Culinary Colombo

Sri Lanka maybe famed for tea, but its cuisine is equally enticing. Your guide will take you off-the-beaten-track to a hidden gem. Disguised as a simple roadside kiosk, this hideaway offers some of the island’s best dishes. Sample local fare such as Dutch-style lamprais – a tasty mix of rice, meat and egg wrapped in a banana leaf. You’ll also get to try northern delicacies like dosas (a type of pancake), idli (fluffy rice cakes) and vadai, crispy potato fritters. Finish with curd pancakes and a cup of Ceylon tea.

An hour’s drive north of Colombo lies the little fishing town of Negombo. Take a relaxed walk along the palm-fringed sandy beaches, Dutch-built canals and around old-world colonial architecture. A visit to the lively fish market is a must, a hub of activity selling fish reeled in from the oruvas (sailing canoes). Learn about the town’s centuries-old fishing industry and sample some of the finest fresh lobster and crab caught in the surrounding lagoons. 

Leave the city behind and head into the cool hills of Sri Lanka’s panoramic tea country. A journey through lush green plantations will take you to a family-owned estate for a tour and tasting session. Get an insider view of the different steps taken to make the perfect brew, learning the process from harvesting the leaves by hand to grading and refining techniques. Sip on a variety of concoctions tuning into the subtle nuances of tea-grading. You even get to create your very own personal blend.

One of the best ways in which to immerse yourself into the local culture is via its exciting cuisine. Meet your host, Mohara Dole, an esteemed foodie with an extensive repertoire ranging from fragrant curries and rice snacks to sambols and exotic salads. Today you’ll learn how to make dahl – Sri Lanka’s mouth-watering staple – using Mohara’s treasured recipes full of freshly ground spices. Enjoy lunch all together alfresco.