Real Food Adventure Tour in Sri Lanka (12 Days)
Book this Package now, just for FREE, and be pampered with the fascination of the island with Next Travel Sri Lanka. We assure you of the perfect exploration, with the comforts you desire. Need more additions? Yes, you can even plan your holiday to suit your true favours with our Tailor-Made Tour Packages! We are always here to assist you in planning the best holiday. Simply contact us, if you have any doubts about this package, tailor-made tour packages, or the bookings.
Book With Flexibility Number of Days: 12
From Colombo to Colombo
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Max Group Size 20 |
Private Tour Available |
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Physical Rating Active |
Age Range 18 to 65 |
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Operated In English |
Tour ID NTD2028 |
From $890, Price varies by group size
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Places and Experiences
A Foreign Couple Enjoying the Delicacy of Sri Lankan Food.
A Foreign Couple Enjoying the Delicacy of Sri Lankan Food.
The Beauty of the City of Colombo
The Beauty of the City of Colombo
A Leopard at Yala National Park
A Leopard at Yala National Park
Capturing the Best at Yala while on a Jeep Safari
Capturing the Best at Yala while on a Jeep Safari
A Delicious Village Meal in Sri Lanka
A Delicious Village Meal in Sri Lanka
Tea Plantation
Sunset by a Tea Plantation
Sri Lankan Cooking Sessions
A Fish Curry in Sri Lankan Style
Safari at Yala
Enjoy a Safari at Yala
Negombo-Fish-Market
The Sellers and Buyers at Negombo Fish Market
mirissa
Relaxing in the Shore of Mirissa
Kandy
The Wonderful Ancient Town of Kandy
Galle
The Town of Galle
Visiting the Dambulla Wholesale Vegetable Market
Wholesale Vegetable Market in Dambulla
Coconut Plantation
Coconut Plantation in Sri Lanka
Chana Cultivation
Corn Crops at a Chena Cultivation in Sri Lanka
Bandarawela
Natural Beauty at Bandarawela
Map
Highlights
Relaxing at Negombo
Visiting the Negombo Fish Market
Taking a Walk in a Coconut Plantation
Visiting Dambulla Cave Temple
Enjoying a Street Food Crawl
Climbing the Sigiriya Rock
Visiting a Chena Cultivation
Visiting the Dambulla Wholesale Vegetable Market
Visiting a Spice Garden
Visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic
Taking part in a Guided Tour in Kandy
Visiting a Tea Factory
Joining a Sinhalese Family for Sri Lankan Cooking Sessions
Taking a Train Ride to Bandarawela
Visiting a Tea Plantation
Experiencing a Lunch of Tamil Culinary Style
Safari at Yala/Udawalawe
Experiencing a Meal with Muslim Culinary Style
Enjoying at Mirissa
Exploring the City of Colombo
Enjoying Street Food
Itinerary
When you arrive in Sri Lanka, you will be able to find one of our representatives from Next Travel Sri Lanka at the Arriving Lounge of the Colombo Airport paging your name. Once your identity is confirmed, you will be heading to the charming coastal town of Sri Lanka, Negombo. This drive from the Colombo International Airport would only take a few minutes. Still, believe us, what you witness during this ride would be amazing beyond a doubt! In fact, the sight of the bustling city limits, the scenic settings of the coasts, the fishing villages, as well as the pleasant climate are sure to soothe your soul. However, upon arriving at the hotel, you have ample time to relax by the shores, since we have no special plans for the day. Still, never forget that the welcome meeting would take place on the eve, and then, you can even go out with your fellow travelers for your first taste of Sri Lankan cuisine. Overnight stay would be at the hotel in Negombo.
The second day of this tour begins with a visit to a fish market in Negombo. The bustling surroundings out there are not only going to give you an insight into Sri Lankan commerce, but also give you an energetic start for the day. Next, you will be heading to a coconut plantation, and taking a walk there. And during this visit, you are going to get to know about many interesting facts, as to why coconut plays that much of an important role in Sri Lankan lives, and watch ‘toddy tappers’ extract the palm wine from the coconut sap as well. Then, during the lunch hours, you would get the opportunity to taste a delicious plate of Sri Lankan rice and curry. Next in line would be to head to the ancient city of Dambulla. Upon arrival, you would be visiting the Dambulla cave temple, the best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, and then the evening hours are free for your own exploration. However, you can even opt to join your team leader for an optional street food crawl, which would introduce you to some staple Sri Lankan 'short eats' including hoppers and the famous kottu.
The third day of this tour is going to be more exciting! During the morning hours, you would be visiting the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, which is just miles away from this scenic city. Exploring this cultural treasure trove, and reaching the top to observe the ruins of the ancient kingdom on this rock would surely offer you some wonderful memories. Following this adventure, you would next visit a Chena cultivation, which is indeed an integral agricultural aspect of Sri Lanka. After observing the tropical vegetables, cereals, grains, yams, and corn plantations out there, you would also visit the wholesale vegetable market in Dambulla, which happens to be the main of that kind on this island. Besides, the evening hours are free for your own food explorations. So, don’t forget to visit a few restaurants to experience the best tastes of Sri Lankan food!
The morning hours of this day are dedicated to exploring the valuable murals, statues, and paintings that the caves of the Dambulla Cave temple house, and then you would begin your journey to the scenic city of Kandy. On the way, you would be visiting a spice garden as well. As you might already know, spices play an important role in Sri Lankan culinary styles, as well as in Sri Lankan Ayurvedic Methods. Thus, this visit is to enhance your knowledge a lot with regard. Next, you would continue your travel to Kandy, the city in which the last ancient kingdom capital of Sri Lanka was based. Out of many, the Temple of the Tooth Relic is the most important religious and cultural attraction in this city, and thus, we are to begin this city exploration with a visit to this most sacred institution of the Buddhists. However, the evening hours are free for your own explorations. So, don’t miss the chance to experience the best of Sri Lankan food, especially street food, and traditional food at Kandy, during this wonderful time of the day!
There’s a lot for you to explore in this charming city of Kandy! So, the morning hours are dedicated to a guided walk around Kandy's busy city center, including a tour of the Central Market where you can find a huge variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Besides, Kandy is a city located closer to the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. Hence, there are tea plantations and tea factories in this vicinity. Hence, we are planning to visit one of the tea factories as well. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. However, this city houses several religious and cultural attractions, as well as an astonishingly beautiful botanical garden named, Royal Botanical Garden. So, you can choose to visit any of those sites to amuse your eyes! The evening hours of this day are surely going to be amazingly special! That is simply because you would be joining a Sinhalese family to spoil yourself with some wonderful culinary sessions, where you would be trying out many Sri Lankan food dishes. So, these special Sri Lankan dishes coupled with the Dutch and Portuguese traditions-inspired desserts are going to give you the perfect ending for the day!
On the sixth day of this tour, you would be heading to Bandarawela, one of the most beautiful mountain towns in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. This trip is to take approximately seven hours. Yet, let us guarantee you that this ride is never going to be a boring one since you have got many things to observe as you travel. In fact, the lush greenery of the tea plantations, the misty mountains, the cascading waterfalls, as well as the Sri Lankan life that you observe on the way, are sure to magnify the delight of this trip. And never to forget that a traditional Sri Lankan meal at a local home is to mark the perfect ending for this wonderful day!
As you might already know, Bandarawela is a charming mountain town, with an abundance of beauty, and a relaxing climate. So, in the morning hours of this day, you are going to get some time to witness the scenic surroundings of this town, as you would be visiting a verdant tea plantation located there. This would be the perfect opportunity for you to observe the beauty of Sri Lankans plucking tea leaves, and why not? You can even try it yourself! However, you can also visit a tea factory on this day, and never forget to taste a flavourful cup of Ceylon tea as well. Then, towards the afternoon, you would be heading to Haputale (approximately 1 hour) to enjoy a delicious meal with a Tamil family. Yes, the culinary styles of Tamils are a bit different. So, this experience is to offer you a unique experience beyond a doubt, as you taste traditional Tamil cuisine with dosa – a crispy rice pancake – and idli, a savory steamed rice cake served with curry sauces or chutneys. Upon returning to Bandarawela, you are free to enjoy the scenic landscapes of this magical environment!
The ninth day of this tour is dedicated to spending some time in the wilderness! Yes, you would be heading to the Yala National Park or the Udawalawe National Park, the major attraction of the wildlife lovers who visit Sri Lanka. Both these places shelter a wide array of Sri Lankan wildlife, creating amazing opportunities to explore their life up close and personal. So, this visit filled with thrill and excitement is sure to offer you some everlasting memories, as you observe the Sri Lankan elephants, leopards, sloth bears, reptiles, endemic and migratory birds as well as many other wild species, just during a single visit to a land of nature!
Please note: Alternative activities would be arranged instead of wildlife explorations, during the seasons with bad weather conditions.
You are going to start the ninth day of this tour with a sweet delicacy! In fact, you would be able to taste a buffalo curd, served in terracotta pots flavored with mouth-watering treacle, which is more popular as a snack, or a dessert. Thereafter, you would be heading to the scenic coastal town of Mirissa, which owns one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. On the way, you would get the chance to enjoy a delicious meal, prepared using Muslim traditional culinary styles. Upon arriving at the magical shores of Mirissa, you are surely going to have a lot to do! You can choose to relax by the shores while sipping a fresh fruit juice and enjoying the beauty of the surroundings, indulge yourself in water sports, go whale watching, or else take a bicycle ride or tuk-tuk to watch colorful fishing boats reaching back to the shores after fishing.
The tenth of this tour offers you a unique experience. In fact, you would get the chance to talk with a fisherman to get to know-how about their life, the fishing industry, as well as about the impact tsunami brought into their lives. However, the best part of the day is that you are getting a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a perfect seafood lunch with a fishermen’s family, and it is certainly going to be something that is second to none that you have enjoyed in your life before. Next, you would be heading to the majestic city of Galle, the capital of Southern Sri Lanka. As you might already know, it is one of the most beautiful coastal towns on the island, which also holds some amazingly important historical values. In fact, this wonderful town houses a number of remains from the colonial era, and the Galle Fort is one of the main highlights among them. So, during this city exploration, you can visit the Galle Fort, as well as many other important attractions, adding a bunch of valuable memories to your travel diary! You would return back to Mirissa for the overnight stay.
You would be heading to Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, on this day. As you might already know, Colombo is the busiest, yet most vibrant city on this whole island. In fact, the colonial-styles architecture, Beire Lake located at the heart of the city, wonderful shopping complexes, important religious and cultural attractions, as well as the museums and the historical monuments altogether assure you a surprisingly amazing experience within the city limits itself. Besides, the city of Colombo is the best to taste a huge variety of street food as well. Starting from snacks, burgers, to kottu, the street stalls that you find by the roads have a lot to offer you, and they are sure to amuse your taste buds in a way like no other!
This wonderful tour ends on the morning of this day. After all, we believe that this tour package features the best of the island, satisfying the true flavors. Besides, if you prefer to make your dream trip in Sri Lanka a reality, in exactly the way your heart desires, we are here to offer you tailor-made tour packages as well. Contact us for more information.
Happy and Safe Travelling!
What is included
Let it be a stay by the golden stretches, a chill amidst the cool breeze, or a holiday surrounded by the lush greenery! Whatever your heart desires, the wide array of hotels in Sri Lanka are ready to cater to you. And this tour includes accommodation in carefully selected hotels. However, please note that while all hotels on this trip have fans, not all will have air conditioning.
Of course, there is so much on this island to explore, and getting around this country is not an issue at all! During this tour, we would be offering you transportation in a private vehicle, a spectacular train journey from Kandy to Bandarawela, and a safari vehicle for wildlife exploration at the national park.
Please Note: There are some long travel days and some of the transport can be quite cramped and without air-conditioning. Besides, train tickets from Kandy to Bandarawela are in very high demand. We always try our best to secure tickets for the full journey or part of the trip. Though on the rare occasion that we cannot, you will be provided with a private bus to take you to your next destination.
Dishes in Sri Lanka are a true delight! Hence, you should never miss a chance to experience the authenticity and the exclusivity of the mouth-watering Sri Lankan tastes. However, this package offers you 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 3 dinners. Yet, you have nothing to worry about the rest of the meals because our representatives would help you arrange the meals upon request. Further, any of the Sri Lankan hotels/restaurants would allow you to choose among the below selections, for each of your main meals.
Also, please note that these are the general food items that any of the hotels would offer you, and there may be a wide variety of additional dishes depending on the hotel you dine at. Further, this tour offers Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal, and Kosher food options on request.
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It is true that one can visit the attractions on this island on their own. Still, let us assure you that having a travel guide makes your journey more wonderful, and stress-free. In fact, they know about this island like the back of their hands. They are capable of enlightening you about each and every place you visit. Going beyond, they would turn out to be a companion of yours, inspired with a passion to fulfill your expectations on this beautiful island. Hence, we make sure to provide you with the service of a professional tour leader who would ensure the smooth operations of the tour. He would assist you with accommodation and transportation between locations while sharing his knowledge about the social and cultural splendor of Sri Lanka. Further, our customer support team will be there to provide 24/7 support during & after your trip, as well as help with all of your onward travel.
COVID-19 Health & Safety Measures
The following requirements apply to all countries globally, with the exception of Australia, New Zealand, and Cook Islands due to their strict border controls:
- All Intrepid travelers 18 years and older and Intrepid leaders will be required to be fully vaccinated. Travelers must provide proof of vaccination to the leader at the group meeting on day 1 of the trip.
- Children aged 17 years and under must present either a negative COVID-19 test, proof of recovery, or proof of full vaccination.
- Any high-risk customer who is unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons can apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Customers must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.
We recommend you have travel insurance to enjoy yourself more and travel stress-free on this paradise island of Sri Lanka. Yet, insurance is NOT INCLUDED in our tour packages. Tourists are responsible for choosing the insurance packages that suit them the most and getting themselves insured.
Of course, you will be provided with accommodation. Still, it is up to the travelers to bear personal expenses for pre and post-tour accommodation. Further, the travelers should bear their cost for anything that is not mentioned in the Itinerary, such as the rest of the meals, alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, visa fees, tips, and portage, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grabbing out the best essence out of a wonderful holiday destination indeed requires a good plan. Yet, proper planning surely requires a good knowledge about the destination as well. In that case, you will certainly need a helping hand to know more about what to expect, how to get ready, and mostly, to clear out your doubts. However, as an experienced team working close to the hearts of our travellers, we clearly understand what troubles your mind, and your desire to travel with peace of mind. Thus, we have answered the most frequently asked questions, so that you can easily clear out your doubts just in a second. So, why not? Have a look at the below section, and we are sure that we have answered your question!
Abiding by the new normal, Sri Lanka is now open for tourists after the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, quarantine measures are different for the vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists.
Completing two weeks upon receiving the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccinations will make you begin travelling on the island sooner. Apart from that, Sri Lanka requires no mandatory vaccinations before arrival.
The natural marvels of the island nation Sri Lanka, which includes the golden shores, charming cascades, scenic landscapes, and diverse wildlife are indeed capable of attracting any tourist. Besides, its rich cultural heritage, delightful festivals, pleasant climate, exclusive cuisines, and extensive range of facilities for affordable prices, simply make tourists go to Sri Lanka, at any time of the year.
Tourists are only permitted to get to Sri Lanka, by air.
Yes, of course! If you are arriving in Sri Lanka for a holiday, for medical treatments, or to take part in an event, you will require a Tourist Visa.
Any foreigner who plans to arrive in Sri Lanka should obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) through http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/. The website also contains a full guide on obtaining the ETA, along with the payment details.
The Visa is valid for 30 days.
Yes, you can. Still, you have to apply for a visa extension, before your current visa expires. All you have to do is collect the visa extension form from the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration (You can also download the form from here), and submit the duly filled application, along with the following.
- Return Air Ticket
- Details of the place of accommodation
- The application along with a photograph of the applicant
It is always better to have your National Identity Card, and Passport with you when travelling around the island.
In brief, Sri Lanka is a year-round destination. Thus, it always has something to do and somewhere to visit on this island. Still, it is always better to choose a time where the monsoon rains do not impact the area you plan to visit in Sri Lanka. This complete overview of the weather and climate of Sri Lanka, and the official website of the Department of Meteorology, Sri Lanka will help you with regard.
You can either use public transportation which includes the bus and train services. If not, you can even hire a taxi, a tuk-tuk, or hire a vehicle to drive yourself.
Sri Lanka Rupees (SLR) is the currency used in Sri Lanka.
Not really! If you are using public transportation, enjoying meals from budget restaurants, and taking accommodation at budget hotels, you can experience the holiday at your heart’s core, at a low budget. Thus, the cost depends upon your choices. Still, a holiday in Sri Lanka is simply cheaper than many other tourist destinations across the world.
The best is to wear comfortable materials, preferable cotton, linen, or rayon since Sri Lanka is warm most of the time. Besides, if you are visiting a religious place, the best is to wear something light colour that covers from your shoulders to your knees, to blend with the culture there. Besides, having a shawl will help you to cover yourself in instances where your attire is inappropriate to visit such a place.
As long as you are travelling in a populated area it is safe to travel alone in Sri Lanka. Still, if you are a female travelling alone, the best is to wear an attire that covers your body, and also, wearing a fake wedding ring, acting familiar, etc. will help you avoid unnecessary hassles. However, the best is to avoid night rides, and use google location if you are travelling alone!
Most can! Still, some locals would only be familiar with Sinhala and Tamil languages. However, hand signals will help you in instances as such.
- Simply, cultural and religious values run through the veins of Sri Lankans. So, never disrespect any religion. Avoid posing with funny actions at religious sites. Besides, dresses or tattoos with religious slogans or images might pave the way for unnecessary disturbances.
- Avoid public nudity and kissing.
- Never take photographs without permission.
Good to Know
The delight of a Sri Lankan holiday needs no further exaggerations. Its natural splendours, pleasant weather and climate, welcoming smiles of Sri Lankans, and every other bit of this wonderful paradise are surely going to enchant anyone who visits it. Still, in order to witness the true delight of this wonderful destination, knowing a few more things would certainly benefit you. Keep calm, and have a look below. They will help you make the most out of your time on this splendid island nation!
Electricity is not an issue in the present, especially around tourist hotspots. It is true that some extremely rural areas still lack this facility. Still, we can assure you that those areas are out of the tourist zones.
However, Sri Lanka operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50 Hz. Hence, be mindful of bringing compatible devices or voltage converters. Besides, it is always better to have with you a power bank, rechargeable lamp, etc. because emergency power cuts could occur once in a while.
As you might already know, Sri Lankan Rupees is the currency used in Sri Lanka. The best would be to bring USDs with you and then to exchange them for the local currency once you arrive. Doing so will offer you opportunities to get better exchange rates as well. Besides, Mastercards and Visa Cards are widely accepted, while American Express Cards are also often accepted. Still, it is always better to have cash in hand, since most of the local boutiques around tourist attractions do not have the facilities to accept credit cards.
Also, ATMs are available islandwide. Still, not all of them accept international cards. The daily transaction limit usually ranges between SLR 100,000 to SLR 200,000 and a transaction fee is imposed upon every transaction. Moreover, banks are open on weekdays from 9 AM to 3 PM and closed on weekends. Still, some main cities have a few banks that are open 24/7, or either till night hours.
Of course, telecommunication facilities are available almost island-wide, except for the extremely rural areas. If you are planning to stay connected during your trip to Sri Lanka, the best would be to buy a local sim since the mobile service providers here offer perfect tourist plans that would simply save you money. Also, buying a sim in Sri Lanka is not that hard. You can buy one easily from the airport premises, or the outlets islandwide.
As you already know, Sri Lanka holds accommodation facilities that cover an extensive range. Starting with the Home Stays, Guest Houses, Bungalows, to Medium-Scale Hotels, and Super-Luxury Hotels, this paradise island has it all. Of course, the price might vary upon your selections and the facilities they offer. Still, accommodation facilities are indeed cheaper in Sri Lanka, when compared with tourist destinations worldwide.
However, some of the Home-stays, Guesthouses, and Bungalows might not have AC and hot water facilities. Hence, if you are concerned with regard, it is always better to ask about these little things before placing your bookings. Besides, finding accommodation during the off-season might not be that hard. Still, it is always best to hunt for accommodation a few days earlier, just to travel with pace in mind.
Discovering the unique flavours of Sri Lankan Food, seafood, and cultural dishes would simply be a delightful experience that you can ever imagine! Let it be the luxurious hotels that offer you both local and international cuisine, and the small boutiques or the street stalls that amaze you with their mouth-watering tastes, all of them are impressive beyond words. However, local dishes might be a bit spicy. Thus, it is always better to inform the cook earlier, if you prefer less spicy food. Besides, the cost of food in Sri Lanka highly varies depending on the place you choose to dine, and the dishes you select.
Photography and videography are not forbidden in Sri Lanka. Still, make sure you request permission, especially if you are capturing locals, their boutiques, or their houses. Besides, never turn your back to religious statues, or pose with them with funny poses, since Sri Lanka is a country backed with strong cultural values. Also, whenever you visit a religious or a cultural attraction, or a museum, make sure to check for notices. Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in certain places, and using the flasher is strictly prohibited in some sites with historical paintings, and murals. Going beyond, photography and videography in some places require prior permission or payments. Hence, making memories is always fine, yet, it is always better to be mindful of the restrictions. And yes, your travel guide will simply help you with these concerns!
As you might already know, Sri Lanka is a country with a rich cultural heritage. Thus, we encourage you to follow the below ethics when visiting religious places in Sri Lanka.
- Most religious places encourage visitors to wear a light colour attire that covers their body, shoulder to knees. Thus, if you are visiting a religious place, make sure that you do not wear shorts, crop tops, skinnies, etc. Also, having a shawl with you will help you cover your body at such times, in order to blend with the culture there.
- Visitors enter the religious place barefoot and caps, hats, scarfs, etc. are removed before entering the site.
- The tranquillity of the religious places in Sri Lanka is simply impressive. Hence, make sure you mind your behaviour.
Indeed, safety is first! So, it is always better to keep an eye on animals, especially on the stray dogs on the roads. Be mindful when feeding them, or touching them. And by chance, if a stray dog or any other animal bit you, make sure you arrive at the nearest government hospital, and they will make sure to treat you accordingly.
