Hop on an enchanting boat tour in Bentota of the Madu Ganga, just 30 minutes from Bentota, for a river tour and visit the beautiful lake island of Cinnamon Island. In a scene frozen in time, the island is home to a generational family engaging in the traditional craft of planting and processing Ceylon Cinnamon.
The ancients often called Ceylon The Spice Island. This legacy of being home to many exotic spices was no doubt a reason for European powers to seek such interest in the island and its eventual fall in the 16th century.
No spice is more famous or sought after than Cinnamon, grown in Sri Lanka’s lush and fertile soil. Known as the Rolls Royce of cinnamon varieties, Ceylon Cinnamon is unique in its quality, flavour, and texture and offers the best health properties.
Growing and harvesting this exotic spice is a unique skill passed on through generations. Several plantations on the island still use the skills of seasoned cinnamon farmers to harvest Ceylon Cinnamon.
Cinnamon Island is inhabited by a small family of locals who have been honing their harvesting skills on this island for generations. On this tiny island, witness the magic of cinnamon firsthand with an opportunity to watch and learn from these local masters as they cultivate the bark of the Cinnamon tree into an aromatic spice. Learn about harvesting, peeling, oiling, and rolling the cinnamon sticks – all traditional techniques down by hand and passed down through generations. Many qualities spew out of the Cinnamon Bark during the harvesting and peeling process, with “Alba” being the highest quality.
Cinnamon Island Boat Tours from Madu Ganga, Balapitiya, usually take 2-3 hours.
Your Hotel can arrange the boat tour, or there are many independent operators in the area to choose from
Tickets: USD 25-30 per person (Prices may vary slightly as per operator and facilities prices current as of June 2024)