1. Kalutara: Turtle Hatchery Visit, Boat Safari, and Galle Tour
The tour begins at 8:30am with pickup from your hotel and travels out of Kalutara towards the south-west of Sri Lanka. Arrive at the first stop of the day, Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, at around 9:30am. At the hatchery, learn about the 5 endangered sea turtle species that come to the shores of Sri Lanka to nest, and learn how the Kosgoda Turtle Care Program helps protect these nests until they are ready to hatch. At the hatchery, enjoy the unique opportunity to see, touch, and feed baby turtles as well as injured adults. After about an hour at the hatchery head to the bustling coastal town of Balapitiya for a boat safari along the vibrant Madu River. Enjoy a 30-minute cruise on the river learning about and admiring its flourishing ecosystem. On the boat, pass through secretive passages created by the mangroves and see basking crocodiles and other river wildlife. Next, visit one of the river’s small islands known for its cinnamon harvesting natives, then experience the restorative qualities of the infamous fish massage. At approximately 1pm take some free time to grab lunch and energize for the rest of the afternoon’s activities. Arrive in the city of Galle by 3pm and set out on a sightseeing exploration of this Old Colonial location. Discover the streets and landmarks of Galle, bursting with history, where Portuguese and Dutch settlers made their headquarters. Visit the Galle Fort, which is one of the best preserved fortifications in Asia, then admire the architecture of the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum, and the local lighthouse. At the end of an insightful day, the tour finishes at 5pm and you will arrive back at your hotel at around 6:30pm.