19 Days/ 18 nights|From A$7,840 per person twin share

Sri Lankan Food Trail

Private Tour

A private tour of Sri Lanka to experience its very unique cuisine. Sri Lankan food is distinct in flavour featuring the influences of the country's diverse cultures and traditions. Savour an array of flavours on a culinary journey through Sri Lanka, meet the warm hearted-locals preparing Ceylon's authentic cuisine and visit some of the island's top attractions.

HIGHLIGHTS :

  • Experience regionally authentic Sri Lankan cuisine in Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Kandy, the tea country and Colombo
  • Enjoy meals at Sri Lanka's top fine dinning restaurants to meals in local homes throughout the journey
  • Meet people and personalities on Sri Lanka's food trail from tea experts to local chefs
  • Feast on quintessentially Sri Lankan dishes including Jaffna Prawn curry, Curd and Treacle, Black Pork Curry, Kandyan sweets, Kottu Roti and many more!
  • Learn the secrets of Sri Lankan cuisine during a cooking class in Kandy
  • Visit Sigiriya and climb the UNESCO World Heritage listed Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka's top attraction
  • Discover the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura
  • Take a gentle guided bicycle tour in Jaffna
  • Savour the best of modern dining at Culinary Ceylon - one of Sri Lanka's hottest contemporary dining experiences
  • Visit the UNESCO Temple of Tooth in Kandy and see how locals worship one of their most sacred temples
  • Embark on a scenic train ride through Sri Lanka's tea country
  • Enjoy the luxury of living on a tea planation
  • Unwind along Sri Lanka's South Coast with a relaxing beach stay
  • Meander through Galle Fort with its quaint streets and boutiques
  • Uncover Colombo's food scene with a guide food tour by an expert local guide
  • Experience traditional home cooking in Jaffna and Kandy
  • Take a break during your journey with a luxury beach stay at the less visited east coast of Sri Lanka
  • Travel to Jaffna in far north Sri Lanka by train through unseen landscapes

IDEAL FOR :

For foodies and curious travellers who want to taste Sri Lanka's unique cuisine while discovering the country's culture and people.

Sri Lankan Food Trail

1Arrive Colombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Your journey on Sri Lanka's Food Trail begins now. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel in Negombo.

2Thalahena

Rise early to observe fishermen bring their daily catch into the local fish market at this seaside village. With your guide, shop for fresh seafood which the chef back at your hotel will prepare for your lunch lunch or dinner. Take a leisurely boat ride in the lagoon this afternoon and return to your hotel for a mouthwatering dinner which will include Black Pork Curry. Black Pork Curry is a quintessentially Sri Lankan dish - the black colour comes from pepper and very dark roasted curry powder.

3Thalahena - Anuradhapura

Drive to Anuradhapura today. Enjoy the simplicity of a Sri Lankan rice and curry meal for lunch along the way. Sri Lanka's staple food is rice, generally referred to as Rice and Curry, as rice is accompanied by a number of curries. A traditional rice and curry meal includes rice, several vegetable curries, a fish/ meat curry, pickles or local relishes (sambols), and pappadums. Visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura, in the afternoon. Anuradhapura is known as `The City of Kings.' This ancient political and religious city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are a number of fascinating attractions to see at Anuradhapura, including several stupas and the sacred Bodhi tree. Continuously inhabited for over two millennia, Anuradhapura was the seat of power in Sri Lanka until constant invasions forced a move to Polonnaruwa further south. Today, Anuradhapura draws visitors not only for its archeological attractions, but is also an active place of worship for pilgrims who come to make offerings at the Bodhi tree.

4Anuradhapura - Jaffna

Board a train to Jaffna this morning. The train journey will take you through a unique landscape, travelling to far north Sri Lanka, and one of the country's lesser visited regions. On arrival in Jaffna, transfer to your hotel. Later, discover Jaffna on a gentle guided bicycle tour. Visit a number of sites in the town and explore the small streets and lanes by bicycle. You will visit the city's famous ice cream store along the way. (Our tip is to order one of their delicious sundees!) This evening experience Jaffna's unique cuisine with a dinner at a local home. Traditional Jaffna cuisine differs from the rest of the meals you will taste across the country. Curries including seafood and meats cooked with local herbs and spices that are rich in flavour. Expect to try dishes including seafood soup, Bone Rasam, Mutton Poriyal, Spicy Jaffna crab curry and eggplant - all signature dishes that truly reflect the richness of Jaffna cuisine.

5Jaffna

Visit the Jaffna city market this morning and see where locals come to shop for household goods as well as fresh food supplies. Today you will enjoy lunch cooked in the traditional way in a family home. Remainder of your day at leisure

6Jaffna

Explore further afield today with a guided tour of Jaffna Peninsular. You will visit Nallur Temple - the largest Hindu Temple in Sri Lanka, Karainagar city, Casurina Beach, Kayts jetty, Sri Bakta Hanuman temple, Kantharodai Buddhist relics, Nilavari Deep Well, Keerimalai pond and Naguleswaram temple. Enjoy a traditional Jaffna style lunch freshly prepared and served in a local home as you explore the peninsula. There will also be the option to stop for a swim or enjoy some quiet time at Casurina Beach.

7Jaffna - Kuchchaveli

Travel to Kuchchaveli today and enjoy the freshness of the sea breeze along the east coast of Sri Lanka with a luxury beach stay. You will have time to relax this afternoon and your seaside resort.

8Kuchchaveli

Discover the small port city of Trincomalee today with a guided city tour that will showcase the everyday lives of the local people; meet a barber whose salon is lost in time, get some freshly ground spices at the city's top spice mixer and visit the fish market. You can also visit the nearby fort and temple. In the afternoon, relax at your hotel.

9Kuchchaveli - Sigiriya - Kandy

Drive to Kandy this morning. En-route stop and climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site and arguably Sri Lanka's best known and visited attraction. You can choose to climb to the summit of the rock and marvel at the panoramic views over the surrounding plains. Sigiriya is also home to a series of beautiful cave frescoes which you can witness during the climb. Arriving in Kandy, you will stop for tea and traditional Kandyan sweets at the home of one of our local Kandy personalities and guides. Spend some time enjoying a cuppa before visiting Kandy's much revered Buddhist Temple of the Tooth. Our local guide and personality will accompany you to the temple to reveal to you how locals worship at this sacred temple. Witness pilgrims from across the globe as well as locally, come to make offerings and prayers at Kandy.

10Kandy

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning. Today, discover the secrets of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine with a hands on cooking lesson in a local home. Learn about the spices ad ingredients needed to prepare a Sri Lankan feast, as you make Sri Lankan rice and curry in the Kandyan style. Afterwards, savour a meal of the dishes you have prepared with lunch.

11Kandy - Kandapola

Board a train to Nanu Oya this morning. Enjoy a picturesque train ride through Sri Lanka’s hill country with its lush tea plantations and mist covered mountains on this scenic and comfortable local train journey. Spend the remainder of your day at leisure in your hotel surrounded by a tea plantation.

12Kandapola

Rise early this morning to discover the story of Ceylon tea from plantation to cup on a guided tour with a tea expert. Remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

13Kandapola - Wellawaya - Tangalle

Travel to Tangalle today on Sri Lanka's south coast. En-route stop for a Sri Lankan rice and curry with southern flare in Wellwaya. Each geographical region has its own twist in flavour and flare to rice and curry, so today's rice and curry lunch will showcase flavours unlike those you have already tasted along the food trail. Arriving at your hotel, you will have the remainder of the day to unwind and begin your beach stay along Sri Lanka's south coast.

14Tangalle

A full day to relax at leisure by the beach. There's a range of seafood to enjoy in Tangalle. Take some time to visit the restaurants by the beach and choose from an array of freshly caught seafood cooked, barbecued or grilled.

15Tangalle

Bask in the sun and listen to the sounds of the sea or just enjoy splashing in the pool. It is a full day at leisure.

16Tangalle - Galle

Drive to Galle this morning and enjoy this popular Sri Lankan city on a guided walking tour. Galle Fort is a unique combination of old and new in Sri Lanka. See the ancient houses and families that have called the city home for generations, alongside a new generation of trendy boutiques and cafes. The food scene of Galle is special with a number of great contemporary restaurants that have sprung up in the recent past. There are a number of inviting cafes, restaurants to enjoy in Galle.

17Galle - Colombo

Depart for Sri Lanka's capital and largest city, Colombo. Stay in the city's finest heritage hotel in the heart of Colombo. Tonight, experience the best of Colombo's contemporary dining scene with dinner at Culinary Ceylon at Colombo's happening Dutch Hospital Complex.

18Colombo

Discover Sri Lanka's local food scene with a guided walking tour led by one of our resident expert guides. Walk through the bustling streets of Slave Island and learn about the history and daily lives of this part of the city. Along the way, enjoy street food and snacks including the local speciality 'kottu rotti' and stop for a drink at a local bar to taste the country's local brew - arrack.

19Depart Colombo

Your culinary journey through Sri Lanka's Food Trail concludes today. Transfer to Colombo airport for your international departure.

Testimonials

"We highly recommend Sri Lanka Unbound for their professional and efficient organization of our independent travel to Sri Lanka. Having a driver, itinerary and accommodation organised pre-travel ensured a totally hassle-free trip which we arranged on our terms. A perfect 3 weeks in paradise. Thank you." Brian & Margaret – April 2018

Prices & Inclusions

Deluxe

  • 01 May - 30 November 2020 A$7,840^

Prices are indicative only & subject to change.

Deluxe

  • 1 May - November 30 2020 $7,840^

Prices are indicative only & subject to change.

Deluxe

  • 1 May - November 30 2020 $7,840^

Prices are indicative only & subject to change.

Inclusions

Included:

  • Accommodation with breakfast at hotels listed
  • All meals at Goatfell, Kandapola
  • All transfers, touring and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver/guide 
  • Train tickets (subject to availability): Anuradhapura to Jaffna and Kandy to Kandapola
  • Entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
  • At Thalahena: Visit the fish market, boat ride on the Dutch Canal and lunches on days 2 & 3 plus dinner on day 2
  • At Anuradhapura: visit Anuradhapura Ancient Kingdom and the Irrigation Systems.
  • At Jaffna: Cycling tour of Jaffna, market visit and cookery demonstration, Peninsula Promenade and lunch and dinner in local homes.
  • At Trincomalee: Haircuts, Spices and Hindu Gods Trincomalee city tour
  • At Sigiriya: Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • At Kandy: Afternoon Tea at a local home, visit the Temple of Tooth and cooking class with lunch
  • At Kandapola: Meander through Memories: A Tale of Tea 
  • At Galle: Galle Fort visit with the driver guide.
  • At Colombo: Dinner at the Culinary Ceylon, Adventure of Arrack and Colombo Street food
  • Assistance on arrival and departure at the airport and at train stations
  • 24-hour support through our local representative office
  • Bottled water available in the vehicle
  • Sri Lankan government taxes

Not Included:

  • Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, communications, gratuities, etc
  • Meals, excursions and activities other than those specified as included
  • Visa fees and Electronic Travel Authorisation 

The following is a list of standard inclusions and exclusions. Detailed inclusions will be provided with individual itineraries.

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