• Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications - Meet your professional guide at your hotel in Colombo and travel to Galle. Galle was established as a fortified coastal city with extensive walls along the shoreline. It was designed with a European mindset, anticipating attacks from colonial rivals by sea and land.
• Local Gem Dealers in Galle Sri Lanka - Galle’s history stretches back thousands of years to biblical times. In more recent history, it was a coveted prize for Western traders seeking wealth and glory. Its well-preserved colonial Dutch fort and charming city with cobblestone streets are like a step back in time. Nearby, you’ll find stunning beaches, rainforests, and other attractions. It’s a truly captivating place to visit. You’ll learn how Sri Lankan gems are cut and polished, along with the history of Sri Lankan gems.
• Galle Fort Lighthouse - Galle is a beautiful city rich in centuries of history. This history is evident everywhere, from its cobblestone streets to historic monuments and many still-functional structures like the Galle Lighthouse.

The Galle Lighthouse, also known as Pointe de Galle Light, was the first light station built in Sri Lanka, dating back to 1848. Constructed by the British to ensure the safe arrival of their ships at Galle harbor, the original structure stood 24.5 meters tall (80 feet) and was located about 100 feet from the current lighthouse. Its light was created with a prism lens of glass, floating in a bath of mercury to reduce friction, and powered by a weight-driven machine. This lighthouse was destroyed in 1934.

The current lighthouse was built in 1939 within the walls of the ancient Galle Fort, standing 26.5 meters tall (87 feet). It is strategically located at the southern end of the promontory, about 6 meters above road level on the Fort’s ramparts at Point Utrecht Bastion. This location provides an unobstructed view across the seascape, allowing incoming ships to see its light.

The Galle Lighthouse is now operated and managed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The lights are controlled by a computerized system that turns the main light on every night and off in the morning. Visitors are not allowed to climb the lighthouse.

• Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct - Originally built as a hospital by the Dutch, this building has served various purposes over the years. The Dutch established the Galle hospital to care for officers and staff of the Dutch East India Company. Its proximity to the harbor also allowed it to serve Dutch seafarers. The hospital was built on the site of the Portuguese mint between the Black Fort and Aurora Bastion.

In the 17th century, the Dutch constructed a two-story hospital on the eastern side of Galle Fort, featuring long colonnaded verandas on both sides and floors. They used cabook (coral stone) for masonry work, with granite-paved floors and thick plinth walls. Later, the masonry was plastered and whitewashed. After the British captured the fort in February 1796, they extended the building northward along the same ground plan, using bricks and introducing glazed windows and fanlights. They also built an extension towards the sea from the middle of the existing building. Despite being built at different times, the construction and design make the building appear as a single entity.

In 1850, the British converted the hospital into barracks. It later served as the office of the Government Agent, the chief administrator of the district, until the country’s independence in 1948.

• Madu Ganga Biodiversity Area - The Madu River is a wetland near the small town of Balapitiya along the Colombo-Galle highway. This is where the Madu River estuary is located. The river flows through terrain that creates numerous islands, forming a beautiful wetland ecosystem. You can experience how ancient people conducted their business in a lagoon by traveling in a boat.
• Colombo Fort - Return to your hotel and conclude the tour.

• Highway Toll Fees
• Professional English Speaking Chauffer Guide
• All Local Taxes & Charges
• Private Air Conditioned Vehicle
• Fuel Charges

• Food & Drinks
• Entrance Fees