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ONE DAY EXCURSION TO GALLE

ONE DAY EXCURSION TO GALLE

One Day Excursion to Galle Fort, Madu River, Stilt fishermen and Turtle Hatchery

Take a magical boat ride down the beautiful Madu River, a wetland estuary spreading over 900 hectares of which 770 hectares is covered with water and inhabited with 64 islands. The boat ride is a wonderful way to take a closer look at this complex wetland ecosystem; a world heritage site protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands being one of the last wetlands in Sri Lanka to contain a pristine mangrove forest.

Journey past massive mangrove forests, glide under the canopy of the forest tunnels as they curve playfully towards the watercourse. Take in the unique biodiversity of the Madu River and its surrounding islands that boasts of hundreds of birds, plants, fish and animals.

There's plenty more to do; quench your thirst with a refreshing drink of King Coconut Water and then proceed towards the Buddhist Monastery, see how Kraal fishing is carried out, how Ceylon Cinnamon is peeled and enjoy some 'fish therapy' as they playfully nibble your feet at the 'fish spa'. If it's later in the evening watch the fishermen in their canoes lighting lanterns on traps that catch prawn and other shellfish. It's certainly going to be a memorable day-out on the serene waters of the unforgettable Madu River!

After an exciting Madu river boat trip, drive down to Galle on the highway and visit a Turtle hatchery enroute, to see various species of Sea Turtles, if you wish you could even release a baby Turtle to the Ocean.

Then proceed to Koggala to witness Sri Lanka's most photographed iconic stilt fishermen who sits on perched poles in the shallow water of the Indian Ocean waiting for their daily catch followed by a visit to Galle market and fishermen selling their daily catch by the beach in Galle town.

Finally, we take you to a leisure stroll in the best-preserved colonial fort in South Asia; relive a 500-year-old history, be captivated by the glorious past!

This magnificent piece of architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site was initiated by the Portuguese in the 16th century, seeing some of its best days during Dutch rule in the 18th century, until the British took over in 1796.

Enter the fort through the main entrance which bears the carved logo of the British monarch on the outer wall and the VOC symbol of the Dutch East India Company in the inner wall. Observe the magnificent building with its old stone walls, the ramparts, Dutch colonial villas, the clock tower, the Old Dutch Hospital, Dutch period houses, the beautiful Dutch Reformed Church and the old Bread fruit tree, thought to be the oldest bread fruit tree in the country.

The fascination about the Country Side is that it is a living historical site and not just another well preserved piece of architecture. The Country Side covering 52 hectares of land is one of the busiest places in Galle with a multi-ethnic population living within its walls. Walk around the old town and the ramparts; visit the Maritime Museum, Country Side Temple, Antique shops, Country Side Mosque and the many hotels and restaurants around. Enjoy the beautiful view of the Indian Ocean over the fort walls

Tour Itinerary

  • Pick up from Colombo hotel and transfer to Balapitiya – Approximately 2 ½ hour drive
  • Boat ride down the beautiful Madu River
  • Transfer to Galle – 1-hour drive approximately
  • Visit a Turtle Hatchery to see various verities of Sea Turtles and possibly release a baby turtle to the Ocean
  • Lunch at a recommended restaurant
  • Witness the skills of stilt fishermen who wait for the day’s catch sitting on a stick perched on shallow waters of the Indian Ocean
  • Visit bustling Galle market and see the fishermen sell their daily catch by the road side.
  • Visit Galle Fort - Galle Fort is a trendy place to enjoy the architecture, history, shopping and taste some best food and wine in the road side cafes.
  • Transfer back to Colombo – 2 hours drive approximately

Rate includes,

  • Air-conditioned vehicle with fuel
  • English speaking chauffeur guide
  • All parking and highway charge where applicable
  • All taxes

Rate excluding (but our chauffeur will assist you when you want it)

  • Entry fees for the mentioned attractions and activities
  • Meals or refreshments
  • Specialist guide’s fee

Places of visit during this trip

  • Madu River
  • Turtle Hatchery
  • Galle Fort
  • Koggala Stilt Fishermen
  • Galle Market

For the cost please contact 

CYRIL TOURS at ct@cyriltours.com. WhatsApp +94777366633

 


Feedback from valuable clients + See all

    "If you ever plan to visit Sri Lanka (and I think you should) this is your guide!!! Martha Iordanidou  - Thesoloneki - Greece  " Martha Iordanidou

    "Dear Cyril, We would like to thank youthat you have arrange ourholiday which we have enjoyed so much, that we can call them the best holiday we have ever had. You are avery helpful guide- because you know about your beautiful country very much. We also appriciate your advices that you gave us during our two weeks long journey and your  perfect trip arrangement we have enjoyed every single day. All the best to you and your family. Hope to see you again. Martha & Jarda   08 No..." Martha & Jaroslav Jirout

    "Thank you so much for wonderful Sri Lanka trip.We had a great time. The trip was very relaxing as well as fun. My daughter MAHI who lovingly started calling you "Cyril Dada"(grand farther) Had a memorable trip. She cannot stop talking about elephants. Our trip to Sri Lanka will be full of great memories, its because of you. Thank you for showing us your beautiful country the way we wanted, eating local food, lots of King coconut and Corn stops. We will be surely coming back  to see rest o..." Mithil Patel

    "We would like to say thank you very much Mr. Cyril for the excellent 7 night tour of Sri Lanka you provided us. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Sri Lanka and the itinerary you arranged. The four hotels (Earls Regency, Amaya Lake, Heritance Kandalama and the Colombo Hilton) were excellent and thoroughly deserved their 5 stars. Your driving skills was excellent. Also very friendly, calm, helpful, and courteous and always prompts. Sri Lanka is a lovely country and the people were very friendly. ..." Suresh and Prashanth

    "Hello, We had 2 weeks exploring Sri Lanka and for most of that time Cyril drove for usto various towns, sites of interest. Cyril wsa a very pleasant chauffeur. Always prompt and greeted us with a smile. He was well informed about the sites we visited and pointed out many interesting historical buildings en-route. We had a great 2 weeks in Sri Lanka and Cyril's plesant and helpful nature contributed to this briliant holiday. Thank Cyril Sara and Steve from Birmingham, England" Sara and Steve

    "11th April 2014 01 week tour around Sri Lanka A fantastic week was had by all with Cyril, exploring Kandy, Nuwaraeliya and Bentota. Your meaningful insights & excellent explanations of the Sri Lanka’s culture, nature and traditions were invaluable. Your smile and charm helped is feel related and comfortable. Not getting stressed once. With your guidance & tips, the holiday flew by with only one problem: it was very short! Your comprehensive list of talents ranges from findin..." Ian Price and family from UK

    "Dear Cyril, Thanks for taking care of the Dr.Sethukavalar and his wife very well. They were indeed very happy for all the care you have shown during your tour. They were very impressed of your patience and kindness. I look forward to see you soon and maintain this good relationship we have developed in a short period of time. We will not hesitate a second to recommend you to all our friends who would like to visit Sri Lanka. Taking this opportunity of wishing you all the best. Thanks fo..." HARIDAS KANDASAMY

    "(10 days). Before the trip I did a lot of research here on the site and other sites on the tour options and after checking in we decided to go with a guide attached. Choice in was not easy and I started Travels "correspondence with more than ten guides to staying with the" chosen ". No doubt it was an excellent choice! Before Asbury on our guide, I wanted to note that after the visit, I understand the importance of taking guide (driver) suite. Roads and driving in Sri Lanka ..." Corey

    "Dear Cyril, We want to thank you so much for making our trip so unforgetable and delightful. We received your name from our friends lives in Geneva who travelled with you in January 2009 and they gave you such a high recommendation that we decided to conbtact you for our two weeks trip this year. Although we have been to Sri Lanka a few times already. We have never found such an excellent driver and guide. It has been a great pleasure to visit Colombo with you and then to Koggala for two day tr..." Mr.Gabor Kato & Mrs.Ann Kato

    "Dear Cyril, Here are some photos for you as we promised, and also little gift to you. Here is some photos of elephant boy which we were took on elephant ride. Please give to them when you go to Habarana again. We are very grateful to you for your services that you have done to make our holiday in this beautiful country. Still we are thinking over our nice trip with you. It was fantastic, really! Here in Holland, life is normal again. Greeting for your wife and daughter too. George and Cala ..." George and Cala

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