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Colonial Tours - Option IV - Summer
Sri Lanka was become an important port and trading post in the ancient world due to its’ strategic location in the middle of the maritime silk route from China to Europe. The southwest monsoons carried hundreds of merchant ships in sailing across the oceans from the west and were returned from the East by northeast monsoons. The natural harbours of Manthai (present Mannar), Godawaya (present Hambantota), and Gokarna (present Trincomalee) were busy seaports in the ancient world where navigable rivers adjacent to those ports facilitated trade with inland cities.
Ancient Greek and Indian manuscripts describe Sri Lanka as the “Spice Island”, famous for Cinnamon, Pepper, Cardamoms, and Cloves. Arabs were controlling the Spice trade until European navigators found sea routes to the East in the 15th century.
Then the European were sailing to South Asia. The colonial intervention to Sri Lanka was begun with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505. They were established friendly relations with the king of Kotte and gained a monopoly in the spice trade. At that period Sri Lanka separated into three different kingdoms, each controlled by a king. The King of Kotte has utilized the strength of the Portuguese to protect them from other kings. However, the Portuguese were able to control strategically not only Kotte but also other kingdoms. After the Portuguese the Dutch rule most parts of the country except the Kandyan Kingdom where the British controlled the whole country from 1815 to 1948.
During the colonial period from 1505 to 1948, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, all have left their marks in Sri Lanka. The colonial buildings, forts, fortifications, and lighthouses with the grand colonial architecture are the available tangible remnants of the Colonial era.
This 16-day tour programme has planned to explore available tangible remnants of the colonial era together with an opportunity to explore the unique Sri Lankan culture and nature.
You can edit and change this itinerary online as per your interest and need. Options are available for upgrading your hotel, changing activities and requesting any special needs and want.
What you have to do is select hotels from the available hotels and note the changes on the form at the bottom and submit them.
DAY 1 | Negombo |
DAY 2 | Mannar |
DAY 3, 4 & 5 | Jaffna |
DAY 6 & 7 | Trincomalee |
DAY 8 | Polonnaruwa |
DAY 9 & 10 | Pasikuda |
DAY 11, 12 & 13 | Arugam Bay |
DAY 14 | Weligama |
DAY 15 | Colombo |
from USD 1,705
Per person on double sharing basis
Tour Map
Key Highlights
- Visit Negombo - Mannar – Jaffna – Delft Island - Trincomalee – Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa – Pasikuda - Arugam Bay – Galle - Colombo
- Dutch Canal boat ride at Negombo
- Explore Doric Bungalow, a colonial-era building, and Arippu fort
- Kitesurfing atTalaimannar
- Explore Talaimannar lighthouse and Talaimannar pier.
- Visit Mannar fort
- Experience real-time living and sleep within an actual prison cell at Fort Hammenhiel
- Explore KKS, Point Pedro, Kovilan point, lighthouses
- Visit Jaffna Fort
- Jaffna cycle tour
- Explore Delft Island
- Explore remnants of the Mullaitivu Fort, Pulmodai beach, Arisimale beach, and Girihadu Seya, Vatadage, Tiriyaya
- Whales watching Trincomalee
- City tour in Trincomalee to explore Lover’s leap, Swami Rock and Koneshwaram Hindu Temple and Fort Frederick
- Boat ride to explore Kevuliya Lighthouse (Round Island Lighthouse).
- Climb Sigiriya rock fortress and Mapagala fortress
- Elephant watching at Minneriya national park
- Cycling tour inside the ancient city of Polonnaruwa
- Explore Batticaloa Dutch Fort, Batticaloa Lighthouse, Lighthouse, Oluwil, and Sangamankanda Point
- Full-day wildlife safari at Kumana national park
- Visit Katuwana Dutch fort and Martello Tower, Hambantota
- Explore Dondra head Lighthouse and visit Star Fort Matara, Matara Fort, and Old Nupe Market
- Cycling tour to explore the old town of Galle and its fortifications
- Visit Beruwala Lighthouse
- Colombo city tour
What's included
- Accommodation for 15 Nights.
- 15 Nights’ accommodation sharing Double Room on HB (breakfast and dinner) basis as per itinerary.
- Services of TLJ’s English speaking accredited chauffeur guide accompanied throughout the tour.
- Travel in a late model mid-sized air-conditioned car.
- Local transfers
- Government tax and service charges
- Entrance and activity charges directly pay at the site as per the itinerary
What's Not included
- All activities not detailed in inclusions are Pay As You Go.
- International airfares.
- Lunch, snacks & beverages.
- Personal travel and medical insurance
- Tips for guide / driver / assistant
- Visa fees
- Expenses of a personal nature.
- Video camera and still camera fees
- Permits at some locations
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