Colombo Walking Tour with Ajeet De Soyza

Colombo Walking Tour with Ajeet De Soyza

By Ceymondu Escapes

Exceptional

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
4h
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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!

Activity location

King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe Prison Cell
- Bank of Ceylon Mawatha, Colombo 1
- Colombo, Sri Lanka

Meeting/Redemption Point

Dutch Hospital - Shopping Precinct
- Hospital Street
- 00100, Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

Colombo Walking Tour with Ajeet De Soyza

4h
English

Travelers

Language options: English

Starting time

Price details

P 2,656.31 x 1 AdultP 2,656.31

Paid at activityP 118.06

Total

Until Tue, Nov 11

What's included, what's not

Private transportation
Bottled water
Government Fees
Donation to the Temple considered as the Admission Fee. A ticket will be issued by the Temple.

Know before you book

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe Prison Cell

The 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 Precinct

The 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 Tower

You 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 Museum

The 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 Store

The 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

Grand Oriental Hotel

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 Mosque

Popularly known as the Red Mosque, the place of workship is a unique materpiece

Titus Stores (Pass by)

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

Old Town Hall

15m
Admission ticket included

Amongst 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.

Pettah (Pass by)

Explore first hand the busy markets of the Pettah Bazaar

Colombo Fort Railway Station

15m
Admission ticket included

Built by the British, the Fort Railway station is the major hub in the Colombo city

Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple

20m
Admission ticket not included

The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is the main temple in the Colombo city with it's unique architecture influenced by many cultures

Galle Face Hotel

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.

Galle Face Green (Pass by)

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

Old Parliament Building (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.

Location

Activity location

King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe Prison Cell
- Bank of Ceylon Mawatha, Colombo 1
- Colombo, Sri Lanka

Meeting/Redemption Point

Dutch Hospital - Shopping Precinct
- Hospital Street
- 00100, Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Port of Colombo
- 19 Chaithya Road
- 00100, Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka

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