Grand Hotel

Set in a restaurant adjacent to a cinnamon plantation, you’ll get busy preparing a traditional Sri Lankan curry with a recipe that’s been inherited over generations before tucking into your own delicious creations over lunch. • Duration: half day • Daily departures • year round • Private experience • Available for guests travelling with a private chauffeur and staying in Kandalama, Dambulla, Habarana and Kandy Good to know — This class is ideal for those travelling between Habarana or Kandalama and Kandy or vice versa due to its location between the two.

• Duration: half day • Time: 12.20pm to 4.00pm • Daily departures • Operates year-round • Group experience Good to know — The train journey is based on tickets in the best available class, air-conditioned carriage, where available. It includes lunch or high tea depending on journey time (after the rail journey at a local restaurant), taxes and service charges.

The traditional music and percussion instruments of Sri Lanka are the focus on this short but sweet experience from Kandy. Learn about the history and culture surrounding the Kandyan drum, their importance and use during festivals, rituals and at temples. There’ll be the chance to try out the skill for yourself under the guidance of an experienced drummer; this is a great experience to enjoy together as a family. • Duration: 2 hours • Time: 9am to 11am or 3pm to 5pm • Daily departures from Kandy • Operates year-round • Private experience

After all that learning, end the day with a refreshing cup of Ceylon Tea straight from the plantation and a newfound appreciation for the hard work that goes into every cup. • Duration: half day • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience  • Available for guests travelling with a private chauffeur and staying in Nuwara Eliya and Kandy Good to know — This is a great half day trip for those travelling between Nuwara Eliya and Kandy or vice versa, due to its location between the two.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates right back to the 14th century, lending an authentic glimpse into times gone by, while the fire dancing ritual has been carefully recreated for an evening performance you’ll never forget. Watch as the fire dancers walk over hot coals and dance among the flames and soak up every second of this jaw-dropping recital.

• Duration: 2 to 3 hours • Daily departures from Kandy  • Operates year-round  • Private experience

Savour the distinctive yet calming notes of this floral black tea as you enjoy a round of tea tasting with a trained tea taster before heading on a guided tour around the plantation. To round things off, at the end of the day, an irresistible high tea will be ready and waiting for you to tuck in. Wrap your taste buds around freshly-brewed Ceylon tea, neatly cut sandwiches and an assortment of delectable cakes and bakes before heading back with a full tummy and a heart full of fond memories. • Duration: 1.5 hours

Adorned with statues of Gautama Buddha and ornate ceiling paintings, the iconic temple is brimming with artefacts depicting the island’s glorious past and is not to be missed. • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience • Available for guests travelling with a private chauffeur and staying in Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Habarana, Kandalama, Kandy and Passikudah hotels • Available as a day trip for guests staying at hotels in Negombo Good to know — Legs and shoulders must be covered, and shoes will need to be removed when exploring the temples.

Spend a few hours discovering the skill and beauty of a couple of the traditional crafts still practiced in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country: pottery and weaving. You’ll visit the workshop of a potter and learn about the age-old methods used to create stunning earthenware pieces as well as trying your hand on the potter’s wheel yourself. The focus then shifts to the intricate art of weaving pan reeds into vibrant and multi-use mats – a pan padura – which most families in Sri Lanka will own. Watch as dried-out reeds are transformed in front of your eyes and even have a go yourself. • Duration: 3 to 4 hours • Daily departures from Kandy • Operates year-round • Private experience

• Duration: half day • Time: 1.40pm to 6pm • Daily departures • Operates year-round • Group experience Good to know — The train journey is based on tickets in the best available class, air-conditioned carriage, where available. It includes lunch or high tea depending on journey time (after the rail journey at a local restaurant), taxes and service charges.

• Duration: 1 hour • Daily departures from Kandy • Operates year-round  • Private experience

• Duration: half day • Time: 3.45pm to 6.30pm • Daily departures • Operates year-round • Group experience Good to know — The train journey is based on tickets in the best available class, air-conditioned carriage, where available. It includes lunch or high tea depending on journey time (after the rail journey at a local restaurant), taxes and service charges.