A Foodie Journey Through Sri Lanka

Day 1: Depart The UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Sri Lanka.  

Day 2: Negombo

Arrive in Sri Lanka and settle into your first hotel, a stone’s throw from the airport, so you can relax after the flight. This hotel sits in a coconut estate, making it the perfect place to learn about the skill of Toddy Tapping.   

Day 3-5: Cultural Triangle

Today, you’ll travel north to The Cultural Triangle – stopping en route to explore Dambulla. Here, you’ll visit the famous caves before veering off the beaten track for a local farm experience. In the afternoon, it’s on to your luxury hotel – Ulagalla – which has a real sense of place (surrounded by a lush forest and working paddy fields). At the rice-field pavilion, the hotel cooks will create a traditional Kamatha dinner for you – up to 15 delicious dishes served on a Kamatha leaf – full of fresh produce from the organic gardens. 

At Ulagalla, you’re perfectly placed to explore the wonderful sites of Sigiriya, Pollonaruwa and Anuradapura nearby. We also recommend having a Hela Bojun Hala lunch while you’re staying in this region – put simply, this is a food stall but there’s a lovely story behind it. It’s an impactful initiative subsidised by the Ministry of Agriculture that empowers rural women through culinary entrepreneurship. The Hala (hall) is a dedicated space for these women to prepare and vend Sri Lankan dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, which in turn helps preserve the island’s culinary heritage. 

Day 6-7: Kandy

Next, you’ll head south to Kandy. Here, you’ll go on a guided walk through the city, which is not only an opportunity to learn about its history and see the sights but also to experience its food culture. From fresh fruits in the market to tempting roadside snacks and baked goods, it covers a range of treats to tuck into. 

Day 7-9: The Hill Country

All aboard for the journey into the Hill Country by train! The scenery you’ll pass along the way is just spectacular. You’ll get off in Haputale, where your driver will meet you and take you to your hotel - a lovingly restored planter’s bungalow with staggering scenic views and an inviting pool. Thotalagala makes for an excellent base for walking along The Pekoe trail (routes 12,13 and 14 are all nearby). Hike along Trail 13, which takes you from St Catherine’s viewpoint down through villages, forests and tea gardens towards Haputale, where you can stop for lunch at the humble home of an estate worker - an excellent opportunity to experience the food introduced to Sri Lanka from South India via the Tamil workers (who were brought in to work in the tea plantations).  

Day 10-12: Tangalle

Today, it’s on to the coast. En route, you’ll visit the beautiful AMBA estate to learn about the history, mystery and magic of Sri Lankan tea. The passionate tea experts here will shed light on the farming and production process before setting up a tasting of some of their finest teas for you. 

Later in the day, you’ll check into your beachfront hotel. 

Here, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy the beach. You’ll find many excellent places to eat in this region, ranging from simple shacks serving fresh lobster to buzzy upmarket restaurants. We will make a reservation for you at Smoke & Bitters – voted one of Asia’s top restaurants – where you’ll sip spice-infused cocktails and dine on delicious wood-fired dishes: a real highlight. 

Day 13-14: Galle  

Nip up the coast to Galle and check into your hotel. You won’t need to step too far away from the hotel to feel immersed in the historic location. Go on a guided walk of the fort with a local expert and enjoy a cookery class, as well as an arrack tasting class at Ropewalk at the Galle Fort Hotel if you fancy it. The Fort Printers is a great spot for dinner, and we highly recommend some of the roti stalls by the Lighthouse. Also, we’ll arrange for you to have an excellent Biryani lunch while in Galle, as it was traditionally a Muslim area.  

Day 15-16: Colombo  

The last day or so of your holiday will be spent in the capital, Colombo - where you’ll stay in a lovely boutique hotel. Take a Landrover tour through the city to discover a blend of popular and hidden gems, ending up in Hulftsdorp – an area known for its fantastic street food scene. 

For your final dinner, we’ll reserve a table at the iconic Gallery Cafe for you. This restaurant was once the office of renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, and the adjoining boutique Paradise Road is a great place to pick up some last-minute, quality wares to bring home. A trip to the Dutch Burgher Union for Lampreis is also a must while you’re here. 

Day 17: Fly Home  

Depart Colombo for your flight back to the UK.