Gems of Geoffrey Bawa

On arrival at Colombo International Airport, A member of our local team or an appointed chauffeur will receive you & will take care of your transfer and check-in at the hotel in Dambulla. On arrival at the destination, check into the hotel. Rest of the day to take rest and recover from Jet lag. We suggest a leisurely village walk. It may help you to get used to different time zone and environments.

After freshening up and breakfast, you shall meet our local expert. This meeting is all about knowing the necessary information about Sri Lanka. Our expert will go through all the essential points you need to know, such as local customs, meals, safety, transport, money exchange, etc. He’ll go through your itinerary of the entire tour and answer the questions you may have. You will learn more about your time, and if you are with the group, you shall familiarize yourself with your travel companions.
The present residing hotel will be your base for the rest of the three days. Within this time frame, you will explore the Cultural triangle and Ar. Geoffrey Bawa’s creation. But there are some exciting experiences to enrich the quality of the tour.
Dambulla is within the Northcentral region of Sri Lanka. Here you’ll visit your first Geoffrey Bawa creation: Heritance Kandalama. This work is considered the highest achievement of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. It was constructed between 1992 and 1995 on the outskirts of Dambulla. The minimalist interiors and the building are ingeniously designed to blend into the landscape without disturbing the tranquil natural evolution of its surroundings.
You’ll also experience Sri Lanka’s ancient architectural heritage during your visit to the cultural triangle… Anuradhapura, Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa.
Anuradhapura… a UNESCO world heritage city, is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved remains of an ancient Sinhala civilization. It is one of the eldest uninterruptedly inhabited cities in the World.
Polonnaruwa… a UNESCO world heritage city, was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. Besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.
Sigiriya… Sigiriya is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best well-preserved samples of ancient urban planning.
Other highlights of these tour visits are… Rock cave temple in Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as Golden Temple of Dambulla. There are five caves containing statues and paintings related to Gautama Buddha and his life.
Aukana, where 42 feet high Buddha stands, is the best-preserved statue in Sri Lanka. Also, See Sri Lanka’s ancient hydraulic heritage “Kala Wewa” a large old rainwater reservoir. Minneriya national park – one of the Largest known wild Asian Elephant Gathering at one place within the World.

After leisurely breakfast at the resort, you check out and leave for Kandy – a world heritage site declared by UNESCO. En-route You’ll get a tour around a tropical garden full of herbs and spice plants. The knowledgeable guide will identify each of them and show you examples of them growing naturally and processed. This tour will conclude with lunch within the serene surrounding of the spice garden. Later proceed to Kandy. On arrival, check into the hotel in Kandy.
Kandy was declared as a World Heritage site in 1947. It is one of the ancient living capitals of the World today under criteria IV & VI of the operational guidelines. “Criteria IV –The monumental ensemble of Kandy is an outstanding example of a type of construction in which the Royal Palace and the temple of the Tooth of Buddha are juxtaposed since the 4th century.”
With its astonishing complexity and the beauty of its colonial and pre-colonial composition, Kandy invites people to admire it. Kandy’s streets in the city grid, closely packed with houses, open spaces, green spaces & all other related elements gathered to tell one story.
During your stay in Kandy, you shall visit the Royal Palace of Kandy, temple “Daladha Maligawa” houses the sacred Tooth Relic of The Buddha, Three temple sites… Lankathilake, at Udunuwara Hiyarapitiya village, According to historical reports, this temple was built in the 14th century. The architecture of the temple was designed by a South Indian architect named Sathapati Raya. According to Professor Senarath Paranavithana, the architect created this temple using the Sinhalese architecture of the Polonnaruwa era and other Dravidian and Indo-Chinese architectural patterns.
Temple Embekke Devale, famous for its decorative woodcarvings, pillars, and other towers, where you’ll see an outstanding example of Sinhala Architecture in Wood. The Wooden pillars and pillar capitals are through beautiful carvings, 514 different designs of animals, dancers, drummers, Narigeta, gladiators, wrestlers, rope twists, and lots of other formats. & Gadalaeniya Rajamaha Viharaya, a Gedige sort of a building, done by the South Indian Architect Ganeswarachariya, using South Indian Devala Architecture for a Buddhist Temple.
You can have an enchanting village walk around the area – Can get a real experience of Sri Lankan village lifestyle and Visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden. The major of the botanical gardens of Sri Lanka.

You start your journey to Colombo after a leisurely breakfast. After a drive of approx. 3 ½ to 4 hrs. You shall reach Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Like many capital cities in emerging countries, Colombo is fast changing its look. Almost sudden, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once hoisted. Yet, in some parts, the traditional charm is maintained, for example, a 100-year-old clock tower and numerous British-built colonial buildings.
After freshen up and a quick nap, your driver will drop you near Beira Lake. It’s delightful just having a stroll around the lake. The lake is surrounded by fine old trees, provides welcoming breezes throughout the day & attracts pelicans, egrets & cormorants.
But the highlight of this evening is a visit to Buddhist Temple Seema Malaka, Situated on this lake. Visit this temple is a very peaceful experience. The temple is primarily used for meditation and rest rather than for worship.
The original structure of this temple, built-in 19th century, slowly sank into the water in the 1970s. In 1976, Ar. Geoffrey Bawa redesigned this temple. The temple is built on three platforms over water. Those are connected to the mainland and with each other by pontoon bridges. Some schools of thought say the architecture of the tower resembles the Kandyan era. Some say that the temple architecture is a perfect harmony of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture.
You can also take a brief halt at the Buddhist Temple named Gangaramaya. It is located just 250 meters to the west of Seema Malaka. Here you will feel an atmosphere of worship and religion. The feel of this temple is very serene.
You can conclude your leisurely evening at The Dutch Hospital. It is considered to be the eldest building in the Colombo Fort area dating back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. The inside decor retains the charm of a bygone era – please note, there’s no air-conditioning here. Here, you can either stroll along, marveling at the Colonial Architecture of possibly one of the city’s oldest heritage sites, Or shop, wine, and dine. Later return to your hotel in Colombo for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we leave for a day-long tour of Colombo, visiting the works of a creative genius Geoffrey Bawa.
Parliament of Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka’s Parliament building in Kotte, which the President commissioned Bawa to design in 1979, was created in a vast artificial lake center. The building incorporates traditional Sri Lankan and South Indian architectural features with a series of pavilions with copper roofs.
Bawa’s House No. 11: Many Say it is a must-visit in Colombo for all architecture enthusiasts! The Geoffrey Bawa residence is considered a unique architectural marvel that houses art and artifacts from the Late Architect Geoffrey Bawa collection.
Bawa’s Gallery Cafe: The historic building that houses the Paradise Road Gallery Cafe used to be an office for The Geoffrey Bawa. The open-air cafe area looks over a pebbled courtyard, while the lounge bar is where Bawa’s old office used to be – in fact, his desk is still there. The whole workspace lies between two courtyards with columns, walkways, open pavilions & hallways.
Rest of the day, some good time for shopping. Colombo has several popular supermarkets, but Barefoot & Paradise Road stores are the best options if you are looking for something different. Barefoot is a store, bookshop, gallery, cafe, performance space, and place to hang out, And Paradise road offers an abundance of things you’ll want to fill your home with. Conclude your tour with a leisurely walk on Marine Drive and dine at one of the famous restaurants serving food of your choice. Our expert chauffeur can guide you there.

Today you travel along the coast for Galle. En route, you’ll pass several of Geoffrey Bawa’s creations. During your stay of two days in Galle, you’ll visit several renowned works of Geoffrey Bawa. Along with this architectural exploration, you’ll also indulge in some memorable experiences.
Gall. the town is understood for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the attractively-preserved Galle Fort. It is the most critical and exciting sea fortress in South Asia. First built by the Portuguese and later fortified by Dutch. Galle wears its history on its sleeve. Windswept beaches and nodding palms surround its colonial-era showpiece.
Ruhunu University Campus, 1980–88… An inspiring creation by Bawa built between two hills; this university campus consists of pavilions and courtyards with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.
Lighthouse Hotel, 1995–97… watch the hotel’s architecture and study the conservative steps taken by the hotel to safeguard the environment. Lighthouse is documented for its Green Policy that permits the hotel to perform better with the day-to-day procedures, making sure the environment around isn’t harmed. This elegant hotel is found on a rocky headland overlooking the Indian Ocean. The architecture conveys an immediate sense of history the Portuguese left. It is re-enacted in brass and bronze on the impressive central staircase, and an ambitious batik of ancient coats of arms fills the ceiling of the cozy main bar. Lighthouse hotel, like Kandalama, demonstrates Bawa’s skill at integrating architecture and landscape and his stenographic manipulation of space.
Mirissa Beach… The primary attraction in Mirissa is whale watching. You shall be lucky if you are traveling between October to April. Because during this time Ocean is calm, and whales migrate from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere. This fantastic place of Mirissa is also known for its tuna, mullet, butterfish, snapper, and being the major fishing port on the South Coast.
Unawatuna… It is a lovely banana-shaped beach of golden sand and turquoise water, surrounded by green palm trees! Here you will get some good time to enjoy Sea, Sand & Surf.
Galle… A guided walking tour of Galle Fort & admire some architecture work of Dutch. They left their impressions with some beautifully designed heritage buildings. It is worth visiting the Dutch Hospital Shopping Complex, the oldest structure in the Galle Fort area way back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. It has now developed into a shopping and dining facility. 
Two overnight stays in Galle.

Today after an early breakfast, check out & Travel along the coast to Bentota. Here your stay will be for three days. This part of Sri Lanka is most touristy because of some stunning beaches and memorable experiences. For Architecture enthusiasts, the Bentota region is the feast, as several remarkable works of Architecture genius Geoffrey Bawa.
Madhuganga Riverboat Safari… Madu River is situated in the south of Sri Lanka. The river is spotted with small islands, and the river banks are all covered with mangrove forests. These mangroves are home to many incredible animal species. Enjoy many vibrant tropical birds, and if you are lucky, you can spot a few crocodiles.
The Turtle Hatchery is being operated by the Wildlife Protection Society of Sri Lanka. Several species of turtles, especially the endangered hawksbill, are protected here. The goodwill of Kosgoda area fishers, who bring eggs gratis to the hatchery. This society has released around 100,000 young turtles in only two years since the hatchery opened.
Avani Bentota 1967–74: Located on the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka, the 75-room AVANI Bentota was designed by world-famous local architect Geoffrey Bawa in an 18th Century Dutch Village style. Commanding picturesque beachfront views, this romantic home away from home also doubles as an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area’s many unique charms.
Cinnamon Bentota Beach Hotel 1967–73: It is one of architect Geoffrey Bawa’s renowned works. It is an excellent example of Bawa’s architectural style during the 1960s and the critical model for a hotel design in tropical climates during the decades following its construction.
Lunuganga – Bawa Village house 1948–97:
Lunuganga Estate is 15 acres of property on the banks of Lake Dedduwa in Bentota. Bawa named the estate Lunuganga, which means Salt River in Sinhala. In 1949, they bought this estate to convert it into a weekend house and create a tropical form of a European renaissance garden. But within the next fifty years, Geoffrey Bawa scrupulously transformed it into one of the most seductive, obsessive pleasure gardens of the twentieth century. Till the last journey of his life, this great architect continued his work on the spaces & structure in Lunuganga. Visit this outstanding achievement of Bawa, is a must for Architectural enthusiast or any avid traveler.
Club Villa 1976 – 80… The combination of colonial architecture with modern convenience is another Geoffrey Bawa gem. Originally built as a four-bedroom holiday retreat for its owners, but opened up as a boutique hotel in 1980. In later years, it underwent several transformations, with additions by prominent architects and artists such as Channa Daswatta, Chevadurai Anjalendran, and Laki Senanayake, which added a 50-year-old, meticulously detailed mural of Sinharaja.
Blue Waters 1996–98… Geoffrey Bawa designed a quiet hotel around an outstanding pool & beautifully screened by a grove of coconut palms. The attractive rooms all modern amenities & sea-facing balconies; other facilities include a salon, tennis & squash courts, three bars & an evening club. Visit Geoffrey Bawa House and Heritance Ahungalla; the hotel sprawls along a substantial section of the pristine beach of Ahungalla. The vast hotel is opulent yet intimate attractive landscaping. Rooms are vibrant while the most swimming bath is gigantic.
Three overnight stays in Bentota.

Today after a leisurely breakfast, you head back to Negombo. A road journey of 2 1/2 hrs will take you to the tour’s last destination. Negombo is the best beach resort place near to the airport. On arrival, check into the Beach resort. Spend your evening admiring the scenic view of the Catamaran sailboats coming back from the Ocean at sunset. Take a glance around the handicraft shops at Lewis Place if you would like a buy some gifts or souvenirs for the loved ones back home.

As your tour comes to an end, after breakfast, you proceed to the airport for your flight home, taking back a million memories.