Sept 28-Oct 5, 2025
Sri Lanka is Sinhalese for “Resplendent Island,” a fitting title for the lush teardrop-shaped landmass off the coast of India that’s emerging out of hardship as one of the most vibrant and compelling travel destinations on the planet. From the seaside metropolis of Colombo to the ancient Spice Route fort of Galle up to the emerald tea trails of Sri Lankan hill country, this trip goes hard and deep. Led by the charismatic culinary scout Gonzalo Gil Lavedra and Mark Forbes, a curator and researcher descending from a long line of Sri Lankan tea planters, we will dine in family homes and tea field bungalows, meet Tamil orators, Sinhalese naturalists, planters of cinnamon and Ceylon, and Sri Lankan chefs of all stripes, learning as we go the stories, secrets, and cherished food traditions of this enigmatic island nation.
Curator, Researcher
Mark Forbes
Scout, Traveler, Gourmand
Gonzalo Gil Lavedra
Overview
Ceylon, Serendip, Trapobana. Known over millennia by many names, Sri Lanka is an island of myth and mystique, of tea and spice, white beach and thick jungle. Its current name means “Resplendent Island,” a fitting title for the lush teardrop-shaped landmass off the coast of India that’s emerging out of hardship as one of the most vibrant and compelling travel destinations on the planet.
This trip goes hard and deep, burrowing into this complex, multiethnic island country from the seaside metropolis of Colombo to the ancient Spice Route fort of Galle up to the emerald tea trails of Sri Lankan hill country, which we reach by seaplane. Led by the charismatic culinary scout Gonzalo Gil Lavedra and Mark Forbes, a curator and researcher descending from a long line of Sri Lankan tea planters, we will dine in family homes and tea field bungalows, meet Tamil orators, Sinhalese naturalists, planters of cinnamon and Ceylon, and Sri Lankan chefs of all stripes, learning as we go the stories, secrets, and cherished food traditions of this enigmatic island nation.
Local Guide
Curator, Researcher
Mark Forbes is a curator, researcher, and the founder of Colombo City Walks, which introduces visitors to the narrative-rich hidden gems of Sri Lanka’s vibrant capital city. A wildlife enthusiast and culinary expert who descends from a long line of Sri Lankan tea planters, Mark is the perfect person to guide us on this singular adventure.
R&K Host
Scout, Traveler, Gourmand
We first met Gonzalo Gil Lavedra in the smoky courtyard behind a family’s butcher shop in the meat-obsessed pueblo of Temozón, Yucatán. Referred to us by Noma chef René Redzepi, Gonzalo had sweet-talked the family into taking us all behind the scenes of some of the best smoked meat in Mexico. His unassuming charm, curiosity, and ability to talk his way into and out of just about anything have made him a perfect addition to the League of Travelers.
Galle Retreat
Built in the 1860s by a Scottish spice merchant, this colonial manor turned boutique hotel is the perfect home base for our explorations of Galle Fort. Perched high on a hill five minutes from the fort, the art-filled hotel features seven individually designed bedrooms with high-end amenities, a book-filled library, and an outdoor pool surrounded by tropical vegetation.
On Top of the World
Perched at an altitude of 1250 meters, five historic tea-planter bungalows are spread across 2000 hectares, with panoramic views of the surrounding Ceylon highlands. The bungalow we bought out for this journey is set in a peaceful wooded glade on the banks of Lake Castlereagh, drawing cool breezes from the water.
Matt P.This trip exceeded anything I could have imagined. Food and sights were incredible. Our hosts were next level.
Amanda C.The connections R&K has in the community made this trip feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience that could not be replicated by any other company.
Dawn F.I had no idea what a deeply moving experience this trip would be—far beyond just a culinary tour.
Sept 7-15, 2025
From the misty matsutake-rich mountains of Ma Pin Guan to the hidden Bai enclaves of ancient Silk Road towns, this is a weeklong journey through China’s most varied province, a biodiversity hotspot home to more ethnic groups than any other. Yunnan: land of mushrooms, birthplace of tea. Led by the Chinese writer Jane Yang and Roads & Kingdoms co-founder Nathan Thornburgh, we begin in Shanghai and end in Dali, traversing four ancient towns that ring the storied Lake of Erhai—culminating in an extraordinary multi-course dinner in a secret restaurant for Chinese chefs.
Writer, Entrepreneur
Jane Yang
Co-founder, Journalist
Nathan Thornburgh
October 18-25, 2025
From the patinaed grandeur of Old Hanoi to the deep hilltribe valleys of Lao Cai province, this week is a master class in the vibrant present and the ancient past. Our hosts will be Hanoians, Hmong, Red Dao, and the people behind Song Cai spirits, the most knowledgeable culinary minds in Vietnam’s north. We’ll track down the roots of phở from black cardamom fields to water buffalo markets. We’ll dine on blue plastic chairs down Bun cha alleys and private dining rooms with Vietnam’s most dynamic chefs. An unforgettable deep dive with the people who know it best.
Activist, Distiller, Researcher
Daniel Nguyen
Chef, Writer, Raconteur
Andy Ricker
Ready for a new adventure?
Ready for a new adventure?
Dates don’t work, want a private experience? We can custom tailor any of our trips for you and your group. Reach out to learn more.