📍 Sri Lanka

SRI LANKA SPICE TRAIL: A CULINARY JOURNEY THROUGH CEYLON

Cinnamon bark curling in gardens, curry leaves sizzling in clay pots, seafood feasts on southern shores. Ceylon's spices set the senses ablaze.

≈ 11
Days
838
Km
9
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Explore Pettah in Colombo and its spice markets, then reach Matale and its fragrant gardens. In Kandy, let local kitchens and rice curry gestures guide you, before reaching Galle and its maritime influences. End at Weligama around seafood stalls. In Sri Lanka, flavors tell the country as much as its temples.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Colombo

pettah spice markets street food adventure

🔍

Discover

1
Pettah Market, maze of alleys with spice merchants, tropical fruits and exotic vegetables.
2
Old Dutch Hospital, colonial complex converted into restaurants and gourmet shops.
🎯

Activities

Sri Lankan cooking workshop with local chef to learn authentic rice & curry.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 41 km
Travel time: 35min
2
Day

Negombo

lagoon seafood fish market morning catch

🔍

Discover

1
Negombo fish market, morning spectacle with boat arrivals and lively auctions.
2
Lellama Fish Market, secondary market where you can buy ultra-fresh fish and seafood.
🎯

Activities

Seafood curry preparation class with a fishing family.
Tasting of lagoon crabs cooked over wood fire.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 108 km
Travel time: 1h32
3
Day

Chilaw

fishing port fresh crab curry traditions

🔍

Discover

1
Coconut plantation with demonstration of oil and toddy production.
2
Chilaw local market renowned for its lagoon crabs.
🎯

Activities

Cooking workshop for coconut-based specialties: sambol, pol roti and kiri bath.
Tasting of fermented toddy and local arrack at a producer's.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 135 km
Travel time: 1h55
4
Day

Matale

spice gardens cinnamon cardamom pepper estates

🔍

Discover

1
Matale spice garden, plantation with cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, vanilla and nutmeg.
2
Heritage Spice Garden with demonstration of spice harvesting and processing.
🎯

Activities

Course on preparing spice blends for curries and sambols.
Tasting of traditional spicy dishes in a village restaurant.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 27 km
Travel time: 23min
5
Day

Kandy

cooking classes market tours hill cuisine

🔍

Discover

1
Kandy municipal market, stalls overflowing with tropical fruits, vegetables and aromatic herbs.
2
Empire Café, local institution to taste Sri Lankan colonial pastries.
🎯

Activities

Visit to a jaggery candy factory with tasting.
Dinner show with Kandyan dances and buffet of local specialties.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 81 km
Travel time: 1h09
6
Day

Nuwara Eliya

tea factory tours highland vegetable gardens

🔍

Discover

1
Pedro tea factory with complete visit of the manufacturing process and guided tasting.
2
Tea Bush Café in the middle of plantations to savor pastries and premium teas.
🎯

Activities

Guided walk through plantations with picking demonstration by Tamil women.
Tea tasting workshop to learn to differentiate grades and aromas.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 81 km
Travel time: 1h09
7
Day

Ella

hoppers kottu rotti mountain cafe culture

🔍

Discover

1
Café Chill with panoramic mountain views, specializing in creative vegetarian dishes.
2
Mini Adam's Peak with stop at mountain restaurants serving homemade rice and curry.
🎯

Activities

Scenic train journey through tea plantations with local snack tasting on board.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 189 km
Travel time: 2h41
8
Day

Galle

fort restaurants fusion seafood colonial ambiance

🔍

Discover

1
Galle market with seafood, mango, papaya and jackfruit stalls.
2
Pédé Street Food to taste the best kottu roti on the south coast.
🎯

Activities

Cooking class in Galle fort to master hoppers and sambols.
Artisanal arrack distillery visit with tasting.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14 km
Travel time: 12min
9
Day

Weligama

beachside grills fresh catch sunset dining

🔍

Discover

1
Weligama fish market where fishermen sell their daily catch.
2
Beach restaurants serving freshly caught grilled fish.
🎯

Activities

Workshop on preparing ambulthiyal fish curries Weligama style.
Tasting of curd (buffalo yogurt) with palm honey at a local farm.
Seafood barbecue dinner with feet in the sand at sunset.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 162 km
Travel time: 2h18
10
Day

Colombo

pettah spice markets street food adventure

🔍

Discover

1
Ministry of Crab, gourmet restaurant famous for its lagoon crabs prepared in multiple ways.
2
Good Market, weekly organic market with farm products and creative street food.
🎯

Activities

Shopping for quality spices and teas to take home at the Tea Board Shop.
Closing dinner at a fusion restaurant blending Sri Lankan traditions and modern techniques.

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Dry Season - West and South (December-March): This period offers the best weather for exploring Colombo, the southern beaches, and hill country regions with minimal rainfall, comfortable temperatures (26-30°C), and calm seas perfect for beach activities. Tourist crowds reach their peak during December and January holidays, resulting in higher accommodation prices and advance booking requirements. The monsoon winds from the northeast create ideal surfing conditions on the south coast, while the hill country enjoys cool, clear weather perfect for tea plantation visits and hiking.

Dry Season - East and North (May-September): The eastern and northern coasts experience their dry season during these months, offering excellent beach weather, calm seas, and minimal rainfall while the west coast faces monsoon conditions. This period provides opportunities to explore less crowded eastern beaches like Arugam Bay and Trincomalee, along with northern cultural sites like Jaffna and Anuradhapura. Temperatures remain warm (28-32°C) with lower humidity levels, making this ideal for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities in the eastern regions.

Shoulder Seasons (April and October-November): These transitional periods offer the best value for money with moderate weather conditions across most regions, though brief afternoon showers are common as monsoon patterns shift. Tourist crowds diminish significantly, resulting in lower accommodation prices and more authentic local experiences. April can be quite hot (30-35°C) before the rains begin, while October-November provides pleasant post-monsoon conditions with lush green landscapes and refreshed waterfalls throughout the island.

Monsoon Seasons (Southwest: May-September, Northeast: October-January): While challenging for beach activities, monsoon periods offer unique experiences including spectacular waterfalls, lush green landscapes, and dramatically reduced tourist crowds. The southwest monsoon affects the western and southern coasts but often brings only afternoon showers, allowing morning sightseeing and cultural activities. Budget travelers can find excellent accommodation deals during monsoon periods, while the rain enhances the island's natural beauty and fills reservoirs and waterways.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 9 and 13 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Sri Lanka?

Pearl of the Indian Ocean with ancient temples, tea plantations, and incredible wildlife. Experience cultural diversity, beautiful beaches, and authentic Sri Lankan hospitality. The country offers spiritual experiences with natural beauty and cultural depth. Sri Lanka provides transformative cultural experiences with natural wonders and historical significance.