Private Day Tour: Colombo City Tour from Kalutara

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Colombo National Museum, Albert Crescent, Colombo Sri Lanka

At Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha (also known as Albert Crescent), next to the Viharamahadevi Park, the National Museum was Sri Lanka’s first and was founded in 1877. Its collection spans several centuries and a range of cultures, from the Sinhala kingdoms through to the British era. Highlights include the royal trappings of the last Kings of Kandy. There are also some superb stone sculptures, as well as Hindu bronzes and wooden carvings, Sri Lankan and European furniture and ceramics, and (to Western eyes) a fine array of grotesque masks representing Buddhist demons and deities. The museum’s huge library of more than 500,000 books is primarily of interest to scholars, but its collection of 4000 palm leaf manuscripts – created by etching the lettering into the fibrous surface of the leaf – are on display for everyone to admire. A small Gallery of mid 19th century paintings and etchings shows Sri Lanka through the eyes of British artists.

Within the National Museum, on the first floor, is the Puppetry and Children’s Museum. Puppetry is a living part of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, and the museum displays traditional Sri Lankan figures and marionettes from all over the world, with regular weekend performances. It is open Saturday-Thursday, 09:00-17:00.



Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha Near China Embassy, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka

The BMICH is a well known convention centre that is located in Colombo and was built between the years 1970 – 73. A gift from the People’s Republic of China in memory of the Prime Minister of Ceylon from 1956 – 1959, Sir Solomon Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike, the construction was carried out as a joint venture from both countries. With a total area of 16,000 sq ft, BMICH is always the venue chosen for high profile events and exhibitions including CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013).



Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Nelum Pokuna Mawatha, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka

This theatre which was opened in December 2011 is a performing arts centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It’s perfect location in the city has made it an ideal venue for many International gatherings and functions since its establishment. The architecture of the structure has been inspired by the 12th Century Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) which was built by King Parakramabahu the Great during the prosperous era when Polonnaruwa was once the capital.



Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, 61 Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo Sri Lanka

Located amidst the calm waters of the Beira Lake, the Gangaramaya Temple complex is a vibrant venue located in the heart of the Business District. The complex consists of the Main Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, the “Seema Malaka” which is an assembly hall for monks and also a vocational training institute. The temple is over 120 years old while now it has been converted to an institution of International significance. The temple and its surroundings are adorned with colourful lights during various ceremonial months while the annual Nawam Perahera conducted by the Gangaramaya is one of the most vibrant and colourful processions in the island.



Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo Sri Lanka

Located just across the Town Hall Building, the Viharamahadevi Park is the largest and oldest park in the heart of Colombo. Open to the public, the park was built during the British rule and was formally known as the “Victoria Park” and renamed as Viharamahadevi in honour of the famed historical queen of Sri Lanka, the mother of King Dutugamunu. From a Buddha statue, many fountains, flowers and even an amphitheatre that is used for various performances, the park is the ideal place for long evening walks.



Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Galle Face Green, Galle Road, Colombo Sri Lanka

The Galle Face Green, which is immediately south of Fort, is a long, thin park facing the Indian Ocean which fills up with food stalls and locals on weekday and weekend evenings as it is a popular meeting place to relax. A narrow arm of Beira Lake separates this district from Slave Island, a peninsula where the Dutch imprisoned slaves from their Asian colonies. Galle Road, Colombo’s long seafront boulevard runs south from Galle Face Green, eventually becoming the main coastal road to Galle and the Deep South. It’s always crowded with traffic and short on charm, but as the city’s main thoroughfare it also has some of the best shopping malls and a number of important buildings, including the official residence of Sri Lanka’s premier, the US Embassy, the British High Commission and some of the city’s top five star hotels.



Duration: 30 minutes