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Gain a broad understanding of Galle by visiting notable attractions that will present an enlightening perspective of the past. The Martin Wickramasinghe Museum of Folk Culture houses an array of centuries-old artifacts related to rural life. The collection includes masks, pottery, jewelry, musical instruments and all sorts of other fascinating items. Browsing the 16th-century Galle Fort follows, an experience that is sure to be revealing, as the fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Fortunately, it survived the devastating 2004 tsunami that hit Galle, and there is plenty to see, including the National Maritime Museum within the fort. Housed in a Dutch warehouse, the museum features exhibitions of artillery guns, maps, ropes other marine-related pieces salvaged off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Some of the items are believed to date back nearly 800 years.

Cruise the Madhu River, admiring the remarkable diversity of flora and fauna in the surrounding eco-reserve. You will board the boat in the fishing village of Balapitiya and head into the waterways, which are lined with mangroves. The intertwined root systems of these ecologically beneficial trees support an abundance of birds. Cormorants, kingfishers and black-hooded orioles are commonly spotted, and there are more 100 other avian species that thrive in this protected area. You may also see wild boar and crocodiles before disembarking on one of the islands in the waterway. The local villagers will demonstrate traditional trades such as weaving coconut leaves into various products and making rope from coconut husks. You will also gain an understanding of cinnamon farming, which is vital to the local economy.

Walk through colonial Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site that the Portuguese built in 1588. The Dutch later occupied it, and you will see how they further strengthened it, as the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka has reconstructed and preserved the hexagonal stone fort. While walking along the narrow streets within the fort, you will pass beautiful colonial buildings featuring Dutch and English architecture, including the Governor’s House. The Dutch Church is noteworthy because it contains records of baptisms from 1678 and was designed without interior pillars, so the walls bear the entire weight of the roof. Other highlights within the fort complex include spice warehouses, a lighthouse and the Meera Jumma mosque. For the best view of the ocean, walk to the top of the ramparts or simply meander along the sea wall, taking in the gorgeous sights.

Take in the most iconic sights in and around Galle, so by tour’s end you will have a complete picture of this fascinating city and its surroundings. As you drive along the coast, you will see stilt fishermen catching reef fish while sitting atop poles just off shore. Your next stop will be Handunugoda, an organic tea and spice plantation. Following a behind-the-scenes tour of the estate, you will sample a cup of Virgin White Tea, supposedly the world’s purest tea because it is untouched by human hands. For a glimpse into Sri Lankan folk culture, you will browse the extraordinary artifacts in the Martin Wickramasinghe Museum. An exploration of Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, follows. Within its ramparts, you will find narrow streets lined with colonial houses of Dutch and English heritage that are still used as government offices. You will also see an unusual 17th-century Dutch church that was built without pillars to support the roof.

Gain a greater understanding of three different aspects of Sri Lankan life: traditional mask making, sea turtle conservation and the production of cinnamon. As you browse the exhibits in the Ariyapala Masks Museum, you will learn about the history of mask making and how masks were often worn in rituals to exorcize evil demons. Other masks were carved to mock colonists in folkloric plays. Your next stop will be a turtle hatchery that has spearheaded a pioneering sea turtle conservation project. You will discover how the hatchery rescues endangered turtle eggs, treats injured turtles and raises awareness of marine conservation. You are likely to see baby sea turtles, green sea turtles and massive loggerheads. For a different glimpse into the Sri Lankan culture, you will then visit a plantation that grows cinnamon that is processed into powder, sticks and essential oils. Cinnamon flourishes here, and it is fascinating to watch the various stages of its production by hand.

Tour a sprawling tea plantation in Thalgaswela, an inland area with ideal temperatures and growing conditions for tea to flourish. After a leisurely and immensely scenic two-hour drive, you will arrive at the plantation. Before touring though, you will be served a delectable buffet lunch that the luxurious 5-star hotel Heritance Ahungalle has catered. You will then divide into small groups to make the most of your insider’s look at the plantation. As you follow the guide throughout the estate, you may learn about British planter James Taylor, who introduced tea to the country in 1867 and how tea has become the primary export. You can expect it to be a fascinating immersion into the world of tea, made even more relevant by sampling some of the product grown on the plantation.

Explore the lush countryside inland by visiting an ancient Buddhist temple complex and an agricultural village that grows many of Sri Lanka’s signature crops. Built 1,700 years ago, the Galey Pansala temple complex sprawls across a series of rock cliffs dotted with natural pools, lending it an air of remoteness and serenity. While meandering about, you can expect to see ancient inscriptions, sacred paintings and a Bodhi tree like the one Buddha sat under when he attained enlightenment. Still, the highlight will be the large seated Buddha in the shrine room. Continuing a bit deeper into the countryside, you will find Agropark Millaniya, which you will ride through on a three-wheeled motorized vehicle called a tuk-tuk. Besides gaining a greater understanding of traditional village life, you will see how many of the most important local crops are grown and processed. Although bananas, pineapples and cinnamon flourish here, this area is best known for growing various Ceylon teas.

Meet a master or guru of mask-making and learn the basics of this ancient craft that has played a significant role in traditional Sri Lankan culture for centuries. As you will discover, certain masks are used in dances, others are worn for rituals to treat illnesses and still others are used in dramatic theater. The highly expressive masks are typically carved from lightweight wood and colorfully painted. While in the company of a village guru, you will watch the mask-making process and learn how to competently carve one yourself using a hand axe and chisel. By the end of the session, you will have created a mask that you can take home. Later, you will watch a masked performer in a devil dance, an exorcism ritual of sorts devised to rid patients of ailments that demons have placed on them. The masks for devil dances are wonderfully ornate and colorful, although intended to look frightening.

Learn how traditional Ceylon teas are grown, hand-harvested and processed at a family-owned plantation and then enjoy a cup of hot tea purported to have healing properties. The Galaboda Tea Factory will be the venue for your immersion into the world of tea. The conditions here are ideal for growing teas such as Ceylon black tea, green tea that is often ingested for medicinal purposes, and teas flavored with jasmine and ginger. As you will discover by touring the plantation, the tea leaves are usually plucked by hand, but only the tender new growth, which contains the highest amounts of antioxidants. The leaves are then “withered” to remove moisture, rolled to release natural oils, and then heated to ensure consistency in appearance, flavor and quality. The result is an exceptionally flavorful, aromatic tea said to stimulate mental clarity, increase circulation and aid digestion. You will then savor a cup of tea with a slice of freshly made cheesecake.

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 6 guests

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 2 guests

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 10 guests

Enjoy the amenities of a nearby beach resort, the highlight being an Ayurveda massage with essential oils that is intended to balance your mind, body and spirit. This holistic healing system was developed in India more than 3,000 years ago to promote good health. Ayurveda medicine is one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine and many of the practices predate written records. You will be given a full-body massage with heated herbal oils as an introduction to Ayurveda wellness. While traditional massage techniques may be used, tapping, kneading and manipulating areas of your body may also be beneficial to ensure balance and well-being. Ayurveda massage is thought to detoxify the body, boost the immune system, relieve stress and increase vitality. Your massage session will surely put you in the right state of mind to enjoy the resort’s other amenities, including lounging by the swimming pool and taking a refreshing swim in the lagoon.

While away the hours relaxing at the luxurious Heritance Ahungalle, a beachfront hotel right on the sparkling Indian Ocean. The leisurely drive to the hotel will put you in the perfect mood to enjoy the amenities, which are plentiful. The hotel is tucked away in a beautifully landscaped grove of coconuts and couldn’t be more inviting. You can spend your time here doing whatever you please, as there will be no schedule to follow other than your own. You might bask in the sun, stretch out on the wide beach and stroll along the shore. If you are feeling more ambitious, you might swim in the ocean and take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. Badminton, table tennis, snooker and volleyball are also available for those who enjoy playing games.

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 14 guests

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 10 guests

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 14 guests

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 6 guests

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 2 guests