Beach Getaway (8 Days): Colombo

The excursion

Itinerary

• Day 1 — Airport → Beruwala
• On arrival at Colombo International Airport you are met by your chauffeur guide and driven to Beruwala to check in to your Ayurveda resort.
• Beruwala Ayurveda Resort
• You are driven directly from the airport to Beruwala to check in to your Ayurveda resort.
• Day 2 — Beruwala
• A day to enjoy the beach and hotel facilities, with the option of a boat safari on the Madu River.
• Madu River Boat Safari
• Take a boat ride down the Madu River through channels formed by mangroves, spotting basking crocodiles, water monitors and water birds. The trip can include a stop at a small island where cinnamon is harvested and a fish massage.
• Day 3 — Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
• A visit to the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery on the southwestern coast introduces the sea turtles that nest on Sri Lanka's shores.
• Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
• Learn about the five endangered sea turtle species that nest on Sri Lanka's beaches and how the Kosgoda Turtle Care Program protects their nests until hatching. You may get the chance to see, touch and feed baby turtles, or view injured adult turtles in the hatchery's care.
• Day 4 — Lunuganga Estate
• Today's excursion is to Lunuganga, the country home and garden of architect Geoffrey Bawa.
• Lunuganga Estate
• Tour the gardens and the sections of the house open to the public at Lunuganga, the country home of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, and see the design style that shaped his work.
• Day 5 — Galle Fort and the Old Colonial City
• A day exploring Galle, once a headquarters for the Portuguese and Dutch on the island.
• Galle Fort
• Walk through Galle Fort, one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia, and the cobblestone streets that still carry their old Dutch names.
• Maritime Museum
• View the Maritime Museum within the old city.
• Galle National Museum
• Visit the Galle National Museum as part of your tour of the fort.
• Galle Lighthouse
• See the lighthouse overlooking the fort.
• Day 6 — Handunugoda Tea Factory
• Today's visit is to the Handunugoda Tea Factory, known for its Virgin White Tea.
• Handunugoda Tea Factory
• Learn the history of the Virgin White Tea produced here, plucked and processed without being touched by hand, then join a tasting session with tea and chocolate cake. Tea leaves are available to purchase as a souvenir.
• Day 7 — Stilt Fisherman
• A day centred on the stilt fishermen of the southern coast and their traditional craft.
• Stilt Fisherman
• Hear from the fishermen themselves how stilt fishing came to Sri Lanka and how it is practised, and photograph them silhouetted against the shoreline at sunset.
• Day 8 — Beruwala → Airport
• After a relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to the airport for your departure.