Sri Lanka Architecture & Culture on a Bawa Legacy Tour

Colombo

Arrive in Sri Lanka at the international airport and head straight to Kotugoda, where you’ll relax at The Wallawwa, a stylish colonial hotel surrounded by lush gardens. After your flight, this is the perfect place to unwind and refresh. Enjoy a calming massage, soak up the peaceful atmosphere, and settle into the comfort of your surroundings. This quiet and elegant retreat gives you time to recharge before the journey ahead, with a taste of Sri Lanka’s famous hospitality and tranquil charm.

Dambulla

Take a scenic four-hour drive to Dambulla and check into the Heritance Kandalama, designed by famous architect Geoffrey Bawa. This unique eco-hotel blends beautifully with the jungle and overlooks Kandalama Lake, offering a unique opportunity to experience innovative, sustainable architecture in harmony with nature. In the afternoon, visit the ancient cave temples of Dambulla and climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites are part of Sri Lanka's ancient wonders and form the heart of the cultural triangle, renowned for their rich history and cultural significance. After a day of discovery, return to your peaceful hotel surrounded by nature.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Dambulla

Dambulla

Spend the day exploring the historic and natural highlights around Dambulla. Begin with a climb up Mihintale, an important Buddhist site with 1,840 stone steps. Then walk through the forest to find the Mahakanadarawa stone bridge, a remarkable piece of ancient engineering. You’ll also see one of Sri Lanka’s oldest irrigation systems, still working after more than 2,500 years. After a day of walking and discovery, relax back at the Heritance Kandalama. Entrance fees to historical sites visited during the tour are included as part of the overall experience.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kandy

Drive to Kandy, Sri Lanka's hill capital, a scenic and spiritual city surrounded by misty mountains and a calm lake. In the afternoon, visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, known for its tropical plants and tall trees. Then explore the sacred Temple of the Tooth, where a relic of the Buddha is kept. These visits reveal the spiritual heart and natural beauty of this peaceful city.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kandy

Enjoy a relaxed day in Kandy. Stroll around the tranquil lake, visit the lush Udawattekele Sanctuary, and enjoy the sounds and sights of the forest. For tea lovers, the Tea Museum offers an interesting look into the country’s tea-making traditions. If you are interested in Sri Lanka's cultural history, consider visiting the national museum, which features an extensive collection ranging from religious bronzes to possessions of the last Kandyan kings. Return to your hotel and spend the evening enjoying Kandy’s laid-back charm.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kandy

Bogawantala Valley

Leave the hills behind and head into Sri Lanka’s tea country in the Bogawantalawa Valley. Stay at Tea Trails, a collection of colonial-era bungalows set among beautiful tea plantations, waterfalls, and rolling hills shaped by the region’s tropical climate. This area, known as the Golden Valley of Tea, offers a luxurious stay and a window into the colonial past. Relax and enjoy the peaceful views and the refined atmosphere of the tea estates.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bogawantala Valley

Wake up with a fresh cup of tea and learn all about how it's made during the Tea Experience tour. Visit the plantation fields and watch how tea is handpicked and processed. If you enjoy adventure, go mountain biking along scenic trails with a guide. Or, choose a peaceful kayak trip on the Castlereagh and Maskeliya reservoirs. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the quiet beauty of the valley.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tangalle

Travel down from the hills to the sunny beaches of Tangalle on Sri Lanka’s scenic south coast, where the shores meet the Indian Ocean. Check into the Last House, Geoffrey Bawa’s final architectural creation, nestled between a peaceful lagoon and the sea. Spend the afternoon walking along quiet beaches or swimming in the warm waters. It’s a complete change of pace and the perfect setting to enjoy Sri Lanka’s coastal life.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tangalle

Tangalle

Visit Rekawa, a small fishing village where you'll find an important Marine Turtle Conservation project. If you're lucky, you might see endangered turtles nesting on the beach. Talk with local villagers and learn how they work to protect marine life. Later, return to the Last House and enjoy a relaxed evening reflecting on your meaningful coastal visit.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tangalle

Choose from a range of exciting activities today. You can go whale watching, snorkelling, sailing, river cruising, or sea kayaking—all run by local youth. Then visit the ancient Mulkirigala Temple, perched on a massive rock and filled with cave shrines and old inscriptions. Your last evening at the Last House offers a chance to unwind, surrounded by nature and the sound of the sea.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bentota Beach

Drive along the coast to Bentota, stopping first at Ruhuna University in Matara to admire Bawa’s architecture. Then visit the historic Galle Fort, a UNESCO site full of colonial charm. Enjoy lunch at the Lighthouse Hotel, another Bawa-designed masterpiece. Arrive in Bentota and notice Villa Bentota, a luxury beachfront property designed by Bawa, showcasing his architectural legacy in the area. Settle into Lunuganga Estate, Bawa’s private country home and landscape project, which was transformed from a former rubber plantation into a series of interconnected gardens, pavilions, and scenic views. The estate’s design incorporates the tranquil Dedduwa Lake, enhancing the serene environment and overall aesthetic experience. Here, you have the unique opportunity to experience Bawa's work firsthand, exploring the creative vision that turned a rubber plantation into a living masterpiece of architecture and landscape design.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bentota Beach

Colombo

Fly to Colombo for the final part of your trip. Stay at The Tintagel, a stylish boutique hotel in a leafy neighbourhood. Visit Sri Lanka’s Parliament Building, beautifully set on a lake and designed by Bawa, which incorporates traditional forms such as tiled roofs into its modernist architecture. Explore the tranquil Seema Malaka Temple on Beira Lake, a serene water temple designed by Bawa, known for its unique floating platforms and peaceful setting. Stroll along Paradise Road, a cultural and design highlight in Colombo. In the evening, dine at The Gallery, which was once Bawa’s office, and is now also home to the renowned Gallery Café, a celebrated Bawa-designed venue. Your last night combines elegant design, fine food, and a final taste of Colombo’s creative energy, all shaped by Bawa's influence, Bawa's legacy, Bawa's design philosophy, and Bawa's work that define the city’s modernist landmarks.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Colombo - Departure

Enjoy breakfast at The Tintagel before your departure. A private transfer will take you to Colombo airport. As you leave, look back on your journey across Sri Lanka, filled with ancient cities, peaceful landscapes, colourful culture, and beautiful architecture—a trip full of lasting memories.

Meals Included: Breakfast