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SKU:LK10895011

Geoffrey Bawa Impressions (8 Days)

Geoffrey Bawa Impressions (8 Days)

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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.

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01 Day in  Colombo

Prior to exploring the Geoffrey Bawa masterpieces, once you arrive in Colombo, which is the commercial hub of Sri Lanka, you can check into your hotel and relax to your hearts content. You will be transported in air-conditioned vehicles. Bawa is one of the most influential Asian architects in his generation

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffeur guide from Lakpura. 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. (Travel Time – 30 to 40 mins)

02 Days in Dambulla

On the way to Dambulla, you can visit Bawa’s Colombo Residence which is a masterpiece of its own. You can visit one of his architectural accomplishments in the North Central province of Sri Lanka - the Heritance Kandalama Hotel which is a luxurious five star hotel. You can also visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

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.

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.

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.

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.

01 Day in Kandy

En-route to Kandy, you can visit the Matale Heritage Centre and then pay homage to two of the most important temples in Kandy. The Embekke Temple is known for its intricate wood carvings and if you are a follower of ancient art and heritage this would be a wonderful experience. You will also visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth

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 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 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.

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relica 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.

01 Day in Bentota

In Bentota, you will be transported into a magical place - The Lunuganga Estate which is Geoffrey Bawa’s country house is hidden in the garden while it remained his first muse and experimental area for any new ideas that will come his way. Then you can head to Avani Bentota Resort and Spa which an idea of his also

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.

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.

02 Days in Tangalle

While spending your last couple of days in Tangalle, you can enjoy your stay and explore the architectural designs of Bawa at the Heritance Ahungalle Hotel and the Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel. Since you have two days in the South, you can enjoy sometime by the beach and explore the city of Galle along with the magnificent Fort

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.

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.

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.

Enjoying the beach

Spend the day leisurely enjoying the beach and the hotel facilities.

Departure

After city tour proceed to Airport for your departure flight after spending a memorable time on the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

As featured on:

Includes:

  • Transport in a Private Vehicle, Fuel, Parking & Highway tolls.
  • Service of English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide.
  • All prevailing taxes and service charges.
  • 2 x 500ml Water Bottles per Person per Day.

Excludes:

  • Hotel Accommodation and Meals.
  • Entrance fees to the respective sites.
  • Chauffeur Guide's Accommodation.
  • Expenses of personal nature.
  • Visa and Related Expenses.
  • Tips & Portages.

Complimentary:

  • 1 x 1 Litre water bottle per person per day.
  • 1 x Local SIM card per room.
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