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Colombo
Pass by
Starting at 3:30 pm we pick up from your hotel in the Colombo area.
Come and join us to experience the hustle and bustle of the afternoon in old Colombo town roll into the sunset. Cruise the city streets while watching the sun lower over the Indian ocean,as the busy 9-5 workday trade winds down and the city lights come alive for yet another evening of activity.
We are always trying to improve our safaris, by continuously searching/experimenting with local authentic locations, destinations, and experiences as we go. As long as we are open we will always be looking for new things, so get ready for something off the beaten track.
We encourage guests to bring their own drinks (alcoholic) if you like and make use of your on-board cooler box.
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Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct
10m
During 1700 Dutch been build this uniqe historical building for hospital. we will stop here to give brief introduction about Colonel Colombo.
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Gangaramaya Temple
15m · Admission ticket included
Location: Situated by the tranquil Beira Lake, offering a peaceful contrast to the city bustle.
Architecture: It showcases a unique and fascinating blend of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architectural styles.
Seema Malaka: A striking, renowned part of the complex is the "floating temple," a meditation hall on the lake designed by the famous architect Geoffrey Bawa.
Museum: The temple houses a fascinating and varied museum, featuring an extensive collection of Buddha statues, artifacts, antique coins, and even vintage cars.
Significance: It is deeply involved in community welfare and hosts the spectacular annual Navam Perahera procession.
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Pettah
10m
The Pettah Market is the massive, sprawling, and intensely chaotic commercial heart of Colombo, located just east of the city's Fort district.
Atmosphere: It is a vibrant, multi-ethnic, and sensory-overloading marketplace—a labyrinth of narrow streets filled with incessant noise, porters pushing carts, and vendors loudly hawking their goods. It offers an authentic, high-energy experience of local Sri Lankan commerce.
Goods Sold: Pettah operates primarily as a wholesale and retail bazaar, where each cross-street specializes in a specific type of product. You can find virtually anything here, from electronics, mobile phone accessories, and toys, to high-quality textiles, fashion, fresh fruits, vegetables, and bulk spices.
famous as Sri Lanka's long-established gold market.
Shopping Tip: It is the best place in Colombo for bargain hunters, where haggling is expected, and the prices are significantly lower than in modern malls.
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Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
5m
The Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, commonly known as the Red Mosque (Rathu Palliya), is one of Colombo's oldest and most visually distinct landmarks.
Located in the bustling commercial heart of Pettah, this historic mosque is famous for its striking Indo-Saracenic architecture. Its most recognizable feature is its facade, which is covered in alternating red and white bands of brickwork, creating a mesmerizing "candy-striped" effect on its minarets and domes.
Completed in 1909, the mosque was commissioned by the local Indian Muslim community and was so prominent at the time that sailors approaching the Colombo port used its towering red and white minarets as a navigational landmark. The unique, almost pomegranate-shaped domes further distinguish it from traditional mosque architecture, making it a celebrated symbol of Colombo's rich multicultural heritage.
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Pettah Floating Market
Pass by
we will be going pass by this market.
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Viharamahadevi Park
5m · Admission ticket included
Viharamahadevi Park is the oldest and largest public park in Colombo, located in the heart of the city, directly in front of the iconic Town Hall.
Originally known as Victoria Park during the British colonial era, it was renamed after Queen Viharamahadevi, the mother of the revered ancient King Dutugemunu.
The park is a green oasis offering a tranquil escape, featuring:
A prominent golden Buddha statue surrounded by fountains.
Lush, well-manicured gardens and large, shaded trees.
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Independence Square
10m · Admission ticket included
Architecture: The design is based on the Magul Maduwa (Royal Audience Hall) of the last native kingdom, the Kingdom of Kandy, symbolizing the restoration of native sovereignty.
Design Elements: It is an open-sided pavilion featuring intricate stone carvings, 60 supporting pillars adorned with traditional designs, and four stone lions guarding the entrance.
Statue: An imposing statue of the country's first Prime Minister, D. S. Senanayake, stands at the head of the monument.
Current Use: Today, it is the primary venue for the annual National Independence Day celebrations and a popular recreational hub for walking, jogging, and family outings, surrounded by beautiful green lawns and the Arcade Independence Square shopping complex.
