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Colombo/Negombo: 2-Day Tour to Arugam Bay with Yala Safari

Activity provider: Sign of Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
Colombo/Negombo: 2-Day Tour to Arugam Bay with Yala Safari
Colombo/Negombo: 2-Day Tour to Arugam Bay with Yala Safari 2
Colombo/Negombo: 2-Day Tour to Arugam Bay with Yala Safari 3
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2-day trip from Colombo visiting 08:00 AM – Begin Your Colombo/Negombo to Yala Adventure, Madu Ganga River Safari – Explore Mangroves & Islands and Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery – Discover Turtle Conservation. Operated by Sign of Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Highlights

  • Explore the historic Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Colombo/Negombo: 2-Day Tour to Arugam Bay with Yala Safari: Key Facts

PriceFrom $1200 per person
Duration2 days
Group sizeUp to 5 people
Tour typeGuided Tour
BookingDirect with the local operator — no OTA markup

Choose from 1 available option

Colombo/Negombo: 2-Day Tour to Arugam Bay with Yala Safari

2-day trip from Colombo visiting 08:00 AM – Begin Your Colombo/Negombo to Yala Adventure, Madu Ganga River Safari – Expl...
2 days
English
$1,200
Free cancellation

Full description

A 2-day trip out of Colombo taking in 08:00 AM – Begin Your Colombo/Negombo to Yala Adventure, Madu Ganga River Safari – Explore Mangroves & Islands, Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery – Discover Turtle Conservation and 12:30 PM – Explore Historic Galle Fort. There are 9 stops in all.

The running order is 08:00 AM – Begin Your Colombo/Negombo to Yala Adventure, then Madu Ganga River Safari – Explore Mangroves & Islands, then Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery – Discover Turtle Conservation, then 12:30 PM – Explore Historic Galle Fort, then 02:00 PM – Weligama Stilt Fishing Experience, and on from there.

The price covers 01-night Accommodation in a 3 Star or a 4 Star Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis, Transportation from hotel and back by Air-conditioned Luxury private vehicle, The package includes fuel surcharge and driver charges, ensuring a hassle-free and comfortable journey and Visit to Galle Fort. It does not cover visit to Madu Ganga (Apprx. US$ 20 per person), Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery (Apprx. US$ 05 per person) and Entrance Fees to Yala National Park (Apprx. US$ 35 per person), so budget for those separately. Two travellers pay $1285 together rather than $1200 each, because this is priced per party and not per head.

Tour Itinerary

Itineraries are customisable as per your request

The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

08:00 AM – Begin Your Colombo/Negombo to Yala Adventure

Start your private Sri Lanka south coast tour from Colombo or Negombo in a comfortable vehicle. Travel along the scenic coastal highway towards Yala, with optional stops at Madu Ganga and the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery.

Madu Ganga River Safari – Explore Mangroves & Islands

Enjoy an optional Madu Ganga boat safari through the peaceful mangrove-lined estuary of Balapitiya. Discover the area's rich coastal ecosystem while watching colourful kingfishers and other wildlife. Experience traditional fishing methods and visit Temple Island and Cinnamon Island, with an opportunity to enjoy the popular fish therapy experience.

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery – Discover Turtle Conservation

Stop at the renowned Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery and learn about efforts to protect Sri Lanka’s endangered sea turtles. Observe the conservation process and discover more about the life cycle of these fascinating marine creatures.

12:30 PM – Explore Historic Galle Fort

Continue to Galle and explore the magnificent Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll along the historic ramparts and charming cobblestone streets while admiring its distinctive Portuguese and Dutch colonial architecture, historic buildings, cafés, and boutiques.

02:00 PM – Weligama Stilt Fishing Experience

Continue to Weligama to witness the fascinating tradition of Sri Lankan stilt fishing. Watch local fishermen balance on wooden poles above the sea as they cast their lines. Subject to local conditions, you may also have the opportunity to try this unique traditional fishing technique.

Scenic Drive to Yala

Continue your journey through the beautiful southern countryside towards Yala National Park. Arrive at your hotel, relax, and prepare for an exciting wildlife experience the following morning. Overnight Stay – Yala

05:30 AM – Yala National Park Jeep Safari

Rise early for an exciting Yala National Park wildlife safari by 4WD jeep. Explore the park’s forests, grasslands, lagoons, and scrublands while searching for Sri Lanka’s spectacular wildlife. Keep your camera ready for possible sightings of Sri Lankan leopards, elephants, sloth bears, wild water buffalo, spotted deer, wild boar, and numerous bird species. You may also encounter fascinating wildlife such as the Fishing Cat, Golden Palm Civet, and Red Slender Loris.

11:30 AM – Depart Yala for Arugam Bay

After your thrilling Yala safari, continue your journey towards the beautiful east coast. Enjoy the changing scenery as you travel from the wildlife-rich landscapes of Yala towards the laid-back coastal atmosphere of Arugam Bay.

02:00 PM – Arrival in Arugam Bay

Arrive at Arugam Bay, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous surfing and beach destinations. Check in at your hotel and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this spectacular east-coast town.

Includes

  • 01-night Accommodation in a 3 Star or a 4 Star Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis
  • Transportation from hotel and back by Air-conditioned Luxury private vehicle
  • The package includes fuel surcharge and driver charges, ensuring a hassle-free and comfortable journey.
  • Visit to Galle Fort
  • Stilt fishing demonstration in Weligama
  • Safari at Yala National Park (Jeep Charges)
  • The package covers fuel surcharge and driver charges for a convenient and hassle-free journey.
  • Parking Fees
  • Refreshments and water will be provided during the tour to keep you refreshed and hydrated.
  • All government taxes are included, ensuring a transparent and inclusive pricing structure.

Excludes

  • Visit to Madu Ganga (Apprx. US$ 20 per person)
  • Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery (Apprx. US$ 05 per person)
  • Entrance Fees to Yala National Park (Apprx. US$ 35 per person)
  • Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section
  • Lunch or Dinner during the tour
  • Gratuities

Important information

Meeting point

The operator confirms the exact meeting point and time once your booking is confirmed, and you will have it well before the day. If you would rather know before you book, message us on WhatsApp and we will ask them for you.

Weather

This runs outdoors, so the operator can call it off for rain, wind or sea conditions, and that decision is usually made on the day. If they cancel, you choose: another date, or your money back in full. We do not keep a booking fee on a tour that did not run.

Know before you go

  • Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more
Duration 2 days
Check availability to see starting times
Wheelchair accessible

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Main Tour Price
Starting from $1,200
$1,200
Need a custom booking or have a larger group?Contact Support via WhatsApp
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

01-night Accommodation in a 3 Star or a 4 Star Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis, Transportation from hotel and back by Air-conditioned Luxury private vehicle, The package includes fuel surcharge and driver charges, ensuring a hassle-free and comfortable journey., Visit to Galle Fort, Stilt fishing demonstration in Weligama, Safari at Yala National Park (Jeep Charges), The package covers fuel surcharge and driver charges for a convenient and hassle-free journey., Parking Fees, Refreshments and water will be provided during the tour to keep you refreshed and hydrated., All government taxes are included, ensuring a transparent and inclusive pricing structure.
The duration of the Colombo/Negombo: 2-Day Tour to Arugam Bay with Yala Safari is typically 2 days. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled start time for a smooth check-in. Your guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and ensure the experience runs on schedule while remaining flexible to your pace.
For most experiences, we highly recommend an early morning start. This allows you to avoid the midday heat, bypass the largest crowds, and capture the best lighting for photography. Your guide can advise on the optimal timing based on the season and specific attractions included.
Yes, once your booking is completed via our secure payment gateway, you will receive an instant confirmation email with your tour details, meeting point address, guide's name, and direct contact information. You can also view and manage your booking through your AsiaByLocals account dashboard.
Yes! All our private tours are fully customizable. Whether you want to add extra stops, skip certain locations, change the pace, or adjust the start time — simply let your guide know in advance or on the day. We aim to create a personalized experience tailored to your interests and energy level.
We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may be subject to a partial charge depending on the tour type. Weather-related cancellations for outdoor and boat tours are handled on a case-by-case basis, with full refunds or free rebooking offered when safety is a concern.
Most of our experiences are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. However, some tours involving extensive walking, water activities, or early morning starts may be better suited for children aged 5 and above. Please check the specific tour description for age recommendations, or contact us for personalized family itinerary advice.
After booking, you will receive detailed meeting point instructions via email. Most tours include complimentary hotel pickup within the central area. For tours without pickup, your confirmation email will include the exact address, Google Maps pin, and your guide's phone number for easy coordination. Guides typically arrive 10 minutes early and will message you on WhatsApp.
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Razorpay for Indian cards. All payments are processed through a PCI-compliant secure gateway with 256-bit encryption. You can also pay in multiple currencies — the price is automatically converted to your local currency at checkout.
Yes, all AsiaByLocals guides are licensed professionals who have been rigorously vetted through background checks, skill assessments, and customer reviews. Many hold government-issued tourism licenses, university degrees in history or cultural studies, and have years of experience leading tours for international travelers. Every guide maintains a minimum 4.5-star rating to remain active on our platform.
Negombo, if you land in the evening, land tired, or fly out early — it is 10 km from the airport against Colombo's 35, which in bad traffic is 90 minutes. Give Colombo a proper day later in the trip instead of a jet-lagged half one. See our Negombo airport guide.
From about 5am, finished by eight. It is a working auction rather than an attraction — boats landing, the catch on the sand, and everything packed up before the heat. Jet lag makes the early start easy.
Two to three hours through mangrove channels and out to Monkey Island, past stake-net and crab fishing worked the same way for centuries. Kingfishers are near-guaranteed, along with monitors on the banks. Calm water throughout, so it suits children and non-swimmers. See the Negombo lagoon guide.
Roughly LKR 3,000-4,500 from the official counters in arrivals. Ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper but need a local SIM — buy one in arrivals for a few dollars, which is the single most useful thing to do before leaving the terminal.
One night on arrival and one on departure, or two if you want both the dawn fish market and a lagoon trip without rushing. Negombo is comfortable and well placed rather than a destination in its own right, and it does that job very well.
In the dry season, roughly December to March. From May to September the southwest monsoon builds the sea along this whole coast and currents strengthen. The beach is long and usable but it is not the south coast.
December to March is the driest stretch. Colombo sits on the west coast, so it gets the southwest monsoon roughly May to September — the northeast monsoon (October to January) hits the *other* side of the island instead. Any guide describing one national "rainy season" is only describing half the country. Full breakdown in our best time to visit Colombo guide.
Tuk-tuks are everywhere — insist on the meter or agree the fare first. PickMe is the local ride-hailing app and usually cheaper than flagging one down, with no fare argument. The coastal railway south toward Galle runs along the sea and costs very little. See getting around Colombo.
Rice and curry is the everyday meal, not a dish — rice with several curries and sambols. Kottu roti is chopped roti cooked with a distinctive clanging rhythm on the griddle, hoppers are bowl-shaped fermented rice-flour pancakes, and lamprais is the Dutch Burgher dish baked in a banana leaf. See the Colombo food guide.
Pettah is the market district east of Fort, and its streets are organised by trade — one for electronics, one for textiles, one for hardware, one for spices. The candy-striped Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar, 1908) is the landmark. Street-by-street in our Pettah market guide.
Galle is the easiest — about 2 hours on the southern expressway. Kandy is only 115 km but 3-4 hours each way on a mountain road. Sigiriya is realistically a 12-14 hour day and is better as an overnight. Honest distances in our day trips from Colombo guide.
Two days covers it comfortably. Colombo is not a museum city and most travellers pass through on the way somewhere else — our Colombo 2-day itinerary sets out a realistic pair of days.
Starting from$1,200