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Excursions
Tourist attractions in the country range from ancient Buddhist statues and monasteries, Hindu temples, relics of ancient dynasties and civilizations, wildlife sanctuaries, underwater ecosystems and botanical gardens and parks. With pristine sandy beaches, stunning waterfalls, endless mountain ranges and temperate rainforests, options for excursion are endless.
Rhumassala: Rhumassala is a massive hill oddly out of place in the landscape just outside the Galle harbor. Legend details that during the Rama – Ravana war Rama’s brother Luxhmana was injured and Hanuman was sent to the Himalayas to fetch medicinal herbs. Hanuman forgets the name of the herb, but brought back a chunk of the peak containing many herbs. However the mountain fragment slipped and broke in to five pieces of which one fell to Rhumassala. It should be noted that the renowned scientist Sir Arthur C. Clarke has a bungalow in the precincts of Rhumassala, as it is said to be the place that has the highest specify gravity globally. Located just 20 minutes drive from the resort.
Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya: The 2300 year – old Bo tree at Yatagala had been worshiped and venerated by generations of people who lived around the village of yatagala. From time immemorial, this place of great scenic beauty and splendid environment always drew the attention of the monarchs who ruled the country. There is a statue of Lord Buddha built the cave of the gigantic rock outcrop. Archaeologists believe that the great granite boulders that stand guard around the Bo tree in elephant stature are in fact a kind of rocky garden, and the reason why whoever planted the Bo tree may have chosen this place in particular. Guests are requested to dress conservatively avoiding shorts and similar revealing attire. Located just 20 minutes drive from the resort.
Unawatuna Diving Center - Just 10 minutes drive north of the Fortress is the golden beach of Unawatuna. It is also one of the safest and most beautiful beaches in the world as it is protected by a reef. Surfing, Snorkeling and Diving are some of the water sports you can participate in Unawatuna Diving Center, managed by PADI and CMAS instructors. Any equipment you may require can be rented from here or your own equipment can be used. Changes are subject to your specific requirements.
Handunugoda Tea Factory: Handunugoda has now become a world famous designation for both travelers and Connoisseurs of tea. This plantation has received acclaim as a unique place that produces some of the best teas in the world, including White Tea untouched by human hands in the whole world. Their plantation and Tea center are also very popular landmarks for visitors to Sri Lanka who wish to obtain comprehensive knowledge of the workings of tea, rubber and cinnamon plantations. Plantation managers with years of experience conduct visitors round the estate. Bird life and Wild life abounds on the plantation. It is truly an eco – sanctuary, with deep commitment to preserve the nature’s bounty.
Turtle Hatchery: 2km north of the Fortress, you can see several species of turtles, specially the hawksbill and Green, Leather back, Oliver and Hawks Bill turtles at the Turtle Hatchery. All these varieties are on the endangered list and conservationists have been working for the last three decades to save them from extinction. Most vulnerable of all are their eggs, which are left uncovered on beaches all around the coast. The goodwill of those fishermen, who bring these eggs gratis to the hatchery, has led to the hatching and release of more of more than a million young turtles.
Habaraduwa Spice and Herbal Garden: Visit a spice garden at Habaraduwa 1km drive from the fortress, which grow spices and herbs used for Sri Lankan cuisine and medication. Spices of Sri Lanka attracted the early sea faring merchants who made the long voyages to purchase this precious merchandise. The spice trade of Ceylon which was gold – mine to Arabic, Portuguese, Dutch and English, is still in its demand for cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and mace, black pepper and turmeric. In addition to these spices, the tropical climate enables the home cultivation of many other spices, such as vanilla. Located just 10 minutes drive from the resort.
Koggala Village Tour - Koggala Village is an attractive and tranquil body of water, just a short distance from Fortress and close to the golden beaches of the southwest coast. Dotted with rocky island, fringed by mangroves and scented by aromatic cinnamon trees, Koggala Lake is famous for its fresh water prawns and crabs. As you voyage atop the glassy surface of the lake in an authentic fishing catamaran, you can observe the patterns of the exotic lowland birds that can be seen here in abundance. Discover the Koggala village with our own community by three wheelers who will guide you to see the beauty of the village.
Koggala Folk Museum: Just walk away from the Fortress you can step in to the house of Sri Lanka’s greatest novelist, martin Wickramasinghe, established to a folk museum complex, surrounded by a restored ecosystem planted with hundreds of varieties of indigenous trees and shrubs in which bird life abounds. Have an in detail look of Sothern Sri Lankan Culture influence by Portuguese, Dutch and finally English who were ruling the country for 300 years. Walking distance.
Kottawa Rainforest: Kottawa rainforest and Arboretum situated about 18km northeast of Galle is a 15 – hectare low – country woodland that displays characteristic features of a tropical wet evergreen rainforest. Tall trees with buttressed trunks and overlapping lead canopies reach skywards in a bitter race for light and prevent the sun’s rays from illuminating the many stunted seedlings that litter thedark, damp and gloomy forest floor. Since trees are the dominant plant species here, Kottawais considered having a typical climax community, which is a healthy sign for the forest’s longevity.
Kanneliya Rainforest: Kanneliya forest reserve is located in Galle district, Sri Lanka. Apart from Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest, this is main rainforest found in Sri Lanka. The boundary of Kanneliya – Dediyagala – Nakiyadeniya is the area of the KDN complex. The KDN complex has two waterfalls namely “Naranga Ella” which are made up by “Nannikitha Ala” starting from Kanneliya forest reserve. There is a safe place for a bathing in Nannikitha also close to entry to the forest reserve. They provide a nature trial to Kabbale Kanda Mountain which is one of the highest locations in KDN complex. 2 hours each way from the hotel (4 hours both ways)
The world Hiyare originates from an expression which means a hundred streams. Over thirty species of freshwater fish have been recorded in the rainforest streams of which several are endemic. The site is now managed by the wildlife conservation society of Galle which runs an education, conservation and research centre. It is also a designated rehabilitation center for injured and distressed wildlife. You can currently see a resident family of hog deer and other animals being nursed back to health before being reintroduced to the wild.
Sinharaja Rainforest: Sinharaja Forest reserve is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rainforest in Sri Lanka. This forest covers an extent of about 11,187 hectares from east to west, and was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) in 1978 as a representative of the tropical humid evergreen forest ecosystem in Sri Lanka. It is situated in the southwest lowland wet – zone, lying across the districts of Ratnapura, Mtara and Galle. The average annual rainfall of Sinharaja is over 2500mm and the average annual temperature is 23.6C. It has been recognized by UNESCO as a part of its International Network of Biosphere reserves and been declared a National Wilderness Area in 1988. Sinharaja was also recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1989. 3 hours each way from the hotel (6 hours both ways)
Yala National Park: Ruhunu National Park, widely known as Yala National Park, is located in Hambantota District and is an important national park in the south of Sri Lanka. The reserve covers 979km, although only the 141km “Block 1” is open to the public, and is mostly made up of parkland and scrub jungle but also contains beaches, lagoons, freshwater lakes, rivers, enormous rocky outcrops and dense jungle. Yala is one of the best places to see Leopards, boasting the highest concentration of leopards in the world: the park is also home to a good number of Asian Elephants, sloth bear, spotted deer, crocodiles, wild boar, water buffalo, grey languor and several other species of large animals. 3 hours each way from the hotel (6 hours both ways)
Udawalawa National Park: Established in 1972, the Udawalawa National Park is situated in the dry zone of the country and belongs to the Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces. The park area is just over 30,800 hectares and consists of dry lowland forest, throny scrub jungle and grassland; several areas of the park have been planted with teak. One of the most iconic attractions of this park is the majestic Udawalawa Reservoir which is fed by the river that flows through the park, the Walawe River. The park is home to several large herds of Asian Elephants as well as many other species of large animals such as deer, buffalo and more 2 1/2 hours each way from the hotel (5 hours both ways)
Bundala National Park: Bundala National Park is situated in the southeast part of the country in the semi – arid zone of the Southern Province. With a park area of 6,216 hectares, Bundala mainly consists of four salt – water lagoons, salt pans, marshes, throny scrub jungle, sand dunes and dry grasslands. The main attraction of Bundala is the abundant birdlife, especially migratory waders such as the Greater Flamingo (which can be seen around January); visitors can also see Spot – billed Pelicans, the largest resident bird in Sri Lanka, the Lesser Adjutant, as well as the tallest resident bird, the Black – necked Stork. Large flocks of terns, gulls, sandpipers, snipes, teals, cormorants, egrets and more are commonly seen.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is one of the most iconic attractions for local and international tourists alike and is home to the biggest captive herd of elephants in the world. The orphanage was the first of its kind in the world and is now a place where abandoned and disabled elephants get given a whole lot of love, care and protection, and scoff their way through over 14,000kg of food every day. It also houses one of the world’s best elephant breeding centres and employs over 100 people to run the facility and take care of bathing and feeding the elephants, especially the babies who are bottle – fed. Bathing times (10.00hrs and 14.00hrs) are a particular treat as the elephants are led down to the nearby river, and feeding times are about an hour before. Also not to be missed is Sama, the three – legged elephant who lost her front right leg to a landmine and is thriving under the watchful care and protection of the Pinnawala Staff. 6 hours each way from the hotel (12 hours both ways)
Matara Star Fort: Another Dutch – built fort along the South Coast, the Star Fort in Matara is a significant structure from the country’s rich colonial history, and one of the major tourist attractions in the South. Matara is a significant structure from the country’s rich colonial history, and one of the major tourist attractions in the South. Mtara is actually famous for two forts, the main Matara Fort and the better preserved Star Fort, built in an unusual and unique star shape by the Dutch between 1763 and 1765 to compensate for the weakness of the main fort, of which only the magnificent rampart and gateway still remain. The Star Fort is a fine example of colonial military architecture; it fulfilled its purpose as an administrative building and was never attacked. It was the last major defensive construction by the VOC in Sri Lanka. It is now a protected monument cared for by the Archaeology Department as well as a museum which showcases the history and splendor of Matara in its heyday. 45 minute each way.
Madu River: Madu River, which flows across the Balapitiya area, is one of the most rarely visited and unspoiled attractions in Sri Lanka. This extraordinary estuary with a cluster of 64 small islands scattered along its impressive breadth, most of which are covered with mangroves and uninhabited, and is also a haven for crocodiles. The largest island is home to around 300 families and the smallest, barely an islet, holds a tiny shrine with a statue built in respect of the gods of Kataragama. There is also “Kurundu Doowa (Cinnamon Isle)” where a small family maintains a two acre cinnamon plantation and the main attraction, “Koth Doowa (Island of the Pinnacle)” which houses a serene Buddhist temple, all of which adds up to a truly remarkable and unforgettable boat ride. 1 ½ hours each way from the hotel (3 hours both ways)
The Fortress Sustainable Tourism Initiative: At The Fortress Resort & Spa, we believe in sharing the benefits of tourism revenue with the residents of the Koggala area. The Fortress, together with the Koggala Tourist Vehicle and Three – Wheeler Owner’s Association, have initiated a convenient local area tour and transport initiative which offers our clientele a selection of excursion to the popular tourist venues of the area.
The Fortress Resort: Built in elegant colonial style with imposing columns and an internal courtyard, the Fortress Resort combines Dutch and Portuguese architectural elements with traditional Sri Lankan mannerisms. Located on Sri Lanka's southwest coast, the resort is about a two-hour drive south of Sri Lanka's capital city, Colombo and overlooks the soft white sands of Kogalla Beach with its attractive groves of palm trees. Near the legendary Galle Fort and the charming fishing town of Kogalla, the hotel is surrounded by beautifully kept gardens that run down to the beach and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
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