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Best of Colombo: Private Guided City Tour with Experienced Local Guides
4.6
48 Ratings
Colombo
This meticulously designed city tour is an excellent avenue to discover Colombo & gain insights into the local customs & traditions. Our seasoned & amicable tour guides will add great value to your exploration. We always accommodate your needs & schedule, ensuring that your tour of this bustling city is easy-going, secure & enjoyable.
This meticulously designed city tour is an excellent avenue to discover Colombo & gain insights into the local customs & traditions. Our seasoned & amicable tour guides will add great value to your exploration. We always accommodate your needs & schedule, ensuring that your tour of this bustling city is easy-going, secure & enjoyable.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Old Parliament Building - you will be able to admire the architecture of this beautiful building & take photos from a distance as it is a high-security zone.
- Colombo Port Old Lighthouse - You will be able to get to the lighthouse base platform to take photos
- Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct - From here you will be taken on a short…
- Old Parliament Building - you will be able to admire the architecture of this beautiful building & take photos from a distance as it is a high-security zone.
- Colombo Port Old Lighthouse - You will be able to get to the lighthouse base platform to take photos
- Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct - From here you will be taken on a short walking tour to explore some of the hidden sights & beautiful colonial buildings around.
- Cargills (Ceylon) PLC - A quick stop to admire this beautiful building and a few others around.
- Grand Oriental Hotel - Located right next to Colombo harbor, this was the most popular hotel during the British colonial era. It is possible to stop for photos.
- Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque - This beautiful building is one of the main highlights of Colombo & you will be able to admire and take photos here.
-
Lotus Tower Road - This iconic tower is a must-visit place in Colombo. You will stop here for a quick photo.
*Please note the tower is yet to be open for the public. - Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple - Here you will learn about Buddhism, Sinhalese Buddhist culture and be able to explore in and out of this amazing Buddhist Temple. Also, you will see Lord Buddha’s hair relics.
- Old Town Hall - You will be able to stop here and admire the beauty and also to get a glimpse of Viharamahadevi Park.
- Independence Square - This is the main highlight of the tour. Here you will learn how Sri Lanka got its Independence from the British Empire. You can also visit the adjoining Arcade square and the park for a short walk.
- Colombo - You will be exploring some of the other sights of this area and after will stop for a local Lunch / Dinner.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Entrance ticket to Gangaramaya Temple
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Entrance ticket to Gangaramaya Temple
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Pick up from, BIA Airport, Negombo, Katunayake
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Pick up from, BIA Airport, Negombo, Katunayake
Location
Old Parliament Building
Fort
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(48 Ratings)
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Noorjhan_a
Dec 3, 2024
Great tour. - Great tour with knowledgable guide. Air conditioned minibus for just 4 people. Saw all the highlights and an extra one l asked for.
Review provided by Viator
Kerriemacpherson
Nov 15, 2024
Best way to see Columbo - I was awed by the Buddist templesand the sense of peace that one feels inside. This is a great way to get one's bearings and catch most of the major sites. My tour was on Election Day so many things were closed...but it was still enjoyable. My driver /guide Bandara was very effective and accommodated my interest in seeing shops with locally produced goods and gems.
Review provided by Viator
Wadasanwa
Nov 4, 2024
Great way to see the city - I signed up on the day of the tour and am pleased that it worked out great. Everything was smooth. The guide, Bandana, was flexible, professional and knowledgeable. He took pictures of me at all the sights and sent them to me that same evening. That was very helpful as I was traveling solo. This was a very efficient way to see the city and am so glad I did it! Highly recommend!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gerry
Oct 15, 2024
A must do, especially if Maleen is your guide. - What was booked as a 4 hour trip turned out to be an 8 hour wonderful learning & cultural experience. Maleen's love of his country and culture shone through as we learned the history of not just Colombo but Sri Lanka. He took us through the city explaining the various landmarks. The whole country has a wonderful ethos of how to be respectful to the land and people. He was very flexible, and our requests were met without any complaints or detours. He also took us to places for the best photo shots and lunch. Helping us to order the food we wanted to try out. He is a wonderful guide and the 6 of us all agreed that he made the start of our Sri Lankan journey an amazing experience. Thank you, Maleen.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mirellacanada
Jul 17, 2024
Wow! Kamal is amazing! - Wow! I had an amazing day with Kamal. He is very knowledgeable and hospitable! I would recommend to anyone looking to explore Colombo! I can't recommend him enough!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristamj2183ou
Jul 8, 2024
Amazing tour! - I was blown away with my tour of Colombo with Bandara. He was on time and the car was clean. He took me to so many places and made sure I saw what I wanted plus more! I was a little worried to do this tour alone but he made me feel very safe. He escorted me in and out of every stop and was very professional. He also took photos for me which was amazing! He took his time to make sure I saw everything and I am very grateful for him. I highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paul_g
May 24, 2024
Fantastic trip - Fantastic trip 4 hours of all the sights of Colombo our guide venal was fabulous we tried food drink saw singers temples and a religious ceremony as we booked for 16.30 we saw Colombo by day and night recommended 100%
Review provided by Viator
Brian_m
Dec 2, 2024
Colombo experience - We saw a lot of Colombo thanks to our driver/guide, very relaxed albeit a great deal walking. All three religious establishments amazing. Nice trip all round
Review provided by Viator
Pmn17
Nov 10, 2024
Took us to stores we did not ask for - Good tour overall. However, we didn’t appreciate being taken to an expensive jewelry store, having to sit through a video about there gems and then get pressured to buy jewelry or gems there. We did not ask to shop for gems. Then he took us to a place to buy tea and cinnamon and the prices were super high. We found better items for much cheaper elsewhere. Made us feel like he was getting a cut and not taking us to the best value or quality stores.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Btv2002
Oct 14, 2024
Great tour - In spite of some booking issues and pick up time miscommunication, the tour is worth it. Especially if you have a short time in Colombo. Vipula was excellent and shared his knowledge of this beautiful, welcoming city. He made up for the earlier issues. Thank you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor