Handunugoda tea estate, Koggala and the stilt fishermen

Handunugoda tea estate, Koggala and the stilt fishermen is Majeste's private day tour from Galle. It takes about 6 hours door to door and costs $26 per person for two, including your own car with an English-speaking driver and Handunugoda tea estate visit (white tea), with the folk museum ticket and one activity paid there. Prices checked 7 Nov 2026. Nothing to pay now.

Lowland white tea, a writer's museum and a staged photo stop.

Aerial view of tiny Taprobane Island with its red-roofed villa just off Weligama beach
Photo: Rovin Shanila via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

At a glance

StartGalle
Hoursabout 6 hoursDoor to door
Distance50 kmRound trip
Also from these towns
StartHoursKmPer person for two
Mirissaabout 650$26

About this tour

A short coastal day between Galle and Weligama: the Handunugoda estate, one of the few lowland tea gardens, known for its white tea; the Martin Wickramasinghe folk museum at Koggala; lunch by the lake; and the stilt fishermen at Koggala or Ahangama, which we sell as what it is, a paid photo stop. About 50 km in all.

  • Handunugoda estate walk and tasting, included
  • Martin Wickramasinghe folk museum and the writer's house
  • Stilt fishermen photo stop, paid directly to the men (about LKR 1,000 per group)

Your day

Planning times from Galle, not promises. From another start town the times change.

  1. Pickup at your hotel.

  2. Handunugoda tea estate: the garden, the factory and a tasting of white tea.

    About Handunugoda tea estate visit (white tea)

  3. Martin Wickramasinghe folk museum at Koggala (small ticket paid at the door).

  4. Lunch at Koggala or Ahangama, paid directly.

  5. Stilt fishermen at Koggala or Ahangama; agree the fee before you shoot.

    About Stilt fishermen photo stop, Koggala

  6. Drop-off at your hotel.

What is in the price

Included

  • Private air-conditioned car or van with an English-speaking driver for the day
  • Fuel, expressway tolls and parking
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa or Weligama
  • Every activity listed under tickets and fees

Not included

  • Lunch is at a local restaurant, paid directly, about USD 5 to 15 a head
  • The stilt fishermen's fee (about LKR 1,000 per group, sometimes up to 3,000), paid to them
  • Folk museum ticket, paid at the door
  • Tips for the driver and any local guide, at your discretion
  • Drinks, snacks and personal spending

Tickets and fees

  • Handunugoda tea estate visit (white tea)

    $6.02

    LKR 1,000 (about USD 3) per person for the standard tour, free under 14, the estate's published price.

    Source

  • Stilt fishermen photo stop, Koggala

    Paid there

    No charge from us. You pay the men directly: they ask about LKR 1,000 per group to photograph, sometimes up to LKR 3,000; agree it before you shoot.

    Source

    • Tripadvisor reviews of the Koggala stilt fishermen and a GetYourGuide listing, checked 7 Nov 2026

Amounts are for two adults. Entrance fees for Sri Lankan residents differ. Message us and we price them for you.

Entrance fees last checked 7 November 2026. Activity prices last checked 7 November 2026. Rupee fees converted at LKR 332.5 to USD 1 (XE mid-market rate, 6 Nov 2026).

Good to know

  • The stilt fishermen are posing for photographs, not fishing. We do not call it anything else.
  • Handunugoda's standard tour is free for under-14s.
  • A Koggala lake boat trip can be added on the day, paid directly to the boatman.

Good months: December, January, February, March, April.

Harder months: May, June, October.

Optional extras

Not in the price. Add them in the price box.

Read more

Where the figures come from

  • Handunugoda Tea Estate (Herman Teas), checked 7 Nov 2026
  • Tripadvisor reviews of the Koggala stilt fishermen and a GetYourGuide listing, checked 7 Nov 2026
  • Majeste rate card, checked 7 Nov 2026

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