Places to see

Masks hold deep significance in Sri Lankan culture, used in performance and ritual with ancient beliefs in their healing and protective powers, making this craft an authentic connection to local spiritual traditions. Your host teaches fascinating age-old techniques using "Kaduru," a light wood traditionally favoured for mask carving, whilst sharing stories from generations of craftsmen who have preserved these methods. You can choose your preferred experience - carving only, painting only, or combining both techniques to create a complete handcrafted piece that showcases exclusive craftsmanship skills.

Your host's background in traditional arts, beginning with parents who worked in Ambalangoda's batik industry, brings authentic knowledge of Sinhala motifs and ornamental styles that inform mask design and decoration. The workshop reveals how this ancient craft connects to Sri Lankan beliefs and rituals whilst allowing you to create a personal souvenir of your time in UNESCO World Heritage Galle Fort. This cultural experience includes all materials, tools, refreshments, and your finished mask, with light, cool clothing recommended for this hands-on encounter with traditional Sri Lankan artistry.

You'll have the privilege of learning the ancient method of rolling cinnamon sticks by hand, which is still in use in some villages today. You'll also enjoy a cup of homemade cinnamon tea with its warm, spiced flavour. During this intimate and very local experience, you'll also watch a local toddy tapper skillfully climb the Kithul palm to collect fresh toddy, in exactly the same way his family has done for generations.

If you'd like, you'll also have the opportunity to taste this traditional drink - the toddy's rich molasses-like flavour has a gentle fermented tang, offering a bold contrast to the mild cinnamon tea. Both drinks have been part of this southern community for centuries. One of our village hosts will guide you through this very local and authentic experience, which takes around 2 hours. Wear something cool and comfortable.

Starting at the Moon Bastion near the fort entrance at 9am or 4pm, you'll follow clues that lead you through the historic streets of this 16th-century fortification, originally built by the Portuguese in 1588 and later strengthened by the Dutch and British. Each clue reveals different aspects of the fort's past and present, from its military significance to its current role as a vibrant multi-ethnic community that blends European and Sri Lankan cultures within its ancient walls.

This self-contained world offers plenty to discover as you navigate between historic buildings, ramparts, and local businesses, learning about the fort's evolution from defensive stronghold to living heritage site. The hunt concludes with a cold treat as your reward, making this educational adventure suitable for all children and adults alike.

Enter through the newer, now main, gate and climb a short flight of stone steps to take in sweeping views of the fort’s interior, the vast Indian Ocean beyond, and the iconic cricket ground. Your host will bring the past vividly to life with tales of the fort’s construction, colonial struggles, and brushes with destruction. Wander along cobbled streets lined with intriguing buildings, from well-known landmarks to lesser-known gems tucked away in quiet corners.

Spanning 150 acres, this walking tour offers a carefully curated route, providing a captivating insight into the fort’s rich tapestry of religion, architecture, colonial history, daily life, and the impact of the 2004 Tsunami. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, this immersive experience is sure to deepen your appreciation for this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Approximate duration: 1.5 hours.

As you travel through calm waters surrounded by lush greenery, you’ll arrive at the only home on the island. The family will show you how they carefully hand-roll each cinnamon stick, a skill passed down through generations.

In their simple mud hut, you’ll see the entire process up close. Afterward, enjoy a traditional meal featuring local dishes that highlight cinnamon, including curries and sweets. The family will explain the importance of cinnamon in their lives and culture. This experience provides a genuine insight into the local traditions and the art of cinnamon production.