Colombo Trip Overview
Visit Yala which is Sri Lanka’s most famous national park. The park is located in the dry-zone region where the drought season is very long. The day time average temperature is over 30 degrees which are not uncommon in the region. The parkland makes up most of the reserve but also includes lakes, beaches, jungles, rivers, and scrubland. This variety in habitats provides an excellent range of wildlife. Forming a total area of 1268 sq km of scrub, light forest, grassy plains, and brackish lagoons, it’s very rich in wildlife and you’re virtually certain to encounter elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, and monkeys.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Sightseeing Tickets & Passes >> Attraction Tickets
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Visit Yala which is Sri Lanka’s most famous national park. The park is located in the dry-zone region where the drought season is very long. The day time average temperature is over 30 degrees which are not uncommon in the region. The parkland makes up most of the reserve but also includes lakes, beaches, jungles, rivers, and scrubland. This variety in habitats provides an excellent range of wildlife. Forming a total area of 1268 sq km of scrub, light forest, grassy plains, and brackish lagoons, it’s very rich in wildlife and you’re virtually certain to encounter elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, and monkeys.
Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo To Tissamaharama
Pass By: Galle Face Green, Galle Road, Colombo Sri Lanka
This long open space traditionally faces a narrow beach and the sea. This is the most popular beachfront park in Colombo city, to have a relaxing evening and see the sunset. Not only that, there are many activities to do such as walking, jogging, tasting sr Lankan street foods, fly kites and enjoy the fresh air. In the morning many people used to come to Galle face for exercising and in the fall of night street food vendors open their stalls where you can taste Sri Lanka’s most famous ‘Kottu Rotti’ and ‘Isso Wade’
Pass By: Old Parliament Building, Fort, Colombo Sri Lanka
This Neo-Baroque-style building was built during the British colonial era to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon. It was built on an idea of Sir Henry McCallum, which led to a proposal made by a committee to construct the new building for the Secretariat, Council Chamber and Government offices on reclaimed land at the northern end of Galle Face’ were accepted by the Government in 1920.
Pass By: Pettah, Colombo Sri Lanka
A bazaar with definite Middle Eastern flair, the Pettah is where Sri Lanka’s multi-culturalism is at its most pronounced. The bustling bazaar of Pettah is one of the oldest districts in
Colombo and one of the most interesting places to spend a few hours. It is the most ethnically mixed place in the country.
The crowds in Pettah can become overwhelming during the morning and late afternoon rush hours, but the streets are still thronged during most daylight hours. Large religious buildings represent a plethora of faiths, while more earthly pursuits can be found in market stalls and shops selling seemingly everything.
Pass By: Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, Second Cross Street, Colombo 01100 Sri Lanka
In the hustle and bustle of Pettah, Colombo’s core commercial district is situated a most striking building, a spiritual haven called Jamiul Alfar Masjid. This mosque is remarkable because the architecture is Indo-Saracenic, incorporating pomegranate-shaped domes. But the most extraordinary feature is that each brick is painted red or white and used in contrasting designs, which gave rise to its common name, the Red Mosque. However, there seems to be a ban on Muslim women to visit the mosque due to religious restrictions. As there have been many who requested for a section for the women; there appear to plan for such a section, where women can do their prayers, to be built in the future. Though the red mosque is an Islamic religious facility, visitors from other religions are eagerly welcomed.
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at 3 star Hotel
Day 2: Yala safari to Colombo
Stop At: Yala National Park Sri Lanka
Yala National Park is a huge area of forest, grassland and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean, in southeast Sri Lanka. It’s home to wildlife such as leopards, elephants and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of bird species. Inland, Sithulpawwa is an ancient Buddhist monastery. Nearby caves contain centuries-old rock paintings. Southwest, Magul Maha Viharaya also has ancient Buddhist ruins. Both are pilgrimage sites.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Beira Lake, 02 Colombo, Colombo 01200 Sri Lanka
Beira Lake is one of Colombo’s most famous landmarks. It lies right in the middle of the capital which is surrounded by many large businesses in the city and is one of the few places of relaxation and beauty within the city limits. As such the area on and around it has many attractions; not to mention the history of the lake itself. It still retains its Portuguese name. It is connected to many intricate canals which provided an easy way of transporting goods within the city and suburban cities.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Colombo City Centre, 137 Sir James Pieris Mawatha, Colombo 00200 Sri Lanka
“The combination of world-class retail, international cuisine, and state-of-the-art entertainment will make the Mall on par with some of the best found around the world, offering an unforgettable experience that the denizens of Sri Lanka’s capital have long deserved. The Mall at Colombo City Centre will be Sri Lanka’s largest shopping destination. Foreign shopping trips are set to become a phenomenon of the past with the presence of several international names such as Apple, Body Shop, Nike, Swarovski and more available at a convenient location for the residents of Colombo. Several local brands such as Abans, Colombo Jewellery Stores, ODEL and Spa Ceylon will also be present at the Mall, alongside the specialty gourmet supermarket, which will be operated by Cargills Food City.On one end of the Mall’s 5th floor, Food Studio, Sri Lanka’s first food atrium, will feature several world cuisines including Indian, Japanese, Portuguese, Singaporean and Sri Lankan, in addition to an island bar that overlooks the historic Beira Lake.”
Pass By: Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, 61 Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo Sri Lanka
The Gangaramaya temple, Colombo is the richest and famous in Sri Lanka. It was built just over 120 years ago and is dedicated to Buddhism. Among tourists, it is quite a popular place. It is a small religious complex with several buildings among which the Church, library, Museum, classrooms. The temple is mostly celebrated for its lavish architecture and statues showcasing Sri Lankan, Chinese, Thai, Burmese, and many other artistic styles. In the evenings, the pavilions are lit up with lights.
Pass By: Nelum Pokuna Art Street, Nelum Pokuna Mawatha Opposite Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka
The local street art scene has taken great stride in the recent past and Nelum Pokuna street artisans have contributed their might to this endeavor. However now that has changed and arty Sri Lankan’s purchase art to adorn their homes, hotels, officers and as gifts. For tourists taking home, a painting depicting a local theme probably is the best memorabilia of the visit, apart from the tea of course.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
