Galle Day With Balapitiya River

General information

Destination	Category
Beruwela, Sri Lanka	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

Get an adventurous experience whilst riding by boat to a river island , proceeding witness the master craftsman chiseling away pieces of wood to bring out masks , in Ambalangoda there after visit the majestic Galle Fort. An important piece of history from the period of Dutch rule, the Galle Fort is one of the best preserved examples of 17th century coastal fortifications that can be found anywhere in the world. Despite being credited as a Dutch structure it was actually the Portuguese who started construction, but they were usurped by the Dutch, who proceeded with the foundation that they inherited. It is today the largest fort created by this Empire in Asia.

Situated in the town of Galle, the Fort faces the Indian Ocean and played an important role during the period of its construction. Visiting this fort presents an exciting insight in to the past and presents an idea of what life would have been like in that time. It might be expected that this magnificent site be in tatters, but in actuality it has been well maintained by the people who reside there. Despite its age, the fort even today looks extremely new and maintains a polished look.

The fort of Galle is actually more of a small city constructed within a wall. Various structures are located inside, many of which are houses but there are also attractions of interest. Cultural Museum is located here which houses various artifacts that showcase the culture of the Southern Province. Also located here is the National Maritime Museum of Galle offers visitors a diverse array of flora and fauna related exhibits as well as various models of whales, fish and other marine life.

Visitors will need approximately one hour to indulge in a very basic exploration of the inside of the Fort while more time can most certainly be spent doing a detailed walk through. The best time to stroll in to the fort is during the evening as the sun is no longer overhead which provides the most pleasant experience.

This historic area provides a rich part of history and a beautiful landscape that helps gain an insight in to the life of people during the time of the Dutch in Sri Lanka. When in the island, visitors should most not pass up the chance to visit this monument.

If the thirst for adventure persists visit a precious stone mine and a Turtle Hatchery it is a great experience to see a baby turtle hatched in front of your eyes.

Meeting/ Pick up point: Hotels in Bentota.
Duration: 1 Day.
Start or opening time: 0900 Hrs.
End or closing time: 1500 Hrs.
Inclusion: Transportation by A/C vehicle with an English speaking chauffeur guide for groups up to 06 pax and an English speaking guide for groups above 07 pax. Entrance fees to Turtle Hatchery & Cost of boat for the River Safari with tea/coffee in Balapitiya & Lunch in Galle.

Meeting/pick-up point: Pickup Point : Hotels in Bentota.
Duration: 1 day.
Start/opening time: Pick-up Time (Hrs) : 9am.
End/closing time: Drop off Time (Hrs) : 3pm.
Languages: English.