Sri Lanka
Private
13 days from £7,995
Private Tour
Colombo to Colombo – 13 Days
Discover the architectural brilliance of Geoffrey Bawa on this inspiring journey through Sri Lanka. From Colombo to the southern coast and tea country, this tour offers rare access to Geoffrey Bawa's iconic creations — private homes, boutique hotels, tropical gardens, and public buildings that shaped modern Sri Lankan architecture. As an architectural tour, you will explore significant works and sites associated with Bawa’s legacy. Travelling in comfort, you’ll stay in several of his finest works, including The Wallawwa, The Last House, and Lunuganga, experiencing his seamless blend of modern design, nature, and local tradition.
Along the way, enjoy visits to historic landmarks, coastal villages, Buddhist temples, and lush hill country landscapes. You’ll explore Dambulla’s cave temples, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, stroll through the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, and relax in Tangalle and Bentota. This is not only a visual feast for lovers of architecture and design, but also a deeper journey into Sri Lanka’s history, landscape, and way of life, immersing you in Sri Lanka's heritage — guided by the creative spirit of Geoffrey Bawa.
GEOFFREY BAWA’S ICONIC HOMES AND HOTELS: Stay in Bawa-designed properties including The Wallawwa, The Last House, and Lunuganga, with these bawa designed hotels forming part of a curated experience for architecture enthusiasts. These elegant spaces reflect his vision of tropical modernism, blending architecture with Sri Lanka’s natural beauty. Bawa's design philosophy—integrating built spaces seamlessly into their surroundings and emphasizing sustainable design—shapes every guest experience. Enjoy a rare opportunity to live within his legacy, a unique opportunity to experience Bawa's architectural masterpieces, from colonial bungalows to garden retreats and coastal masterpieces.
SRI LANKA’S ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE TOUR: Explore Sri Lanka’s modern architectural history through Bawa’s landmark buildings. Visit his former office in Colombo, the Parliament building, and Ruhuna University. Gain insight into his influence on contemporary Sri Lankan design and the way he merged built environments with landscape, culture, and context.
CULTURAL AND NATURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF SRI LANKA: Beyond Bawa’s work, discover Sri Lanka’s heritage and natural beauty. Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site also known as Lion Rock, wander through Dambulla’s cave temples, stroll Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, and enjoy the quiet charm of Kandy. These sites offer a deeper appreciation of the island’s diverse landscapes and long cultural history.
RELAXED LUXURY FROM HILLS TO COAST: Travel in comfort from the tea valleys of Bogawantalawa to Tangalle’s peaceful beaches. Enjoy curated experiences like tea estate walks, kayaking, and visits to turtle conservation projects. This carefully paced itinerary blends thoughtful architecture with restful settings, showcasing Sri Lanka’s finest boutique stays and natural charm.
The difference with the Asian Geographical is, that each of our holidays is designed with extreme precision of a mountaineering expedition.
Follow the legacy of Geoffrey Bawa on a 13-day curated architectural tour through Sri Lanka, led by the vision of the celebrated architect. Stay in his finest architectural creations. Explore iconic buildings, lush gardens, and cultural landmarks, from Colombo to the southern coast and tea country, blending design, nature, and heritage in a uniquely Sri Lankan travel experience.
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.
The Wallawwa Hotel
The Wallawwa in Nogombo is an old colonial manor house with beautifully furnished rooms. Set in a magnificent garden, this old Sri Lankan 'manor house' dates back two hundred years. Surrounded by neatly manicured lawns and trees that provide the shade and cool breeze during the sweltering Sri Lankan summer, The Wallawwa gives a feeling of staying in a luxurious house. Indeed, the property was once occupied by the Head Chieftain of Galle which gives meaning to the name “Wallawwa”.
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
Heritance Kandalama
Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Sri Lanka's central province, Heritance Kandalama stands as a paragon of architectural marvel. Designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, this masterpiece seamlessly blends into the surrounding landscape, showcasing a harmonious integration of nature and modernity. The structure's unique tiered design allows guests to immerse themselves in panoramic views of the picturesque surroundings, with each angle offering a new perspective of the breathtaking scenery.
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
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
Kings Pavilion Kandy
Kings Pavilion is a boutique hotel, set outside the town of Kandy in Central Sri Lanka. Situated on a hill overlooking the lush valley below, it offers a serene oasis with great vistas of the Hunnasgiriya and Knuckles mountain ranges. Spread across 3-acres of luscious gardens in the residential area in the suburbs of Kandy, this resort offers a perfect base from which to explore the historic Kandy town and the fascinating region of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle.
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
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
Ceylon Tea Trails
Ceylon Tea Trails in south central Sri Lanka are a group of five Tea Trails bungalows in the hills of the Bogawantalawa region in the Dimbula district. Bogawantalawa is known as “The Golden Valley” on account of its lush tea bushes and is famous for Ceylon Tea. The five Tea Trails bungalows, each with 4 to 6 rooms and suites, are located between 2 km and 15km from each other. This is an ideal setting for trekking and biking against the backdrop of mountains, lakes, and waterfalls.
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
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
Amanwella
Amanwella Resort in Tangalle lies above the golden sand beach at Amanwella, in a cove on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Sweeping vistas of the beach, (one of the most beautiful) lined with coconut palms and crashing waves, makes this a stunning location. Those who have not visited other Amans may be surprised by the minimalistic architecture which reaches its apogee in the reception area where your Amanwella experience starts with a "check-in" without a reception desk.
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
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
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
Lunuganga Estate
Lunuganga Estate in Sri Lanka is located along the Bentota River, south of the capital Colombo. Lunuganga was the country house of the legendary Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. After Bawa’s death, the private home went public as a charming six suite retreat offering some of the island’s finest vistas and elegant accommodations.
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
Paradise Road Tintagel
Paradise Road Tintagel is a boutique hotel, situated in one of Colombo's most fashionable districts. Named after the castle in Cornwall where King Arthur was purportedly born, it has been redesigned by Colombo trendsetter Shanth Fernando. Having founded Paradise Road, the design and lifestyle brand, he soon added a hospitality element to his style empire. Today, Tintagel is his vision of Colombo as a cosmopolitan capital, filled with artwork and stylish elements.
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
Inspired by Geoffrey Bawa’s revolutionary approach to architecture, “Geoffrey Bawa’s Legacy: An Architectural Journey Through Sri Lanka” is crafted to explore how Bawa harmonized Sri Lanka’s ancient and modern architecture with the island’s natural beauty, highlighting Geoffrey Bawa's legacy and the indelible mark he left on Sri Lankan architecture.
This tour is a tribute to Bawa’s genius in integrating the elements of nature into his designs, showcasing sites that span from the tranquil highlands to the vibrant coasts. Bawa’s signature tropical design harmonizes seamlessly with the island’s lush environment, setting a benchmark for modern tropical architecture.
It’s perfect for those passionate about architecture, nature, culture, and wildlife, offering unique insights into Sri Lanka’s architectural evolution and natural splendour.
YOUR TRIP DESIGN, PACE & FLEXIBILITY: This privately operated Sri Lanka adventure is shaped around Geoffrey Bawa’s legacy—arguably the most influential architect Sri Lanka has produced, and a defining figure in what is often described as “tropical modernism”. His work is not about spectacle; it is about proportion, shadow, breeze, framed views and the way a building sits quietly within landscape. The tour is designed to let you experience that properly, with time to linger rather than simply “see”. If you enjoy photography, design, or gardens, timing can be refined for softer light, and an additional night in a key setting often transforms the experience from excellent to unforgettable.
PRIVATE GUIDES, DRIVERS & ON-THE-GROUND SUPPORT: The difference on an architecture-led journey is interpretation. Alongside private transport and discreet handling, we can arrange specialist architectural context so you understand what you are looking at—how Bawa used courtyards to control temperature, how he choreographed movement through space, and why his buildings feel so calm. This is delivered with a light touch, at the level you prefer: a connoisseur’s perspective rather than a lecture. Days are paced to allow quiet time in each property, with seamless logistics, well-judged arrivals, and the ability to adjust the rhythm if you would like more stillness, more discussion, or a broader cultural counterpoint.
ACCOMMODATION STANDARDS & THE VALUE OF THE STAYS: On this tour, accommodation is not merely where you sleep; it is part of the collection. Room category and positioning materially change the experience—privacy, outlook, and the ability to enjoy the architecture beyond public spaces. Many Bawa-associated stays have limited inventory, and the most desirable rooms and dates are often the first to go, so early confirmation typically improves choice. Dining is also part of the mood: elegant settings, calm service, and the freedom to keep evenings unhurried. Where appropriate, we can arrange private dining moments or the most atmospheric tables, without turning meals into appointments.
WHY BAWA MATTERS: WHAT YOU WILL NOTICE: Bawa’s genius is felt in subtleties. You may find that rooms unfold gradually rather than announce themselves; that the boundary between inside and outside is softened; that water, planting and breezeways cool the air; and that views are framed like paintings. His architecture is deeply Sri Lankan, yet internationally admired—modern without being clinical, luxurious without being showy. This tour is designed for travellers who appreciate that kind of intelligence in design: spaces that restore you, and a sense of place created through restraint and mastery rather than excess.
COSTING, PAYMENTS, CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS: This tour is priced to secure premium, inventory-sensitive properties and the right level of specialist handling—private transport, seamless coordination, and architectural context delivered to a high standard. The primary cost drivers are seasonality and room categories within the most in-demand stays. Once reservations are secured, changes can be constrained by availability and supplier terms; any implications are explained clearly before adjustments are actioned, with transparent documentation of deadlines, inclusions and cancellation conditions.
Prices From
Tour: Bawas Sri Lanka Legacy
Tour reference: SRIL107/2026
Price: Indicative price based on top-end services; final cost varies by season, availability, and your chosen inclusions.
Tour dates: Travel Any day (subject to availability)
Deposit to confirm: £150 per person
Prices From
Tour: Bawas Sri Lanka Legacy
Tour reference: SRIL107/2027
Price: Indicative price based on top-end services; final cost varies by season, availability, and your chosen inclusions.
Tour dates: Travel Any day (subject to availability)
Deposit to confirm: £150 per person
The difference with the Asian Geographical is, that each of our holidays is designed with extreme precision of a mountaineering expedition.
The difference with the Asian Geographical is, that each of our holidays is designed with extreme precision of a mountaineering expedition.
Your entire holiday is designed around your personal preferences
Travel at your own pace with full itinerary flexibility
Choose from handpicked, luxury hotels & resorts across Asia
Enjoy seamless logistics, private transfers, and 24/7 assistance
Our package holiday team has decades of experience in luxury Asia travel
Receive first-hand advice from specialists who know each destination intimately
Gain access to hidden gems and authentic local experiences
Our aim is to stay committed to responsible travel in Asia
We partner with eco-conscious providers
Itineraries include experiences that preserve Asia’s cultural and natural heritage
Travel with complete confidence under full ATOL protection
Fully bonded and financially protected for your peace of mind
Established in 2014
