Geoffrey Bawa Impressions (8 jours)

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffeur guide from Lakpura Travels. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and proceed to Colombo and check in to the hotel and relax.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed Mr. 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,

Later in the evening visit the Heritance Kandalama, which is designed by Mr. Geoffrey Bawa. 

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.

On completion return to the hotel and relax.

After breakfast at the hotel visit 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.

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. 

On completion return back to the hotel and relax.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Kandy, en route make a pause at Matale and visit Matale Heritage Center.

Thereafter proceed to Kandy and check in to the hotel and relax.

Later visit Embekke Temple and get amazed by the wood crafting masterpiece.

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 are 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 door frames.

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 pin.

Thereafter visit 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.

On completion return back to the hotel and relax.

After breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Bentota and check in to Lunuganga Estate, the country house of Mr. 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.

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.

On completion return to the estate and relax. 

After a refreshing breakfast at the hotel check out and visit Heritance Ahungalla, another design by great Geoffrey Bawa.

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.

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.

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. 

On completion proceed to Mirissa, check in to the hotel and relax.

Spend the day leisurely enjoying the beach and the hotel facilities

After a relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel check out and, drive to the Airport for your flight back home.