Backpacker Best of Galle
Your journey begins with a warm welcome in Galle, where you'll be transferred from the railway or bus station to your hostel in Unawatuna. Experience the rich local culture with a unique Cinnamon and Toddy tour in a nearby village, where you'll explore a cinnamon estate, learn the art of peeling cinnamon, and taste Kithul toddy along with local snacks. Later, immerse yourself in the historic charm of Galle Fort on a guided walking tour, discovering its Dutch-era architecture, iconic lighthouse, and vibrant local scene. The adventure continues with a scenic boat ride and cycling tour through a southern village, offering a glimpse into traditional village life. Cap off your exploration by cooking a traditional Sinhalese feast with local ingredients. Each evening, you'll return to Hotel J Unawatuna, where comfortable mixed dorm accommodation awaits. The experience concludes with a final breakfast before you check out and continue your travels.
Details
| Unique Experiences: | Learn about cinnamon cultivation and peeling at a local estate and taste rare Kithul toddy with snacks. Explore the historic Galle Fort, including its colonial architecture, lighthouse, and Maritime Museum. Enjoy a boat ride and bike through a southern Sri Lankan village, observing local life and nature. Cook a traditional Sinhalese meal in a local hut, learning about local ingredients and cooking methods. |
| Trip Length: | 4 Days |
| Participants: | Up to 16 travelers may book this trip. One or more components of this trip are a shared experience. |
| Physical Difficulty: | 1 out of 5 |
| Inclusions: | Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch Accommodations: 3 nights at Hotel J Unawatuna in a 4 or 6 Mixed Bed Dorm Transportation: Galle Bus Station or Galle Railway Station to Unawatuna by Tuk Tuk or Car or Van, Hotel to Galle by Tuk Tuk Car or Van Miscellaneous: Local Host and Guide, Entrance Fees |
| Exclusions: | Travel Insurance (Compulsory) Tips and Gratuities Compulsory and Peak Season Surcharges |
| Age Policy: |
Adults: 18 to 99 years of age Children: Prohibited Infants: Prohibited |
| Special Information: | You will be assigned to either a 4-bed or 6-bed mixed dorm, depending on availability. |
Map
Itinerary
Day 1: Unawatuna
Welcome to Galle! Arrive at the Galle Railway or Bus station and get picked up and transfer to your hostel in Unawatuna.
Transportation: Galle Railway Station or Galle Bus Station to Unawatuna by Tuk Tuk or Car or Van
Accommodation: Hotel J Unawatuna in a 4 or 6 Bed Mixed Dorm
Day 2: Galle
This morning after breakfast, your vehicle will pick you up from your hostel at 08:30 AM. and transfer you over to an inner village in Galle where you will engage in a Cinnamon and Toddy experience. Sri Lanka is the world’s largest producer of true cinnamon, and the south of Sri Lanka produces most of the island's harvest. Visit a local cinnamon estate with the planter to know more about the spice, how it’s grown, harvested, and peeled. Although the careful art of peeling cinnamon requires some practice, the planter would teach his techniques to follow and learn. End this part of the experience with a cup of cinnamon infused tea. The planter would then introduce you to diverse local vegetables, fruits, and flowers of his home garden. He would also highlight native uses of some plants such as making natural shampoo and toothbrushes! After a short walk, we reach the Kithul grove where the planter will climb to the top of the tree to pick the sap that has been collecting for a few hours. This sweet delicacy is a rare treat to many locals as the availability of Kithul toddy can be limited. Taste this unprocessed plant-based drink with some local snacks sourced from the plantation.
(Important to know: Some parts of the plantation can be slightly muddy please wear a proper shoes)
Later, in the afternoon, make your own way to the Galle Fort, and meet your guide at the car park right in front of the Amangalla Hotel (Location: https://g.co/kgs/ixpMRo2) by 16:00. and set off on a walk to Explore the Galle Fort.
A Galle Fort walking tour takes you through the historic streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site, offering a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s colonial past. As you explore the well-preserved ramparts, cobblestone streets, and charming Dutch-era buildings, you’ll discover a mix of old-world charm and vibrant local culture. Key sights include the iconic lighthouse, the Dutch Reformed Church, and the Maritime Museum. Along the way, you’ll also find quaint cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries, making it a delightful experience for history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Hotel to Galle by Tuk Tuk or Car or Van,
Accommodation: Hotel J Unawatuna in a 4 or 6 Bed Mixed Dorm.
Miscellaneous: Local Host and Guide, Entrance Fee
Day 3: Galle
This morning, after breakfast, your vehicle will pick you up at 08:30 AM. and transfer you to the starting point of your activity – Exploring the Slow Life of a Southern Village, where you will travel by boat with a local naturalist to a lesser known village to cycle by patches of jungle, paddy fields and local neighborhoods. End the experience by cooking up a gracious Sinhalese meal.
This is an experience to explore the quintessential village life of southern Sri Lanka. We start the experience with a boat ride along a local river and ride upstream as we watch the local birds and aquatic life. The boat is led by a local naturalist who will show birds and share his experiences of living by the river. We dock the boat at a coconut husk workshop where we see how locals use coconut husks to be turned into various household tools. We switched on to bikes for the next part of the experience to cycle through the local village. This easy bike ride goes through various parts of the village giving a glimpse into the lives of the local community.
We stopped at a vendor to pick up local vegetables for our cooking session. We then reach a traditional wattle and daub hut to prepare a Sinhalese feast. While we cook along with the host, we get to know more about local ingredients, spices, and cooking techniques. We ended the experience with an extensive Sinhalese lunch.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Transportation: Hotel to Galle by Tuk Tuk or Car or Van
Accommodation: Hotel J Unawatuna in a 4 or 6 Bed Mixed Dorm
Miscellaneous: Local Host
Day 4: Galle
Enjoy a morning breakfast and prepare to check-out. We hope you've enjoyed your stay and are rested and ready to explore!
Meals: Breakfast
Welcome to Galle! Arrive at the Galle Railway or Bus station and get picked up and transfer to your hostel in Unawatuna.
Transportation: Galle Railway Station or Galle Bus Station to Unawatuna by Tuk Tuk or Car or Van
Accommodation: Hotel J Unawatuna in a 4 or 6 Bed Mixed Dorm
Day 2: Galle
This morning after breakfast, your vehicle will pick you up from your hostel at 08:30 AM. and transfer you over to an inner village in Galle where you will engage in a Cinnamon and Toddy experience. Sri Lanka is the world’s largest producer of true cinnamon, and the south of Sri Lanka produces most of the island's harvest. Visit a local cinnamon estate with the planter to know more about the spice, how it’s grown, harvested, and peeled. Although the careful art of peeling cinnamon requires some practice, the planter would teach his techniques to follow and learn. End this part of the experience with a cup of cinnamon infused tea. The planter would then introduce you to diverse local vegetables, fruits, and flowers of his home garden. He would also highlight native uses of some plants such as making natural shampoo and toothbrushes! After a short walk, we reach the Kithul grove where the planter will climb to the top of the tree to pick the sap that has been collecting for a few hours. This sweet delicacy is a rare treat to many locals as the availability of Kithul toddy can be limited. Taste this unprocessed plant-based drink with some local snacks sourced from the plantation.
(Important to know: Some parts of the plantation can be slightly muddy please wear a proper shoes)
Later, in the afternoon, make your own way to the Galle Fort, and meet your guide at the car park right in front of the Amangalla Hotel (Location: https://g.co/kgs/ixpMRo2) by 16:00. and set off on a walk to Explore the Galle Fort.
A Galle Fort walking tour takes you through the historic streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site, offering a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s colonial past. As you explore the well-preserved ramparts, cobblestone streets, and charming Dutch-era buildings, you’ll discover a mix of old-world charm and vibrant local culture. Key sights include the iconic lighthouse, the Dutch Reformed Church, and the Maritime Museum. Along the way, you’ll also find quaint cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries, making it a delightful experience for history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Hotel to Galle by Tuk Tuk or Car or Van,
Accommodation: Hotel J Unawatuna in a 4 or 6 Bed Mixed Dorm.
Miscellaneous: Local Host and Guide, Entrance Fee
Day 3: Galle
This morning, after breakfast, your vehicle will pick you up at 08:30 AM. and transfer you to the starting point of your activity – Exploring the Slow Life of a Southern Village, where you will travel by boat with a local naturalist to a lesser known village to cycle by patches of jungle, paddy fields and local neighborhoods. End the experience by cooking up a gracious Sinhalese meal.
This is an experience to explore the quintessential village life of southern Sri Lanka. We start the experience with a boat ride along a local river and ride upstream as we watch the local birds and aquatic life. The boat is led by a local naturalist who will show birds and share his experiences of living by the river. We dock the boat at a coconut husk workshop where we see how locals use coconut husks to be turned into various household tools. We switched on to bikes for the next part of the experience to cycle through the local village. This easy bike ride goes through various parts of the village giving a glimpse into the lives of the local community.
We stopped at a vendor to pick up local vegetables for our cooking session. We then reach a traditional wattle and daub hut to prepare a Sinhalese feast. While we cook along with the host, we get to know more about local ingredients, spices, and cooking techniques. We ended the experience with an extensive Sinhalese lunch.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Transportation: Hotel to Galle by Tuk Tuk or Car or Van
Accommodation: Hotel J Unawatuna in a 4 or 6 Bed Mixed Dorm
Miscellaneous: Local Host
Day 4: Galle
Enjoy a morning breakfast and prepare to check-out. We hope you've enjoyed your stay and are rested and ready to explore!
Meals: Breakfast
Check prices, dates and more options:
Book nowConnect
Why stop your adventure here? Go on and connect your tour with these experiences: