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Geoffrey Bawa Impressions

Geoffrey Bawa Impressions

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Geoffrey Bawa Impressions

8 Day tour of Sri Lanka

Explore the Architectural is a trip for those who appreciate true beauty of landscapes and unique wildlife. Explore the mangrove depths of Lunuganga Estate which was once the home of Sir Geoffrey Bawa. Enjoy walking over cobblestones seeped in history as you view the old city of Galle. Create an unforgettable and wonderful experience on your vacation.

Highlights

  • World Class – UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Last Kingdom – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic & Kandyan Culture.
  • On the Shores – Explore the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka.

Itinerary

Colombo - 1 Night

Day 01

After arrival at the Colombo Airport, you will be picked up from the Airport by your Chauffeur Guide from Lakpura. After the introductions, you will be escorted by air-conditioned private vehicle to your hotel in Colombo.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Hotel Sapphire
Standard Option (4 Star) – Mount Lavinia Hotel
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Cinnamon Grand

Dambulla - 2 Nights

Day 02

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed Mr. Geoffrey Bawa’s Colombo Residence. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Geoffrey Bawa’s Colombo Residence

The house in 33rd Lane is an essay in architectural bricolage. In 1958 Bawa bought the third in a row of four small houses which lay along a short cul-de-sac at the end of a narrow suburban lane and converted it into a pied-à-terre with living room, bedroom, tiny kitchen and room for a servant. When the fourth bungalow became vacant this was colonized to serve as dining room and second living room. Ten years later the remaining bungalows were acquired and added into the composition and the first in the row was demolished to be replaced by a four-story tower.

Thereafter proceed to your hotel in Dambulla, Heritance Kandalama, which is designed by Mr. Geoffrey Bawa. (Travel Time: 4 to 4 ½ hrs)

Heritance Kandalama

Heritance Kandalama is an archiectural masterpiece built by the late Geoffrey Bawa. Like all of Bawa’s work, this Luxury Expressed five-star hotel too is built around the landscape incorporating its elements in a sensitive and delicate manner. As such it isn’t unusual to see boulders sticking out of the middle of a corridor, or a wall that blends into rock, or to see the songbirds nesting in the eaves of the roof, and more. Full of pleasant surprises the entire hotel stands on large stone ‘stilts’, in order to cause minimal damage to the ground cover, and is a staggering 1km in length with seven floors. The flat roof and wooden pillars attract wildlife making it part of nature itself; which is why it is the first hotel in Asia to be Green Globe 21 certified and the Gold Award winner for the Built Environment category in the Green Apple Awards. Heritance Kandalama is also the first LEEDS certified hotel in the World.

Day 03

After breakfast at the hotel visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Sigiriya Rock fortress

Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ‘ the Lion Rock’. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns.  Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.

Thereafter proceed to Polonnaruwa and visit the Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins)

The Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka’s ancient history.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Fresco Water Villa
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Lodge
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Heritance Kandalama

Kandy - 1 Night

Day 04

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Kandy, en route make a pause at Matale and visit Matale Heritage Center. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Thereafter proceed to Kandy and check in to the hotel and relax. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Later visit Embekke Temple and get amazed by the wood crafting masterpiece. (Travel Time: 30 to 40 mins)

Embekke Temple

The temple is made almost entirely of wood. From carved wooden pillars in the Halls which have open sides to the beautifully crafted roof, the entire area is covered in carvings. The bases of the pillars are octagonal in shape while their tops end in the shapes of a four leaves stacked in a square. The pillars have various images carved into the sides of the bases. In addition, carvings adorn the beams, rafters and doorframes.

Notable carvings among these masterpieces were those of the entwined swans, double-headed eagles, entwined rope designs, breast-feeding image, a soldier fighting on horseback, female dancers, wrestlers, women emanating from a vein, bird-human hybrid, elephant-bull hybrid, elephant-lion hybrid and etc. The carvings of the entire temple include 125 series of decorations, 256 liyawela type designs, and 64 lotus designs, 30 decorative patterns and roof designs, ending up in 514 unique designs. The roof of the temple is an excellent example of ancient wooden architecture, where the 26 rafters are supported by a single wooden wooden pin.

Thereafter visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Oakray Regency
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Citadel
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Earl’s Regency

Bentota - 1 Night

Day 05

After breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Bentota and check in to Lunuganga Estate, the country house of Mr. Geoffrey Bawa. (Travel Time: 5 to 5 ½ hrs)

Lunuganga Estate, The country house of  Geoffrey Bawa

Lunuganga Estate was the country home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. Started in 1947, the garden led Bawa, a lawyer called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1940, to decide to become an architect. As he went on to become Sri Lanka’s and one of Asia’s most prolific and influential architects, the garden at the Lunuganga estate remained his first muse and experimental laboratory for new ideas. He continued to change and experiment with its spaces and structures throughout his life until his final illness in 1998. Left to the Lunuganga Trust on his demise in 2003, the gardens are now open to the public and the buildings on the estate are run as a country house hotel.

Later proceed and visit the AVANI Bentota, one of Bawa designs.

AVANI Bentota

Offering stylish, hassle-free escapes to one of Sri Lanka’s best beaches, AVANI Bentota Resort & Spa is a designer hotel by the famous architect Geoffrey Bawa. An intimate hotel with just 75 rooms and suites, all the details that matter combines essential comforts and incredible Indian Ocean views, traditional hospitality is matched by upscale international appeal and blissful beach time can be mixed with must-see attractions.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Earl’s Reef
Standard Option (4 Star) – The Surf
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Cinnamon Bey

Tangalle - 2 Nights

Day 06

After a refreshing breakfast at the hotel check out and visit Heritance Ahungalla, another design by great Geoffrey Bawa. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Heritance Ahungalla

Heritance Ahungalla Hotel, a luxury beach hotel at the fishing village of Ahungalla, close to Galle is a five-star luxury property designed by Geoffrey Bawa, the master architect of Sri Lanka. Arrival at the luxury hotel to the open-plan lobby presents you all with a stunning long view of the infinity pool reaching all the way to the sea. The airy and spacious hotel is designed in such a way as to make the maximum off the natural light of the sunny beach at Heritance Ahungalla. The expansive wooded gardens of the hotel are well shaded from the tropical sun.

Thereafter proceed to Galle and visit Jetwing Lighthouse. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Jetwing Lighthouse

Jetwing Lighthouse is five-star hotel on the outskirts of the old Dutch Colonial town of Galle. Designed by the famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, the resort is another of his iconic works with its elegance, old world charm and uniqueness. Providing fantastic service, delicious cuisine and a host of facilities and activities; the hotel provides an ideal tropical holiday retreat for the ages.

Thereafter visit Old Colonial City of Galle. (Travel Time: 10 to 20 mins)

Old Colonial City of Galle

Discover the city of Galle, where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters, and its secrets. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best preserved fortifications in Asia. View the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names as you learn more about their histories.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Lagoon Paradise Beach Resort
Standard Option (4 Star) – Ranna 212
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – The Last House

Departure

After breakfast at the hotel on your final day, proceed to the Colombo International Airport (CMB) and get ready for your departure after spending a memorable time on the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Price Starting From:

USD 1335 Per Person

When to go on this trip?

The best time of the year you can enjoy this trip is from December to May. Calm south coast beaches, cool and sunny climate and green sceneries that blend perfectly with the locations you are traveling to.

When to book

We recommend that you book this tour at least 6 months ahead.

What add-ons are available for this trip?

We can arrange for just about any add-on’s on this trip. Have a chat with one of our Tour Consultants to help you decide.

Our Experts are ready to help

For more information or to book this wonderful tour please email our travel experts.

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    Hotel Timing

    Standard Check in time : 1400 hrs.
    Standard Check out time : 1200 hrs.
    The above may differ from hotel to hotel. Speak to your travel expert for more details.
    We are able to arrange early check-in and late check-outs depending on the hotels you choose. However, you may be subject to additional charges.

    Booking Process

    After deciding on which trip you want to go, send us an inquiry with the requested details. If you want to further customize this trip, our travel experts would be glad to help perfect the tour itinerary for you. Once all planning is final, the next step is starting the booking process. We request for a 20% deposit to confirm the booking. On receipt of the deposit, our team will start booking your hotels and the vehicles that were agreed upon. The balance 80% payment can be made 30 to 45 days prior to the date of arrival. For cancellation and refund policies please take a look at the terms & conditions.

    Price

    The price quoted is valid till April 2018. Will be subject to seasonal supplements. Speak to your travel expert to learn more details.

    Packing Essentials

    When packing for Sri Lanka, you only need to remember that this is a tropical country. Sunny weather & warm water. Hence, packing thin cotton clothing is essential. However, if your stay includes places like Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Ella, we recommend that you pack a few sweaters just in case. You must not forget the following:

    • Effective mosquito repellent.
    • A good sunscreen.
    • (Ladies) Tampons – Nearly impossible to find outside Colombo.
    • Universal power adapter.

    Travel Insurance

    We recommend that you purchase travel insurance before you travel.

    VISA

    Visa can be obtained online via www.eta.gov.lk. You can obtain Visa on arrival as well, however, this option is not available for some countries. Do read more on this topic here.

    Travel Information

    Sri Lanka is a developing nation. Yet, there are many things you must look out for during your travel. For example; when visiting religious sites, it is important that you dress to cover. All key information you need to know before traveling is right here.