Sigiriya: Organic Cooking Class & Garden Meal with Pickup

Summary

Cook Sri Lankan curries in Sigiriya with locals, taste garden spices, share a meal

You’ll join Kumara’s family in Sigiriya to pick fresh vegetables from their garden, learn traditional Sri Lankan cooking techniques using homemade spices, and share a relaxed meal together under the trees. Expect laughter, local flavors, and moments that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Kumara was already waiting by the gate when we arrived — I think he spotted us before we even got out of the tuk-tuk. He waved us in with both hands and his wife, Mala, handed me a sprig of curry leaves right away. The smell hit me before anything else: earthy, sharp, almost citrusy. Their garden is wild and green, not like any neat rows I’ve seen back home. Chickens darted around our feet while Kumara explained which vegetables we’d be picking for the cooking class. “All organic,” he said proudly, and honestly you could taste it later.

I’ll admit I was nervous about messing up the rice (I always do at home), but Mala just grinned and showed me how to use my fingers to check the water — no measuring cups here. We ground spices together using a heavy stone grinder; my arm got tired after about thirty seconds but Kumara just laughed and took over. He told us stories about his grandmother’s recipes while we worked on the curries — pumpkin, eggplant, something called gotu kola that I still can’t pronounce right. At one point, their little boy came running through yelling something in Sinhala that made everyone laugh except me (wish I knew what he said).

Lunch was served on banana leaves at a low table outside. There was herbal tea too — sort of floral and grassy at once — plus a dessert that looked simple but tasted like caramelized coconut. Eating with my hands felt awkward at first but then kind of freeing? The whole thing lasted longer than I expected because nobody seemed in a rush; even when the rain started tapping on the tin roof overhead, we just kept talking. It felt less like a class and more like being invited into someone’s day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sri Lankan organic cooking class

• Introduction to curries
• Learn ingredients and spices
• Prepare spices traditionally
• Prepare ingredients by quantity
• Experience cooking with tips
• Arrange table traditionally
• Taste and enjoy meal
• Option to buy homemade spices

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Sigiriya cooking class?

Yes, free pickup and drop-off are included within 1km of the class location.

What dishes will I learn to cook during the class?

You’ll prepare several traditional Sri Lankan curries using organic vegetables from Kumara’s garden.

Are all ingredients organic?

Yes, all vegetables used are grown organically in their own garden.

Can I buy homemade spices during the experience?

Yes, you can purchase homemade spices if you wish after learning how they’re prepared.

Is this cooking class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible.

How long does the cooking class last?

The cooking class lasts around one hour plus time for lunch or dinner.

Is water provided during the class?

Yes, water is included along with herbal tea and dessert.

What’s included

Your day includes free pickup and drop-off within 1km of Kumara’s home in Sigiriya, all ingredients straight from their organic garden, hands-on cooking guidance with homemade spices, herbal tea, water throughout your visit, dessert at the end, and either lunch or dinner shared together outdoors before heading back.