Culture & Culinary Expeditions

Day 01: Airport > Negombo

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffer guide from Lakpura After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air conditioned vehicle and proceed to Negombo and check in to the hotel. (Travel Time - 20 to 30 mins)

Day 02: Negombo > Pinnwala > Dambulla > Sigiriya

After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Pinnwala and visit the Elephant Orphanage. (Travel Time - 2 to 2 ½ hrs)

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is the home for young Elephants who have been displaced or lost from their natural habitat, located at Pinnawala village in Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is the best place for an up close and personal experience with the world’s largest land mammals!

Thereafter continue to Dambulla and visit the Cave Temple. (Travel Time – 2 to 2 ½ hrs)

Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.

On completion of the day check into the hotel and relax

Day 03: Sigiriya > Polonnaruwa > Minneriya > Sigiriya

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Polonnaruwa and explore the ruins of Ancient Kingdom. (Travel Time – 50 to 60 mins)

Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka's ancient history.

Thereafter proceed to Priyamali Gedara and participate in a Cooking Demonstration and enjoy a lovely farmer’s lunch.  (Travel Time: 15 to 20 mins)

This experience provides an authentic farm lunch and cooking demo done by an actual local farming family. Learn the ins and outs of Sri Lankan cooking as the farmer’s wife and daughters demonstrate their art. Chat with the farmer to learn more about how the fresh ingredients are obtained from the surroundings. Indulge in a healthy farm meal cooked over wood fires and served on lotus leaves over woven trays. Traditional rice, lentils, fresh local vegetables cooked into fragrant curries, fried fish, and poppadum will play a major role in the meals. Those who are interested can also request the farmer’s wife for some delicious kotthu, which they can purchase separately. 

Afterwards proceed to entrance of Minneriya National Park and hop in to the safari jeep to go on a lovely safari. (Travel Time:  30 to 40 mins)

This three-hour safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance to also see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrublands, forests and other areas.

On completion return to the hotel and relax.

Day 04: Sigiriya > Matale > Kandy

After a breakfast at the hotel check out and visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress and witness the sunset from the top of the Rock Fortress. (Travel Time – 20 to 30 mins)

Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ' the Lion Rock'. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns.  Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.

Thereafter visit a local village and get an experience of authentic Sri Lankan village life.

Get a chance to go on an oxen cart ride and experience the world from the view of a village farmer. Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your taste buds with a home cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager, just this day.

Afterwards,  proceed to Matale visit a Spice Garden and a guided tour of a spice and herbal garden, where you learn about spices, such as coriander, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg; and their uses. (Travel Time - 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Euphoria Spice and Herbal is located 12 km away from Matale (The spice capital of Sri Lanka). Enriched with herbs, spice groves and plants with fragrant greenery shading from the tropical trees that enlightens the unique aroma of each spice and herb. We give the opportunity for our visitors to explore and gain knowledge on Sri Lankan spices, herbs and the benefits of Ayurveda. The tropical climate in which our plants and herbs are grown helps them preserve its ancient originality. The educational tour around the garden, which we call “The Spice Tour”, let the visitors feel the sensation of the Sri Lankan spices and herbs which is demonstrated in different foreign languages to suit our customer need.

On completion continue to Kandy and check in to the hotel and relax.

Day 05: Kandy

After the breakfast, at the hotel go on Temple Run Tour in Kandy

Get amazed by the wood crafting masterpiece that is the Embekke Temple. Wander through the historic and beautiful Gadaladeniya Temple and view its wonderful paintings and sculptures. Visit the Lankatilaka temple that was quite architecturally advanced for its time. See awe-striking sight of the Degaldoruwa Cave Temple, the inside walls of which are covered in painstakingly restored paintings. 

Afterwards proceed to Peradeniya and visit Royal Botanical Gardens. (Travel Time – 20 to 30 mins)

Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees, or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.

Later in the evening go on technical tours related to arts such as gem crafting, woodcarving and batiks. Watch the Kandyan Cultural Show with its colorful traditional dances and delightful music.

The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.

On completion of the visit return back to the hotel and relax.

Day 06: Kandy > Colombo

After the breakfast, at the hotel check out and visit the Temple of the sacred tooth relic.

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Thereafter proceed to Colombo and check in to the hotel and relax. (Travel Time – 3 to 3 ½ hrs)

Later in the evening visit a cooking class in Colombo and enjoy a street food expedition in Colombo.

On completion return back to the hotel and relax.

Day 07: Colombo > Airport

After relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel, check out and go on city and shopping tour in the commercial city of Sri Lanka.

Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green and the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.

On completion proceed to airport after spending a memorable time in this island. 

End of Tour. 

Tour Includes

• Accommodation at 3-Star Hotels.. 
• Meal plan on Bed and Breakfast basis starting with breakfast on day 2 and ending with breakfast on day 7.
• Transport in a Private Vehicle, inclusive of all Chauffeur accommodation, cost of fuel, parking & highway tolls.
• Private Transport with airport transfers in an Air-Conditioned Vehicle throughout the tour. (2015 and Above Manufactured)
• Service of an English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide. 
• All prevailing taxes and service charges (Except for Credit Card/Bank Charges).

Tour Excludes

• Entry Visa Fees, please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more details / submit your individual visa application.
• X’ Mas & New Year Evening Gala Dinner Supplements.
• International / Domestic Airfare.
• Any expenses of personal nature.
• Tips & Portages.
• Cost of Beverages
• Meals where not specified.
• Entrance fees.