Galle: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Port
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$159.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 10½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Travel by coach to Galle to admire rich landscapes and explore the relaxing ambience of Galle Fort.
Visit the only producer of Virgin White Tea in Sri Lanka, at Handunugoda Tea Estate. The estate has taken on the task of recreating the exact recipe and following the traditions surrounding producing the tea that was originally grown in China for the Emperor. Part of the mystique is that the only human body part that comes into contact with the tea before ingestion is the lips. Appreciate the estate with a walk through the factory, finishing off with a tasting of this unique tea (and many others) before relaxing with a cup of tea and a piece of cake at the Planters' Bungalow.
Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
Next up is Galle -- a thriving port since long before colonial times. The Old Town is one of the best examples of a fortified city built by the Europeans in southern and Southeast Asia. It attracted Arabs, Persians, Romans and Greeks on their way across the Indian Ocean. Notice the narrow streets, old churches, cloistered courtyards and shuttered mansions bearing witness to a colonial past of considerable comfort. There are several museums here, as well as the Dutch Reformed Church and the lively Arab Quarter. In 1505, the Portuguese attacked and settled in the town, 135 years later ceding it to the Dutch, who built the famous Galle Fort. This remarkable structure, which you will visit today, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
Notes:
Large motorcoaches cannot enter the tea plantation; a shuttle service is provided. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water.