SouthCoast Galle SriLanka
3
Day Itinerary •
Sri Lanka
Three days along Sri Lanka's south coast delivers the most extraordinary combination of colonial heritage, marine wildlife and leopard safari in Asia, from the remarkable UNESCO Galle Fort with its Dutch colonial ramparts and boutique culture to the extraordinary Blue Whale watching at Mirissa and the remarkable stilt fishermen of Weligama, followed by the finest leopard viewing in the world at Yala National Park. This focused route covers the essential south coast experience. The extraordinary Galle Fort walking tour and the fine Unawatuna beach on Day 1, the remarkable Mirissa Blue Whale watching and the extraordinary stilt fishermen of Weligama on Day 2, and the outstanding Yala National Park leopard safari and the fine Bundala flamingo wetlands on Day 3.
Best Time To Visit
November to April for whale watching and finest south coast weather
Getting There
Fly into Colombo (CMB), 2 hour drive to Galle
Getting Around
Hired car with driver recommended. Train from Colombo to Galle is extraordinary.
Budget Per Day
Approx 8,000 to 30,000 LKR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, Yala jeep safari from vehicle
DAY 1
GALLE
MORNING
GALLE FORT UNESCO WALKING TOUR
The extraordinary Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the finest example of a European fortified trading city in Asia, built by the Dutch in the 17th century on a peninsula first fortified by the Portuguese in 1589. The remarkable ramparts walk around the extraordinary 3km perimeter gives the finest combined sea view, architectural heritage and birdwatching experience in Sri Lanka. The fine lighthouse, the remarkable All Saints Anglican Church from 1871 and the outstanding Dutch Reformed Church from 1755 within the fort are the finest colonial heritage in Sri Lanka. Entry free. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
GALLE FORT INTERIOR BOUTIQUES AND CAFE CULTURE
The extraordinary Galle Fort interior with its remarkable transformation into the finest boutique hotel and artisan culture destination in Sri Lanka, where the outstanding Barefoot Gallery, the fine Stick No Bills colonial poster shop and the remarkable independent jewellers and textile designers within the extraordinary Dutch-era buildings create the finest shopping and cafe culture on the island. The remarkable rooftop views from the fort wall cafes are the finest in Galle. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
UNAWATUNA BEACH AND JUNGLE BEACH
The extraordinary Unawatuna, the finest crescent beach near Galle, with the remarkable shallow turquoise bay, the fine coral reef snorkelling and the outstanding beachfront restaurants directly on the sand. The remarkable Jungle Beach 1km east of Unawatuna, accessible only by a fine 15-minute forest path, is the finest hidden beach on the south coast with the extraordinary clear water and the remarkable privacy entirely absent from the Unawatuna main beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Rumassala Hill at the western end of Unawatuna Bay, the remarkable jungle hill associated in the Ramayana with the extraordinary episode of Hanuman bringing healing herbs to Lanka, has the finest biodiversity in the Galle area and the outstanding Japanese Peace Pagoda at the summit with the most remarkable view of the Galle bay and the extraordinary Unawatuna crescent. The fine forest walk to the extraordinary pagoda is the finest short hike near Galle.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Galle Fort hotel Outstanding breakfast inside the extraordinary Galle Fort. Fine fresh tropical fruit and remarkable Sri Lankan hoppers. | Lunch: Fort Printers or Ministry of Crab Galle The finest lunch options in the extraordinary Galle Fort. Outstanding Sri Lankan seafood. | Dinner: Closenberg Hotel, Galle The finest dinner view in Galle at the remarkable Victorian colonial hotel above the extraordinary bay.
DAY 2
SOUTH COAST
MORNING
MIRISSA WHALE WATCHING AND BLUE WHALES
The extraordinary Mirissa, the finest whale watching destination in Asia and one of the best in the world, where the remarkable Blue Whale, the largest animal on earth, feeds in the extraordinary deep waters off the south coast of Sri Lanka between November and April. The fine whale watching boat from Mirissa harbour gives the most extraordinary close encounters with Blue Whales, the remarkable Sperm Whales and the outstanding spinner dolphin pods that escort the boat. Tours approx 3,500 LKR. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
MIRISSA BEACH AND COCONUT TREE HILL
The extraordinary Mirissa Beach, the finest surf beach on the south coast, with the remarkable crescent bay, the fine surf break and the outstanding Coconut Tree Hill viewpoint above the extraordinary beach where the fine palm trees lean over the cliff edge and the remarkable Indian Ocean stretches to the horizon. The extraordinary rock island offshore from Mirissa is accessible by swimming and gives the finest elevated view of the fine beach crescent. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
WELIGAMA BAY AND STILT FISHERMEN
The extraordinary Weligama Bay, the finest traditional fishing bay on the south coast, where the remarkable traditional stilt fishermen perch on their fine crosses above the surf in one of the most extraordinary human fishing traditions in the world. The remarkable Weligama surf school and the fine Taprobane Island in the middle of the extraordinary bay, a private estate with the most remarkable elevated Indian Ocean view in Sri Lanka, are the finest sights in Weligama.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Parrot Rock in Mirissa, a remarkable rock island 200 metres offshore accessible at low tide by wading, is the finest hidden viewpoint on the south coast with the extraordinary 360-degree panorama of the Mirissa Bay, the remarkable Coconut Tree Hill and the outstanding open Indian Ocean. The remarkable resident sea eagle nesting on the extraordinary Parrot Rock is the finest wildlife sight near Mirissa.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Mirissa guesthouse Good breakfast before the whale watching boat. Boats depart at 7am from the remarkable Mirissa harbour. | Lunch: Mirissa beach restaurant Outstanding fresh grilled tuna and remarkable Sri Lankan devilled prawns at a fine Mirissa beach restaurant. | Dinner: Weligama bay hotel Outstanding dinner at a fine Weligama bay hotel. Extraordinary fresh crab and remarkable Sri Lankan toddy.
DAY 3
YALA
MORNING
YALA NATIONAL PARK SAFARI
The extraordinary Yala National Park Block One, the finest leopard-viewing wildlife reserve in the world with the remarkable highest density of leopards in any national park on earth. The fine dawn jeep safari gives the most extraordinary leopard sightings in Asia, along with the outstanding sloth bear, the remarkable elephant herds, the fine saltwater crocodile and the extraordinary birdlife including the fine painted stork and the remarkable Indian peafowl in the finest dry zone ecosystem in Sri Lanka. Entry approx 4,000 LKR plus jeep. 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK FLAMINGOS
The extraordinary Bundala National Park east of Yala, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and the finest birdwatching destination in Sri Lanka, where the remarkable greater flamingo flocks, the outstanding painted stork colonies and the extraordinary variety of migratory waders create the finest bird watching on the south coast. The fine Bundala lagoon system is the most extraordinary wetland in southern Sri Lanka. 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
TISSAMAHARAMA TANK AND TEMPLE
The extraordinary Tissamaharama, the finest ancient tank city on the south coast, where the remarkable Tissa Wewa ancient reservoir, the outstanding Dagoba stupa visible from the tank bund and the fine white-washed Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara temple create the most extraordinary sunset scene on the south coast. The remarkable elephants that come to bathe in the extraordinary Tissa Wewa at dusk are the finest free wildlife spectacle in southern Sri Lanka.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kataragama, the most important multi-religious pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka 20km north of Tissamaharama, where the remarkable Maha Devalaya Hindu shrine, the fine Buddhist dagoba and the outstanding mosque are visited simultaneously by Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim pilgrims in the most extraordinary example of multi-faith worship in Asia. The remarkable Kataragama Esala festival in July and August with the extraordinary fire-walking is the finest religious spectacle in Sri Lanka.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Tissamaharama hotel Good substantial breakfast before the Yala dawn safari. | Lunch: Tissamaharama after safari Fine rice and curry at a remarkable Tissa town restaurant after the extraordinary Yala safari. | Dinner: Tissamaharama farewell Outstanding fresh lagoon fish at a fine Tissamaharama restaurant. Extraordinary crab curry and remarkable rice.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Galle Fort Amangalla or The Fort Bazaar. Extraordinary fort location. Approx 20,000 to 80,000 LKR. Mirissa or Weligama Mirissa Hills or Mandara Resort. Approx 6,000 to 25,000 LKR per night. Budget Guesthouses throughout. Approx 2,000 to 6,000 LKR per night.
Top Tips
1. Mirissa whale watching is finest November to April. Blue Whale sightings are not guaranteed.
2. Yala dawn safari gives the finest leopard sightings. Enter at 6am when the park opens.
3. The Colombo to Galle train is extraordinary. The finest coastal train journey in Asia if not driving.
4. Book Amangalla or The Fort Bazaar months ahead. The finest Galle Fort hotels fill completely.
5. Yala Block One has the finest leopard density in the world. Arrive first in the morning queue.
6. Sri Lankan crab curry on the south coast is the finest seafood in the country. Order it at every opportunity.
Total Budget
7,500 to 103,000 LKR/day