Welcome to Kandy! We'll be waiting to accompany you to your new home at Thotupola Residence.

Transportation: Kandy Railway Station or Kandy Bus Station to Thotupola Residence by Car or Van
Accommodation: Thotupola Residence in a Standard Room

Today, meet your guide at the lobby of the Queens Hotel Kandy to commence your tour (https://goo.gl/maps/zyzf4mBVwAbGvnDf9). You will explore the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings - Kandy, which was once the Last Capital during the Kandyan Kingdom and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today Kandy still retains touches of its colonial history in buildings such as the Queen's Hotel, a 19th century neoclassical beauty.

Visit the colourful Kandy Market, it's a wonderful place to explore and witness local market activities, enjoy the hustle and bustle at the Kandy marketplace and then proceed for a walk around Kandy's lovely centre piece - Kandy Lake. An artificial lake 4 kilometres in circumference, it was created in 1807 by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, the last ruler of the kingdom of Kandy.  A stroll around the lake takes approximately 40 minutes to an hour depending on your pace. Late afternoon is a good times to enjoy the bird life and the cooling breeze.

By 17:00, visit a performance theatre in Kandy to witness the spectacular Kandyan Cultural Dance Show. Developed in the Kandyan era, the Kandyan dancers and drummers in their decorative costumes are a distinctive feature of Sri Lankan culture and heritage. The dance show is followed by a visit to The prime landmark of the hill capital – the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy - Built during the 16th century, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple located in the royal palace complex, this is the pride of Buddhists in Sri Lanka and devotes from around the world. Join the ??Thevava' or auspicious offering to the relic which is quite an experience. The resident monks demonstrate this age-old tradition as you become surrounded by the sound of drums and the heady smells of incense and of lotus and jasmine flowers. Your tour ends at the Kandy temple after the visit, bid goodbye to your guide.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Thotupola Residence in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: Kandy City Tour with English-speaking guide

After breakfast at your hostel, enjoy some free time to explore Kandy on your own. Make sure to be back to the hostel by 17:45 latest for today's activity.

Join Thotupola Residence's cooking class, a true culinary experience that you won't want to miss. With a focus on traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, the class is led by an experienced and passionate chef who is dedicated to preserving the incredible flavors and aromas of this island nation. What sets the class apart is the use of only clay cooking equipment, delicately glazed and fired to perfection. From clay pots to handmade spoons crafted from coconut shells and wood handles, these traditional tools add an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the dishes we prepare. You'll learn to cook a variety of delicious vegan dishes, from tangy curries to sweet and savory snacks. The chef will share their secrets for unlocking the full potential of each ingredient and you'll get hands-on experience in creating a variety of flavors and textures.

And of course, the best part of any cooking class is sitting down to enjoy the fruits of your labor. After the class, you'll savor a delicious meal made with love and all the fresh ingredients you just learned about, served on clay plates using traditional wooden spoons.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Thotupola Residence in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: Thotupola Residence Cooking Experience

Enjoy a morning breakfast and prepare to check-out. We hope you've enjoyed your stay and are rested and ready to explore!

Meals: Breakfast