Colombo
Sri Lanka’s Capital Colombo, a port city, with a rich colonial heritage, on the Western coast is a potpourri of races, religions and cultures. Colombo displays the best and worst the country has to offer. The city is a contrast itself, with mansions, lush gardens, fine dining options, shopping malls packed with expensive designer brands standing next to urban slums; diesel fumed congested roads and street markets.
Despite its small size just 37.31 km² Colombo offers a varying selection of experiences ranging from taking a tuk tuk ride, a visit to Pettah market and eating Kottu to playing a round of golf and having high tea at one of the colonial style hotels overlooking the Indian Ocean.
With many boutiques filled with international brands and local art and fabrics, Colombo is the best place to do some last minute shopping and then it’s best to retire to Galle Face, Colombo’s seafront promenade for some local Kottu or Wade street food.
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Highlights
Colombo Tuk Tuk Safari
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Explore the colourful city of Columbo via a retro styled Tuk Tuk. You can have the option to either take a morning safari to experience the city as it awakens or an evening safari to watch as the sunsets. The Colombo Tuk Tuk Safari is sure to show Colombo at its best, with locals even giving you a smile as you pass by them.
Cuisine
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Located at the Dutch Hospital precinct, Culinary Ceylon hosts clients to a 7 course curated dining experience based on the island’s diverse range of dishes such as original burgher lumpries, the island’s favourite street food Kottu roti and northern favourites such as thosai, idly and vadai prepared using family recipes. During the meal the host will be on hand to explain the rich history behind each course, how to eat it, what type of ingredients are used and to share stories and anecdotes surrounding the island’s exotic cuisine. Alternatively, try a cookery experience; meet your host in a local neighbourhood in Colombo and join an interesting and fun session of cooking rice and curry the Lankan way with insight into the Sri Lankan culinary secrets.
Dutch Hospital
The Dutch Hospital complex, dating back to the Dutch colonial era, is now a heritage building and a shopping and dining precinct.
Galle Face Green
Enjoy a walk along the promenade of the Galle Face Green overlooking the Indian Ocean and surrounded by the luxury hotels in the city and the old Parliament complex.
Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple
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The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is no ordinary Sri Lankan temple. This 120 year old gem is is set in the heart of Colombo itself. Residing near the spectacular Beira Lake. This temple is not only a popular tourist spot but also a sacred place of worship. However the thing that sets it apart from the other temples is that fact that it has a captivating museum which is filled with a vast collection of Buddha statues all from different areas of the globe.
Independance square
Independence Square is an impressive monument built at the location where the ceremony marking the end of British rule in Ceylon took place on 4th February 1948
Pettah Market
A busy, crowded local open air market selling fresh produce, clothing, electronics and souvenirs. A great place to experience a taste of local life.
Hotels
From stunning beachfront resorts to culture filled boutique hotels, Sri Lanka offers a large range of hotels to suit everyone’s needs. Whether thats a search for relaxation, adventure, or cultural immersion.
Tours
Below are a selection of our favourite sample itineraries that we have created based on our experiences of travelling extensively throughout Sri Lanka. As with all our tours, every aspect can be tailor-made to your individual requirements.
