WhatsApp
This day tour takes you into the living heart of Sri Lanka’s vibrant capital, a city of contrasts where Dutch colonial buildings sit alongside gleaming towers, Buddhist temples and Hindu kovils share walls with colonial era churches and mosques, and the chaotic, sensory-overloading streets of the Pettah market give way to the elegant, breezy promenades of Galle Face and the historic Fort district. Your guide will lead you through the colour and noise of the Pettah covered markets, pausing to sample street foods including hoppers, pol roti, kottu roti, fresh juice and tropical fruits at the vendors who have been feeding Colombo for generations. The tour continues through the Slave Island and Cinnamon Gardens neighbourhoods to the magnificent Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square and the Dutch Hospital shopping and dining precinct. The tour is designed to be walked, browsed and tasted rather than simply viewed, a genuinely flavourful and textured introduction to life in one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.
Tour Highlights
  • Pettah covered market – one of South Asia’s most chaotic and colourful wholesale bazaars
  • Street food trail: hoppers, pol roti, kottu roti, fresh tropical juices and more
  • Gangaramaya Temple – a magnificent multi-faith complex of extraordinary eclectic beauty
  • Cinnamon Gardens and Independence Square – the elegant, leafy heart of colonial Colombo
  • Dutch Hospital precinct – beautifully restored 17th-century colonial building
Inclusion
  • Private air-conditioned transport for transfers between districts
  • Expert local guide with in-depth knowledge of Colombo’s history and food culture
  • Street food tastings throughout the market trail
  • Gangaramaya Temple entry fee
  • Lunch at a recommended local restaurant in the city
Exclusion
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Additional food or drink beyond included tastings and lunch
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal purchases at markets or shops
  • Transport to the starting point from outside Colombo or Negombo