Experience
Adventures and experiences at Amangalla
The ramparts of Galle Fort hold within a bustling time capsule – narrow streets lined with old houses, churches, boutiques and restaurants displaying their Dutch and British colonial heritage beneath terracotta-tiled rooftops. Simply step off Amangalla’s veranda to explore this world, or venture farther afield with an Aman guide to discover the region’s temples, beaches and blue whales on personalised journeys.
Sigiriya by helicopter
Over 1,500 years old, Sigiriya is the remains of a palace atop a giant rock that reaches 200m into the sky. A Unesco World Heritage Site surrounded by beautiful gardens in central Sri Lanka, Sigiriya boasts remarkable frescoes as well as the giant stone paws, all that remains of King Kashyapa’s lion gateway. A daytrip from Galle located only 1 hour and 20 mins by helicopter.
Cinnamon and tea
Discover a private cinnamon estate near tranquil Koggala Lake. After a private tour of the plantation, learn how this special spice is cultivated and its health benefits. Then enjoy a afternoon tea in a private picnic spot set within lush green rice fields. Tea tasting and tours in a private Handunugoda plantation can also be arranged.
Temple blessing by candlelight
Explore the secrets of 2300 year old Yatagala, Rhummasala and Nawamunisaya Temples with an Amangalla guide, all situated within a 30-minute drive of the hotel. Yatagala is perhaps the most fascinating, with its rock temple, giant Bo tree and Buddhist statues. Climb its steps at dusk and experience a candlelit blessing by a resident monk in its sacred meditation cave.
Cook amid rice paddies
Select your own ingredients from Galle’s vibrant market with one of Amangalla’s chefs, then travel into the countryside 20 minutes away from Amangalla, to the hotel’s amabalama – a thatched, open-sided pavilion in a sea of emerald rice paddies. Learn to cook traditional curries and rice in clay pots, then savour your creations over a long lazy lunch.
Spot blue whales
Sail from Mirissa harbour to see blue whales – the world’s largest creatures – off the coast of Sri Lanka between December and April. Observe these graceful giants as they play in Weligama Bay from aboard a restored Indonesian fishing trawler, then enjoy a picnic on the beach in a coconut-fringed cove on the way home.
The art of masks
Along the coast from Amangalla lies the town of Ambalangoda, the centre of Sri Lanka’s mask-making tradition. Here, families have passed down the unique artisanal trade from generation to generation, creating the wooden masks at the heart of the country’s atmospheric folk rituals. Try your hand at creating your own.
Explore Galle fort
Best seen on foot, the Fort is a living museum, its history dating back to 1588. Join one of Amangalla’s knowledgeable guides and stroll its lanes, visiting the old District Judge’s house surrounded by frangipani trees, the cricket fields, temple and mosque. Finish at its iconic lighthouse on the ramparts, where locals take sunset strolls and fly kites every evening.Special Requests
No request is too great and no detail too small. We are also here to assist you before your trip begins