Sri Lanka - Land of Smiles
Misty tea-lined mountains, elephants bathing in rivers, smiling faces and one of the most delicious and diverse cuisines in the world!
Sri Lanka - the land of smiles
Discover one of the most beautiful islands on earth. Explore stunning tea estates, mountain ranges, Buddhist pilgrim sites, and the jungle-clad city of Kandy. Work with orphaned children outside Colombo and experience the real Sri Lanka. This Foto and Foodie workshop will include our director Laurie Nassif's take on the country's complex and spicy cuisine. Fotos and Food and a 'giving back' mandate!
Our NGO Partner
Singithi Sevana Home for Children, a small, loving orphanage in Kandy. Singithi Sevana means "Children's Rest" and it provides residential care to orphans from ages 2-12. The Home offers art programs and special elders days and is raising funds for some renovations to their building.
10 DAYS
Cost – $3400 usd pp (8 or more), $3900 usd pp (7 or less)
Guests – (10-12)
Arrival airport – Colombo, Sri Lanka
Featured Guesthouse
Quick Pack list
camera equipment, waterproof hiking/walking boots, layered clothing, tropical clothing, rain jacket, bathing suit, school supplies for children, small art supplies.
Recommended Reading
THE TEARDROP ISLAND: FOLLOWING VICTORIAN FOOTSTEPS ACROSS SRI LANKA by Cherry Briggs
Travel level
Comfortable, some walking, optional trekking and hiking.
PHOTO BY HOLLY BROWN (2016)
“You will see me in Sri Lanka. Ecuador was one of the best trips of my life. I want to feel that joy again”
ITINERARY
Tuesday
Roundtrip airport: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Transfer to Negombo (30 mins)
Accommodations: Villa Hundira
Wednesday
(Day 1: Negombo)
Take the early morning to explore this beautiful beach and local fishing village
WELCOME introductions and PHOTO CLASS
Then wander Negombo and wait for the Oruvas (dug out canoes) to arrive with their catch!
LUNCHTIME COOKING CLASS with a family in their home
Learn to cook the Sri Lankan's favorite fish curry!
Accommodations: Villa Hundira
Thursday
(Day 2: Kandy)
Up and out early to travel to Kandy, the jewel of the mountains, that served as the last Capitol
of the Sinhalese Kingdom until the early 19th Century. Shrouded in mist
and dotted with saris of all colors, Kandy will take your breath away.
Lunch at a local eatery with our guide Platy!
AFTERNOON GIVING BACK PROJECT
at Singithi Sevana Children's Home
COCKTAIL PHOTO CLASS
Accommodations: Elephant Stables
Friday
(Day 3: Nuwera to Ella)
One on ones with Nance
MORNING PHOTO CLASS
We will visit to homes to photograph
drum making, brass carving and Dumbara mat weaving
In the afternoon we take the 3 hr HISTORIC TRAIN RIDE from Nuwera to Ella, winding along
rolling hills covered with lush tea estates, dotted with stunning waterfalls, mountain tunnels,
pine forests and vast green valleys
Accommodations: 98 Acres Resort
Saturday
(Day 4 - Ella)
One on ones with Nance
Morning visit to the village and market
LUNCH PHOTO CLASS
Afternoon visit to surrounding tea plantations and a journey in to the art of tea making.
Tea, as in many cultures is a vital part of Sri Lankan life. We will photograph the
colorful pluckers, roam the hillside and immerse ourselves in the plantation.
COCKTAIL CRITIQUES
Accommodations: 98 Acres Resort
Sunday
(Day 5 - Ella)
BREAKFAST PHOTO CLASS
Morning hiking or bike riding to nearby villages and Rawana Falls
AFTERNOON COOKING CLASS
Ella, the foodie's paradise, we will cook with the 98 Acres Retreat chef! We will learn
about Sri Lankan spices and culinary secrets and create our own
vegetable dishes and a one meat curry!
COCKTAIL CRITIQUES
Accommodations: 98 Acres Resort
Monday
(Day 6 Tissa)
Surrounded by wilderness, the small ancient town of Tissamaharama
is a local Buddhist pilgrimage site and home to the snowy white topped Dogoba.
One of the most pleasant towns in the South, Tissa was historically
known as the Mahagama (Great Town).
AFTERNOON PHOTO CLASS - Sacred Places
Accommodations: Thaulle Resort
Tuesday
(Day 7, Tissa to Tangalle)
We visit spice gardens with cinnamon, clove, peppers and chilis on the way
to this stunning beachside town.
MORNING PHOTO CLASS - Portraiture with a local rice/coconut farming family
LUNCH at Prem Restaurant,
a little gem with some of the best market food in town!
Afternoon visit to fly-tying factory
COCKTAIL CRITIQUES
Accommodations: Turtle Bay
Wednesday
(Day 8, Tangalle)
Wednesday market visit for photographer and more street food!
MORNING PHOTO CLASS
Afternoon trip to the Mulkirigala Rock Monastery and then out to our second
GIVING BACK project, The Navajeevana Center, a holistic and forward thinking center that sponsors
people with disabilities offering them a full rehab center and hands on training in arts and crafts.
We will do our sunpaper workshop and have a cultural exchange.
Accommodations: Turtle Bay
Thursday
(Day 9, Galle)
Your last day in Sri Lanka! Wander the streets of Galle.
Explore the architecture, spice markets and fermented fish!
AFTERNOON PHOTO EDITING
take some one on one editing time with instructor!
Accommodations: The Fort Printers
FINAL RECEPTION, EXHIBIT AND DINNER
where you can show off your
culinary and photography skills!
Friday, February 19
(Day 10 - Colombo)
TRAVEL DAY
Farewell…we’ll miss you…safe journey!
AND WE HOPE TO TRAVEL WITH YOU AGAIN SOON!
-Laurie and Nance