Gunay Gunasekara
A Culinary Journey with Chami & the Family
When we travel, we always look for immersive experiences to find the driving spirit, the heart and soul of a destination. A traditional cooking experience is a delightful journey into the heart of culinary heritage, offering any visitor the opportunity to engage with time-honoured recipes, local ingredients, and age-old cooking techniques. Whether it takes place in the aesthetics of the bucolic or the rustic kitchen of a family home, such an experience provides a hands-on approach to understanding and appreciating the cultural richness of a particular cuisine.
If you step into Chami’s family home in Kandy, you’ve hit the jackpot! The setting for this traditional cooking experience is often explained as warm and inviting, fostering a sense of community and shared learning. The kitchen, infused with the aromas of spices and fresh produce, becomes a hub of activity as you gather to immerse in the culinary traditions passed down through generations with the lovely local family of hosts. Before the start of the experience, explore the charming village. The local market is a great place to pick fresh produce for the curries of your choice and the nearby Buddhist Temple is magical in the evening hours.
Visit a traditional Kandyan Dancing & Drumming Academy
In the quiet suburbs of the iconic city of Kandy, the narrow roads will take you next to the humble abode of a prominent traditional dancing master.
At the house of the dance master, you can witness a series of traditional Kandyan dances such as the “Cobra dance”, “Mask dance”, and “Ginisila” (demonstrating power over fire). The experience is mesmerizing and inspiring. The entire colourful and energetic performance culminates with a breathtaking fire-walking act. After the show, the master offers to teach you the basics of Kandyan dancing and drumming if you show interest. You can also dress up in traditional Kandyan attire and pose for some photographs. Finally, you can enjoy a cup of hot herbal tea to refresh your spirits for the rest of the day.
Through this Foundation we have contributed to preserving these ancient rituals, traditions and culture, whilst encouraging the village communities to study/ practice this art, for free. This has also created a means of income for rural villagers, where the local student performers get a small amount of money deposited in their savings accounts, per performance.
Regional Presence
From the Authenticities HQ team to each and every one of our local hosts and representatives in key cities around the island, we wholly believe the importance of service on the ground is what defines us as ethical service providers to our travellers. In our work, we reflect the elements of finesse and personalization fitted to our style, which in turn will benefit our travellers by receiving premium service and a memorable experience in Sri Lanka that will last a lifetime.
We pride ourselves on being the only travel company in Sri Lanka that has dedicated regional experts who are passionate about their role. who not only represent our brand but are stationed at key geo-locations to facilitate travel. Our regional experts, although they might shy away from being called experts, experts they are on expanding the individual features of Sri Lanka. What’s more, they come from all walks of life and have travelled the length and breadth of this island, experienced, seen, heard and above all, understood the land, its people and lifestyles. They strive to be informative and fastidious and go beyond their assigned roles of executing our ideas and perfecting our deliveries. A crucial aspect of their job involves nurturing ties with local communities and helping to sustain livelihoods.
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We offer unmatched service excellence, with our trip reviews boasting an exceptional excellency rate of over 98%, a testament to our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Our fleet is unrivaled, featuring the best luxury transport options available on the island, ensuring your journey is both comfortable and stylish. Additionally, we employ licensed chauffeur guides who are renowned as the best in the industry, providing expert knowledge and personalized service. Our itineraries are thoughtfully curated to reflect your interests and preferences, offering an authentic experience that encompasses the rich diversity and beauty of Sri Lanka.