Colours of Jaffna

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Jaffna
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 369.- per person (excluding flights)
Highlights:
✓ Explore Jaffna's hidden gems on a cycle tour
✓ Visit a local farm and have a go at ploughing
✓ Prepare a traditional Sri Lankan dish with a local family

Only opened up to tourists in recent years, the northern city of Jaffna is a melting pot of cultures, religions and cuisines. Cycle around the battered ramparts of Jaffna Fort, sneak a peek into a Hindu temple and light a candle at the Cathedral. Let the hubbub of the local fish market envelop you, visit a farm to see the traditional way of farming and be welcomed into a local home for lunch.

Day 1 – Arrival in Jaffna

You’ll arrive in Jaffna early afternoon and after freshening up at your hotel head out to explore Jaffna’s main landmarks. Meet your local Thamil guide at Jaffna Fort, hop on a bike and start pedalling around, discovering Jaffna’s hidden gems and well-known sites! Your final stop is Nallur Kandasamy Kovil, the most important Hindu temple in the region, and you will get here just in time for the evening ceremonies! The rest of the evening is free for you to keep exploring the town or enjoying the peace and quiet of your hotel.

Take the train to Jaffna

If you’d like to include a train journey in your itinerary we can recommend the trip from Anuradhapura to Jaffna. Over three hours you’ll travel away from the Cultural Triangle with its age-old stupas and into the drier northern plains, where the scenery is totally different from the south. It’s more than just scenic views – this is a journey with history, running along the once-closed Northern Line that’s now been restored. On board, you’ll share the ride with locals and pilgrims, giving you a real sense of everyday Sri Lankan life as you head towards culture-rich Jaffna. If this sounds of interest ask your Travel Specialist to include the train journey in your travel plan.

Day 2 – Sightseeing & local lunch

Today there’s plenty more sightseeing to be done. After an early rise, you will check out the catch of the day at a bustling fish market. After breakfast back at your hotel, you’ll venture further into the countryside to visit a local farm. Farming is an important source of income in Jaffna and you’ll see field upon field of rice, vegetables and fruits. Traditional farming methods are still in use and you’ll learn more from the farmer during your visit. You can try your hand at ploughing if you wish!

Next, your guide will take you to his home in Jaffna, where you’ll meet his family and help them prep a traditional lunch. You’ll all sit together on the floor and sample local dishes, typical for the area. The only challenge you might face is lack of cutlery – now is your chance to master curry eating with your bare hands! After lunch the time is yours to do as you please – you may want to explore Jaffna’s other sites, such as Point Pedro, Kadurugoda temple of the famous Nilavarei well, or take it easy and laze around the pool at your hotel.

Day 3 – Departure from Jaffna

After breakfast you can head to St Mary’s Cathedral built by the Portuguese in 1794. Many Sri Lankans are descendants of these early settlers and you might notice that the surname Fernando is surprisingly common. After your visit you’ll hop back into your private car and journey onwards to your next destination.