Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS
SPICE GARDENS
The A9 highway between Matale and Dambulla is famous for its spice gardens, with over
30 dotted along the road. All offer free tours of their gardens with an English-speaking
guide who can explain the merits and health properties of herbs, spices and plants in-
cluding cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, coffee, nutmeg, pepper, cardamom,
aloe vera, iriweriya and the henna plant.
Most visitors enjoy the tours and find them educational but note that these spice gar-
dens are very much commercial operations, surviving on profits from in-house shops that
sell powders and treatments. Some of the prices asked for products range from eye-wa-
tering to rip-off; expect a medium- to hard-sell and some fanciful claims for health prop-
erties of the produce.
Euphoria Spice & Herbal
GARDENS
( +9477 270 9107;
www.euphoriaspice.com
; 8.30am-4pm)
Offers very detailed tours of its spice garden and has a shop selling all kinds of creams,
potions and lotions that are said to help everything from sleeplessness to low sex drive.
Staff are welcoming, there's a cafe, and cooking demonstrations are also performed.
Located 15km north of Matale on the road to Dambulla.
Heritage Spice & Herbs Garden
GARDENS
( 205 5150;130 Center Land, Madawala Ulpotha; 8am-5pm)
With an attractive, shady garden, this spice specialist runs informative tours and has a
cafe for snacks and drinks. Around 15km north of Matale.
Sleeping & Eating
There's no compelling reason to stay in Matale but there are a couple of decent options.
Sesatha Hotel
GUESTHOUSE
( 223 1489;
h.sesatha@gmail.com
;
40 Kohombiliwela;r Rs 2800-4000;
)
