ABOUT THIS TOUR
A unique 8-day culinary adventure through the diverse flavours of Sri Lanka. From aromatic spice markets and cooking classes to farm-to-table experiences, street food trails and fine dining at scenic plantation estates — this tour is a feast for all the senses.
TOUR ITINERARY
Explore our carefully curated tour packages, designed to offer you unforgettable experiences and adventures in stunning Sri Lanka!
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Day 01: Airport / Negombo - Approximate travel time 20 Minutes
- Helanka Vacations representative will meet you at the arrival lounge and transfer you to Negombo.
- On arrival, enjoy a welcome drink of King Coconut, a refreshing tropical drink in Sri Lanka.
- Negombo is a bustling fishing town on the west coast of Sri Lanka, close to Bandaranaike International Airport.
- The town has a rich colonial history influenced by the Dutch, Portuguese, and British due to the cinnamon trade.
- The Negombo Lagoon and canals offer excellent birdwatching opportunities, while the Old Quarter and beach area are also worth exploring.
- Arrive and check into the hotel in Negombo.
- Rest of the day at leisure after the flight.
- In the evening, enjoy a walk through the beach area. Seafood dishes such as batter-fried prawns are a specialty here.
- Overnight stay in Negombo.
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Day 02: Negombo
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- After breakfast, visit “Lellama”, the local fish market and auction, where many varieties of fresh fish are available.
- With the assistance of your guide, you may choose and bid for fish to be used later in your culinary class.
- A local chef will share knowledge of Sri Lankan home cooking and introduce you to the components of a typical Sri Lankan seafood dish.
- Enjoy lunch during the cookery experience.
- Return to the hotel.
- Evening free time to enjoy the beach or relax by the poolside.
- Enjoy a seafood BBQ dinner at the hotel, with fresh seafood and mouth-watering dishes prepared by the hotel’s culinary team.
- The seafood BBQ dinner buffet may include crabs, prawns, fish, mussels, and other delicious dishes.
- Overnight stay in Negombo.
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Day 03: Negombo / Habarana - Approximate travel time 03-04 Hours
- Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Habarana.
- On the way to Habarana, taste Pol Roti, a rustic Sri Lankan flatbread made with flour, grated coconut, green chilies, and onions.
- Pol Roti is usually served with spicy Lunumiris or curry.
- En route to Dambulla, stop at a wayside boutique in Kurunegala for the famous Pol Roti and King Coconut water.
- Habarana is situated towards the centre of Sri Lanka and is a gateway to attractions such as Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Minneriya, and Kaudulla National Parks.
- Arrive and check into the hotel in Habarana.
- In the afternoon, enjoy a safari tour at Minneriya National Park.
- Minneriya National Park is famous for Asian elephants, especially during the gathering season between June and September.
- The park is also home to many species of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and butterflies.
- Return to the hotel.
- Overnight stay in Habarana.
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Day 04: Habarana / Village Tour / Habarana - Approximate travel time 01 Hour
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Today, experience authentic Sri Lankan village life with a visit and walk around Hiriwaduna Village.
- The village is set around a man-made reservoir with amazing bird life.
- This authentic experience gives you a glimpse of Sri Lankan village life, where villagers carry out daily chores such as fishing, farming, and laundry.
- Enjoy traditional rice and curry lunch prepared in local village style.
- Enjoy a local arrack cocktail and cooking demonstration before lunch.
- Return to the hotel.
- Rest of the day at leisure.
- Overnight stay in Habarana.
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Day 05: Habarana / Kandy - Approximate travel time 02-03 Hours
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Morning at leisure and thereafter proceed to Kandy.
- En route visit a spice garden in Matale.
- At the Matale Spice Garden, learn about the process of growing, harvesting, and preparing Sri Lankan spices.
- Enjoy a typical rice and curry lunch at the spice garden.
- Continue to Kandy and enjoy a city tour, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
- Kandy is the second major city in Sri Lanka and is located among tropical tea plantations.
- The golden-roofed Temple of the Tooth Relic is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important Buddhist places of worship in Sri Lanka.
- Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with Sri Lankan Kottu.
- Kottu, also known as Koththu Rotti or Kothu Roti, is a popular Sri Lankan dish made with chopped godhamba roti, vegetables, egg or meat, and spices.
- Return to the hotel.
- Overnight stay in Kandy.
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Day 06: Kandy / Nuwara Eliya - Approximate travel time 02-03 Hours
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Proceed to a village home in Kandy.
- Arrive and meet the local people while exploring their lifestyle.
- Enjoy a cookery demonstration, beginning with a visit to the market to select fresh produce.
- The demonstration will focus on preparing a typical Sri Lankan menu consisting of fish, prawns, lentils, vegetable curries, sambal, and rice.
- Enjoy lunch after the cookery demonstration.
- Thereafter proceed to Nuwara Eliya.
- En route, visit a tea factory and enjoy tea tasting.
- Sri Lankan tea, known as Ceylon Tea, is famous worldwide for its taste and aroma.
- Nuwara Eliya is a beautiful mountain station known for tea plantations, waterfalls, cool climate, and scenic mountain views.
- Arrive and check into the hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
- Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
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Day 07: Nuwara Eliya / Colombo - Approximate travel time 05-06 Hours
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Start a city tour in Nuwara Eliya.
- During the tour, visit the local market and taste fresh fruits.
- The fruit and vegetable shops are filled with fresh local produce including apples, mangoes, oranges, melons, pineapples, grapes, wood apples, dragon fruit, mangosteen, strawberries, and more.
- Proceed to Colombo.
- Colombo is Sri Lanka’s seaside commercial city, with a mixture of colonial buildings, modern life, shopping areas, and dining venues.
- Arrive and check into the hotel.
- In the evening, enjoy street food at Galle Face Green.
- The Colombo street food walk offers a lively food experience with local snacks, curries, drinks, and seaside dining.
- Your guide will lead you through busy streets and food spots, giving you the chance to explore the sights, sounds, and flavours of Colombo.
- Dinner at Nuga Gama.
- Nuga Gama is a traditional village-style restaurant set around a 200-year-old banyan tree, offering Sri Lankan rural charm and authentic local dishes.
- Enjoy signature preparations made using jackfruit, village chicken, and other traditional ingredients.
- Return to the hotel.
- Overnight stay in Colombo.
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Day 08: Colombo / Airport - Approximate travel time 01 Hour
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Morning free for shopping.
- Late in the afternoon, proceed to the airport in time for your departure flight.
- End of the tour.
THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Accommodation as per program
- Entrance fees for sites mentioned
- Water bottle on arrival
- All applicable taxes
THIS PACKAGE EXCLUDES
- International air tickets & visa fees
- Lunch & dinner unless mentioned in the program
- Early check-in & late check-out
- Tips and porterages
- Camera & video permits for tourist sites
- Personal expenses at hotels
- Any services not mentioned in the itinerary
TOUR PATH
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