C E Y L O N F O O D S A F A R I S R I L A N K A | 10 N I G H T S London +44 208 960 1002 | Male +960 333 5896 | Colombo +94 11 255 0001 | W hummingbird.travel DAY 01 Colombo Flight TBC Arrives in Colombo TBC Upon arrival at the airport you will enjoy the VIP arrival service at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Once you have cleared immigration you will be escorted to the Silk Route Lounge. VIP Arrival with Lounge Access You will be privately escorted off the air plane to the silk route lounge where you can relax, enjoy the refreshments while your luggage will be cleared through customs on your behalf. Free Wi Fi will be available and you will meet your chauffeur / national guide at the lounge. VIP exit to your vehicle through a separate door. You will be met by our representative and transfer to your hotel in Colombo. Relax the afternoon in the hotel. Around 5.30pm, transfer to Botanik Bar and learn how to make an authentic Sri Lankan Arrack Cocktail. Tonight enjoy one of the best food journeys in the island – “Culinary Ceylon” – One of our top picks. The 7 to 8 Course ‘tasting menu’ of delectable, authentic Sri Lankan dishes featuring our island’s greatest culinary hits! A hosted, guided and curated food experience; learn the history behind Sri Lankan cuisine from passionate ‘curators’ The menu will comprise of 7 local culinary hits, broadly based on taking diners on a journey across the island’s multi-ethnic, multicultural and diverse range of dishes that come together to create the foundation of present day Sri Lankan cuisine. Expect to taste dishes such as an original burgher lumpries; a local twist on Indonesian lempur introduced by Dutch colonizers, the island’s favorite street food Kottu roti that originated on the east coast and distinctively flavored northern country style favorites such as thosai, idly and vadai, prepared using family recipes. London +44 208 960 1002 | Male +960 333 5896 | Colombo +94 11 255 0001 | W hummingbird.travel Hotel: Uga Residence Room: Park Suite Meal Basis: Bed & Breakfast Website: http://www.ugaescapes.com/residence/ DAY 02 Colombo Early morning drive to “Lellama” in Negombo with packed breakfast. This is one of the most authentic fish markets in the island. You would be able to see the overnight boats returning with the fish and how everything is distributed across the country from this small place. An executive chef will accompany you to the fish market and teach you how to choose the best and fresh fish. Get ready to learn the secrets of selecting the best fish! You will pick up Lobster for your lunch today. Enjoy a walking tour in the morning with your resident host. Negombo City Walk - Negombo has been coined as ‘Little Rome’ for centuries, and you will see these beautiful (Gothic) churches towering alongside the road, over the lush trees. We stop over at the largest and Grandest church (It is called Grand Street Church after-all) from the 1800’s. From there on it’s a short drive and stroll through the streets that were in the Negombo Fort area where its housing structure is yet very Dutch in all form and manner. We also see the actual fort walls, the very British little church on the hill and the Bell Tower; although with the last, one has to really use their imagination. Being known for its sea-food, the experience would not be complete until you have visited the fish market; where you know, just by being in their presence the love and dedication they have towards this trade that is just in their blood. The dry-fish market is on the beach adjoining, and the process is quite an interesting one. We will then venture on to a boat ride – but this time on the lagoon… where you get to see little tricks the fisher folk set to bait the fish/crabs and prawns. After the walk proceed to Wallawwa & learn how to cook a Lobster Pasta lunch with your executive chef London +44 208 960 1002 | Male +960 333 5896 | Colombo +94 11 255 0001 | W hummingbird.travel In the evening enjoy a Tuk Tuk Safari in Colombo. Tuk Tuk Safari - The Gala Safari is the all inclusive favourite! This is an amazing combination of Colombo’s best seasonal hotspots, all of our amazing local food stops AND lots of drinks are also included (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). The premium tuk tuks offer the best sight seeing in Colombo, with open air convertible rooftops. This Safari runs a bit longer, depending on how the guests are going, so please be prepared for a massive fun filled evening. Tonight enjoy an authentic Crab String-hopper Kottu. Proceed to the kitchen and learn how to make kottu. One tip in how to make kottu – get mad and use the chop plates. Hotel: Uga Residence Room: Park Suite Meal Basis: Bed & Breakfast Website: http://www.ugaescapes.com/residence/ London +44 208 960 1002 | Male +960 333 5896 | Colombo +94 11 255 0001 | W hummingbird.travel DAY 03 Colombo – Anuradhapura Drive to Anuradhapura and en route visit Wattura Resort where you would learn how to make Lamprais En route to Anuradhapura visit the Muneshwaram Kovil. Muneshwaram Temple - It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE, although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana. The temple is one of the ancient Pancha Ishwarams dedicated to Shiva in the region. The other Ishwaram kovils are - Naguleshwaram in Jaffna, Tiru Ketheeshwaram in Mannar, Koneshwaram in Trincomalee and Tondeshwaram in Mirissa (which is lost in time). The temple complex is a collection of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The central temple dedicated to Shiva (Siva) is the most prestigious and biggest, and is popular amongst Hindus. The other temples are dedicated to Ganesha, Ayyanayake and Kali. The Kali temple is also popular with Buddhists, who frequent the complex. Learn the art and secrets of vegetables during your stay at Forest Rock Garden. A vegetarian dinner will be served today. It’s very strange how you would not miss eating meat due to the way they cook the vegetables. London +44 208 960 1002 | Male +960 333 5896 | Colombo +94 11 255 0001 | W hummingbird.travel Hotel: Forest Rock Garden Room: Suite with Plunge Pool Meal Basis: Half Board (Vegetarian) Website: http://www.forestrockgarden.lk/ DAY 04 Anuradhapura After breakfast enjoy a Backroads cycling journey in the sacred UNESCO city of Anuradhapura with a resident expert. Hummingbird Anuradhapura Backroads Cycling Journey - The Kingdom of Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka for more than 1000 years in ancient times. This was one of the greatest human civilizations in Asia. The sacred city was named as a UNESCO World Heritage site as well. A branch from the sacred fig tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment was planted in Anuradhapura in 3rd Century BC and this tree is still alive making it the oldest tree on the face of the Earth with a known planting date. Visit the three temples of Mirisaveti, Jetavana and Ruvanweli which align perfectly with the star constellation Orion’s Belt. The only other places that this happen in the world are with the Great Pyramids of Egypt, Mayan’s Pyramids and in Angkor Wat. Cycle through the back roads with your hosted resident guide who will take you through the Inner City where you will witness an amazing side of Anuradhapura, which no one knows even exists, and definitely out of the tourist crowds. London +44 208 960 1002 | Male +960 333 5896 | Colombo +94 11 255 0001 | W hummingbird.travel Get on board your private jeep and proceed to the Wilpattu National Park where you will enjoy a picnic lunch in the wild. After the lunch, enjoy a Leopard & Bear safari. Take a jeep ride in the Wilpattu national park in search of the elusive Leopards, Sloth Bears, Wild Elephants, Wild Boar, Sambur Deer, Spotted Deer, Water Buffaloe and many bird species. The park is one of the best places in the world to see leopards. This is the largest national park in the country and is away from all the jeep madness in Yala. We prefer this park over Yala since we don’t believe in taking a guest to a national park to watch a leopard with 50 other noisy jeeps all around. We prefer to provide you with an authentic and peaceful wildlife experience where both you and the animals will be at ease. Early morning and late in the afternoon are the best times to settle in for some leopard and bear sightings. Enjoy a Jaffna Tamil vegetarian dinner at the hotel. Hotel: Forest Rock Garden Room: Suite with Plunge Pool Meal Basis: Half Board (Vegetarian) Website: http://www.forestrockgarden.lk/ DAY 05 Anuradhapura – Kandy After an early breakfast, drive to Dambulla and visit the island’s biggest and most famous Vegetable market. Today lunch will be at Aluvihare Kitchen which was built by the great architect – Geoffrey Bawa. Do not be surprised by the varieties of curries which you will taste today during lunch! After lunch walk around the premises and see how local women come to this center to create Batik clothes. London +44 208 960 1002 | Male +960 333 5896 | Colombo +94 11 255 0001 | W hummingbird.travel In the evening visit a Spice Garden and learn the secrets of the Sri Lankan spices and what makes the islander’s food much different from the others.