DAY 1
Colombo
Sri Lanka’s modern capital, Colombo, combines colonial and contemporary architecture along its busy streets, from the English-style cricket green, to the grand Independence Hall, to sunset views from the Galle Face Hotel terrace. Your day is at leisure until late afternoon when you’ll embark on a taste-bud tingling culinary tour starting at the busy Galle Face Green seaside promenade. Try isso wade prawn fritters, achcharu pickles and fragrant tandoori chicken; tuk-tuk to The Old Dutch Hospital for some of Sri Lanka’s finest tea and delicious pol roti kottu; finish with traditional jaggery sweets, and return to your hotel with a full belly.
Sri Lanka’s modern capital, Colombo, combines colonial and contemporary architecture along its busy streets, from the English-style cricket green, to the grand Independence Hall, to sunset views from the Galle Face Hotel terrace. Your day is at leisure until late afternoon when you’ll embark on a taste-bud tingling culinary tour starting at the busy Galle Face Green seaside promenade. Try isso wade prawn fritters, achcharu pickles and fragrant tandoori chicken; tuk-tuk to The Old Dutch Hospital for some of Sri Lanka’s finest tea and delicious pol roti kottu; finish with traditional jaggery sweets, and return to your hotel with a full belly.
DAY 2 - 3
Anamaduwa
Turn off the main highway and pass through a scattering of regional towns and villages, where you’ll get a feel for Puttalam district’s wild, rural surroundings, where high grasses and wetland pools fill the landscape. The region is known for its curving coastline and shallow lagoons ideal for prawn farming and sea fishing. Once at Anamaduwa town, you can wander in dappled shade around the Paramakanda Vihara Buddhist temple, marvel at the 100 ft long ancient Thonigala rock inscriptions, and get away from it all with a stay at the pioneering Mudhouse eco retreat.
Turn off the main highway and pass through a scattering of regional towns and villages, where you’ll get a feel for Puttalam district’s wild, rural surroundings, where high grasses and wetland pools fill the landscape. The region is known for its curving coastline and shallow lagoons ideal for prawn farming and sea fishing. Once at Anamaduwa town, you can wander in dappled shade around the Paramakanda Vihara Buddhist temple, marvel at the 100 ft long ancient Thonigala rock inscriptions, and get away from it all with a stay at the pioneering Mudhouse eco retreat.
DAY 4 - 7
Jaffna
Jaffna, in the island’s northernmost region, is one of the oldest habitation sites in South Asia, with a settlement there for at least 4,000 years. The port’s proximity to India, and prominent position overlooking the waters between each country, has made it a tempting prize for a succession of colonial powers, which each left its cultural and architectural legacies behind. Recently reopened to travellers after years of civil conflict, there is a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the region’s future, and a positive buzz in the streets.
Jaffna, in the island’s northernmost region, is one of the oldest habitation sites in South Asia, with a settlement there for at least 4,000 years. The port’s proximity to India, and prominent position overlooking the waters between each country, has made it a tempting prize for a succession of colonial powers, which each left its cultural and architectural legacies behind. Recently reopened to travellers after years of civil conflict, there is a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the region’s future, and a positive buzz in the streets.