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EXPLORE GALLE FORT
A walking tour to the Galle Fort historical living city
The largest remaining fortress in Asia constructed by any European imperial power is the Galle Fort. This architectural and archaeological marvel, also known as the Dutch Fort or “Ramparts of Galle”, was originally built by the Portuguese in 1588 and lavishly rebuilt by the Dutch in the 17th century. Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has remained as fresh as when it was built many years ago.
Beyond just peeking into Ceylon's colonial history and architectural wonders, there's more you can do at Galle Dutch Fort to add a little extra value to your stay. Strolling within the fort interior, rambling by the external walls, and seeing the well-known Galle Fort Lighthouse that offers panoramic views of the surrounding coastline. It's interesting to see folks enjoying the stunning sunset moments from the fort wall. Wander through its narrow cobblestone streets, lined with charming colonial-era buildings that now house boutique shops, art galleries, cafes, and guesthouses. The fort's vibrant atmosphere, infused with the sights, sounds, and scents of daily life, makes it a captivating destination for history enthusiasts and travelers alike.
Time : 8 Min (drive) / (Steps) 50 Min
Distance : 3.2 km
YALA NATIONAL PARK TOUR
Take part in an exhilarating safari to spot Leopards
Witness the most exotic species of Sri Lanka, in the island’s second national park, 'Yala', bordering the Cerulean Indian Ocean. The 130,000 hectares of territory preserved as Yala National Park is scattered across five distinct blocks consisting of scrubs, grasslands, tanks, lagoons, and light forests with only two of those blocks open to the public for safari excursions. The sloth bear and leopard are the most treasured and rarest species to be on the lookout for, however this precious land is home to a diverse array of species, including deer, elephants, birds, and crocodiles.
Animal and nature lovers travel from all over the world to the park to spot the exotic wildlife that inhabit within the protected areas. The best time to go on a wildlife safari is at dawn or dusk, where the majority of the animals are more likely to be sighted than during the day, when the heat drives them further into the forest. Keep in mind that the ideal season to spot wildlife at Yala National Park is between the months of February and June.
Time : 2 Hr 15Min
Distance : 155 km
MADU GANGA
Don’t miss to enjoy a scenic boat ride adventure along the Madu River
Explore the sights and sounds of the lush mangrove forest as you discover the secrets of the Madu River, on an exciting boat safari, during your stay at Ceylon Olive.
Due to its abundance of attractions, Madu Ganga, which is located in the Galle District of Sri Lanka close to the town Balapitiya, has become an increasingly popular destination for boat safaris.
The amphibic landscape of Maduganga is the largest surviving mangrove swamp in Sri Lanka, home to a variety of fish and reptile species. It’s also a fantastic territory for birdwatching. Together with the smaller Randombe Lake, which is situated closer to the ocean, but further south, and linked with Madu River by two natural channels, it forms the Madu Ganga Wetland, inhabited by more than 300 species of plants and almost 250 species of fauna from colourful birds like woodpeckers and king fishers to creepy crocodiles and more. Due to its rich biodiversity, Madu Ganga was listed under the International Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
Madu Ganga makes a perfect destination for single-day excursions, because of its proximity to many popular beach resorts.
The Madu Ganga boat safari is an attraction rich in variety indeed. This activity will last for one and a half or two hours, in order to visit two islets and have time enough for a fish massage. The boat rides are on offer by several competing boat operators near the river mouth, located close to the main road.
There are many things to watch and get the experience of, including,
Time : 49 Min
Distance : 44 km
WHALE WATCHING
Get up close and personal with the giants of the deep Set sail to the depths of the Indian Ocean on a smooth cruise, in search of the magnificent creatures that dwell beneath the surface of the azure waters. Mirissa is the ideal place for whale and dolphin watching between the months of November to April, as the waters become a playground for a myriad of whales and dolphin species. Some of the most commonly spotted whales include sperm whales, killer whales, Bryde whales, short finned whales, while you’ll be able to see schools of bottlenose dolphins and striped dolphins as they playfully frolic around your boat! However, the main whale type to look out for is the blue whale – the largest animal in the world! Whale and Dolphin watching in Mirissa is ideal for nature lovers as they set sail into the ocean. The best time to embark on your adventures is at dawn, and since most boats leave the harbour by at least 6am, an early rise is required. Base yourself at one of our boutique hotels in Mirissa so you can’t save on the extra travel time and get a few more winks in before your day out in the sea begins!
Time : 48 Min
Distance : 38 km
OCEAN BASED WATER SPORTS
Feel the energy of wind and waves in sunny Bentota Take part in a variety of sports activities in Bentota. Feel the thrill and the excitement of jet skiing through the refreshing waters or enjoy a fun-filled banana boat & tube rides along the river. Because it is situated between the Indian Ocean and the Benthara River, offering the best of both worlds, the town of Bentota is renowned for being among the greatest locations for water-based sports. You would not regret travelling for an hour to this wonderful place as you would come across many once in a lifetime adventures engaged with the sea. Visit Bentota and you'll be spoiled for choice with the variety of activities available, whether you want to jet ski across the river waters, take a leisurely boat tour, or go on an adrenaline-pumping banana boat ride. We will be pleased to assist you in organizing your exciting day of fun in the sun while you take advantage of some of the greatest water sport activities in Sri Lanka. After a day of splashing around in the Bentara River or Indian Ocean, return to the cozy confines of our boutique villa.
Time : 1 Hr
Distance : 66 km
HANDUNAGODA TEA FACTORY
Enjoy guided tea plantation tours at the iconic Handunugoda Tea Estate No matter where you are in Sri Lanka, tea is never too far away, and if you love a cup of Ceylon Tea, a visit to a tea plantation and factory is a must, as you travel around the island. The Handunugoda Low Country Tea Plantation and Tea Factory invites you to explore and learn the intricate art of making tea! The estate is most famed for producing the exotic Virgin White Tea. Visit the Handunugoda Low Country Tea Plantation and enjoy a stroll through acres of lush tea bushes, before heading back to the antique tea factory to learn how the tea is collected, dried, withered and processed before making its way to your cup. While not a fully-functioning factory, you can still admire the processes and old machinery as most of the factory has been converted to a museum. Tea lovers can even sample a freshly made cup of the best Ceylon tea at the end of their tour. The Handunugoda Low Country Tea Plantation is located in the southern town of Ahangama and can be visited in a few hours. The estate also grows coconut, cinnamon and rubber for visitors to admire!
Time : 25 Min
Distance : 21 km
KANNELIYA
Lost yourself within the bespoke lush sanctuary A short drive from Galle is one of Sri Lanka’s best-kept secrets and one of the last remaining rainforests in Sri Lanka, the Hiyare Rainforest Reserve. Marked as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, this veritable paradise for wildlife enthusiasts displays a wealth of flora, fauna and immense beauty. The coursing rivers of Gin Ganga and Nilwala Ganga wind their way around hills, valleys and flat landscapes and dense forest canopies protect a treasure trove of biodiverse riches. The Reserve is home to several bird species, including many endemics and an incredible diversity of mammals, butterflies, dragonflies, amphibians and reptiles. Fauna includes a wide variety of medicinal and rare plants. Four spectacular must-sees in the Reserve include the cascading Anagimale Falls, an ancient tangled creeper giant creeper the height of a person, the little waterfall of Narangas Ella and a massive Nevada tree with an observation platform, a great spot to look out over the lush Reserve.
Time : 1 Hr 5 Min
Distance : 39 km
TEMPLE BLESSINGS
Blessings of Temples hidden at dusk
Explore the secrets of 2300 year old Yatagala, Rhummasala and Nawamunisaya Temples with a guide, all situated within a 10-minute drive of the hotel. Yatagala is perhaps the most fascinating, with its rock temple, giant Bo tree and Buddhist statues. Climb its steps at dusk and experience a candlelit blessing by a resident monk in its sacred meditation cave.
Yatagala Raja MahaViharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple, believed to have been built about 2300 years ago and is considered as one of the oldest rock temples in our country. It was built during the kingdom of King DevanampiyaTissa of the Anuradhapura era, when one of the branches of the sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree was planted in that area.
It was believed that King Parakramabahu II of the Dambadeniya period had ordered a 18 riyan reclining statue of Buddha to be built within the cave of the rock. During the last royal kingdom in Kandy, the temple was gifted with a land and gifts by King WickramaRajasinghe. These gifts are still kept in custody of the temple.
When you step foot into the temple, you are greeted with a 9 metre long reclining statue of the Lord Buddha. This temple has been built into rock formation and many statues can be seen here. Vibrant and colorful murals depicting certain events in the life of the Lord Buddha too can be seen in this Raja MahaViharaya. There is a vast terrace that provides a panoramic and breathtaking view of the whole area. In the recent past this entire site was announced as a sacred site and there has been development in restoring its former glory.
As the government has rehabilitated the framework of the temple, the Dayakas of the temple had donated to build a gold fence around the Bodhi tree and have also erected a Samadhi Buddha statue under the tree. The cave formed by giant rocks was converted into a meditation hall.
Time : 12 Min
Distance : 6.7 km
UDAWALAWE
Come face to face with gentle giants on a Udawalawe Elephant Sanctuary safari
Embark on a thrilling wildlife safari in Udawalawe National Park and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime. Known to be the best place to spot Sri Lanka’s most treasured giants, the Sri Lankan Elephant, the Udawalawe National Park promises to explore a plethora of other species to admire too! However, a visit to the Udawalawe Elephant Sanctuary is one of the most fulfilling trips to make during your adventures on the island.
Located in Udawalawe, the Elephant Sanctuary acts as a rehabilitation and transit home for baby elephants that have been injured, sick or orphaned from around the island. The animals are then looked after and nursed back to health until they are deemed fit enough for release back into the rugged jungles. The ethical sanctuary allows its residents to roam freely around the premises and does not constrict them to chains or cages. The best time to visit is during a weekday, as weekends and public holidays crowds of visitors. While you’re not allowed to interact with the elephant, visitors are permitted entry to the sanctuary during elephant feeding times when the calves are fed milk every 3 hours starting from 9am to 6pm.
Time : 1 Hr 50 Min
Distance : 124 km
DISCOVER GALLE
Walk through ramparts of Galle
Galle is a major coastal town in the southwest of Sri Lanka and is the finest instance of a fortified city constructed by the Portuguese in Southeast Asia.
Resting like a pearl on Sri Lanka’s scalloped southern coastline, Galle Fort is a historic marvel close to the beaches, paddy fields and friendly villages that make this region so appealing.
Time : 7 Min
Distance : 3 km
MARITIME MUSEUM
Explore the Sri Lankan Culture connected with Sea and the Living Marine Beings
The National Maritime Museum in Galle, is the one and only in Sri Lanka, On March 2010, it was reopened at the Dutch warehouse of the Galle fort as the National Maritime Archaeology Museum. Exhibits of marine artifacts found in underwater explorations are show cased in the Museum. There are maps, naval craft, ropes, earthenware, beer mugs, smoking pipes, barrels, vast amount of articles including artillery guns and sailor shoes. Ship wrecks in the sea off the Southern coast is where these artifacts were recovered from, some of which are nearly 800 years old.
It exhibits about the Sri Lankan culture connected with the sea and all the living beings in the marine species, ranging from tiny single-cell life forms to the largest living being, the blue whale. It displays the habitats of all these beings, including mangroves, salty wetlands, sand dunes, beach, seagrass, and coral. Additionally, it presents various types of boats and water rafts used in the Sri Lankan society from ancient times and also the lifestyle of fishing villages along the coastal area through models and replicas. Due to Tsunami occurred in of 26th December 2004, this museum was almost totally destroyed, and it was renovated and re-opened for public viewing in 2009.
Time : 8 Min
Distance : 3.4 km