Culinary Traditions and Culture of Sri Lanka Tour 07 Day
Let us take you on a culinary journey that will fulfil your senses, enrich your knowledge and leave you with an appreciation of Sri Lanka's rich culture and culinary traditions. Explore the heritage of Sri Lanka with this tour as it is what preserved our unique traditions so far as giving as proof of who we used to be in the ancient times.
Arrive in Sri Lanka in the style you deserve, greeted by your chauffeur guide and transferred directly to Colombo - the island's urban center where your journey begins.On arrival in Colombo take your time to check-in to your hotel and spend some time at leisure. Once you've caught your breath, you may want to take advantage of your time here and explore the wonders of Colombo and its unique historical sites.
After capturing some of Colombo's urban color and colonial charm, head to meet the chef at the hotel. He will educate you on Sri Lankan traditional meals, especially on rice and curries. He may will show you how to make this banana leaf wrapped bundle of joy stuffed with samba rice with various meats, curries, and sambols. Eat and enjoy.
Overnight in Colombo
After a good night's sleep and a delicious breakfast, set out from the noise and chaos of the capitol and into the quiet green inland to explore Sigiriya and the island's ancient highlights of the Cultural Triangle. On your way, you'll stop by a rural villageto get a closer look at Sri Lanka's shimmering, lush rice paddies and learn how the island's most important staple food, in its many heirloom varieties, is cultivated. Here you will also meet with local farmers and learn about the island's vegetable production and all the amazing types of tropical fruit available.
Thereafter you will continue your journey to your hotel in Sigiriya, check-in and enjoy some down time. For dinner, enjoy a Sri Lankan tradition of barbeque at the hotel. The chef will show you how these local ingredients are prepared. Eat and enjoy.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya.
Depart early morning with a packed breakfast to climb one of the island's most spectacular sights - the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya.
In the afternoon, take a relaxing bullock cart ride through a banana plantation in the village of Hiriwaduna to sample the many varieties of banana Sri Lanka has to offer - sweet, sour, rich, red, savory, tiny, giant. There are many to choose from. From here, by way of scenic boat ride across a lake, visit another local farm where the ancient tradition of chena cultivation (or "slash and burn") is still employed. Before you return to your accommodations you will have the unique opportunity to sample some homemade rice and curry at a local villagers house. This is the best place to savor the authentic tradition of Sri Lankan cooking!
For dinner, tonight's local delicacy features Hoppers. Made from fermented rice flour and cooked in tiny wok-like pans, this popular street food is like crepes - crispy on the edges while moist and spongy in the middle. Hoppers are traditionally eaten with lunumiris (chili & onions) and pol sambol (shredded coconut, chili & lime). Learn to make them. Eat and enjoy.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya.
Journey south today out of the arid dry-lands and up into the lush green jungle to the magical city of Kandy - the Hill Capitol of Sri Lanka and the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kingdom.Before you leave, sample some Milk Rice (Kiri Bath) for breakfast. This rice preparation is usually featured for breakfast or on auspicious occasions and is accompanied by sambols or palm sugar (jaggery). If there's time before you depart, local village women will demonstrate the SriLankan sweetmeat preparation of Kavum and Kokis (cakes & biscuits).
During the afternoon, pay a visit to the Temple of the Tooth and join the Buddhists who, dressed in all white, offer puja while catching a glimpse of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha.
Spend the evening in the city center, close to the temple, watching an unforgettable show of Traditional Kandyan Dancers with all their vibrant colors.
Tonight's dinner features String Hoppers - not to be confused with regular Hoppers. Also of Southern Indian origin, String Hoppers are delicate clumps of fine rice noodles traditionally served with white curries and sambols. Learn to make them. Eat and enjoy.
Overnight in Kandy
After an early breakfast, today you will travel up those verdant green hills that surround Kandy and venture further into Sri Lanka's most beautiful and magic region – the Hill Country - proceeding to the quiet town of NuwaraEliya.
With its cool air, magnificent waterfalls, and thriving tea culture, the enchanting allure of these hills has to be seen to believe. The drive to Sri Lanka's "Little England" is a highlight of any trip to Sri Lanka. You will take winding roads through the gorgeously lush plantations past tea bushes trimmed by regular picking that look like green sculptures stretching up and down the misty hills as far as the eye can see. Enjoy your journey - this is the complete experience.
Arrive in NuwaraEliya and continue to your hotel to check-in. Spend the rest of the day wandering through the luscious tea plantations and touring the hotel's own tea factory. See how the tea is picked and processed into Ceylon's famous brew and take part in a tasting to see which style you prefer best. Relax with a cup of your favorite, enjoying the pleasant change in temperature.
Overnight stay in NuwaraEliya
Now, having experienced a week of Sri Lankan delicacies, you will head back north to the fishing town of Negombo where you can put your feet up and relax. This beachside destination will offer you a new elegant setting to bask in the sun and let the waves of the Indian Ocean wash over you before you depart.
Spend this last day pampering yourself as you look over all of the amazing photos you've taken. After a busy week of eating, tasting, and sampling, reflect on your time in Ceylon and watch your last glorious sunset over the Indian Ocean. In the evening go on a street food tour in Negombo city.
Overnight stay in Negombo
Though it will be difficult to say goodbye, all good things come to an end. Your representative from Serendib Roots will meet you on time at the hotel lobby to return you by way of a scenic drive to the international airport for your departing flight and a safe journey home.