day 6: A Journey perfected to the Tea
Morning: An Unforgettable Train Ride
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Following an early breakfast, we will check out of The Kandy House and take the 11.18am train to Hatton. The journey is one of the most scenic in Asia – through jungle, into cloud forest, past waterfalls and then into acres of rolling tea hills. We will be met at Hatton Station by our driver before checking into a luxe boutique hotel by the hills, settling in and having lunch. (Lunch not included). In the afternoon, take a walk or trek through the hills, return for an evening drink and watch the sun go down over the mountains as you tuck in to some traditional afternoon cream tea (scones, clotted cream, jams, cakes).
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