Sri Lanka has impressive both modern and historical architectural legacies. These tours are designed to giving a traveller an insight about the splendor of real architectural marvels of Sri Lanka. Learn and discover ruins of ancient kingdoms provide evidence of a sophisticated civilization on the island which possessed advanced knowledge of science and technology, town planning and design, and valued the aesthetic beauty of the arts, the influences European architecture over the Portuguese, Dutch and British Colonial Period and work of the Sri Lanka’s most influential modern architect Geoffrey Bawa, was responsible for linking the ancient architecture of this island with that of the modern world.
DURATION: 8 DAYS – 7 NIGHTS TOUR
DAY 1: AIR PORT TO NEGAMBO
Arrival at Bandaranayeke International Ari Port and transfer to Hotel in Negambo.
Hotel you stay is Jetwing lagoon; Sri Lanka’s first modern resort and one of Bawa’s inaugural hotel projects. (1965 - Originally Blue Lagoon).
Dinner & Overnight stay at Jetwing lagoon.
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DAY 2: NEGAMBO TO DAMBULLA
After breakfast leave Dambulla for two nights. En-route visit Diyabuabuala ; the garden and home of artist Laki Senanayake who contributed paintings, murals and sculptures to many of Bawa’s architectural projects. Today it is run as The Barberyn Art & Jungle Hideaway, preserving with Laki’s legacy on Art, Sculpture and Architecture. The hotel you stay for two nights is Heritance Kandalama ; one of Bawa’s very best masterpieces in hotel designs.
Dinner & overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama Hotel
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DAY 3: DAMBULLA / SIGIRIYA / DAMBULLA
After breakfast visit Sigiriya UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriye : the lion rock, a rock fortress-cum royal palace complex of 5thc AD, was created by king Kashyape. This king not only fortified his stronghold but also added to it artistic beauty with water gardens, pavilions, courtyards, summer houses etc..… About two hours can happily be spent walking through its water gardens, and then up the steep steps - either hewn out of the rock or on circular iron staircases - past the frescoes. You will be in no rush to abandon the spectacular views at the summit .
Dinner & overnight stay at the same Hotel : Heritance Kandalama
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DAY 04: DAMBULLA TO COLOMBO
After breakfast leave for Colombo and en-route explore Colombo city. The commercial capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo is a fascinating place as it blends of local & western architecture together. The City Tour will include places of architectural interest such as Independent Square, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall , Lotus Pond, Buddhist Temple ( Gangarama Seema malakaya-designed
by Geoffrey Bawa (1979-78),Hindu Temple ,Churches and colonial era buildings like Old parliament, Town Hall and a visit of Geoffrey Bawa’s former town House at No. 11 (1960-98), (Closed during weekends) and present Parliament building (1979-82) designed by Mr.Bawa (Special permission could be obtained for an interior tour). In the afternoon visit Gallery Café & Paradise Road, Geoffrey Bawa’s former office.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Galle Face Hotel- Colombo
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Day 05: COLOMBO TO BENTOTA
After breakfast leave for Bentota for two nights and en-route visit some of Bawa designed hotel projects like Blue Water Hotel (1996-98) in Wadduwa and kani Lanka (1994-96) and Anantara Resort (completed 2016 to Bawa’s design) in Kalutara, Heritance Ayurveda Maha Gedara formally Neptune Hotel (1973-76) in Beruwala and Avani Bentota Resort (1967-70) originally Serendib Hotel in Bentota .
Hotel you stay for two nights is Cinnamon Bentota Beach (1967-69 formally Bentota Beach Hotel) is too designed by Geoffrey Bawa
Dinner & Overnight stay at Cinnamon Bentota Beach -Bentota
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DAY 06: BENTOTA
After breakfast visit Lunuganga (1948-1998) in Bentota, the country house and lifetime creation of Mr. Bawa. (a guided tour will be conducted in the property).then visit to Brief Garden ,the landscape garden and residence of Bevis Bawa, the older brother of Geoffrey Bawa.
Dinner & Overnight stay at the same hotel ; Cinnamon Bentota Beach
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DAY 07: BENTOTA TO GALLE
After breakfast leave for Galle for two nights. En-route visit more creations of Bawa like Club Vila Bentota (1979), Heritance Ahungalla (formally Triton Hotel 1979-81), Coral Gardens Hotel (additions and renovations-1966) in Hikkaduwa. Afternoon explores 17th century Dutch Fort in Galle (UNESCO World Heritage Site); Sri Lanka’s most perfectly preserved colonial townscape with sedate streets of personable Dutch villas enclosed by a chain of imposing ramparts. The hotel you stay in Galle for over nights is Light House Hotel (1995-97) is also a Bawa design.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Light House Hotel –Galle
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DAY 08: DEPARTURE – GALLE TO AIR PORT
Leave for Airport for Departure (According to your flight times)
THE TOUR INCLUDES
THE TOUR EXCLUDES: