Colombo Trip Overview
Spend your first day exploring beautiful Galle a coast city situated in the southwestern tip of the island. It boasts of being an important historical landmark with its fortified city, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later developed in the 17th century, during the Dutch Colonial period. On the second day visit the Yala National Park which is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. There are five blocks in Yala National park and People can only visit block I, IV & V. Yala National Park has one of the highest densities of wildlife per square kilometer on the island; it is often described as the finest safari destination in Sri Lanka (a country of immense biodiversity). The park is home to a vast variety of wildlife that each and every day presents new and exciting interactions.
• Enjoy personalized attention on a private tour
• Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-offs
• Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with a travel guide driver
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Spend your first day exploring beautiful Galle a coast city situated in the southwestern tip of the island. It boasts of being an important historical landmark with its fortified city, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later developed in the 17th century, during the Dutch Colonial period. On the second day visit the Yala National Park which is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. There are five blocks in Yala National park and People can only visit block I, IV & V. Yala National Park has one of the highest densities of wildlife per square kilometer on the island; it is often described as the finest safari destination in Sri Lanka (a country of immense biodiversity). The park is home to a vast variety of wildlife that each and every day presents new and exciting interactions.
• Enjoy personalized attention on a private tour
• Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-offs
• Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with a travel guide driver
Itinerary
Day 1: Negombo/Colombo – Galle
Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
The Dutch Fort in Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. Take an exciting walk through this heritage site that boasts of a colourful history. Observe the many sites such as the Old Gate with the British Coat-of-Arms inscribed on it, the Old Dutch Hospital, the ramparts that run around the fortress with its excellent view of the ocean, the clock tower built in 1882, the light house built in 1939,the many bastions – each made for a specific purpose, Dutch colonial style houses with gables and verandahs, the Dutch Reformed Church built in 1640, the New Oriental Hotel, originally built in 1694, the National Maritime Museum and more.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Galle Fort Lighthouse, Rampart Street Galle Fort, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Galle Lighthouse also is known as Pointe De Galle Light is Sri Lanka’s oldest light station. Established in 1848 as the first onshore lighthouse in Galle, Sri Lanka, the original 80 feet structure was destroyed by a fire and the existing second structure was built in 1939, just 100 meters away from where its predecessor stood.Standing at 26.5 meters tall the first lighthouse light was furnished with a glass prism lens supported on friction reducing Mercury bath. The bath of mercury had two purposes; one was to keep the lamp at a perfect level and the other was to make the rotation of the lamp smooth and frictionless.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Galle National Museum, Church St, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
The Galle National Museum is established in the oldest Dutch building of the Galle fort, constructed in 1656.To aware the public on traditional cultural heritage of Southern Sri Lanka, the Department of National Museums developed this museum and opened to the public on 31st March 1986. Galle National Museum displays a wide range of archaeological and anthropological objects inherited in Southern region. Collection of traditional masks used in various rituals, collection of ornamental objects made up of turtle shells, ancient wooden carvings and a Beeralu collection are important visitor attractive exhibits in the museum. The influence of Dutch is depicted by the equipment’s used in Dutch ships came to the Galle harbor. Large water vessels, V.O.C. porcelain objects and arms and weapons used by the Dutch soldiers are among the exposition. The Galle National Museum plays an important role as a center of education in the Southern region.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Japanese Peace Pagoda, Rumassala, Unawatuna 80600 Sri Lanka
Japanese peace pagoda in Rumassala Built with the help of Japanese monks, the peace pagoda on Rumasalla Hill is one of four Buddhist peace pagodas in Sri Lanka. Stupas are monuments that serve as beacons of peace for people of all nationalities and creeds, and the clean, rounded design of the Unawatuna pagoda exemplifies this. Visitors can walk or drive the shaded path to the Peace Pagoda and they will be rewarded with a towering, white bell-like structure surrounded by gold-painted statues. Sets of steps also lead to a walkway encircling the shrine which offers a 360-degree view of the jungle and bay.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Unawatuna, Unawatuna, Galle District, Southern Province
Unawatuna is one of the most popular beaches in the South as well as the entire island. It is popularly known as a family friendly area especially with the shallow water levels most ideal for swimming. The west end of the beach leads to some rocks and stairs to go up a small hill with a pagoda and a big Buddha statue. It makes for a nice little walk with a beautiful view overlooking the beach. his banana-shaped golden sandy beach with its turquoise water is usually crowded during the day with both locals and tourists. There are sunbeds for rent and many guesthouses bordering this beach which is surrounded by palm trees. Behind the beach, leads to a road filled entirely with a variety of vendors selling all types of goods including clothes, jewelry and souvenirs.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at a 3 star hotel in Galle
Day 2: Galle – Yala – Negombo/Colombo
Stop At: Yala National Park, Yala National Park
Embark on a thrilling safari through Yala National Park for a chance to spot the most exotic species in Sri Lanka. Yala National Park is the second largest national park on the island bordering the azure Indian Ocean. The 130,000 ha area of land protected as Yala National Park is divided into 5 blocks consisting of scrubs, grasslands, tanks, lagoons and light forests with only 2 of those blocks open to the public for safaris. Home to a wide range of animals from deer and elephants to birds and crocodiles, the most treasured and rarest animals to look out for are the sloth bear and leopard. The park attracts animal and nature lovers from around the world to witness the exotic creatures that thrive within the protected spaces of the park.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
