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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.
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..
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day 6: A Journey perfected to the Tea
Morning: An Unforgettable Train Ride
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).
Day 7: Tea Bliss: After a delicious breakfast, we will visit a tea factory and learn about the tea-making process, as well as the health
benefits. Spend the afternoon walking the trails before enjoying evening drinks, followed by dinner.
Day 8: To The Tropical South: This morning we will leave Tea Trails after breakfast and begin the drive to Galle on the south coast. We drive through Kitulgala, the setting for the 1950s film, The Bridge on the River Kwai and stop for lunch at the Avisawella Rest House. We will arrive in Galle in the late afternoon and settle in at a charming boutique property by the sea.
Day 9:
Morning: A hands-on traditional cooking demonstration and lunch.
After breakfast we head to the paddy island of Local Villagers to witness and learn how a village lunch is put together in a
hands-on cooking demonstration of traditional Sinhalese cuisine.
Evening: Secrets of the Fort with Resident Host
A sunset walk along the 17th century Galle Fort ramparts with our local friend, who will give you an authentic insight to Galle’s street food culture. We explore within the crumbling fort walls of the Old City. The 16th century Galle Fort is a world heritage site. Spanning over 90 acres, it is Asia’s best preserved and largest surviving fort built by European occupiers. It was originally built by the Portuguese in 1588 and extended to its present glory by the Dutch in 1663. The best way to soak up the charm of the Old City and to get our bearings is by taking a stroll around the thick granite walls of the fort. This one hour is circuit is most enjoyable at sunrise and sunset as the air is cool and the light is long and low. The real allure of the Old City is found in simply wandering through its warren of narrow alleys and side streets, replete with colonial homes with original archways and verandas, 18th century churches, mosques, museums and impressive art galleries and clothing boutiques.
Day 10: Head to the Capital: Following a relaxed breakfast, we head to the capital city of Colombo. Check in at Tintagel.
Early Afternoon: Last Cookery Demonstration with Famous Mahora Dole.
Cooking by Colour is a new area of activity! "Drawing inspiration from my Malay heritage and the rich traditions of my Sinhalese and Tamil friends, I began to devise a repertoire of rices, curries, sambols and salads that differed in taste, aroma, colour and flavour...I conduct participatory demonstrations in my home. Participants join me at the stove as I prepare and share with them a special Sri Lankan lunch which they can easily recreate in their own homes. It gives me so much pleasure sharing my experience in food!", shares Dole. We let you in on this exclusive experience that you can take home.
Evening: City Walk with a Local
Our local friend will take you right into the birthplace of what is modern day Colombo, and its pulse that is throbbing. Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka and is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins and a population of 647,100. Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. It was made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, and its status as capital was retained when the nation became independent in 1948.
For dinner, we could hook you up at the highly acclaimed Ministry of Crab or a veg-friendly haunt if that suits you better.
Day 11: Time to say Adios!: Depending on your flight time, you will be driven to the airport at the appropriate time. We hope you enjoyed this authentic and immersive experience of Sri Lanka with Cozymoons.
FINE PRINT
price
On Request
best time
Year Round
child-friendly
Yes
customizable
Yes
Looking for a shorter or longer culinary experience in Sri Lanka or mix it up with other stuff?
This experience can be designed 100% from scratch to perfectly suit your tastes and budget.
Get in touch with our specialists to get planning, here.
