No expiration date
Easy refund
Free exchange
Easy booking
Colombo Walking Tour with Ajeet De Soyza
Colombo, Sri Lanka
$45.00
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
Overview
Join me for an unforgettable walking tour through Colombo’s vibrant Fort, where history, culture & architecture come alive. This city has been my home for nearly three decades, I’ll share its stories and secrets as only someone deeply connected to it can. I’ll guide you through 500 years — from a Portuguese-built fort to the bustling trading hub it is today. Discover how Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences shaped Colombo into the uniquely Sri Lankan city you see now
This is more than just a history lesson — it’s an experience. We’ll stroll at a relaxed pace, weaving fascinating stories with authentic Tuk Tuk rides for a taste of everyday Sri Lankan life. Together, we’ll explore the city’s heritage, uncover traditions, and look ahead to its exciting future — all while supporting a meaningful cause, as part of the proceeds go towards educating orphaned children I sponsor
Experience Colombo. Experience diversity. Experience Sri Lanka. Let’s explore this incredible city together!
This is more than just a history lesson — it’s an experience. We’ll stroll at a relaxed pace, weaving fascinating stories with authentic Tuk Tuk rides for a taste of everyday Sri Lankan life. Together, we’ll explore the city’s heritage, uncover traditions, and look ahead to its exciting future — all while supporting a meaningful cause, as part of the proceeds go towards educating orphaned children I sponsor
Experience Colombo. Experience diversity. Experience Sri Lanka. Let’s explore this incredible city together!
—
Colombo Walking Tour with Ajeet De Soyza
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide
- Government Fees
- Bottled water
- Private transportation
- Donation to the Temple considered as the Admission Fee. A ticket will be issued by the Temple.
Meeting point
The meeting point is usually the Exit at Gate A-1
You will find me near the entrance to the Dutch Hospital, and you can easily identify me with my hat
Return details
We end the tour at the Galle Face Hotel and in front of the Galle Face Green
-
King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe Prison CellThe Last King of Sri Lanka, Sri Wickrama Rajasingha was captured on the 18th February 1815 in Madamahanuwara and was transferred to Colombo without entering Kandy. On the 6th of March 1815 the King and his escort entered the Colombo Fort where they were received by Colonel Kerr, the commandant of the garrison. Here King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha remained for nearly a year till the 24th of January 1816 when he and his family were deported to Vellore, India aboard the HMS Cornwallis.
-
Dutch Hospital Shopping PrecinctThe Old Colombo Dutch Hospital (known as The Dutch Hospital) is considered to be the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area dating back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. It is now a heritage building and a shopping and dining precinct It is believed to have existed since 1681 when 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 proximity to the harbour allowed it to serve Dutch seafarers
-
Colombo Fort Clock TowerYou will be taken through the heart of the central business district which is full of colonial architecture. The clock tower in fort is a unique strucuture in the city on many aspects
-
Central Bank Currency MuseumThe construction of the building commenced in 1911, with the laying of its foundation stone and at the time of its opening it was the tallest building in Colombo. Designed in a Greco-Roman architectural style, with a colonnade of Corinthian columns at the building's entrance. It has a circular glass dome with a tapering central atrium that lets light into the circular inner halls throughout all seven floors and features the tallest chandelier in Asia.
-
Cargills Department StoreThe old Cargills & Millers Buildings in Colombo are considered to be the oldest department stores in Sri Lanka. A Dutch building was originally on the land where the present Cargills & Millars buildings are located and it had been occupied by Sir Frederick North (1766-1827), the first British Governor of Ceylon from 1798 to 1805. In 1844, a British businessman William Miller started his company at this premises by replacing the old Dutch building and in 1896, it was acquired by David Sime Cargill, a Scottish businessman who headed the popular Cargills & Company
-
The Grand Oriental Hotel was officially opened on 5 November 1875, had 154 luxury and semi-luxury rooms, and was the first of the modern type of imposing hotels erected in the East. The original building on the site was a simple, single-storey structure with an open verandah to the street inhabited by a Dutch Governor. In 1837 it was converted into barracks for the British Army. The task of converting the building into a hotel was undertaken by the then Governor Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, engaging the architect of the Public Works Department, James George Smither, who was also responsible for the National Museum of Colombo, Colombo General Hospital and the old Colombo Town Hall. The estimated cost to build the hotel was 2,007 pounds but it is noteworthy that the hotel was constructed within one year under the estimated 1,868 pounds.
-
Jami Ul-Alfar MosquePopularly known as the Red Mosque, the place of workship is a unique materpiece
- A family-run business for over 90 years, TITUS STORES was founded in 1924, and initially began as TITUS LAMP STORES, selling petrol lamps called TITUS Lamps. With the advent of electricity in Sri Lanka, the business shifted to homeware, gifts, and HORECA (Hotel Restaurant Catering) items and changed its name to TITUS STORES (pass by)
-
Old Town HallAmongst the little known historic monuments of Colombo, is large gothic church-like mansion in the old business quarter of Pettah. People, both locals and tourists, pass it by with little thought to what it contains – a veritable treasure trove of artifacts. It vanishes among the landscape surrounded by equally dated buildings, colorful modern shops and other interesting pieces of architecture. The fact that it’s in one of the busiest sectors of the city doesn’t help. This building is the Old Town Hall, once the seat of the Colombo Municipality and was the main location for council meetings in Colombo.
- Explore first hand the busy markets of the Pettah Bazaar (pass by)
-
Colombo Fort Railway StationBuilt by the British, the Fort Railway station is the major hub in the Colombo city
-
Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist TempleThe Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is the main temple in the Colombo city with it's unique architecture influenced by many cultures
-
Sri Lanka’s iconic landmark, The Galle Face Hotel, is situated in the heart of Colombo, along the seafront and facing the famous Galle Face Green. The Galle Face Hotel embraces its rich history and legendary traditions, utilizing them to create engaging, immersive experiences that resonate with old and new generations of travellers alike. Known as South Asia’s leading Grande Dame, the Galle Face Hotel is testimony to both Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its independent present. International guests are immersed in the Hotel’s rich traditions and compelling stories, and even a short visit to the hotel is an experience of timeless grandeur and exceptional hospitality. The Hotel started as a Dutch villa called Galle Face House that had been a meeting place for gentlemen of the colonial era. That was until four British entrepreneurs decided to use it to start a business, unaware that, by the late 19th century, it would be known as the best hotel East of Suez.
- Based on the time of the day, you will be able to see the activities on the Green whilst getting a glimpse into the past of the green with iconic buildings such as the Old Parliament and the famous Galle Face Hotel (pass by)
- This Neo-Baroque-style building was built during the British colonial era to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon. It was built on an idea of Sir Henry McCallum, which led to a proposal made by a committee to construct the new building for the Secretariat, Council Chamber and Government offices on reclaimed land at the northern end of Galle Face’ were accepted by the Government in 1920. The chief architect of the Public Works Department, A. Woodson was responsible for the design of the building with his initial estimate of Rs 400,000 for the scheme being later revised Rs 450,000, taking into account the extra expenses involved. The British Coat of Arms adorned the top of the building face till 1948, when it was replaced by the arms of the Dominion of Ceylon and was once again replaced in 1972 with the arms of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. (pass by)
If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met,
you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!
Colombo Walking Tour with Ajeet De Soyza
Colombo, Sri Lanka
$45.00
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!