General
Prepare your taste buds for a fresh adventure on our culinary tour. Sri Lanka has long been renowned for its spices. Since ancient times, traders from all over the world who came to Sri Lanka brought their native cuisines to the island, resulting in a rich diversity of cooking styles and techniques.
Sri Lankan people use spices liberally in their dishes and typically do not follow an exact recipe – for a serious wow factor each region has a unique flavour. It is said that Sri Lanka was the original Garden of Eden and it only takes one visit to understand why. On the basis that less is more, we have chosen some of our favourite spots on this in-depth tour which encompasses a leisurely route through the country with local market visits, cooking demonstrations along with lunches and dinners at restaurants with captivating tales.
Begin in Negombo, an old and large fishing town offering an abundance of seafood with lagoon lobsters, crabs and prawns caught on a daily basis and served as delicacies in the restaurants. Head to the famed Sigiriya Rock Fortress, sitting on a rocky plateau 370 metres above sea level, it is one of the most visited destinations of Sri Lanka. Enjoy an elephant filled Minneriya jeep safari before heading north into Jaffna, an area with a dominant Tamil culture. Accessible by boat, visit the nearby Delft Island where life is simple, earthen homes are surrounded by coral walls and herds of horses roam freely. Follow the coast as you travel east to Trincomalee, ripe for discovery with its many natural attractions.
Travel inland to Kandy where the cuisine is inspired by its tapestry of multi-culture diversity. Move on to the southern coast and explore Galle. Once a trading hub for Arab merchants bringing with them many dishes perhaps most quintessential, the Biryani, a mixed rice dish. End your Sri Lankan experience in Colombo with an exciting street food tour – as the evening draws in, food, often in unusual guises, is everywhere! It offers the perfect opportunity to learn about the city’s sights and aromas.
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU:
SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS / LOCAL VILLAGE AND MARKET TOURS / JEEP SAFARI / DINNER WITH A LOCAL FAMILY / DELFT ISLAND EXPLORATION TRINCOMALEE CITY TOUR / KANDY FOOD TRAIL TOUR / GALLE FORT TOUR / COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS / COLOMBO STREET FOOD TOUR
| Destination | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Cities & Locations | Negombo / Sigiriya / Jaffna / Trincomalee / Kandy / Galle / Colombo |
| Duration | 12 Days / 11 Nights |
Itinerary
This holiday is solely a suggested itinerary: it can be booked as it is or used as a starting point for creating your very own custom-made tour.
Terms & Conditions
Itinerary and price subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. Please refer to our full terms and conditions available on our brochure or from our website. Active Asia reserves the right to alter the hotels and/or the itinerary if needed due to availability and/or adverse weather conditions.
With a unique blend of old and new, the sprawling capital city of Colombo offers a vibrant experience and is often used as a starting point for the adventures that lie ahead in Sri Lanka. Paying homage to its once foreign stronghold, colonial style buildings and churches stand effortlessly amongst modern office blocks, peaceful Buddhist 
Immerse yourself in Sri Lanka’s ancient culture by visiting the famed ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, all of which are found within the dubbed Cultural Triangle. Offering a treasure trove of archaeological sites, home to some of the finest in the country, many of which are declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From 
A must on any Sri Lankan itinerary, the south western coast boasts the perfect mix of beach and culture along with offering ideal stops between the wilds of Yala. Hugging the coastline, common stops include Bentota, Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama and Mirissa. Bentota is a great place to relax with its pristine beaches and is home 
Relatively undiscovered, the east coast beaches of Sri Lanka are waiting to be explored. As an upcoming area with beautiful stretches of beach and calm shallow waters, the area offers a different vibe than Sri Lanka’s west coast. Trincomalee, or Trinco, as it’s usually called is the main city along this stretch of coast and 
Home to a largely Sri Lankan Tamil culture, Jaffna is located on a peninsula in northern Sri Lanka and lies closer to India in distance than it does to Colombo. Isolated for many years due to civil unrest, the city now openly and warmly welcomes visitors. As a less trodden path on any Sri Lankan 
Capital of the mighty hill country, Kandy sits at the heart of Sri Lanka and offers a unique laid-back charm. Surrounded by misty hills and with a beautiful lake at its core, the city remains as one of Sri Lanka’s most significant cultural and religious centres. The Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and 
Sri Lanka’s deep south coast is as long as it is stunning, incorporating beautiful beaches, cultural sights and national parks. Stretching from Matara to Yala, drive along the narrow, single road that hugs the coast and pass by beautiful beaches along the way. Luxury villas and hotels dot the coastline and the food is as 
Sri Lanka is a destination that stimulates all the senses – tropical beaches, cooler mountainous terrain punctuated with waterfalls, incredibly rich wildlife, tea plantations, fabulous food and diverse culture featuring time old ancient sites. Start your adventures in the city of Colombo, with its old-world colonial charm, temples, old churches and markets. Sit on the