Geoffrey Bawa Architecture 8 Days Tour With Holiday Walkers Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Bawa Architecture 8 Days Tour With Holiday Walkers Sri Lanka

Discover Sri Lanka through the lens of its most famous architect, Geoffrey Bawa, and the rich heritage that inspired him. Immerse yourself in Bawa’s work by staying in properties he designed, taking in both the traditional Sri Lankan and Dutch Colonial architecture that culminated in Bawa’s signature ‘tropical modernism’ style. You’ll also have plenty of time to explore Sri Lanka’s other cultural highlights, including the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress. Plus, since much of Bawa’s work adorns the southern coast, round off your experience with some rest and relaxation on palm-fringed beaches - it’s a holiday, after all!

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport to Dambulla

Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
The beautiful Royal Rock Temple complex sits about 160m above the road in the southern part of Dambulla. Five separate caves contain about 150 absolutely stunning Buddha statues and paintings, some of Sri Lanka's most important and evocative religious art. Buddha images were first created here over 2000 years ago, and over the centuries subsequent kings added to and embellished the cave art.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Heritance Kandalama Hotel
Explore the hotel and the surroundings, a famous creation of Geoffrey Bawa.

Day 2: Sigiriya

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Lion Rock in Sigiriya is one of the most popular landmarks to visit during a route through Sri Lanka. The natural phenomenon is an enormous (200m) square shaped rock that looks like it’s placed there. Lion Rock is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage sights and is a must visit in Sri Lanka.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Pidurangala Rock, Pidurangala,Sigiriya, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
While Sigiriya Rock is rich in history and has some pretty dramatic features such as the lion’s paw and the mirror wall, Pidurangala Rock has a much more natural feel, despite also housing a temple.

Pidurangala Rock is adjacent to Sigiriya Rock and is the best viewing spot of Sigiriya Rock as it is only slightly lower. Pidurangala is a popular spot for sunrise as you can enjoy 360-degree views of not only the valleys but also Sigiriya Rock.

There is no need to choose between the two. Many travelers wake up for the sunrise at Pidurangala and then head to sunset on top of Sigiriya Rock.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Heritance Kandalama Hotel
Explore the hotel and the surroundings, a famous creation of Geoffrey Bawa.

Day 3: Dambulla to Colombo via Kandy

Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha. During puja (offerings or prayers), the heavily guarded room housing the tooth is open to devotees and tourists. However, you don’t actually see the tooth. It’s kept in a gold casket shaped like a dagoba (stupa), which contains a series of six dagoba caskets of diminishing size.

As well as the revered main temple, the complex includes a series of smaller temples, shrines and museums.
Duration: 45 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Geoffrey Bawa Number 11 Hotel
Explore the hotel and the surroundings, a famous creation of Geoffrey Bawa.

Day 4: Colombo to Ahungalla

Stop At: Parliament of Sri Lanka, Sri Jayawardenepura Sri Lanka
Parliament building designed by Mr.Bawa (Special permission could be obtained for an interior tour).
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Heritance Ahungalla Hotel
Explore the hotel and the surroundings, a famous creation of Geoffrey Bawa.

Day 5: Ahungalla

Stop At: Lunuganga, Dedduwa Lake, Bentota 80500 Sri Lanka
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.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Heritance Ahungalla Hotel
Explore the hotel and the surroundings, a famous creation of Geoffrey Bawa.

Day 6: Galle

Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
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.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Jetwing Light House Hotel
Explore the hotel and the surroundings, a famous creation of Geoffrey Bawa.

Day 7: Mirissa

Stop At: Coconut Tree Hill, Mirissa Sri Lanka
Coconut Tree Hill Mirissa is a unique cliff located at the end of a beach which is covered in palm trees. Tourists flock to this spot to take photos with all the beautiful tall palms that overlook the ocean. If you’re staying in Mirissa, be sure not to miss this beautiful spot.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Jetwing Light House Hotel
Explore the hotel and the surroundings, a famous creation of Geoffrey Bawa.

Day 8: Galle to Airport

Stop At: Bandaranaike International Airport, Canada Friendship Rd, කටුනායක 11450, Sri Lanka
After a relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel check out and, drive to the Airport for your flight back home!
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.