Day Trip to Galle Fort, Madu Ganga, Sea Turtle Hatchery & Masks Museum All Incl.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka

Galle Fort (Sinhala: ගාලු කොටුව Galu Kotuwa; Tamil: காலிக் கோட்டை, translit. Kālik Kōṭṭai), in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 423 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.

The fort has a colourful history, and today has a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population. The Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties inside the fort are looking at making this one of the modern wonders of the world. The heritage value of the fort has been recognized by the UNESCO and the site has been inscribed as a cultural heritage UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria iv, for its unique exposition of "an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries
- Wikipedia-

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Galle National Museum, Church St, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka

The National Maritime Museum in Galle, Sri Lanka is situated within Galle Fort. It was first opened to the public on 9 May 1992 and is located in a 1671 Dutch Warehouse above the Old Gate of Galle Fort. Whilst the building housing the museum survived the impact of the 26 December 2004 tsunami, the adjoining UNESCO Maritime Archaeology Unit was completely destroyed and all the exhibitions were flood damaged and the majority of maritime archaeological artefacts were lost. Under Sri Lanka – Netherlands Cultural Co-operation Program, the Royal Government of Netherlands provided financial assistance for reconstruction of the Maritime Museum. After 3 years period of reconstruction, the Maritime Museum was re-opened to the public.
- Wikipedia-

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dutch Reformed Church, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka

The Groote Kerk or Dutch Reformed Church is located within the Galle fort in Galle, Sri Lanka and is situated near the entrance to the fort. The church was built by the Dutch in 1755 and is one of the oldest Protestant churches still in use in the country
- Wikipedia-

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Flag Rock Bastion- Galle, Flag Rock, Galle, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka

Flag Rock, at the southernmost end of the Fort, was once a Portuguese bastion. Today it is easily the most popular place to catch a sunset. During daylight hours you may see daredevil locals leaping into the water from the rocks. Numerous vendors sell good street food such as fresh papaya with chilli powder from carts.

During the Dutch period, approaching ships were signalled from the bastion atop Flag Rock, warning them of dangerous rocks – hence its name. Musket shots were fired from Pigeon Island, close to the rock, to further alert ships to the danger. Later, the Dutch built a lighthouse here; since removed, the nearby street name survives.
-Lonely Plant-

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Tsunami Photo Museum, Templeroad Just North of Hikkaduwa, Telwatta Sri Lanka

This ramshackle, private museum 3.5km north of Hikkaduwa tells the story through photographs and newspaper features of that dreadful day in 2004 when the Indian Ocean tsunami struck Hikkaduwa and Sri Lanka. Everything is very badly lit and displayed, but that is of no matter because the images here will render you silent.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Ariyapala Mask Museum, 426 Main Street, Ambalangoda 80300 Sri Lanka

Ariyapala and Sons is an important landmark in the town of Ambalangoda. Museum with a collection of traditional masks & related artifacts, plus a workshop, store & library. This museum, with its dioramas and explanations in English, gives an interesting insight into Sri Lankan masks and the meanings behind them. It also sells the booklet The Ambalangoda Mask Museum, a useful publication if you want to delve into the mysterious world of kolam dance, legend and exorcism, and the psychology behind the masks.
-Lonely Plant-

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya, Galle Road, Hikkaduwa 80240 Sri Lanka

The Vihara temple, Seenigama (Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya) is one of the most interesting churches in Hikkaduwa, and it is certainly worth a visit. It is notable for two reasons. First, the temple is located on a small island 100 metres off shore and you can get there only by boat. And secondly- it is one of two churches in Sri Lanka, where victims of robberies can ask the higher forces of retribution. You need to buy in the temple special oil, cooked with pepper, pour it into a lamp house, light it and read the spell. After that, as I believe in local, heaven will punish the robber accident or illness. And judging by how much of the temple of the locals, you can even think that robbery in Sri Lanka occurs at every step.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Sea Turtle Farm, 417 D/1, Colombo Road Mahamodara, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka

We rescue turtles that are in danger of losing their lives to the fishing industry whether they are caught in nets or hunted for meat.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Stilt Fishermen Sri Lanka, Koggala Sri Lanka

Stilt Fishing is one of the most interesting traditional fishing methods of Sri Lanka. Records indicate that it came into being just after World War II. The fishermen sit on a cross bar called a ‘petta’ tied to a vertical pole and driven into the sand a few meters offshore. From this high position, the fishermen cast his line, and waits until a fish comes along to be caught. Although the approach looks primitive and ancient.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Madu Ganga Biodiversity Area, Balapitiya Sri Lanka

This one-hour tour takes you on a boat safari through the primitive depths of the mangrove marshes in Madu River.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes