Tour Highlights
- Enjoy street food tours, home-cooked meals, and hands-on cooking classes
- Visit Sigiriya, Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth, and Galle’s Dutch Fort
- Explore tea plantations, meet pickers, and discover local spices
- Spot leopards and elephants on safari, and relax on stunning beaches
General Information
Tour Route: Negombo - Dambulla - Kandy - Bandarawela - Yala - Mirissa - Colombo
Duration: 12 Days/ 11 Nights
Departure Date: No fixed departure. Anytime you wish!
Start/ End: Negombo / Colombo
Tour Customizable: Definitely! Tell us your interests
Brief Itinerary
Day 01: Negombo (D)
Day 02: Dambulla (B, L)
Day 03: Dambulla (B, L)
Day 04: Kandy (B, L)
Day 05: Kandy (B, D)
Day 06: Bandarawela (B, D)
Day 07: Bandarawela (B, L)
Day 08: Yala (B, D)
Day 09: Mirissa (B, L)
Day 10: Mirissa (B, L)
Day 11: Colombo (B, L)
Day 12: Colombo
Full Itinerary
Day 01: Negombo (D)
Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. True to its nickname, the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean,’ this island boasts stunning palm-fringed beaches and captivating ancient landmarks. It’s also a haven for food enthusiasts, influenced by Indian, Portuguese, Malay, English, Arab, and Dutch cuisines. Your journey starts in the coastal city of Negombo, where you'll meet your local leader and fellow travelers at a 6 pm welcome meeting. Spend your first evening by the sea, getting to know your group while watching fishing boats drift along the shore.
Day 02: Dambulla (B, L)
Rise early this morning to experience the hustle and bustle of the Negombo fish market, famed for its fresh lobsters, crabs, and prawns. Next, visit a coconut plantation to uncover the significance of this versatile superfood in Sri Lankan life. Learn how every part of the tree is used, sip refreshing king coconut water, watch ‘toddy tappers’ collect palm sap for coconut wine, and sample the final product.
After a traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch, journey inland to Dambulla, known for its stunning cave temples, rich natural and historical heritage. The evening is yours to explore at leisure - perhaps join your leader for an optional street food tour, tasting Sri Lanka’s famous ‘short eats,’ including the beloved hoppers, a crispy, bowl-shaped pancake.
Day 03: Dambulla (B, L)
After breakfast, take a short drive to the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya, where you can climb the iconic Lion Rock and explore its ancient fortress ruins. Rising 200 meters above the landscape, this former defensive capital features fifth-century frescoes, terraced gardens, and intricate fountains.
Next, visit a nearby chena cultivation site, one of the oldest known agricultural methods, commonly practiced in Sri Lanka’s dry zones. Here, farmers grow tropical vegetables, cereals, grains, yams, and corn using seasonal rainfall. Enjoy a delicious lunch of freshly caught lake fish, tapioca curry, and locally grown vegetables. In the late afternoon, return to Dambulla and wander through the bustling wholesale market, a hub of fresh produce that supplies much of Colombo. The rest of the evening is yours to explore at your leisure.
Day 04: Kandy (B, L)
This morning, visit the breathtaking Dambulla Cave Temples, perched high on a cliffside. Take time to explore the site’s remarkable collection of Buddha statues, intricate frescoes, and ancient paintings. Then, journey towards the cultural and spiritual heart of Sri Lanka, stopping along the way for lunch at National Spice Garden in Matale, a region famous for its spice cultivation. Here, discover how spices are not only key to Sri Lankan cuisine but also play a role in cosmetics and Ayurvedic medicine. Breathe in the rich aromas of cumin, cinnamon, and curry leaves before savoring a flavorful pumpkin curry infused with fenugreek, paired with dry chili sambol and traditional coconut roti.
Continue to Kandy, a charming city with a scenic lake, historic shops, and vibrant markets. In the evening, visit the revered Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa), where locals gather to worship at one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist sites. With your free evening, you might choose to follow the rhythmic sounds of chopping as a street chef masterfully transforms dough into delicate sheets of roti, then slices, griddles, and mixes it with vegetables and spices to create the beloved dish, kottu roti.
Day 05: Kandy (B, D)
Start your day with a guided walk through Kandy’s bustling city center before heading to a local tea factory to learn about Sri Lanka’s famous tea-making process. Then, explore the vibrant Central Market, sampling a variety of fresh local fruits. The rest of the day is yours to discover Kandy at your own pace—visit the National Museum, explore historic monasteries, or enjoy one of the city's scenic walking trails.
In the early evening, join a welcoming local family for a hands-on cooking class and a delicious sweet-filled Kandyan dinner. Try your skills at making string hoppers by pressing smooth rice dough into delicate noodle-like strands, then savor a flavorful chicken curry infused with spiced coconut milk, more reminiscent of Thai flavors than North Indian curries. End the meal on a sweet note with specialty desserts influenced by Dutch and Portuguese traditions.
Day 06: Bandarawela (B, D)
Keep your camera handy as you embark on a picturesque journey into the highlands toward Bandarawela. Pass by cascading waterfalls, charming villages, and winding mountain roads as you ascend to this cool-climate town, once a favored retreat for British plantation managers.
Take in stunning views of lush tea plantations and vibrant vegetable gardens spread across the hillsides. This evening, get an intimate glimpse into local life as you're welcomed into a family home for a hands-on cooking demonstration, followed by a traditional homemade dinner.
Day 07: Bandarawela (B, L)
Wake up early and set off to explore the region’s lush tea plantations. Stroll through the fields while learning about Sri Lanka’s most significant export, and meet local tea pickers who will demonstrate their craft - try your hand at picking and weighing tea leaves yourself.
Later, head to Haputale Town for a home-cooked meal with a local family. Savor traditional dishes like crispy dosa (rice pancakes) and soft idli (steamed rice cakes) served with flavorful curries and chutneys. In the late afternoon, return to Bandarawela and take in the town’s rural charm and picturesque surroundings.
Day 08: Yala (B, D)
Head into the wild as you journey to Yala National Park (or Udawalawe National Park during the off-season). This vast landscape is home to diverse ecosystems and an incredible range of wildlife, from sloth bears and vibrant birdlife to roaming elephants.
In the evening, embark on a safari in search of elusive leopards resting in trees, crocodiles gliding through the waters, and elephants grazing in the open grasslands.
Day 09: Mirissa (B, L)
Begin your day by tasting one of Sri Lanka’s beloved delicacies—buffalo curd, traditionally served in terracotta pots with sweet golden treacle. This creamy treat can be enjoyed as a snack, side dish, or dessert. Continue your journey to the coastal village of Mirissa, stopping along the way for a flavorful lunch of biryani and watalappam, a rich coconut custard pudding.
The rest of the day is yours to unwind on the golden beaches of Sri Lanka’s southern coast. If you're feeling adventurous, hop on a bicycle or tuk-tuk to watch vibrant fishing boats return with their fresh catch along the shoreline.
Day 10: Mirissa (B, L)
This morning, gain a unique perspective on local life as you meet a fisherman who will share insights into his trade and how fishing has evolved since the tsunami. Then, savor a fresh seafood lunch with a fisherman’s family, likely featuring a delicious crab curry.
Later, head to the beautifully preserved Galle Town, where European architecture meets South Asian heritage. In the evening, take a guided tour of the historic Royal Dutch Fort, wandering through its maze of narrow streets lined with galleries and uncovering over 400 years of history. Return to Mirissa for the night.
Day 11: Colombo (B, L)
Travel north to your final destination, Colombo, the vibrant commercial hub of Sri Lanka. This bustling city blends street markets, historic landmarks, museums, and fantastic dining spots. Embark on a guided food tour, sampling an array of local short eats and visiting popular eateries. Conclude your culinary journey at Galle Face Beach, renowned for its lively street food scene. In the evening, enjoy a final meal inspired by Dutch Burgher cuisine, reminiscing about your flavorful adventure with newfound friends.
Day 12: Colombo
Your culinary journey through Sri Lanka concludes this morning. With no scheduled activities for the day, you are free to depart at your convenience. Your Sri Lanka Local Tour ends here! Thank you for choosing us!
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.