South Coast Tour – 7 Days / 6 Nights
Day 1: Depart from Airport to Galle
Leave the airport and head off towards the south. Distances in between locations in Sri Lanka are not that long far but the time taken by road to reach a destination an experience. The 146km drive from the Bandaranaike International Airport takes you through the city centre of Colombo, the coastal city of Mount Lavinia and the resort towns of Wadduwa, Kalutara, Beruwela, Bentota, Kosgoda, Ambalangoda, Hikkadduwa and finally Galle. The sights and sounds on this drive down with the sea on one side almost all the way and the domestic and commercial everyday life on the other makes the journey to Galle enriching and vibrant. The bullock carts and the buses, the lorries and the tuk tuks (trishaws), the smiles of the school children in their shining whites all a merry sight and a sort of a warm welcome to the easy going ways of the Sri Lankan people.
When you eventually arrive in Galle you will check into your hotel Jetwing Kurulubedda. Secluded deep inside a stunning spread of mangroves The Jetwing Kurulu bedda hotel is the perfect escape for all visitors looking to spend some quality time with their loved ones. A quiet ten minute stroll along the Kepu Ela (river) in Mahamodara, Galle, Sri Lanka, will take you to your private destination boasting two stilted dwellings on a quiet little village patch, offering all fancies and comforts of a luxury boutique hotel ideally suited for both honeymooners and nature lovers.
Day 2: Discover Galle
Have your breakfast early and go for Dolphin & Whale Watching boat ride in the sea off Mirrissa (Dondara). The Deep South of Sri Lanka may be one of the world’s best locations (amongst the top two or three) for watching Blue Whales and Sperm Whales. Two of the most sought after marine mammals. In fact for seeing both Sperm and Blue Whales together, it may even turn out to be the best location in the world.
Whale and dolphin watching is a seasonal activity in Sri Lanka, available on the west coast in locations from Kalpitiya and along the south coast from November to March while the east coast off Trincomalee is preferable from June to September. Mirissa Water Sports is a charitable organisation helping to generate employment for the youth from the tsunami affected coastal areas. Mirissa Water Sports is based in Mirissa harbour, a beautiful and quiet fishing village in the South of Sri Lanka. Mirissa is reported to have the prettiest beach on the South coast. with clean sand, calm water and safe swimming. It is 40 minutes away from Galle on the southern tip of the island (Latitude 5° 58´ N; Longitude 80° 26´ E).
Visit the Galle Fort, the Galle markets & shopping street, visit a village home, visit the village temple and get an insight into Buddhism from the head monk of the temple, lace making, batik painting.
Galle has a very long history and is marked in the island of Sri Lanka in Ptolemy’s world map prepared around 125 – 150 AD. During that time Galle was a busy port. Foreign traders like Greeks, Arabs, Chinese etc have been visiting Galle for trade. Some believe that word Galle is derived from the Dutch word ‘Gallus’ which means chicken. But some believe that there was a very large ‘Gaala’ of cattle here. Gaala in Sinhala means the place where cattle are herded together. So they believe Galle is a development from ‘Gaala’. It is from Galle harbor that Portuguese led by Lorenzo de Almeida first arrived in Sri Lanka. Their arrival marked an important watershed in Sri Lanka’s history because it completely changed the course of Sri Lankan history. Their arrival however, was not a planned one. It was by mere chance they came here as there ship was caught in a storm and it is the winds that brought their ship to Galle .
After their arrival in Sri Lanka,they befriended Dharmaparakrama bahu , the then King of Kotte. He permitted them to build a fort and church inside. The Fort was meant for the security of the Sinhalese. But by an irony of fate , that Fort later became the prison to keep Sinhalese who opposed them.
Day 3: Galle / Tangalle
After breakfast leave for Tangalle, a fishing town with one long unspoilt beach that is popular as a breeding ground for giant sea turtles. When you eventually arrive in Tangalle you will check into the hotel.
After dinner visit Rakuwa, a small fishing village near Tangalle where a fascinating Marine Turtle Conservation project is helping to save this endangered species. Globally, all seven species of marine turtles existing are endangered. Out of these seven, five species of sea turtles come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka. The process of marine turtles nesting, hatchlings being born, and swimming back to sea is an ancient and phenomenal ritual that is fascinating to observe. You have an opportunity to contribute the Marine Turtle Conservation efforts through the project in Rakuwa where you will observe this endangered species without interfering with its natural breeding habits.
Day 4: Tangalle
Have you breakfast and spend the day leisurely at the Tangalla Bay Hotel which is the only hotel in Sri Lanka, built in the shape of a ship amidst the waves of the ocean. Stepping into the hotel is like boarding a ship, with her 34 cabins arranged in four decks at different elevations with the lowest cabin just above sea level. The air conditioned cabins will be equipped with satellite T.V., DVD player, mini bar, and wireless internet. The attached toilets will be with Hot and Cold water and a view of the Ocean. Every cabin has its own balcony and here you are really at sea. You will wake up to the sound of the waves; feel the splendor of a cool morning’s breeze and the chirping of birds whilst watching a magnificent specter of the sunrise.
Day 5: Tangalle / Yala
In the afternoon leave for Yala National Park ( 48 km, approx. 1 hour drive) and commence a jeep safari in the park, one of world’s renewed park to visit and photograph leopards. Yala National Park has a substantial elephant population along with many other species like spotted deer, sambur, wild buffalo, sloth bear, mongoose and crocodiles to name a few.
Day 6: Yala/ Colombo
Have your breakfast and depart to Colombo.