• Galle Fort - The tour begins at 9:30 AM from Colombo, heading to Galle via the Southern Expressway.

Galle Fort -

Galle Fort in Sri Lanka: A UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Galle Fort, also known as the Dutch Fort, was initially constructed by the Portuguese on Sri Lanka’s southwestern coast. The original fortifications, built in the late 16th century, were quite rudimentary. However, the Dutch extensively modified the fort in the 17th century, making it a significant archaeological, architectural, and historical monument that showcases European influence in Southeast Asia from the 16th to the 19th centuries. UNESCO recognized the site as a World Heritage Site for its unique display of an urban ensemble illustrating the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries, meeting criterion number four for such recognition. Notable monuments include:

1. The Dutch Reformed Church (Groote Kerk), built in 1640, with its historic belfry constructed in 1707. The bell rang every hour in its heyday. The church also houses other antiques.

2. The 17th-century New Orient Hotel, initially used exclusively by the Dutch Governor and his staff before being converted into a hotel in 1865. It is now a modernized franchise of Aman Resorts, called Amangalla.

3. The old Dutch Government House.

4. The Residence of the Commander.

5. The National Maritime Museum, once the Great Warehouse built in the 17th century by the Dutch to store spices and ship equipment.

6. The Old Dutch Hospital.

7. Meera Mosque, built in 1904.

8. The Buddhist temple, which was once the site of the Portuguese Roman Catholic church.

9. The All Saints Anglican Church, built in 1871.

10. The Clock Tower, built in 1882, and the Galle Lighthouse mentioned above.

11. Some streets still retain their original Colonial Era names, such as Moorish Pedlar Street or ‘Moorse Kramerstraat,’ Lighthouse Street or ‘Zeeburgstraat’ or ‘Middelpuntstraat,’ named after the lighthouse destroyed in 1936, Hospital Street, where the Dutch Hospital, the House of the Surgeon, and the Medical Gardens are located, Leyn Baan Street or ‘Leyenbahnstraat,’ Old Rope-Walk Street where coir rope was made, Parawa Street, Chando Street, and Church Street.

• Turtle Hatchery Hikkaduwa - Enjoy visiting a Sea Turtle Hatchery where you can see turtles of various sizes and weights. You can also release some turtles at the beach if you wish.

• Madu Ganga Biodiversity Area - This one-hour tour takes you on a boat safari through the primitive depths of the mangrove marshes in the Madu River. Navigate the dark and mysterious caverns formed by the dense mangrove forests, interspersed with bright open stretches of water. Learn about mangroves and their positive impact on ecology. You may see crocodiles, water snakes, tree snakes, and wild boars in their natural habitat. Watch cormorants, storks, and other birdlife hunt for prey in the swift flow of the Madu River. Observe the pots for catching prawns and shrimp left in some of the shallower areas of the river. Visit the old Buddhist temple on one of the islands dotting the river. Stop by another island, which is the source of Sri Lanka’s cinnamon industry, and purchase some fresh, high-quality cinnamon as a souvenir. Don’t miss the outdoor fish massage parlor, where you can dip your feet into a fenced part of the river to be treated by massage fish.

Highlights:

• Exciting boat safari route.

• Knowledgeable tour guide.

• Opportunity to see various marshland wildlife.

• Visit to an old Buddhist temple.

• Chance to purchase fresh, top-quality cinnamon.

• Visit the outdoor fish massage parlor.

• Colombo Fort - After enjoying your day in Galle, head back to Colombo with cherished memories and conclude your tour by returning to your hotel.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned car transportation
• English-speaking driver

• Food and drinks