Colombo Trip Overview
During this 2 day tour, you will be visiting the must visit sites of Galle and Yala. You will also be able to enjoy a great safari in Yala during this tour as well. The capital of the southern province is a city with a colorful history. UNESCO declared World Heritage Site the magnificent Dutch fort is the most popular attraction of the town. 300-year-old Dutch atmosphere is still very much alive around the fort and amidst its many historical buildings not invaded by the skyscrapers. Today’s town has grown greatly and spreads into the surroundings but the Fort is the slow beating heart of Galle‘s history. The walled city has stood since the early sixteenth century, through the Colonial periods of the Portuguese, Dutch and British and in our present times is proclaimed as an Archaeological Reserve and has been identified as a living World Heritage Site. Yala National Park, the second largest wildlife park in Sri Lanka is also home to dense forests, grasslands, and lagoons!
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
During this 2 day tour, you will be visiting the must visit sites of Galle and Yala. You will also be able to enjoy a great safari in Yala during this tour as well. The capital of the southern province is a city with a colorful history. UNESCO declared World Heritage Site the magnificent Dutch fort is the most popular attraction of the town. 300-year-old Dutch atmosphere is still very much alive around the fort and amidst its many historical buildings not invaded by the skyscrapers. Today’s town has grown greatly and spreads into the surroundings but the Fort is the slow beating heart of Galle‘s history. The walled city has stood since the early sixteenth century, through the Colonial periods of the Portuguese, Dutch and British and in our present times is proclaimed as an Archaeological Reserve and has been identified as a living World Heritage Site. Yala National Park, the second largest wildlife park in Sri Lanka is also home to dense forests, grasslands, and lagoons!
Itinerary
Day 1: Negombo > Galle
Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
When the Portuguese fleet under the command of Lourenco de Almeida, was blown off course en route to Maldives, the Portuguese accidentally landed in Galle. Eventually, after taking control of the city, the Portuguese proceeded on to constructing the fort. The fort built by the Portuguese was a very basic structure and a sea wall was not constructed because it was thought to be impenetrable. When the Sinhalese with the assistance of the Dutch attacked the Portuguese, the fort eventually fell into the hands of the Dutch. The Dutch then made major improvements and conserved this fort by constructing a sea wall and other strong fortifications for security and defence against other colonial agencies. They also built about 14 bastions across an area of 130 acres. The city was built inside the fort and roads were built parallel to the fort ramparts in order to gain tactical advantage.
The British then captured the fort in 1796, after capturing Colombo. During the Second World War they reinforced the fort with the intention of securing the fort. In order to memorialise the jubilee of Queen Victoria a tower was constructed in 1883. However, since then the importance of the Galle Fort decreased drastically as Colombo was declared as the capital by the British.
There are two major gates (portcullises) to the fort; one from the port and the main gate from the northern side of the fort. When strolling around the fort in a clockwise direction, one would come across the Old Gate with its Dutch and British engravings. Advancing in the same direction you will come across the Zwart or Black Bastion (the oldest bastion), built by the Portuguese. The eastern wing comes to an end with the Point Utrecht Bastion, the powder house and more importantly the 59 feet high Galle Lighthouse which was constructed in 1938. Afterwards the flag Rock bastion which was used as a signalling station to guide ships as they advanced, comes into view. Signalling was done by firing musket shots from the Pigeon Island. The Trion Bastion (the perfect place to watch the sunset) then comes into view where the remnants of a windmill that once drew water from the sea to dampen the parched and grimy roads can be seen, along with many more bastions along the way. The fort comprises of historic and religious sites and commercial and government buildings (a Protestant church, public administration buildings, residential quarters, warehouses, business structures, the commander’s residence and a gun house and arsenal. It also included workshops for carpentry, rope making and smithy).
Even though certain establishments were damaged as a result of the Tsunami in 2004, they were renovated by the relevant authorities in accordance with the colonial architectural styles. Several important places of interest inside the fort are.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Galle Fort Lighthouse, Rampart Street Galle Fort, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
built in 1848 by the British, this lighthouse is the first ever in the history of Sri Lanka. The British constructed this tower with the intention of controlling and guiding their ships to the safety of the harbor. The first lighthouse was approximately 80 feet high while the existing lighthouse towers at a height of 87 feet. The original lighthouse was destroyed by a fire in the year 1934, and a new lighthouse was reconstructed in 1939. Without a shadow of doubt this is the most visited lighthouse within the country. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority is now in charge of the operation of the Galle Lighthouse. Visitors are denied the privilege of climbing the lighthouse, instead they can view the lighthouse from outside.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Old Dutch Hospital, Hospital St, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
This was initially constructed by the Dutch as a hospital to treat the soldiers of the Dutch East India Company. The British, who then took over the rule of the country, extended this facility further and later on it was converted into a garrison. Afterwards, the building was used as an office for local administration purposes before it became the Galle Town Hall (after 1948). This building, with its Colonial Dutch architecture is now being used as a shopping and dining arcade. It has been beautifully restored by preserving the Dutch Colonial Architectural styles.
The Sugar Bistro, The Tuna and the Crab, Colombo Jewelry Stores alongside some other jewelry and gift shops are found on the first floor of this precinct. On the second floor, is a very spacious coffee shop named Star-beans.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Dutch Reformed Church, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
situated near the entrance of the fort, this Church was built by the Dutch in 1755. This church is one of the oldest Protestant churches in the country. As claimed by locals, the church is said to have been using the money donated by Casparus de Jong (a Dutch Governor) on the birth of his daughter. The church, with its elegant and exquisite stained glass work, honeycomb patterned floors, tombstones, cane pews and vintage church organ is one of the most visited out of all the other sites within the Galle Fort. Burial chambers with the remains of noted personalities during the Dutch period are said to exist here. In terms of architecture, this church shows resemblance to the Wolvendaal church in Colombo; both constructed in accordance to the Doric style. Groote Kerk too, as most of the churches constructed at that time, was constructed in the shape of a cross.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Historical Mansion Museum, 31-39 Leyn Baan Street Dutch Fort Galle, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Though Galle is a UNESCO world heritage site the Historical mansion museum in Galle preserves the originality of the Tourism destination of Galle, Sri Lanka. Since Portuguese were reached to Ceylon unexpectedly, they have influenced to develop, change and improve our culture. The historical mansion museum is a privately owned museum, initiated by Abdul gaffer. Abdul Gaffar, the creator was prompted to build this museum because of the ‘Salarjung museum’ in India. On behalf of that, he collected and exhibits miscellaneous things. It must be pointed out that this mansion is a characteristically Dutch architectural feature.
. This supposed to be a stalwart attraction to draw attention, of the tourists. On the other hand, there are negative affections too. In 1640, Portuguese had to hand over the colonial country, Ceylon to the Dutch. Finally, British conquered Ceylon and ruled till 1948. However, all these invasions had been affected by the development of Galle.
The mansion is settled in a grandeur colonial Dutch house. Further, this may be the largest private museum in Sri Lanka. Perhaps you may get amazed seeing the equipment placed in the museum. Rather it is not just a museum but a shop that sell stationary table clothes, handicrafts, antiques, jewelry etc. Sometimes it will be a rare experience to buy such exhibited things (All most all the things are for sale) in a museum. A gem shop is also positioned in the museum. Looming over the museum you will be asked to see a live embroidery presentation (‘beeralu lace’) or a sapphire cutting and polishing. The embroidery art, done with ‘beeralu lace’ was a significant industry introduced by Portuguese. A wide range of brick a brac is preserved in good condition. Perhaps the climax of the museum deemed to be the Dutch well in the central court yard. There a stone slab sculptured in 1763.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay 3 star Hotel in Yala
Day 2: Yala National Park > Negombo
Stop At: Yala National Park, Palatupana, Sri Lanka
Yala national park basking on the southern province of Sri Lanka is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. Yala national park was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and upgraded as a National park in 1938. In addition, to enter the park, you must come to the gateway at Tissamaharama. The park gets rain water during the months of May to September. Significantly the park is positioned in the dry semi arid climatic region. The park is divided into 5 major divisions. Two of them can be accessed by the public. Ruhunu national park and the Kumana national park are open to the public. Rests of the parks are strict natural reserves. A fitting hot or dry climate can be presupposed in the park. Being the 2nd largest national park in Sri Lanka covers an area of 979 Square kilo meeteres. Yala national park carries in to affect the most beautiful experience of wild life. Forty-four varieties of mammals and 215 varieties of birds are recorded in the wild life records. The park has earned a reputation for the sake of the Sri Lankan leopard. This leopard is a distinct sub species of Indian leopards. During the months of January- July leopards become more active. Literally, leopards are roaming everywhere. Tourists are allowed to capture them into photographs in distance. Sloth bear, elephants, jackal, monkeys, wild buffaloes, langur, leopards, and Sambar can be seen. Yala has a considerable population of wild elephants. During the months of May-August are the best months to watch elephants. Yala is considered as one of the 70 important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka. In detail, the species of birds like parakeets, bulbuls, Hoopes, peacocks, storks, and pelicans are found in the park. Yala national park is a reckoning resource because it is a fusion of dry monsoon forests, coastal forests, thorn forests, moist monsoon forests and grass lands.Yet another animal kind is reptiles. Patiently waiting for Mugger crocodiles and saltwater crocodiles are at the streams. Sea turtles are nesting at the coastal beaches of Yala National park. It is evidenced that around 45 species of reptiles are living in the park. Some of them are endemic to Sri Lanka. Nowadays Yala park is providing a pleasant guidance service to explore within the park. Therefore travelers are inspired to visit this kingdom of flora and fauna and entertain your holidays purposely.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
