*EXPIRED* Journeys Rediscovered - Culinary Journey of Sri Lanka
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Culinary Immersion Tours Unique to Journeys Rediscovered
"Culinary Journey of Sri Lanka"
Small Group Tour of no more than 8 people
Colombo – Negombo - Jaffna - Anuradhapura - Sigiriya - Kandy - Hatton - Galle -Colombo
16 days/15 nights
- 1 night accommodation in Negombo - The Wallawwa
- 2 nights accommodation in Jaffna -North Gate by Jetwing
- 2 nights accommodation in Anuradhapura - Ulagalla Resort
- 2 nights accommodation in Sigiriya - Water Garden
- 2 nights accommodation in Kandy - Kings Pavilion
- 2 nights accommodation in Hatton - Ceylon Tea Trails
- 2 nights accommodation in Galle - Le Grand Galle
- 2 nights accommodation in Colombo - The Residence by UGA
- Breakfast daily at hotels
- Many lunches and dinners included at specially selected restaurants and culinary experiences
- All private transfers
- All Activities included as per itinerary
- Entrance fees
- Sightseeing and touring with a local English speaking guide
More Information
Contact Journeys Rediscovered for pricing to suit your preferred departure dates as a private itinerary or to REGISTER for our 2022 or 2023 Small Group Journeys (no more than 8 passengers).
Boutique 5-star accommodation
Day 1 - Colombo/Negombo: Ayubowan! (may you have long life). This is the greeting you will hear from our airport representative when exiting the aircraft. Here you will be presented with flower garland and sheaf and introduced to your guide. You have an opportunity to use an ATM to get some local currency. Let us know if you would like to borrow a phone loaded with a local sim card, or we can arrange pre-loaded local sims if useful. Your hotels and vehicles will have Wi-Fi.You will then drive a short distance to Negombo which is an ideal location to begin or end your journey in this beautiful island. Enjoy a much-deserved rest after your long flight.
Day 2 - Negombo/Jaffna:
Reccomended Start Time 06:00am.This morning along with a packed breakfast, we return to the airport to board a Scheduled Flight to Jaffna. ETD: 0700 Hrs from Colombo Airport – ETA: 0830 Hrs at the Palaly Airport. Note: The flight will only operate on Monday, Wednesday and FridayNote: The luggage allowance on board is 5Kg hand luggage. If any bags are in excess of this, a luggage van will be assigned to transfer the luggage in advance.
Sri Lanka’s northern-most city that was kept from the tourist trail due to the 30- year civil war which ended in 2009, Jaffna is now rising as a must-see Sri Lanka holiday destination as it offers much to do and has a fascinating culture that is markedly different from that of the rest of the island, influenced by many traditions from South India. Jaffna’s full of hidden treasures including the famous library dating back to 1841, Jaffna Fort (built in 1680), nearby Nainativu Island, Nagadeepa Purana Vihara and the spectacular Nallur Kovil. You can also sail out to nearby Delft Island and see the wild horses, left behind by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
Upon arriving in Jaffna, You are greeted by our host Mrs. Gowri Ponniah, a successful Sri Lankan businesswoman and philanthropist with deep roots in Jaffna, who will accompany you on a to visit to the ‘North Ceylon Community Women’s Sarvodayam’ - a charity caring for the Orphans & widows affected by the 30-year Civil war that devastated the country, especially the North. We then begin our discovery of the highlights in and around Jaffna.
Our visits include Keerimalai Blessed Water Pond, Shiva Temple and Point Pedro, the Northernmost point in Sri Lanka. We will also visit the American Missionary College and the Uduvil Girls’ College.The Uduvil Girls’ College was established in 1824 by The American Ceylon Mission founded by Harriet Winslow. This was the first girls’ school with hostel facilities in all of Asia.
This afternoon you will dwell into the production and tasting of Local Toddy, You will meet a few local villagers and then be shown the production process of Toddy. Once you have gained an insight to the Toddy production you will then be served some of the fresh Toddy.Afterwards, drive to a typical residence in the area where you will have a traditional northern Sri Lankan lunch.After lunch, we check in at our Jaffna hotel.
Later in the afternoon, we continue sightseeing of Jaffna with visits to the Jaffna Library, the local markets ending the touring with a visit to Jaffna Fort. Return to your hotel and spend the remainder of your day at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 - Jaffna:
Early this morning(06:00am), we visit the Jaffna fish marketto witness the hype around the auction of the fresh catch. Return to your hotel in time for breakfast.
This morning after breakfast we visit the Jaffna Markets with a local cook.We get to witness the life of the people in Jaffna, as we pass through shops of various vendors, men and women riding away up and down the road in their scooties or push cycles. The city of Jaffna is teeming with activity in the morning.At the markets we buy groceries and our stock of mutton, not forgetting the fresh crab fished right off the coast of Jaffna.
Our next stop is at a Bungalow in the area, where we have a hands on cooking demonstrationwith a local cook to prepare a local authentic Jaffna meal.You begin with prepping all the ingredients, meats and vegetables that will be used today. Then the fun begins, where you join in with the chef in adding colour and spice to the dishes that you will be cooking. The outcome; a colourful explosion of mouth-watering delights. We sit down with the cook, your guide and enjoy the freshly prepared meal with a hearty conversation.
We return to the hotel for some down time before visiting the Nallur Kandswamy Kovil.Prior to the visit of the Kovil, we begin the touring this afternoon with a visit to the Wood Craftsman Village, then onward to the temple ending with the Pooja Ceremony.
We can join in the locals to perform the worshipping rituals, where you offer a basket of fruits to the Hindu deities and crack a coconut on a rock, making a wish and hoping that it would be granted. Story has it that the original Kovil which was erected in the 15th century was destroyed during the Dutch invasion and the present structure was built in the 17th century. Remember, the gentlemen will need to go bare-top to enter the Kovil.Return to the hotel afterwards.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 - Jaffna / Anuradhapura:
This morning, we check out and proceed to Anuradhapura. Ancient cities don’t get much bigger than Anuradhapura and has plenty of rich culture and tradition embedded within it formerly towering walls.
Once you have arrived in Anuradhapura, check into your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure.
At around 17:00 Hrs you will leave the hotel and proceed to the Anuradhapura site (Aproximately 30 minutes) and explore Anuradhapura by night,Through this experience we will predominantly focus on the Sri Maha Bodhiya,starting off at the Ruvanveliseya Sthupa at around 5:30 PM. We do walk around the stupa with you guide learning about this gigantic marvel and the great king who erected it. We also learn about the devotees who patronize the stupa and is seen in their numbers chanting spiritual texts and in meditation. Then we take a 10 minute’ walk onwards to where the sacred bo tree lies and blend in with the locals, who have come to offer their worship to Lord Buddha. Our regional expertise will provide you with temple flowers, incense sticks, oil lamps so that you fit right in. This sacred bo tree is a part of the bo tree that Lord Buddha was enlightened and is one of the longest surviving trees in the world. You are sure to be amazed.
Return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure,
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5 - Anuradhapura :
Soon after breakfast this morning we continue sightseeing of Anuradhapura. Explore the Brazen Palace (2nd century BC) with its 1,600 intact stone columns (all that is left of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks). Also, view the Samadhi Buddha statue (4th century), which is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of Samadhi or deep meditation.
Proceed to the Isurumuniya Rock Temple (3rd century BC), which is well known for its rock carvings of "The Lovers" and Kuttam Pokuna—an ancient bath used by the capitals Buddhist monks.This afternoon is at Leisure for independent pursuits…. There’s horse riding, hikes to nearby villages and bicycle trails in addition to the Spa (can be arranged directly with the hotel staff). Spa treatments can be enjoyed during this time, you can make a reservation in advance with us, or you could decide on arrival and make an appointment.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 - Anuradhapura / Sigiriya :
Today you will check out from your hotel and proceed to the city of Sigiriya, En route you will visit the ancient city of Ritigala,Once you are at Ritigala you will witness the ancient form of martial arts which is indigenous to Sri Lanka, “Angampora”.Visit the “PATIKARA MADUWA” ancient rural village & meet with Master Sumedha.Master Sumedha profess an ancient form of martial arts known locally as "Angam" which was a dying form of arts & the master took the responsibility to keep the spirit alive by dedicating his life to protect & foster the " Angam Techniques " for future generations. After the martial arts demonstration, we will arrange another meeting with Master Sumedha, “He is not a Kung Fu or Karate master, but he is our own ‘gladiator’, who has revived the great indigenous martial art – Angam Harambe of Ritigala” Ritigala Angam is not only a martial art, but also a philosophy which produces a disciplined, healthy and self-confident man or woman.
Following this martial arts demonstration, you will make your way to a rural temple and take part in an almsgiving ceremony.You may walk around the monastery in silence taking in the peace and tranquility which surround s the monastery. You will then offer the daily mid-morning meal to the monks.After the alms giving ceremony, head back to the hotel and spend the early afternoon at leisure.
At around 15:00 Hrs, you will proceed to visit arguably the8thwonder of the world the Sigiriya Rock Fortress,Sigiriya, also known as Lion Rock, built on top of a huge boulder in the 5th century. A palace. A rock fortress. The hidden castle of King Kasyapa. A Buddhist monastery from the 14th century. Similar to the cosmic mountain of Meru? No place in Sri Lanka has generated as many theories and legends as the 180m monolith, set amidst stunning scenery. During the climb, you can talk to your guide about these many theories and decipher between myth and fact.After you have visited the Sigiriya Rock fortress return to the hotel and spend the rest of the evening at leisure admiring the magnificent backdrop view of the Rock Fortress.
This evening you will experience a local” Paduru Party”,where you will be able to experience an authentic Sri Lankan Night. From the food to the ambiance dive into the heart of Sri Lankan tradition and enjoy!Afterwards return to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7 - Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa / Minneriya / Sigiriya :
Post breakfast you will proceed to Polonnaruwa—a UNESCO World Heritage site(1.5 hour drive) that is the second great capital city of Sri Lanka, built during the 11th and 12th centuries. Here, one can still view the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, King Parakramabahu's statue and the Parakrama Samudraya lake. There are also several sites devoted to worship including the Shiva Temple, Lankathilake, Watadage, Galpotha, and Kiri Vehera as well as the ruins of the Temple of the Tooth Relic.Bicycles are available should you wish to cycle through the archaeological sites.
After the visit, you will enjoy a traditional home cooked Sri Lankan meal at a rural café (10 minute away)by the rice fields, prepared using wood fire, clay pots.The owner Devapriya is always with a warm smile, simply clad in his bathik sarong and checked shirt will welcome you to his humble abode. The dining area is set with 180 degree views of the neighboring paddy fields and mountain range. Food is served in traditional clay pots and seating is in small village huts made out of clay and shaded by dried coconut leaves. Enjoy one of the best rice and curries that the area has to offer at a very laid back atmosphere. You may also have see the family at work in the kitchen preparing these homecooked delicacies.
After a hearty lunch, you will visit the Minneriya National Park (45 minute drive).The park covers a large area of land, water bodies and consists of a mixed forest of evergreen shrubs, a favorite habitat for animals, which include, deer, crocodiles and wild elephants. During the dry season from June to September, this tank attracts herds of elephants to graze and bathe. In more recent times it been discovered that the park witnesses the largest elephant gathering in the world during these months. You can also see huge flocks of birds, including cormorants and painted storks that come to fish in the shallow waters
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 - Sigiriya / Kandy :
Post Breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed towards the city of Kandy. Enroute you will visit the Dambulla Cave Temples (30 minutes drive)which are Sri Lankas best preserved cave temples.After you have visited the Cave Temples you will thenvisit a Private Spice Gardenin Matale (45 Minutes)Sri Lanka is the capital of a rich variety of spices that determined its history, being the cause of many an invasion. Fragrant Clove, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Mace, Pepper, Cocoa and Vanilla amongst others account for a diversity of cooking styles and applications. We learn how different spices are grown during our visit to a private farm along with live cooking demonstration during lunch.
Drive onto Kandy, the last bastion of Buddhist political power against colonial invasion. This hill station is remarkable for the natural beauty of its setting in a peaceful wooded valley overlooking a vast artificial lake. The palace, shrines and British period buildings give it a special character, while Buddha’s Tooth Relic lends a religious importance to the historic highland capital.
Once you have reached Kandy meet a friend, Mike Johnson.Mike is a resident of Kandy who will accompany you on a walking tour and giving his own perspective on the streets he grew up in. He will regale his story on growing up in the city, on love and life in Kandy.
We end the day with a visit the Temple of the Tooth,which holds the sacred tooth relic of Buddha, brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of king Meghavarna (301-328). The relic is encased in seven caskets, one kept inside the other, the outmost of which has a shape of a stupa, adorned with a large number of gold ornaments. We will provide you with white temple clothing, incense sticks and oil lamps. White clothing to wear for the temple visit will be provided to you as well.
After you have visited the temple take a short drive and chek into your hotel and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 9 - Kandy :
This morning post breakfast drive to the out skirts of Kandy and visit Chandani, a local artist in the area,in her humble home which is accessed by walking through a working Tea Plantation. She is a mother of a 05 year old child, and she now supports her family with her creative gift of artistry. She is involved in painting on fabrics, Batik art and creative a range of uncommon but innovative handicrafts, using natural resources and day-to-day waste to ensure environmentally friendly products. Here, you can learn about the handicraft and batik trades in Sri Lanka, and how the olden methods of artistry are threatened due to urbanization, free market movements and lifestyles, and what some of them are doing to keep the trade alive, and carry forward the traditions. You could also engage in painting here, to learn about how to paint batiks and handicrafts items.
Afterwards you will visit Master Ruwan, who is a local Dancing Guru and practices the indigenous form of Kandyan Dancing.Traditional Kandyan dances include the cobra dance, mask dance and the Ginisila (showing power over fire). The entire frenetic and colorful spectacle climaxes with an amazing fire-walking act. The dancers wear elaborate costume including a headdress, their chests only covered by a decorative beaded net. The Kandyan Dance is traditionally performed to percussion only; the most common drums are the 'Geta Beraya' and 'Yak Beraya.' To assist the dancer to keep rhythm a small pair of cymbals is also used as well as conch shell to announce the arrival of the dancers and the climax of the dance. The drummers have lyrics that are sung in tune with the movements of the dancer. This experience is very engaging as our local dancing master will teach you the basics of dancing and drumming if you are interested. You can also suit-up in the traditional Kandyan Dancing attire, for the memories.
You will then proceed to visit the Suriyakantha centre for Arts and Culture.The "Suriyakantha Centre for Arts & Culture" is established within the 18th century "Walawwa” or an ancient village chief's residence. The Walawwa, inspired by quintessential Dutch architecture houses an interesting panoply of ancient books, Buddhist manuscripts, photography, collection of ancient and traditional furniture and wall paintings. We meet with Professor Jacques Soulie, a French national who has been residing in Sri Lanka for over 30 years is a co-founder together with Rohan De Silva who interestingly combined their interests and passion for collecting ancient Sri Lankan books, furniture and monuments. Professor Jacques Soulie personally welcomes you to this establishment where he proudly takes you through the different section of the house and help you discover a piece of Sri Lankan history.
After the lesson in history enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan mealwith the professor and you may use this time to ask him any questions which you may have.After visiting the professor, return to your hotel and spend the early afternoon and evening at leisure.For Dinner tonight we go local, driving to a house outside Kandy (15 minutes drive) where we will meet with a family and learn about Sri Lankan cooking. Afterwards, we will sit with them for a home-cooked dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10 - Kandy / Hatton :
This morning post breakfast you will visit the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens and be met by a local botanist Mr. Palipana.The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens is one of the largest of the botanical gardens of Sri Lanka and the finest of its kind in Asia. In the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the gateway to the central highlands, the Gardens lies at an elevation of 460 meters above sea-level, tightly bounded on three sides by the loop of the River Mahaweli (Great Sandy River), Sri Lanka’s largest river. Before it was decreed as a Botanical Gardens it used to be a pleasure gardens in the days of the kings od Kandy and during WWII the gardens were the headquarters of the allied command for the pacific.
After visiting the gardens, you will then catch the 11:20 Hrs train to Hatton.This is one of the most scenic train routes in Asia, where you will be crossing the picturesque tea plantations and hill country with glances of the great valleys below it. Once you have arrived in Hatton check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure amongst the stunning views of the tea hills which surrounds it.
Fully Inclusive Package at Ceylon Tea Trails includes: full English or Sri Lankan breakfast, 3-course lunch (gourmet packed lunch if on excursion), traditional afternoon cream tea (scones, clotted cream, jams, cakes, sandwiches), pre-dinner cocktails, 4-course gourmet dinner, wines, spirits & liqueurs, beer, juices and soft drinks, "Tea Experience" tea fields & factory tour with our Tea Planter in Residence and bungalow amenities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11 - Hatton :
This morning, visit a working tea factory with the one of the Tea Trails resident planters. Walk down the road to visit a tea factory and learn about how different types of teas are created. You will be taken through the entire process—from the drying of the green leaf to the process of dehumidifying and provoking the chemical reaction that turns green leaf into tea, to the segmenting of the different particles which result in the different grades, to finally the packing and distribution.
Optionally you could choose to join in with tea pluckers and pluck tea the same way the locals do.
The rest of the day is free to explore the area. We recommend taking a boat ride across Castlereagh Lake. This would be a fun way of visiting another Tea Trails bungalow and a great way to absorb the scenery and life of the Sri Lankan Tea Country.
Your private butler will be happy to assist with making any arrangements you may choose to make.We would also recommend the following experience for you indulge in during your stay at the Ceylon Tea Trails:
· Leopard Conservation Station, staffed by the Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust. The unit primarily engages in research, conservation and awareness work – from monitoring leopard movement to educating the estate communities on peaceful coexistence with leopards.
· Child Development Center setup by Merrill J. Fernando, the founder of Dilmah and the MJF Foundation. The center looks after children of the Dilmah tea garden workers. The kids receive daily care and nutrition while their parents work in the tea fields.
· Explore the vibrant town of Hatton, filled with a potpourri of colors and sounds. Mingle amongst the predominantly Hindu community clad in their colorful attires, traversing the streets each on their own quest of chores. Meet the many street vendors trying to haggle their way to sell everything ranging from street food, sweet drinks to fancy items. Step into a few dodgy bars to observe how the locals enjoy their favorite dose of elixir after a hard day of work. Be enticed by the evening chants of a Hindu Kovil whilst the sun goes down far in the horizon under the green tea hills.
This evening, enjoy a Tea Infused Dinnerat the bungalow which is an authentic experience in itself. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12 - Hatton / Galle :
This morning post breakfast you will check out from the hotel and proceed to the Historic city of Galle.
Galle is famous for being a strategic trading post in the past. The Galle Fort is now a UNESCO world heritage site.
Once you have arrived in Galle check into your hotel and freshen up and head to the Galle Fort where you will go on an insightful walk inside the Galle Fort hosted by a 5th generation resident of this historic city.The Portuguese, Dutch, and British occupied the Galle Fort at various points during Sri Lanka’s colonial history, and they have each left a unique imprint on its fabric. As you navigate through the fort’s charming alleyways at a leisurely pace, a fascinating blend of local design traditions and European colonial influence become evident in the architectural style of its many interesting structures. The Galle Fort Walk is peppered with interesting facts, numbers, stories, and myths, all interwoven by the unique perspective and narrative of its host, who knows this terrain as well as the back of his hand.
After your walk in the Galle Fort head to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 13 - Galle :
Early this morning(06:00am), we visit the Local fish market to witness the hype around the auction of the fresh catch.
Return to your hotel in time for breakfast.At around 8.30am, you will drive 15 minutes to the meeting point where you will go on a typical southern village experience. The experience starts off with a lazy boat ride through a river, ending up at a coconut husk removing plant, where you will witness the process of processing the coconut husk to be used in various products. From here, you will get on to bicycles and take a leisurely cycle ride through the rural villages, ending up at a village hut where you will take part in a cooking demonstration for ‘hoppers’, a local delicacy which can be prepared to be sweet or savoury. The best part of the experience is where you get to sample some hoppers!Note: if you prefer not to ride bicycles, you could take a local 'tuk tuk' instead, which is an equally interesting experience.
Return to your resort by early noon.
The afternoon is at leisure or chooses to explore the following options (additionally charged)- Visit the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum & Fisherman on stilts, the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Centre where private release of 3 days old Turtles is arranged exclusively for you, Cinnamon Plantation visit. ...or return to explore the Galle fort township.
This evening you will learn to prepare a delicious home cooked meal with a Galle based host whose expertise in cooking has brought her much fame in the area.Whether it’s a Biryani, a Seafood feast or hot hot hoppers with accompaniments, she will take you through an unforgettable culinary journey. Within the cozy setting of her spacious kitchen and beautiful, open-styled home, Shahira introduces some of these flavours through a scrumptious full meal. The passing down of age old recipes is an intimate and emotional affair. Mindful of this notion, she imparts this culinary wisdom to those who partake in this unique, local experience in a loving manner, while also sharing numerous simple kitchen secrets that are essential in the authentic preparation of any Sri Lankan meal. She expertly guides you through the individual steps that go into preparing each course and ensures that the participants are actively involved throughout.The biryani is much loved due to its decadent but versatile quality. The saffron-hued, fragrant rice and tender meat form the centerpiece of the meal; ably supported by a list of pickled items and condiments. The rice and meat burst with flavour due to the spices such as clove and cardamom that are used in their preparation. The biryani is a session many who partake in this experience opt for, due to the its still, mystical nature in world cuisine. Its local variant emerges from the Moor (Muslim) tradition of Sri Lanka and it is, now, widely enjoyed by the various Sri Lankan communities
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 14 - Galle / Colombo:
This morning post breakfast you will check out and proceed to the commercial capital of Sri Lanka “Colombo”
Once you have arrived check into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
In the late afternoon, get ready for an adventurous Foodie-walkaround the heart of Colombo, with a resident host.The Foodie walk in Colombo takes hungry souls across the globe on a gastronomic delight of cross cultural influences from authentic Sri Lankan to a fusion of Indian- Malay, Dutch and Portuguese. During the walk you will experience different cultures that make up Sri Lanka and appropriate places to try out your taste buds which come alive with flavours and smells.
We meet your local host at the Dutch Hospitalin Fort, where you will be given a brief history of Sri Lanka in terms of the food influences. Depending on your preferences, we can start with a refreshing ‘Thambili’ (King Coconut) from a street vendor or a shot of ‘Arrack' (a Local Sri Lankan spirit) from a 'dodgy bar' before proceeding on foot to taste the different influences. Your host is a local resident with influences in journalism who of course is a food-holic at heart, so you can be sure to be introduced to the best of what Colombo has to offer your palate. Be sure to let your host know if you have any special dietary preferences and about your tolerance for spice, as some of the items are not for the faint of heart – or stomach! Return to the hotel post dinner/drinks and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 15 - Colombo:
Following breakfast, drive around the capital and its impressive Parliament House, designed by renowned architect, Geoffrey Bawa. Colombo is fascinating, with a cosy mixture of past and present and is the commercial centre of the country. The original trading settlers - the Portuguese, Dutch and British have all left in their wake churches and monuments, names and religions, costumes and food and smatterings of their languages, which have been absorbed into the speech of Sri Lankans. 10.00am: We stop by ‘Number 11’, the private home of Geoffrey Bawa. He is perhaps the most celebrated & influential Asian architect of the twentieth century whose prominent styles are made visible across the island. His most prolific designs have influenced many hotels and public buildings.
Our tour ends at local favourite Barefoot Café for lunch (12.00pm)
After lunch, choose to return to the hotel for some downtime or explore the optional shopping…. There are some fine stores such are Barefoot, Paradise Road and Raux Brothers.
After you have explored Colombo return to the hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure.This evening visit a rooftop bar at sunset with an 'Arrack' Cocktail course and tasting.Arrack, also spelt ‘arak', is a distilled alcoholic drink typically produced in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, made from either the fermented sap of coconut flowers, sugarcane, grain or fruit, depending upon the country of origin. In Sri Lanka, it is produced using coconut, and is considered to be “Sri Lanka’s Whiskey”, and very popular among locals and tourists alike.
We arrive at a trendy and popular rooftop restaurant and bistro, where the head bartender will take you through the story of the 'Toddy Tapper'- Sri Lanka’s success story of Indika, a Sri Lankan who moved to Cologne, Germany and launched its' very first bar, primarily featuring Arrack. You will learn how to mix the famous 'Tamarind’, an Arrack-based cocktail created by the Toddy Tapper himself,and then have the opportunity to create your own Arrack Cocktail!After the class, you are welcome to stay on at the restaurant, to enjoy the evening and the drinks that you have just made. A Recipe Card with the ingredients, method and a photo of the cocktail will be given as a takeaway item from your class.
At 8.00pm, we take a short walk to your dinner location, where you will participate in a unique Sri Lankan Culinary journey. The sumptuous tasting-menu comprises of local culinary hits, specially curated to take diners on a journey across the island’s multi-ethnic, multicultural and diverse range of dishes that come together to create the foundation of present-day Sri Lankan cuisine. Expect to taste dishes such as an original burgher luminary’s; a local twist on the Indonesian Lemper introduced by Dutch colonizers, the island’s favorite street food Kottu roti that originated on the east coast, and distinctively flavored northern country style favorites such as thosai, idly and vadai, prepared using family recipes. This theatrical culinary experience is the perfect introduction to the history of Sri Lankan cuisine. Return to your hotel afterwards.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 16 - Colombo:
This morning post breakfast spend the rest of the morning hours at leisure.
In the afternoon you will check out from the hotel.
This afternoon you will visit a local Gin/Arrack Distillery. When Sri Lanka-based Rockland Distillery released Colombo No.7 Gin in May 2015, it unleashed on the Gin world a most intriguing tale of war, resourcefulness and regulation. You see, Colombo No.7 Gin is based on a 70-year-old-recipe, one created when trade channels became blocked during the Second World War.Founded in 1924, Rockland Distillery was the first commercial distillery to be established in Sri Lanka. The distillery was built to produce Arrack, but along with many others, a decade or two after it launched it was asked by the British Government to stop what it was doing and begin making spirits for the war effort. Rockland founder Carl de Silva Wijeyeratne not only obeyed, but quite accidentally made a spirit that he was sure would make a great base for a gin.You will set off on a fun tour learning the story of Rockland Distilleries and about its flagship gin the Colombo No. 7. We learn about the process of how the gin is processed and flavored, finally being bottled to be shipped locally and globally. The tour concludes with a gin tasting session conducted by your host.
Your guide will then take you to the Airport in conjunction to your international departure flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Departure Sri Lanka but why not talk to Journeys Rediscovered about a beach extension in Sri Lanka or the Maldives.
Travel Dates
Valid for travel 01 Jan 2022 - until 31 Dec 2023.
Terms & Conditions
Contact Journeys Rediscovered to register for our 202, 2022 or 2023 Small Group Journey (no more than 8 passengers.) Journeys Rediscovered Small Group - Culinary Journey of Sri Lanka, will run with a minimum of 6 passengers.
Alternatively, contact Journeys Rediscovered for pricing to suit your preferred departure dates as a private itinerary, which is guaranteed with a minimum of one person.
Land-based itinerary is based per person on twin/double share basis (unless otherwise stated), single supplement is available, contact Journey Rediscovered for this surcharge.
International & domestic airfares are additional, please contact Journeys Rediscovered for international flight options and prices.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended and can be arranged for you for an additional cost.
For full pricing, terms and conditions, contact your MTA Travel Expert, Journeys Rediscovered on 0477002235 or journeysrediscovered@mtatravel.com.au
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