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There are about 56,000 inhabitants in the city of Ambalangoda. This is a the center of folk culture of the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. The city is famous for the mask carving and cultural dance. This city is more about the locals than turists. Half a day in the city is very interesting.

Sri Lanka is one of the largest manufacturers of cinnamon in the world. On this excursion, we visit a company that produce cinnamon in the area. We learn how cinnamon is produced, how cinnamon is grown, harvested and processed. We see the end products of the cinnamon production and can also buy some products: cinnamon sticks, cinnamon powder, cinnamon oil etc.

Close to Aluthgama, on Kande Vihara, the sacred mountain, is the largest seated Buddha figure of Sri Lanka. It is about 50 meters high and about 45 meters wide. It was completed in 2008 after many years of construction. The Kande Vihara Temple is a daily attraction for countless of believers.

Excursions for shopping are always very popular. The following products can be found at very good prices or from good quality: tea, moonstones and gemstones, Ayurvedic products, dresses, masks, cinnamon, spices, antiques etc. Come with us for a day or half a day of Shopping. We can take you close by in the region, go to Colombo or to Galle.

A visit to the turtle farm is well worth it. Here you get to know the different types of turtles. We understand how the animals lay their eggs, what they eat, how to look after them, etc. In the farm we can see the newborn turtles, old turtles, disabled ones and even some few albino turtles. If you dare you can touch certain varieties as well.

The Lunuganga Estate was the home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. He bought the estate in 1949. The 15 acre property is located on the shores of Dedduwa Lake, in Bentota. Bawa called the property Lunuganga, which means Salt River in Sinhala. Bawa continued to develop the house and the gardens in Lunuganga for forty years, until his death in May 2003. Since Bawa's death in 2003, Lunuganga has been run by a group of his close friends who make up the Lunuganga Trust. The gardens are now open to the public and the buildings on the estate are managed as a seasonal country house hotel.

Bevis Bawa Brief Garden is a worthwhile destination for tourists in the region of the Beruwela / Bentota. It is located about 10 kilometers northeast of Aluthgama by the village Kalawila. The English landscape garden has been gradually created from 1929 by the owner Bevis Bawa from a former rubber plantation. The tour through the garden does not take long. Sometimes the path leads through jungle-like places, sometimes it opens the view over artificial visual axes. Opening hours 08.00-17.00, admission is chargeable. http://briefgarden.com

In the Ariyapala Mask Museum, a nice introduction to the folk culture of the masks and the meaning behind it. In the museum you will learn a lot about the history behind the masks. In the production area you will be able to admire the colorful and with much patience and skill created masks. Masks of demons, gods and heroes are made according to ancient tradition. A visit to the shop next door is a must. For more information

We normally go for the river safari on the Bentota River, but also very popular is the Madu River. The ecosystem around the rivers is very diverse. During the river cruise for some hours we will see the mangrove forests, birds, fish and if we are lucky even a crocodile or two. The river safari is very suitable for children.

Herman Teas in Ahangama calls himself an independent global luxury tea brand. The plantation is located in the southern province of Ahangama. The passion of Malinga Herman Gunaratne, "Mr Herman", is it to produces tea in the family-run factory. In addition to the production of black tea, Mr. Herman also produces one of the world's most expensive teas - the "Virgin White Tea“. We take a little walk in the plantation, drink a cup of tea, visit the small factory and if we are lucky, we can will even have small tasting. For more information

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka's most popular and most visited national park. Yala National Park is the oldest nature reserve in Sri Lanka. There are about 30 mammals and over 130 bird species to watch. Most commonly seen are elephants, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, mongooses, monkeys and, of course, the diversity of birds. The park can only be visited with a local guide. We start this day trip early in the morning. We want to be in the park at 6am. The tour in the park is done in an open safari jeep.

Sri Lanka has an old tradition in making furniture and wood. Along the south and west coast there are some beautiful antique shops with furniture, pictures, doors, lamps, and other very decorative objects from the colonial era. If you are interested: the goods can also be shipped to Europe. A full day trip is recommended here

A trip to Galle Fort is part of every trip to Sri Lanka. Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that invites you to linger, stroll, shop and enjoy. The Portuguese began to build the port city in the 16th century, the Dutch took over the city in the 17th century and finished the work. Subsequently, it was used for the most part by the English, after it was taken over by the Dutch in 1796. The lighthouse and the city walls are the landmarks of the city. Galle Fort has a lot to offer: lots of small streets, colonial style buildings, charming shops, exclusive hotels, good food and much more..

Would you like to see the biggest mammals of this planet close up? Then come on the boat in the Indian Ocean on the south coast. From Mirissa, whale watching is recommended. The tour starts at 06.00 in the morning. If you are lucky dolphins are also seen.

Among the most popular national parks in Sri Lanka is Uda Walawe in the south of the country. Especially the many free-living elephants make it a popular destination. The approximately 300 square kilometers large park was declared a nature reserve in 1972. In addition to some forests, there are mainly open grasslands here. Accordingly, there are good opportunities for animal sightings, especially at rivers and waterholes.