Geoffrey Bawa tour in Sri Lanka

Meet and assist by a representative of Mai Globe Travels on your arrival at the Bandaranayke International Airport, and transfer you to Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will begin your tour of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Enjoy the lush landscapes of Sri Lanka—rice fields, coconut groves and panoramic mountains—along the way. At Dambulla, visit the famous Cave Temples that have incredible Buddhist murals in a system of five caves. Climb to the top for a mesmerizing view of the surrounding area. Arrive at your hotel, Heritance Kandalama, designed by Bawa. After checking in to your room, tour the hotel to discover Bawa’s architectural masterpiece. Overnight at hotel. Dinner at your leisure.

Early in the morning, visit the famous Sigiriya rock fortress, an ancient royal abode with stunning frescoes, gardens, natural caves and ruins of the ancient palace. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sigiriya is the most visited site in Sri Lanka. Return to hotel to spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Pamper yourself with a relaxing Ayurveda treatment while enjoying the exceptional environment. Relax by the pool. Dinner at your leisure.

After a delicious breakfast, visit Polonnaruwa, an ancient royal capital of Sri Lanka dating back to the 11th century. Tour the historic sites either on foot or by bike, and discover ruins of royal palaces, Hindu kovils, bathing pools and temples. Visit the Gal Vihara that has four Buddha statues carved in granite stone, and stop by the fascinating archeological museum. In the afternoon, go on an exciting jeep safari to Minneriya National Park, famous for its elephant population as well as other exotic animals like crocodiles, water buffalo, deer, lizards, cormorants, pelicans and a wide array of other birds. The park is also interesting for its variety of landscapes that range from panoramic mountains to swamps. The best time to visit the park is from May to November. Dinner at your leisure.

After breakfast, hit the road for Kandy, the last royal capital of the island, bustling with history and aristocratic atmosphere. On the way, stop by an exotic spice garden in Matale. Visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens to marvel at impressive collections of orchids, royal palm trees, roses and other lovely flora and fauna. Go on a city tour on foot in the afternoon and visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth, believed to hold a tooth relic of the Buddha. Take a refreshing walk around the temple’s lake and stop by the vibrant vegetable market nearby. In the late afternoon, treat yourself to a traditional dance cultural show. Return to hotel for dinner (included) and overnight.

After breakfast leave for Colombo. If you prefer, you can make this trip by train to better enjoy the beautiful, mountainous scenery (not included in package). Stop in historic Colombo Fort, then drive to the island’s South Coast. Discover the hidden gems of this popular tourist area, like the alluring Unawatuna beach. Arrive at your hotel, the Lighthouse, designed by Bawa in 1995 on a rocky point. Tour the hotel’s impressive sights, such as the entrance staircase adorned with a monumental sculpture. Enjoy the hotel's impeccably designed public areas and restaurants opening towards the rocky beaches below. Dinner at your leisure.

Go on a memorable tour of Galle Fort guided by British author Juliet Combes. Stroll through the area’s narrow streets lined with charming shops selling decorative items and jewelry. In the afternoon, visit the Ahungalla Heritance, a hotel project developed by Bawa in 1979. If you prefer you can go for a luxury whale watching boat excursion that starts around 6 a.m. (not included in tour package). Return to your hotel for relaxation and overnight. Dinner at your leisure.

Drive towards the lovely beach town of Bentota and visit the Bentota Beach hotel designed by Bawa in 1969. Afterwards, visit Lunuganga Garden, a hypnotizing 10-acre garden once owned by Bawa. It has a restaurant and four bungalows now converted into hotel rooms. In the afternoon, stroll through the garden just like Bawa did decades ago and immerse yourself in his creative universe. Dinner at your leisure.

After a delicious breakfast, drive to Colombo to see the colonial relics left by the Portuguese and the British. Your driver will take you on a fascinating city tour of the old quarters of Fort and Pettah, Galle Face Green promenade, and the majestic parliament building that Bawa designed in 1979. Enjoy dinner (excluded) at Gallery Café restaurant, which Bawa used as his workshop for many years. Spend the night at his residence in Colombo with an exclusive private tour.

Today is the last day of your vacation in Sri Lanka. Depending on the time of your flight, you may have the opportunity to discover the city and its main attractions by tuk-tuk: the Dutch fort, Pettah, with its bazaar and mosque, and City Hall with its colonial buildings and Buddhist temple. It is also an opportunity to stock up on souvenirs before heading to the international airport.