2 Weeks | Kumar’s Culinary Tour of Sri LankaDesigned by M.Chanmugam

Trip Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days
Trip Operates: 24th March 12 – 4th April 12
Trip Price: Available upon Request. Rates vary depending on the time of the year and the number of people travelling.

N.B. We have modified this itinerary slightly by changing some of the accommodation to make it more affordable.

Itinerary

Spending thirteen days with the charismatic Kumar Pereira, one of the twelve final contestants in the recent Australian Masterchef series, on the vibrant tropical island of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, learning how to cook delicious meals and staying in beautiful hotels doesn’t need to be just a dream. In March 2012, Kumar will re- visit his childhood home, and take twelve lucky people with him on a culinary journey around the stunning island, which Marco Polo called the most beautiful in the world.

From the tropical gardens of Negombo where you will visit local markets to source ingredients before taking part in a master-class to learn the secrets of Sri Lankan cooking, you will travel to the heart of the country, where, under the shadow of the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress you will walk in herb gardens and learn about the ayurvedic properties of local cuisine. Then to Kandy the romantic former hill kingdom where you will visit a spice-roasting house before winding your way by train into the emerald tea country, renowned for its cool climate and cosy planter’s bungalows. From here you will plunge into the verdant, tropical south coast and experience coastal life, learning how to cook fresh seafood, and visit a cinnamon plantation and then finally to Colombo, the buzzing capital. Along the way you will take part in classes and demonstrations, as well as listen to Kumar’s stories of growing up in such an inspirational place:

The clay outdoor fireplaces were lit and cooking began in earnest – two menus for each meal – one more hearty and substantial for all the home help and the other for family and extended family who had to be entertained…Under Arokiam’s supervision the cooks would churn out pans of rich sweet meats in jewel colours. These were sprinkled with slivered almonds, cashews or pistachios and cut into squares. Some were glassy and transparent. Others thick and crusty. (An excerpt from ‘Family Weddings’, one of Kumar’s short stories.)

Accommodation

For this unforgettable trip we have chosen hotels that fall under the category of affordable luxury – a mixture of small boutique properties and larger hotels.

Inclusions

* Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis at The Wallawwa (2 nights), Vil Uyana (2 nights), Earl’s Regency (2 nights), The Tea Factory Hotel (2 nights), The Lighthouse Hotel (3 nights) and the Galle Face Hotel (1 night).
* Transport in an air con mini coach with the services of a tour leader.
* Train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.
* Guided visits and entrance fees to Sigiriya, The Dambulla Cave Temples, a spice garden, The Temple of the Tooth, The Royal Botanical Gardens, a tea factory, Galle Fort, a white tea estate, a cinnamon plantation and local markets.
* Cooking demos at The Wallawwa, Vil Uyana, Kahanda Kanda and Barefoot.
* Specialty dinners at The Wallawwa, Vil Uyana, Kandy House, The Tea Factory Hotel and The Sun House.
* Lunch at Kandalama, Ena De Silva’s, Royal Botanical Gardens and Lunuganga.

Exclusions

* International airfares
* Personal insurance (mandatory)
* Tips
* Expenses of a personal nature
* Meals not stated above

Important Note

All hosted journeys are subject to a minimum of eight people. If we do not obtain this amount, we will refund your deposit or put it towards a personally designed trip with a culinary theme.

Creating Unique Experiences

All our itineraries have been carefully crafted and represent a series of experiences we have created specially for you.