Galle Fort-Unesco WH -Day Tour – Pick up & Drop From Colombo

Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers visitors a captivating glimpse into Sri Lanka’s rich history. This private day tour from Colombo promises an immersive experience, exploring the fort’s 17th-century architecture and cultural heritage influenced by Dutch, Portuguese, and British settlers. Along the way, guests can expect a scenic drive, a boat safari on the Madu River, and a visit to a local tea estate, creating an unforgettable journey through the country’s natural beauty. With convenient pickup and drop-off services, this tour provides a seamless way to discover Galle Fort‘s timeless charm and uncover the layers of its fascinating past.

Good To Know

• The tour offers a private guided experience to the UNESCO-recognized Galle Fort, including a boat safari on the Madu River and a visit to a local tea estate.
• Pickup and drop-off services are available from Colombo hotels or the Galle Face Green meeting point, with a flexible one-way trip duration of approximately 1.5 hours.
• The tour includes bottled water, private transportation, guiding, and explanations, with additional costs for the Madu River boat safari, tea estate experience, and entry to Galle Fort museums.
• The tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for certain medical conditions, so it’s important to inform the tour operator in advance.
• The flexible duration of the tour allows for personal pacing and exploration of the key highlights, including the well-preserved Galle Fort, the diverse Madu River ecosystem, and the cultural experience of a tea estate.

Tour Overview and Details

The Galle Fort Day Tour is an opportunity to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Galle Fort, located in the southern region of Sri Lanka.

Offered by Aves Nature Trails in Colombo, the private tour allows only your group to participate. It includes a visit to the historic Galle Fort, as well as a boat safari on the Madu River and a tea estate experience.

The tour provides bottled water, private transportation, guiding, and explanations. Guests can also enjoy lunch, snacks, tea, and coffee, at an approximate cost of $25 per person.

The tour starts at 9 AM from your hotel or a meeting point, with the one-way trip from Colombo to Galle taking around 1.5 hours.

Inclusions and Costs

The Galle Fort Day Tour includes several inclusions and costs. Bottled water and private transportation are provided. Guiding and explanations are also included.

Lunch, snacks, tea, and coffee are approximately $25 USD per person. A Madu River boat safari costs $40 USD. Visiting a tea estate experience is $3 USD per person.

Entry to 3 museums at Galle Fort is $2 USD per person each. The tour offers a comprehensive experience with a mix of transportation, meals, and activities, allowing visitors to enjoy the historical and cultural sights of Galle Fort.

Pickup and Meeting Points

For the Galle Fort Day Tour, pickup can be arranged from the traveler’s hotel or at the meeting point of Galle Face Green in Colombo.

An alternative meeting point is at the One Galle Face Mall, located at the Shangri La Hotel.

The tour operator offers flexible pickup arrangements, so travelers should inform them in advance due to potential traffic.

The one-way trip from Colombo to Galle takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the tour ends back at the original meeting point.

Confirmation is received at the time of booking, and the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible or recommended for those with back problems, pregnant travelers, or those with serious medical conditions.

Tour Duration and Schedule

The Galle Fort Day Tour begins at 9:00 am. The one-way trip from Colombo to Galle takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The tour ends back at the meeting point, whether it’s the Galle Face Green in Colombo or the One Galle Face Mall at the Shangri La Hotel. Flexible pickup arrangements are available, but you’ll need to inform the tour operator in advance due to potential traffic.

The tour duration is flexible, allowing you to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site at your own pace.

Some key highlights of the schedule include:

• Visiting the historic Galle Fort
• Enjoying a boat safari on the Madu River
• Experiencing a tea estate
• Exploring 3 museums within the fort

Galle Fort – UNESCO World Heritage Site

Situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, Galle Fort stands as a testament to the island nation’s rich history and cultural heritage.

This 17th-century fortified city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a captivating blend of Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial influences. Visitors can stroll along the well-preserved ramparts, explore the charming streets lined with historic buildings, and marvel at the iconic lighthouse.

The fort’s strategic location and impressive architecture have made it a popular destination for travelers seeking to enjoy Sri Lanka’s unique cultural tapestry.

With its enchanting atmosphere and well-preserved legacy, Galle Fort offers a truly authentic and enriching experience for those seeking to discover the country’s centuries-old heritage.

Madu River Boat Safari

Along With exploring the historic Galle Fort, the tour includes a boat safari along the serene Madu River.

This excursion offers a chance to witness the diverse ecosystem of mangrove forests, home to countless bird species and other wildlife. The 40 USD activity takes visitors through winding canals, past cinnamon plantations, and to a tiny island where they can observe traditional cinnamon peeling techniques.

Key highlights include:

• Spotting endemic birds and monitor lizards
• Learning about the sustainable cinnamon harvesting process
• Admiring the tranquil natural beauty of the Madu River
• Enjoying a refreshing boat ride through the lush mangrove waterways

Tea Estate Experience

What better way to experience the essence of Sri Lankan culture than a visit to a traditional tea estate? As part of the Galle Fort day tour, guests are invited to a local tea estate to learn about the history, cultivation, and processing of Ceylon tea. Visitors can observe the skilled tea pluckers at work, explore the factory, and participate in a tea tasting. The three-dollar experience per person offers a unique insight into this integral aspect of Sri Lankan heritage.

Activity	Duration	Highlights
Tea Plucking	30 mins	Observe skilled tea pickers at work
Factory Tour	45 mins	Learn about tea processing and grading
Tea Tasting	15 mins	Sample different varieties of Ceylon tea

Sum Up

This captivating day tour of Galle Fort offers an opportunity to explore Sri Lanka’s rich history and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy the 17th-century architecture and cultural heritage of the UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as enjoy a scenic boat safari on the Madu River and a visit to a local tea estate. With convenient pickup and drop-off services from Colombo, this tour provides an unforgettable journey through Sri Lanka’s past and present.