Galle Travel Forum

Hi,

I'm due to be coming to Galle as part of a 2 week Tsunami Rebuilding volunteer trip in the second half of October. I've been told that most people take the middle weekend of the trip off to do some sightseeing and after doing some research the obvious trips appear to be Columbo and Kandy.

I guess my first question is ... as they appear to be a reasonable distance away from Galle then are they worth the time/effort to get there ??

If they are then can anyone recommend any must-see sights and/or also recommend the best ways to get there ?? How long does it take by train and by car/bus ??

Based on the fact that my flight is in and out of Columbo, should I try to give the middle weekend sightseeing a miss and instead head back up to Columbo from the middle of the second week and then see Columbo/Kandy from there then go straight to the airport to fly out ??

If these places are worth seeing can anyone recommend any decent, middle-of-the-road accommodation that is nice and not too expensive (although it doesn't necessarily have to be dirt cheap either) ??

My final question is whether you think it is worth going to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage as opposed to the Udawalawe elephant transit home ?? Or are they both worth seeing ?? Again, its just a travel thing and as I understand it the latter is much nearer to Galle ...

Thanks in advance to anyone who answers !!

Cheers,
Darren

Hi Darren,

Colombo is really nothing to see for tourists. It's the shopping (and disco) hub of the island, and hence attractive for some groups of tourists, nothing more.

Kandy is quite different - you really see totally other aspects of Lanka than in Galle. Same for N'Eliya, which is slightly closer by but more difficult by public transport. In Kandy, don't miss the Temple, Peradeniya Gardens and the Buddha statue high up on the hill.
Galle-Kandy, by train or express bus, would be about 6 hours each way with at least 1 transfer in Colombo. Your idea of doing Kandy 'at the end', avoiding the trip back, does make some sense.

Udu Walawe is a brilliant wildlife reserve for safaris, with the best landscape backdrop of all the reserves that we know, but the transit home is relatively small. Say 1/5 th the size of Pinawela. So if you go to Kandy, Pinawela is only a small detour. But don't miss Uduwalawe either, could do that from Galle. However be aware that safaris are around dusk or dawn, so either an early rise or late return (Uduwalawe-Galle is 2 to 3 hours because the road is partly bad.) Or an overnight stay in Centauria in Embilipitya nearby, decent 2-star place.

Enjoy your stay,

<Erik> & [Sandya]

PS Our favourite 2-star hotels in Kandy are Suisse and Hilltop.

Hi,

Thanks for that. I really appreciate the detailed answers ...

Cheers,
Darren

kandy is nice place to visit. i'd recommend taking the train because the bus weaves through the hills and over traffic at a very high speed. it doesn't really feel as safe as the train.

enjoy sri lanka--it's a beautiful place!

Forget Colombo, there is nothing to see.

Kandy is a highlight, but I'd consider to visit Sigirya instead (imho the absolutely must-see).

I missed Udawalawe and was a little bit disappointed of Pinnawela. If you're intrested in nature you'd should also consider to visit Sinharaha rainforest, that's an unique adventure, if you get a good guide...

For the general tourist, there is little in Colombo, unless you have specific business there.

Kandy has the Temple of the Tooth.

Is the train strike over?

I recommend a reputable private air-conditioned car and driver--not too expensive.