Colombo Trip Overview
This two-day tour ticks off many things you’ve come to expect from Sri Lanka. Explore the walled city of Galle, witness the iconic stilt fishermen and discover Yala National Park. Surrounded by the ocean, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort is a peeling maze of streets dating back to the Dutch colonial era. You’ll also be able to observe the made-for-Instagram southern tradition of stilt fishing. Over the two days, you’ll also enjoy a safari in Yala National Park. As your 4×4 weaves through the grasslands, try to catch sight of sloth bears, leopards and crocodiles.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Multi-day & Extended Tours >> Multi-day Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
This two-day tour ticks off many things you’ve come to expect from Sri Lanka. Explore the walled city of Galle, witness the iconic stilt fishermen and discover Yala National Park. Surrounded by the ocean, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort is a peeling maze of streets dating back to the Dutch colonial era. You’ll also be able to observe the made-for-Instagram southern tradition of stilt fishing. Over the two days, you’ll also enjoy a safari in Yala National Park. As your 4×4 weaves through the grasslands, try to catch sight of sloth bears, leopards and crocodiles.
Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo – Galle
Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and then further developed by the Dutch and the British over the next 350 years. It covers nearly 4sqkm and is protected by 12 bastions and connecting ramparts. During the early 18th century, the Old Dutch Gate was the entrance to the Fort, but subsequently the British built the Main Gate that is still used today. Buildings of interest include the Dutch Reformed Church, All Saints Church, Amangalla Hotel (formerly the New Oriental Hotel), the lighthouse and bell tower. The Dutch also developed what was then an innovative tide-based sewage-system within the Fort. Wander through the quaint streets and explore the various art galleries, shops and eateries, or go on our Galle Fort Walking Tour to discover more about the history of the Fort and its vibrant, present-day multi-cultural society.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Maritime Archeological Museum (Galle), Queen Street Duch fort, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Opened to the public in 1986, the Galle National Museum is located in one of the oldest remaining Dutch buildings; a single-storied colonnade within the Galle Fort. Constructed in 1656, it was once the commissariat store for the Dutch garrison. Renovated by the Department of National Museums, three galleries hold a carefully curated collection of exhibits from the Portuguese, Dutch and consequently British occupation during colonial times. One can take in displays showcasing cottage industries that came into being during the bygone era and which still prevail to this day; these include crafting jewellery from tortoiseshell and the weaving of Beeralu lace first introduced by the Portuguese.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Dutch Reformed Church, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
The Dutch Reformed Church, with gables on the eastern and western walls, but no tower, was completed in 1755. It is similar in style to the ones in Negapatnam and Cochin in India, even including the walls. It is built on the site of an earlier Portuguese convent. Around the church and within the walls is a small graveyard. Special features of this church include the Burial chamber of General Hulft, memorial of Commander Abraham Samland & a wooden Church organ standing over the entrance.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Stilt Fishermen Sri Lanka, Koggala Sri Lanka
Stilt Fishing is one of the most interesting traditional fishing methods of Sri Lanka. Records indicate that it came into being just after World War II. This mode of fishing was more widely used all along the coast until the tsunami in 2004 which caused such activities to cease temporarily until recent years. The beautiful sight of fishermen perched branched poles as they fish skillfully during dawn, noon and dusk; can now be commonly along the southern coast in towns such as Koggala, Kaththaluwa and Ahangama. Occasional stilt fishermen can also be seen amongst the waters of Madu River, etc.
Duration: 20 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Galle
Day 2: Galle – Yala – Colombo
Stop At: Yala National Park, Yala National Park
Yala National Park Sri Lanka lies in the Southern Province and Uva Province, 300km from Colombo. Yala National Park was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and designated as a national park in 1938. Yala National Park is most famous for its highest Panthera pardus concentration in the world, a majestic leopard endemic to Sri Lanka, and is also home to 44 varieties of mammal and 215 bird species. A large number of elephants also visit Yala park gaining access through the Lunugamvehera National Park, which works as a corridor between Yala National Park and Udawalawe National Park. Yala National Park is sectioned into five, and only two sections are opened to visitors due to the concerns expressed about the threat to wildlife from increasing number of tourists. The vegetation in Yala park comprises predominantly of semi-arid thorny shrub, interspersed with pockets of fairly dense secondary forest.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: No accommodation included on this day
