Colombo by Tuk Tuk: Gangaramaya Temple & Pettah Market with Lunch

Ride Through Colombo's Markets and Temples in a Tuk Tuk

You ride through Colombo in a private tuk tuk, visiting Gangaramaya Temple, the Red Mosque, and Pettah's floating market without arranging transport, entry fees, or lunch yourself. All three are included, along with stops at colonial landmarks and parks depending on your pace. The open-air tuk tuk puts you in the street instead of behind a car window, and the fixed price means nothing surprises you at the end.

Options for this experience

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From US$ 22 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Tuk tuk tour of Colombo's city sights 22 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 18:00 Guide in English or Tamil Discover the charm of Colombo as you travel by tuk tuk past 26 famous landmarks, cultural treasures, historic sites and lively local markets! Entrance fees are not included for: Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple (USD 2 per person) and Old Town Hall (USD 1 per person). Duration: 4 hours. Colombo city tuk tuk tour, pickup included.

Colombo by Tuk Tuk: all entry fees are covered 22 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 18:00 Guide in English or Tamil pickup is included

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Step-by-step itinerary

Colombo city temple and market tour

• Visit Gangaramaya Temple
• Explore Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Temple
• See Independence Memorial Hall
• Walk through Pettah Market
• Visit Red Mosque in Pettah
• Explore Pettah Floating Market
• Visit old Town Hall building
• Shop at Manning Market
• See Kayman's Gate bell tower
• View Colombo Lighthouse
• Visit Fort railway station
• Tour Wolvendaal Church

What’s included

Your day includes private tuk tuk transportation with hotel pickup, entry fees to all temples and attractions, bottled water throughout, and lunch at a local restaurant. The guide handles all bookings and entries so you move through Colombo without arranging logistics or paying additional fees at each stop.

Times

• Every day 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00

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Before you book

Group Private

Live guide English and Tamil Another language? ›

Audio guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to 1h before

Ages Adult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 95 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infant seats available Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

Operated by Travel with Lenin

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

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The experience

The tuk tuk pulls up to your hotel and you climb in: three wheels, open sides, the kind of transport that puts you right in the street instead of behind glass. Gangaramaya Temple is your first stop, one of Colombo's oldest Buddhist temples, founded in the late 19th century by the scholar monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala. You walk through the entrance and the noise of the city drops away. The temple is more than a place of worship. It's a seat of learning and a cultural center, layered with the work of three generations of monks who shaped it into what stands today. Entry is included, and you move through the courtyards at your own pace.

After the temple, the tuk tuk winds toward Pettah, the neighborhood that sits just outside the old fort. The name itself comes from the Tamil word for suburb. This is where Colombo's energy lives. The floating market runs along a canal with wooden boardwalks crossing it, lined with almost a hundred vendors selling fruit, vegetables, clothes, jewelry, street food. You stop and walk through, and the scale of it hits you: the market sprawls like a puzzle you could spend hours in without covering every corner. The Red Mosque, Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid, rises nearby with its red and white stone minarets and onion-shaped domes, built in the early 20th century as a landmark for ships arriving at port. The brickwork spirals and swirls in patterns that catch the eye. Men and women are both welcome to visit, and your guide handles the entry.

Lunch happens somewhere in this part of the day, included in the price, and you eat without having to negotiate a restaurant or figure out what's safe. The tuk tuk also takes you past other layers of Colombo: the old Town Hall hidden in the Pettah hawker stalls, built in 1873 with neo-gothic arches and cast iron columns; the Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Temple with its ancient Dravidian architecture and stone pillars carved by hand; Viharamahadevi Park, the oldest and largest park in the city, sitting in front of the colonial Town Hall in Cinnamon Gardens. You see the Colombo Lighthouse on the waterfront, the President's House, the Fort railway station. The stops depend on your interests and how the day flows, but all entry fees are covered, so you're not stopping to calculate costs or standing in lines.

Private transportation means the tuk tuk is yours for the duration: no sharing with strangers, no fixed group schedule. Bottled water comes with you. The whole experience is built around not having to arrange anything yourself: the route, the timing, the entries, the meal. You just show up at your hotel and ride.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Tamil.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is included in the tour?

Private tuk tuk transportation, all entry fees, bottled water, and lunch. Hotel pickup is included.

Is the tuk tuk shared with other travelers?

No, it's a private tuk tuk for your group only.

What is Gangaramaya Temple?

One of Colombo's oldest Buddhist temples, founded in the late 19th century. It functions as a place of worship, a seat of learning, and a cultural center.

What is the Red Mosque?

Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid, built in the early 20th century with distinctive red and white stone minarets and onion-shaped domes. It's located in Pettah near the port.

Can women visit the Red Mosque?

Yes, both men and women are welcome to visit.

What is Pettah Floating Market?

A market along a canal in central Colombo with almost 100 vendors selling fruit, vegetables, clothes, jewelry, and street food. It's open 8am to 8pm, with sunset around 5pm being a popular time to visit.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, private transportation includes pickup from your hotel.

What other landmarks does the tour include?

The tour may include Viharamahadevi Park, the old Town Hall, Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Temple, the Colombo Lighthouse, and the President's House, depending on your interests and pace.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. However, it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health.