Saving Forests with a Taste of Spices

Saving Forests with a Taste of Spices” near Kandy—explore forest gardens, enjoy local cuisine, and support reforestation efforts.

Let’s have a sneak-peek at one of our signature experiences with a Regenerative Travel focus which we have aptly named “Saving Forests with a Taste of Spices”. Our team of travel designers very recently experienced this on an inspection trip and we think this is the perfect timing to re-introduce this to you. This is ideally done as day tour while based around Kandy or Digana which is even closer. While this is a great experience for nature lovers, this is also a better alternative than visiting the infamous Spice Gardens which are often tourist traps!

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to take a drive from the city to a village in the outskirts of Digana where you arrive at a small forest lodge. The lands around here are known as Kandyan Forest Gardens – an ancient agro-forestry practice that creates a diverse mosaic of native trees, fruits and spices. This highly productive landscape grows Pepper, Cloves, Nutmeg, Ceylon Cinnamon, Jackfruit, Coffee and many more.

The guests will be warmly welcomed by the hosts and while they enjoy a cup of their “Wild Coffee” which is fully organic and home grown, the host will start telling the stories about the history of Sri Lankan spices, how spices (especially Cinnamon) played a huge part in attracting colonial masters to invade Sri Lanka back in the days. You will also hear the story of how this little community-based Eco Lodge transpired into a small Spices Exporting business during the covid-19 pandemic; a true example of resilience.

Next, it’s time to take a walk through the forest gardens as the host will show you different types of spices in their natural forms and explain different uses of them. Guests also might be able to visit their spices processing workshop, if the timing doesn’t interrupt the production process.

Finally, back at the kitchen we can observe how these spices are used in preparing the aromatic Sri Lankan curries before sitting down to enjoy a simple but delicious rice and curry meal.

Feel Good Factor: The tour price already includes a financial contribution to the Forest Healing Foundation which aims at restoring and protecting the forests. If interested, we can also extend the walk into the area which they have used for reforestation. Also, please let us know in advance if the guests would like to plant a tree themselves and we are more than happy to facilitate that.

What to bring: A pair of walking shoes will come in handy since this experience involves walking through a forest garden. Leeches are rarely found unless it rains continuously. Natural repellent will be provided but feel free to bring in your own.