General
This tour draws pure inspiration from the late, great and talented Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa. Sri Lanka is often visited for its dreamy beaches and balmy weather, but it also holds a strong modern design and architectural history that’s often overlooked. Bawa helped give Sri Lanka an individual and sophisticated sense of style and produced sustainable architecture long before it became a fashionable trend.
On this exciting and stirring itinerary, not only will you visit the places he lived in, designed and drew inspiration from but you will also stay in some of these places. Start your Bawa journey in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle where you will visit such sights as Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Granted World Heritage status by UNESCO, the rock fortress is possibly one of Sri Lanka’s most extraordinary and mesmerising sights. From Dambulla to Kandy, explore this historical and cultural city.
As Sri Lanka’s artistic heart, here you will meet two of the island’s best and most captivating artists. Next, head to the capital city of Colombo and visit Geoffrey Bawa’s home and architectural studio, now transformed into Colombo’s most loved restaurant, The Gallery Café. Whilst Bawa’s office has been transformed into a bar, the space has been kept much as it was during Bawa’s time with an open courtyard and a reflecting pool.
Continue on to his country house estate Lunuganga, close to the beach resort of Bentota. This masterpiece was a true labour of love, a 50 year project which documented his ability to tame wild tropics and turn them into a cultivated vision. Follow the coast and explore the fort in Galle where quaint boutique stores are found within lovingly restored old houses. End your stay relaxing in the beach resort of Tangalle at ‘The Last House’, which, as the name suggests, was Bawa’s final architectural creation.
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU:
NEGOMBO CITY TOUR / SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS / LOCAL VILLAGE TOUR / THE THREE TEMPLE LOOP TOUR / ART & PHILOSOPHY TOUR DRUMMING LESSON / COLOMBO’S CULTURE TOUR / EXPLORATION OF BAWA’S WORKS / THE LUNUGANGA ESTATE / MASK MAKING
| Destination | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Cities & Locations | Negombo / Dambulla / Kandy / Colombo / Bentota / Galle / Tangalle |
| Duration | 13 Days / 12 Nights |
Itinerary
This holiday is solely a suggested itinerary: it can be booked as it is or used as a starting point for creating your very own custom-made tour.
Terms & Conditions
Itinerary and price subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. Please refer to our full terms and conditions available on our brochure or from our website. Active Asia reserves the right to alter the hotels and/or the itinerary if needed due to availability and/or adverse weather conditions.
With a unique blend of old and new, the sprawling capital city of Colombo offers a vibrant experience and is often used as a starting point for the adventures that lie ahead in Sri Lanka. Paying homage to its once foreign stronghold, colonial style buildings and churches stand effortlessly amongst modern office blocks, peaceful Buddhist 
Immerse yourself in Sri Lanka’s ancient culture by visiting the famed ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, all of which are found within the dubbed Cultural Triangle. Offering a treasure trove of archaeological sites, home to some of the finest in the country, many of which are declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From 
A must on any Sri Lankan itinerary, the south western coast boasts the perfect mix of beach and culture along with offering ideal stops between the wilds of Yala. Hugging the coastline, common stops include Bentota, Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama and Mirissa. Bentota is a great place to relax with its pristine beaches and is home 
Capital of the mighty hill country, Kandy sits at the heart of Sri Lanka and offers a unique laid-back charm. Surrounded by misty hills and with a beautiful lake at its core, the city remains as one of Sri Lanka’s most significant cultural and religious centres. The Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and 
Sri Lanka is a destination that stimulates all the senses – tropical beaches, cooler mountainous terrain punctuated with waterfalls, incredibly rich wildlife, tea plantations, fabulous food and diverse culture featuring time old ancient sites. Start your adventures in the city of Colombo, with its old-world colonial charm, temples, old churches and markets. Sit on the