Guided tour

The True Essence of Colombo:Private Highlights & Hidden Gems

4.3 / 5

23 reviews

Activity provider: Withlocals
Guided tour

The True Essence of Colombo:Private Highlights & Hidden Gems

Activity provider: Withlocals

From US$ 30.41 per person

Make the most out of your time in the bustling city of Colombo by visiting the coolest spots with the help of a local! Ride a Tuk Tuk to hidden gems that only locals know and get ready for an amazing authentic experience!

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 3 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
English
Small group
Limited to 8 participants

Experience

Highlights
  • Tuk tuk your way around the city
  • See the best hotspots in one day
  • Stroll through Colombo’s biggest park
  • Enjoy delicious local snacks
  • Discover authentic local day-to-day life
Full description
Ayubowan! Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the heart of Sri Lanka’s capital: Colombo! Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of this vibrant city together with your private host. The very best must-sees, hidden gems, and local snacks await! So, hop on a colorful Tuk Tuk and let your private guide take you from one highlight to another. The Independence Square is a must visit and a great place to kick off your tour. Stroll through the spacious green lawns and marvel at one of the islands' longest standing colonial buildings. Your host can tell you all about Sri Lanka’s historic past and how the city has changed to the modern city of today. Do as the Sri Lankans do and grab some delicious hoppers and vegetable roti. Locals simply love to start the day with this tasty morning snack, especially when heading to Colombo’s biggest park! Filled with lush vegetation, 100-year-old trees and a replica of the White House, this park is a tranquil gem away from the city buzz. Tuk Tuk your way to the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo with a beautiful lake. Check out an amazing collection of Buddha statues, take a look at a holy tree and admire a relic of Buddha’s hair. Feel free to ask your host any burning questions! Get immersed in real local life and visit one of the liveliest markets. See where locals buy and sell everything from vegetables to electronics. Wander through the labyrinth streets and follow your nose to a nearby cassava chip vendor. See how this yummy snack is made and make your taste buds dance! Head to the banana market and try as many different bananas as you fancy! Curious what else awaits? How about a visit to a mosque in the shape of a pomegranate, followed by a beautifully minimalist Hindu temple? A visit to Sri Lanka’s last King’s jail cell is also a unique gem! While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the stunning view from the lighthouse. What better way to top off your tour than at the relaxing ocean side of Galle Face? Unwind and relax with a cold drink, a delicious prawn cake and a marvelous sunset over the western coast of Sri Lanka!
Includes
  • Private tour
  • Local guide
  • Entrance tickets
  • Exotic bananas tasting
  • Prawn cake tasting
  • Hoppers tasting
  • Pickup or drop-off at your accommodation
  • Additional food or drink
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Independence Monument, near the information plaquette

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 23 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.4/5
  • Value for money
    4.4/5
  • Service
    4.7/5
  • Organization
    5/5

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Star rating:

We enjoyed our tour with Muditah a lot! He is an incredibly knowledgable guy, speaks flawless English due to his studies in the US, brought us to some fantastic places and shared some valuable tips with us. Now we feel even better prepared for our 4-week-trip through Sri Lanka! Thanks a lot, Muditah, and hopefully we see each other again at the end of our trip for your street food tour! :)

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September 10, 2022

It was a really great city tour. It was informative, completely relaxed and it felt like we already knew each other. Because it was so personal, points weren't just worked through, but we started talking and was brought so close to the city that afterwards I felt much more comfortable even at night and would have liked to stay longer.

March 14, 2020

The tour was good, I liked all the activities and sites that were included. My guide was on time, effective, and did a fine job. The tour was as promised. I save my 5-star ratings for tours where the guide is really enthusiastic, tells great stories, creates connection, entertains, and educates. It's a high bar, but some guides manage it. This tour did what it promised, though - got me out to see the sights of Colombo and gave me an overview.

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January 3, 2020

Product ID: 156210