Itinerary
Day 1 - Colombo - NegomboArrive in Colombo on suggested Air Lanka flight UL605, arriving CMB approx. 22.30. Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel.
For those making alternate flight reservation, we can organise airport pick up at additional cost. Check in at Jetwing Beach is from 2pm. Accommodation Jetwing Beach, Negombo |
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Day 2 - Tour of Negombo, Pool and Beach Time
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After breakfast, we will take a tour of Negombo town which is one of the most important fishing ports on the west coast of Sri Lanka. It is one of the best-known seaside towns on the island, geographically located at the end of a lagoon with many small islands and stunning bays. We will visit the open-air market located under a huge Banyan tree, the fish market, Dutch canal and remains of the Dutch Fort.
This afternoon you are free to enjoy a dip in the pool or a swim in the warm Indian ocean. Accommodation Jetwing Beach |
Day 3 - Negombo - Sigiriya, Climb to Dambulla Cave Complex
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After an early breakfast, we will travel to Dambulla (approx. 3 hours). Dambulla is home to the vibrantly decorated cave-temples and is a great base to explore the wide array of natural wonders and historic sites in this fascinating area.
This evening we will climb to the impressive Dambulla cave complex. An UNESCO world heritage site, located high on a cliff face. You will have time to explore these cave temples and admire the many Buddha statues, frescoes and paintings. Accommodation Aliya Resort and Spa |
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Day 4 - Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock, Wildlife Safari
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After breakfast, drive to Sigiriya (30 mins). Sigiriya rock fortress is an UNESCO world heritage site and is home to a series of rock frescoes that are considered to be the oldest in the world. You will have the opportunity to climb to the top of the rock to witness its elaborate ancient fortress complex (approximately 2.5 hours round-trip on foot, including stairs). The 200-metre-high ancient citadel built during the 5th century features a mirror wall with some of the world’s oldest graffiti, terraced gardens and splashing fountains.
This afternoon you are free to enjoy the hotel and surrounds. This evening we will depart to Minneriya National Park (30 mins). The park is the site of ‘The Gathering’ where a large number of elephants are attracted to the grass fields on the edges of the ‘Minneriya Tank’, a structure built in the 3rd century. The park is also an important habitat for 2 endemic monkeys, 2 types of deer, rare species such as the Sri Lankan leopard and sloth bear, as well as 11 threatened bird species. There are 8 species of endemic reptiles which include the salt water crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor and the Bengal monitor. Accommodation Aliya Resort and Spa |
Day 5 - The Ancient City of Anuradhapura, Evening Cooking ClassToday we drive to Anuradhapura (1hr 15 mins). This sacred city was established around a cutting from the Buddha’s fig tree in India under which he achieved enlightenment. Anuradhapura, the first political and religious capital of Sri Lanka, dates back to the 5th century BC and is an UNESCO world heritage site.
We will tour the many sites of historical and archaeological interest including the sacred tree, which has an authenticated history of over 2300 years! We will visit the first temple and the first stupa to be built on the island and listen to the story of the ‘Isurumuniya Lovers’, a king who abdicated the throne for his low caste lover. This evening we will have our first cooking class with Pieter, Executive Chef Lakshan and staff from the hotel. Accommodation Aliya Resort and Spa |
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Day 6 - Sigiriya - Kandy, Spice Garden, Cultural Show
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After an early breakfast we will travel to Matale (1hr 45 mins). We will take a tour of a spice garden where we will learn about the history and medicinal properties of the spices of Sri Lanka and have a complimentary 10-minute head or foot massage before lunch at the bustling café.
After lunch we will continue our journey to Kandy (1 hr). In the early evening we will head out to watch a cultural performance by traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers, including devotional fire eating and fire walking. Accommodation Mahaweli Reach Hotel |
Day 7 - Tour of Kandy, Royal Botanical Gardens, Temple of the Tooth, Evening Cooking Class
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This morning we will drive to Kandy town (30 mins) and take a sightseeing tour.
Kandy, a UNESCO world heritage town, is Sri Lanka’s hill capital and the stronghold of the last king of Sri Lanka. It is the islands 2nd most visited place. Home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city's heart is scenic Kandy lake, we will learn of its interesting and sometimes gruesome history. We will then take a tour of the ‘Sacred Temple of the Tooth’ and learn of its unique history and tales of an underground/underwater tunnel to the lakes island. Following our sightseeing tour, we will travel to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. The gardens are considered the finest of its kind in Asia and contain 4000 different species of plants. This afternoon you have time to relax in the pool (the largest in Kandy) or make use of the hotels impressive list of services. This evening we will gather on the lawn beside the pool where we will have our 2nd cooking class. with Pieter, Executive Chef Stanley and staff from the hotel. Accommodation Mahaweli Reach Hotel |
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Day 8 - Tour of Vedda Village, Evening Cooking Class
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After an early breakfast we will depart for the local Indigenous village in Dambana (approximately 3 hours). Archaeological evidence suggest that the modern Vedda’s Neolithic ancestors inhabited the island as far back as 10,000 BC. Once roaming the Great Plains’ of the north central region to the central mountains. Today, the remaining Vedda population are confined to village reserves and their hunter/gatherer lifestyle is under threat with changes to legislation that prevent them from hunting the lands that they once inhabited.
We will be welcomed to the village with a traditional dance followed by a demonstration of how they set traps to hunt small animals for food. We will then follow them into the jungle to look for wild honey and try our hand shooting at a target with a traditional bow and arrow! Prior to departing the village, you will have the pleasure of visiting the village chief in his traditional house! Read more about the Vedda people here. This evening we will gather in the open plan restaurant for our 3rd cooking class with Pieter, Executive chef Heshan and chefs from the hotel. Accommodation Oruthota Eco Chalets |
Day 9 - Train to Nanu-Oya, Tour of Nuwara Eliya, Fresh Food Market and Street Food
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After an early breakfast we will travel to Kandy railway station (45 mins.) and board the train for Nanu-Oya.
This is the famous ‘High Country’ train ride that is considered one of the world’s great train journeys (approximately 4 hours). This is a great way to see the countryside travelling past towns, villages and verdant green tea plantations that stretch into the distance. The bus will meet us at the station and take us to Nuwara Eliya. Often called ‘Little England’, Nuwara Eliya was once the cool climate retreat of the ruling British wanting to get away from the heat of Colombo. Whilst in town we will visit a fabulous fresh food market, watch (and sample) fresh Godamba Roti being made and have some of the best samosas that I have had from a street cart vendor! Accommodation The Grand Hotel |
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Day 10 - Pedro Tea Plantation, Lovers Leap Falls, Ella Town
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After breakfast we will take a tour of Victoria Park and Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya, if the weather is good, you could take a paddleboat ride.
Visit Pedro Tea centre, a fantastic working tea plantation and factory where you will have the opportunity to taste the finest ‘High Country’ tea, watch the colourfully attired tea pickers at work and learn the process of manufacturing pure ‘Ceylon Tea’. Visit Lovers Leap Falls. This afternoon we will experience some old-world charm when we take high tea at the Grand Hotel overlooking manicured English gardens and vibrant green lawns. Accommodation The Grand Hotel |
Day 11- Nuwara Eliya - HambantotaAfter breakfast we will journey to Hambantota (4.5hrs), stopping at a roadside café for some ‘Kiri Pani’ Sri Lanka’s famous buffalo curd eaten with honey from the Kitul palm.
This evening you are free to explore the resort, have a dip in one (or all) of its 3 pools, relax in one of several bars, take a walk on the beach or dine in one of several cafes and restaurants. Accommodation Shangri La Resort and Spa |
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Day 12 - Leisure
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Today you are free to soak up the atmosphere of the resort or use the amazing variety of activities it offers.
Optional activities include:
Accommodation Shangri La Resort and Spa |
Day 13 - Stilt Fisherman, Hambantota - GalleToday we will travel to Galle, stopping to visit the unique ‘Stilt Fishermen’ of Sri Lanka. The practice of stilt fishing started when food shortages and overcrowded fishing spots prompted some clever men to try fishing on the water by erecting their stilts in coral reefs. Two generations of fishermen have eked out this physically demanding existence at dawn and dusk along a 30-kilometer stretch of southern shore between the towns of Unawatuna and Weligama.
Tonight, we will stay at one of the hotels designed by Sri Lanka’s eminent architect Geoffrey Bawa. Accommodation Jetwing Lighthouse |
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Day 14 - Tour of Galle, Old Dutch Fort, Seafood BBQ on the Beach
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Today after a leisurely breakfast we will explore the unique charm of the seaside city of Galle, visit the markets and the fresh fish vendors and walk the cobbled streets of the old Dutch Fort dating back to 1588.
The UNESCO world heritage listed old Dutch Fort is a delight to explore on foot, surprises await around every corner. Walk the ramparts with the sound of crashing waves and the warm Indian ocean wind blowing on your face! Walk down Pedlar and Church street for an amazing array of cafes, restaurants, souvenir and gift shops tucked amongst beautifully restored Portuguese and Dutch era buildings. This evening we will gather at the outdoor bar and watch the sun sink into the Indian ocean. We will then make our way down to a private beach where we will enjoy a sumptuous 3 course seafood BBQ cooked for us by the hotel chefs. This is one of my favourite places on the island, it oozes tranquil charm. The constant sound of waves crashing into giant rocks makes a kind of music that is hard to ignore! Accommodation Jetwing Lighthouse |
Day 15 - Galle - Colombo, Turtle Hatchery, Tour of Lunuganga, Night Markets
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Today we leave Galle and make our way to Colombo. Along the way we will stop at a Turtle hatchery and learn about the conservation efforts to protect these magnificent endangered animals.
We will then take a tour of ‘Lunuganga’. Since 1948, Lunuganga has been a living testament to an epic romance between nature and design. With sprawling English lawns, miniature tropical forests, lakeside beauty and more, it was the home, working experiment, and life's work of one of Sri Lanka's most famous architects Geoffrey Bawa, responsible for designing many of the significant buildings on the island including the new parliament house. He spent 40 years transforming this once abandoned rubber estate into a home he could retire in! This evening we will walk along Galle Face Green to the night markets, complete with street cart vendors and food stalls set alongside the mighty Indian ocean. We will eat at my favourite street restaurant before ambling back to the hotel. Accommodation The Kingsbury Hotel |
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Day 16 -Tour of Colombo, Lunch at the Dutch Burgher Union
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Today we will have a sightseeing tour of Colombo. There will be time for some last-minute shopping at ‘Laksala’, the government run handicraft store. We will also visit ‘Barefoot’, the craft store famous for its founder Barbara Sansonis vision of empowering female workers.
We will stop for lunch at the Dutch Burgher Union for the famous Dutch inspired ‘Lamprais’. Also known as ‘Lump Rice’ this is a dish of rice cooked in stock, a curry made with 2 or 4 meats, frikadelles (spiced crumbed meatball) and accompaniments, all wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed. Late evening departure to Airport. |
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