Negombo Trip Overview
Galle day tour mainly covers Galle Dutch fort, Madhu river and turtles conservation centre in Balapitiya.
Galle is a city on the south coast of Sri Lanka. It is famous for the Galle Dutch Fort plus breathtaking beaches along its coastline. Galle Dutch Fort is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Madu River is located in the south of Sri Lanka near Galle. The water of the river is dotted with small islands and the banks are all covered with lush mangrove forests that are home to dozens of incredible animal species.
South coast is also important nesting grounds for sea turtles. A number of sea turtle conservation centres operate along the beach to ensure the safety of sea turtle nests. Altogether, five sea turtles nest in Sri Lankan beaches.
Additional Info
Duration: 13 hours
Starts: Negombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Negombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Negombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Galle day tour mainly covers Galle Dutch fort, Madhu river and turtles conservation centre in Balapitiya.
Galle is a city on the south coast of Sri Lanka. It is famous for the Galle Dutch Fort plus breathtaking beaches along its coastline. Galle Dutch Fort is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Madu River is located in the south of Sri Lanka near Galle. The water of the river is dotted with small islands and the banks are all covered with lush mangrove forests that are home to dozens of incredible animal species.
South coast is also important nesting grounds for sea turtles. A number of sea turtle conservation centres operate along the beach to ensure the safety of sea turtle nests. Altogether, five sea turtles nest in Sri Lankan beaches.
Pass By: Negombo, Negombo, Western Province
Pick up and drop off will be provided from most closely located hotels in Negombo.
Stop At: Madu River, Nilwala River Safari, Bridge View, Custom Road, Balapitiya , Sri Lanka 941906362 Call And Contact, Balapitiya 80550 Sri Lanka
The water of the river is dotted with small islands and the banks are all covered with lush mangrove forests that are home to dozens of incredible animal species. Enjoy hundreds of vibrant tropical birds and a few crocodiles if you’re lucky enough.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, 13A Galle Road, Kosgoda 80570 Sri Lanka
Here, you will learn about how these people protect sea turtle eggs and increase hatching rates. Start from protecting the mother turtle during the nesting process and when she is finished laying the eggs and safely back in the ocean, then relocate the eggs from the beach to there hatchery. When the baby sea turtles hatch and then return them to their natural habitat quickly.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
The Galle Dutch Fort is a seventeenth-century colonial fort in Sri Lanka. It stands on a rocky promontory facing the Indian Ocean. Rocky shores and an imposing landside rampart defend it on all four directions. It was the Portuguese who chose Galle as a permanent trading post in 1588. Following the siege of Galle (1640), the Dutch ousted them from Southern Sri Lanka. Then the Dutch extensively fortified the fort until 1729. Its present form was mainly conceived under Dutch company rule and hence the name Galle Dutch fort. In its heyday, the fortification also served as the island’s southern commandment of the Dutch East India trading company (VOC). Its sister cities were Colombo, Trincomalee, and Jaffna. The fort defended the main VOC trading port in Sri Lanka. In 1796, it was peacefully handed over to the British who maintained a military presence until 1948.
Many of Galle fort’s European inhabitants left it, following the 1972 constitution, which completed the transitional phase of Sri Lanka into a republic. Thereon, the structure became dilapidated until renovations started after the 2004 tsunami followed by the end of the war in 2009. Today, the Galle Dutch Fort is the most well preserved colonial fort in South Asia. Most of its main features are miraculously preserved. A rare Portuguese fortalice and thirteen Dutch bastions dot the original ramparts, each with a different story belonging to a different time. Its exotic blend of European and Asian architecture attracts many local and foreign visitors. Artists, photographers, writers, and architects own many restored colonial buildings inside the fort. Trendy cafes, boutique shops, and hotels add a unique character to the atmosphere of the fort’s colonial streets. However, the real energy of Galle fort comes from its active colonial court complexes, government offices, public schools, trading companies, and beautiful churches, harking back to a thriving European colony.
Duration: 2 hours
