Colombo City Tour Tuk Tuk Safari

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Sambodhi Chaithya

   The Sri Lanka Ports Authority Maritime Museum, commonly known as the Colombo Maritime Museum, is located at 19 Chaithya Road, Colombo, adjacent to the Colombo Port. The museum is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority

   10 minutes here

2. Colombo Lighthouse

   The current 29-metre-high (95 ft) lighthouse was built in 1952 after the Old Colombo Lighthouse was deactivated when its light became obscured by nearby buildings as part of the Colombo Harbor Expansion project. It was opened by Rt Hon D. S. Senanayake, the first prime minister of Ceylon. Built on a concrete base which is 12 m (39 ft) high, it has four statues of lions at its base. Due to the panoramic view of the Indian Ocean it offered, it became a city landmark. With the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War, public access to the site was restricted. This was due to its placement in a high-security zone as it is across the street from the Naval Headquarters and close proximity of the Port of Colombo.

   15 minutes here

3. Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct

   Built as a hospital by the Dutch, it has been used for several different purposes, over the years. It is believed to have existed since 1681, as recorded by German Christoper Schweitzer.[1] The Dutch established the Colombo hospital to look after the health of the officers and other staff serving under the Dutch East India Company. The hospital's close proximity to the harbour allowed it to serve Dutch seafarers.[2] Most patients were provided with a mat, while the most ill were given a mattress. Patients clothing was imported from Java. The surgeon with the longest service at the Colombo hospital was Alleman. Alleman sought to improve conditions at the hospital, including increasing provisions. The most famous of all the surgeons who worked in the Colombo hospital was undoubtedly Paul Hermann, who served from 1672 to 1679. Herman has been described as the father of botany in Sri Lanka.[2]

   15 minutes here

4. Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil

   Founder: A. Ponnambalam Mudaliyar, a philanthropist and businessman from Manipay, established a modest temple in 1857 to provide a place of worship for Hindus in Colombo. Reconstruction: After inheriting the temple, his son, Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, a prominent lawyer and politician, undertook a massive, visionary reconstruction project. Architecture: The new structure was designed according to ancient Dravidian traditions using black granite sourced from Veyangoda and South India, featuring intricate carvings of peacocks, cows, and mythological figures. Completion: The reconstructed temple was consecrated on November 21, 1912. Rajagopuram: The main tower (Rajagopuram) was later completed in 1965 by Sir Ramanathan's descendants, utilizing cement while maintaining the aesthetic of the stone structure. Distinctive Features: The temple allows no camphor lighting inside to prevent soot damage. It is known for its peaceful, spiritual atmosphere in the busy Kochchikade

   20 minutes here

5. Pettah

   Pettah Market in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a historic, bustling commercial district that evolved from a 19th-century residential area for Dutch and British officials into a vibrant, multi-ethnic trading hub. Known as Pita Kotuwa (outside the fort) in Sinhalese, it developed into a dense, specialized market center under colonial rule, characterized by street names reflecting its diverse merchant communities.

   15 minutes here

6. Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque

   Construction: Commissioned by the Pettah Muslim community, construction began in 1908 and was completed in 1909. Design: Designed by an untrained architect, Habibu Labbe Saibu Labbe, who utilized Indo-Saracenic, Gothic Revival, and Neo-classical styles. Architecture: The mosque is famous for its vibrant red and white bricks, arranged in stripes, and domes shaped like pomegranates. Expansion: Originally a two-story building for 1,500 worshippers, it was expanded in 1975 to accommodate over 10,000. Significance: It was a key landmark for ships approaching Colombo Port and remains one of the oldest and most recognizable mosques in Sri Lanka.

   20 minutes here

7. Colombo Lotus Tower

   (2012): Construction began on January 20, 2012, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, with funding from China’s EXIM Bank. Design & Purpose: Designed to look like a lotus bud, symbolizing purity and the nation's development. It was built to centralize broadcasting, serving 50 television and 50 radio broadcasters. Development: The structure reached 125m by 2014 and 255m by 2015. Opening (2019/2022): Formally inaugurated by President Maithripala Sirisena on September 16, 2019, despite being incomplete. It fully opened to the public in September 2022. Current Status: It stands as the 19th tallest tower in the world and serves as a major tourist attraction, offering 360-degree views, a digital art museum, and banquet halls. Lotus Tower Colombo

   20 minutes here · Admission not included

8. Temple Of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil

   : The temple was founded when Indian Chetti traders, who initially worshipped a Sivalingam under a tree, sought to build a proper temple according to Vedic scriptures in 1783. Location: Situated in Maradana, Colombo 10, it is often referred to as the Captain's Garden Kovil. Architecture: The temple features intricate South Indian (Dravidian) architecture, characterized by colorful gopurams (towers), detailed sculptures, and a prominently carved main door. Destruction and Rebuilding: Historically, the temple was destroyed twice by Portuguese colonial officers before being rebuilt. Significance: It serves as a vital community hub, attracting large crowds for rituals, and is noted for its artistic, painted ceilings and statues.

   20 minutes here

9. Gangaramaya Temple

   gangaramaya Established around 1885 by the renowned scholar monk Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera during a period of Buddhist resurgence. Early Development: Originally a small, humble temple, it was later expanded by his pupil, Ven. Devundara Sri Jinaratana Nayake Thera, who transformed it into an internationally recognized institution. Location and Growth: Located near Beira Lake in Hunupitiya, the temple was built on land purchased by a shipping merchant, Don Bastian de Silva Jayasuriya Goonewardane. Architectural Style: The complex showcases a unique mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese design influences. Cultural Significance: It hosts the annual Navam Perahera (started in 1979), a major, colorful procession featuring traditional dancers and elephants.

   25 minutes here · Admission not included

10. Seema Malakaya Temple

    Seema Malaka, an iconic floating temple on Colombo's Beira Lake, was originally built in the late 19th century as a part of the Gangaramaya Temple. After the original structure sank in the 1970s, renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa redesigned and rebuilt it in 1976 as a serene, modern, and traditional, floating meditation space.

    15 minutes here · Admission not included

11. Ceylon Tea Museum

    acres of tea in Kandy’s Loolecondera estate, replacing failing coffee plantations. Following experimental planting in 1824 and 1839, the industry rapidly expanded, making Sri Lanka a top global exporter by the 1890s, renowned for quality. History of Ceylon Tea History of Ceylon Tea +3 Pre-Tea Era: Before 1867, the island was dominated by coffee. A devastating leaf disease in the 1860s forced British planters to pivot to tea. The Founder: James Taylor is considered the father of the industry. He established the first commercial tea plantation in 1867 and built the first factory in 1872. Industry Growth: By 1888, over 400,000 acres were cultivated, transforming the economy. In 1893, Ceylon tea achieved a world record at the Chicago World Fair, selling a million packets free tasting ceylon tea tour inqluded.

    20 minutes here

12. Independence Memorial Hall

    Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) gained independence from British colonial rule on February 4, 1948, as a Dominion within the British Commonwealth, following a peaceful, constitutional independence movement led by the educated middle class. The country became a republic and was renamed Sri Lanka

    15 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

hi, ar, en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Colombo City Tour Tuktuk Safari

Know before you go

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos

Traveler reviews

4 verified traveler reviews for Colombo City Tour Tuk Tuk Safari. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.