Galle Day Tour with Tea Factory and Cinnamon Island from Colombo

This full-day tour travels along Sri Lanka's southern coast from your hotel to Galle, combining a mangrove boat safari, a spice garden, a turtle hatchery and the historic Galle Fort in one itinerary, starting at 9:00 am.

Hotel pickup (9:00 am onwards)

Your English-speaking driver-guide collects you from your hotel in Colombo, Bentota, Kalutara, Waskaduwa, Negombo, Ahungalla, Mirissa, Weligama or the Galle area, in an air-conditioned vehicle for the drive along the coast.

Koggala Lake and the spice garden

The day opens with a boat safari across Koggala Lake, gliding through mangrove channels where birdlife gathers along the quiet waterways (entrance fee payable locally). From the lake, the route continues to a spice and herbal garden, where a short walk explains how cinnamon, the crop this coast is known for, is grown and harvested.

Turtle hatchery and stilt fishermen

A stop at a turtle hatchery lets you see baby turtles as part of the site's sea turtle conservation work, with a chance to learn how hatchlings are protected before being released. Further along the coast, the Koggala stilt fishermen perch on their traditional wooden poles just off the shore, a scene that has become one of the south coast's most photographed sights.

Handunugoda Tea Estate

At Handunugoda Tea Estate, a walk through the tea gardens is followed by a tasting of Ceylon tea grown and processed on site, with bottled water provided throughout the day to help with the coastal heat.

Galle Fort

The day closes at Galle Fort, built by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century and later fortified by the Dutch, where cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and ramparts line the coast. A walk along the ramparts before the drive home rounds out the day with views back over the Indian Ocean. Rayna's local team manages the pickup and drop-off across each of the coastal towns this tour serves, with support on call throughout the day.

• Cruise the mangroves of Koggala Lake on a scenic boat safari, spotting birdlife along the quiet waterways.
• Walk through a spice and herbal garden to learn about cinnamon and other crops grown along the coast.
• See baby turtles at a turtle hatchery working on conservation of endangered sea turtle species.
• Photograph the Koggala stilt fishermen, perched on their traditional poles just off the shore.
• Taste Ceylon tea at Handunugoda Tea Estate after a walk through its tea gardens.
• Explore the historic Galle Fort, with its ramparts, colonial streets and ocean views, to close the day.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off across Colombo, Bentota, Kalutara, Waskaduwa, Negombo, Ahungalla, Mirissa, Weligama and Galle areas
• English-speaking driver-guide
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled water

• Personal expenses such as shopping, drinks and dining during the tour
• Entrance fees for the Koggala Lake boat safari, turtle hatchery, stilt fisherman photography stop and Handunugoda Tea Estate
• Gratuities

1. Download the voucher from your dashboard after booking.
2. Keep a soft copy of the voucher on your phone, or print it out.
3. Show the voucher to the driver at pickup time for verification.

• Carry a camera to capture photos during the tour.
• Bring sunglasses and a sun hat.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as the tour involves some walking.
• Carry cash for entrance fees and any personal purchases along the way.
• Be ready in the hotel lobby 15 minutes before pickup time.
• Provide accurate hotel address details when booking.
• Carry a valid ID or passport for identification during the transfer.
• Pickup and drop-off timings may vary depending on traffic and other factors.