Duration
13 days / 12 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Architecture
Destinations
Sri Lanka

This 13-day Sri Lanka getaway takes you on an architectural journey through the influential works of Geoffrey Bawa. See how Bawa incorporated Sri Lanka’s ancient and modern architecture into each of his works. His beautiful buildings are inspired by different aspects of the lush countryside - the beating sun, cool sea breeze, rushing waterfalls, and unending dense forests. Journey across the countryside through Kotugoda, Dambulla, Kandy, the Central Highlands, Tambulle, Bentota, Galle and Colombo.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Bawa's Swan Song: Marvel in Geoffrey Bawa’s final masterpiece, The Last House, a six-bedroom seaside estate with both ocean and lagoon views.
  • Ruhuna University: Like all of Bawa's visions, Matara's University of Ruhuna was constructed according to the natural landscape, creating a complex of pavilions, courtyards, and sea views intended to inspire academics.
  • The Legacy of Bawa: The architect's influence is felt throughout the country, from Colombo's Parliamentary Building to luxurious hotels, to a former rubber plantation reimagined as an idyllic garden retreat.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Kotugoda

Arrive in Colombo and transfer to nearby Kotugoda, where you will find your charming colonial-style bungalow at The Wallawwa. Indulge in a much-deserved rejuvenating massage after your long trip into Sri Lanka. This deluxe boutique hotel is the perfect place to relax and explore Sri Lanka’s lush natural landscape.

Hotel Options
About

Situated just 15 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport, The Wallawwa is an old colonial home that has been restored and converted into 17 guestrooms and suites-- The Mountbatten Suite, two Family Suites, two Wallawwa Bedrooms, and twelve Garden Suites. The property offers well-manicured, lush gardens, a library, a study with computer and complimentary internet access, a swimming pool, and a spa.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

Dambulla

Make the scenic 4-hour trip to Dambulla in the center of the northern region of the island. Here you will lay eyes on the first of many of Geoffrey Bawa’s creations - the 1994 Heritance Kandalama. Bawa coined the hotel as “an austere jungle palace.” The hotel is integrated seamlessly into the jungle surroundings and appears to be a part of the cliff face, giving guests breathtaking views of Kandalama Lake. Visit the area’s magnificent ancient Buddhist cave temples. Pay a visit to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Spend the night in luxury at the Heritance Kandalama.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Based in the epicentre of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka the Kandelama is an architectural wonder. Shaped like a bird with its wings drawn out and carved into the side of a mountain overlooking the eighth wonder of the world (Sigiriya), this hotel offers guests something really special.

History: The hotel was constructed between the years 1992-1995 on the outskirts of an area known as Dambulla, thought to be inhabited from as early as the 7th to 3rd century BC. Here, statues and paintings dating back to the 1st century BC can be found in caves.

Service: The Kandelama has won numerous awards for service including the CNN Ultimate Service Award in 2001. It also picked up the Trip Advisor Excellence Award in 2012.

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Heritance Kandalama Preferred Hotel
Dambulla
Dambulla

Day 3

Dambulla

After spending some time in the naturalist’s heaven at the Heritance Kandalama, climb the 1,840 steps to the Mihintale rock - a key monument for Buddhists. Check out the Mahakanadarawa stone bridge that has been suspended in the middle of the dense forest since the 7th century. The 2,500-year-old irrigation system is still in place and working. Retire to the Heritance Kandalama for the evening.

Day 4

Kandy

Your journey moves 2 hours away to the picturesque, quaint lake town of Kandy. The little town is considered Sri Lanka’s hill capital. That afternoon, enjoy touring the plush Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya and the Temple of the Tooth. The temple earned its name for containing an actual tooth belonging to Buddha. It’s been in the temple since the 4th-century. 

Hotel Options
About

Located in the centre of Kandy, just a short drive from the railway station and the famous Temple of the Tooth, Earl's Regency Hotel is a luxurious property with splendid views of the mountains around Kandy. All its rooms are air-conditioned and come with a minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities and a TV with satellite channels.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

This historic dwelling was once the ancestral home of a Kandyan family and was restored to its former splendor in 2005 by Channa Daswatte, Geoffrey Bawa’s protege. The two-story main house is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens, which have avocado, jackwood, papaya, Sri Lankan orange and Kithul trees - the perfect setting for afternoon tea complete with Kandy House’s desserts made with treacle from Kithul blossoms.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Tucked away in green in the heart of the city, Kings Pavilion offers an urban retreat in a prime Kandy location. Guest rooms are decorated in a cozy and modern style, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the space with natural light and balconies with mountain views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 5

Kandy

Enjoy a peaceful day in natural Kandy. Relax or stroll around Kandy Lake in the middle of the town. Feel tranquil as you visit the Udawattekele Sanctuary and explore the Primeval Forest. For all the tea aficionados - the Tea Museum is an unexpected treat in the town. Spend your final evening in the sleepy town at your hotel.

Kandy
Kandy

Day 6

Bogawantalawa Valley

Travel 2 hours into the Golden Valley of Tea in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. This tealeaf-covered area also boasts rolling hills, roaring waterfalls and incredible greenery. Spend the night at the incredible, extravagant Tea Trails. The four charming colonial-style bungalows were initially built for British tea estate managers.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This hotel enjoys a stunning and unique location, nestled high in the hills of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Tea region, bordering the World Heritage Central Highlands.

Service: Each room and suite comes with a personal butler, who serves guests Bed Tea in the morning and draws them a bath.

History: The world’s first-ever tea bungalow resort, this hotel celebrates the historic tea plants of Ceylon, first discovered over a century ago.

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Ceylon Tea Trails Preferred Hotel

Day 7

Bogawantalawa Valley

Start the morning off right with a freshly-picked cup of tea. You may want to enjoy the “Tea experience.” This begins with a plantation visit to learn about the handpicking business as far as the processing to packaging phases. Enjoy a scenic mountain bike ride on one of the many trails - guides are available from the hotel if you would like. Kayak out onto the reservoirs of Castlereagh and Maskeliya.

Day 8

Tangalle

Leave the hills and head 3 hours to the Southwestern portion of the country to tropical Tangalle. Spend two nights in Bawa’s final creation - fittingly-coined the Last House. Built with a lagoon on one side and a beach on the other - you can have the best of both worlds. This is your accommodation for the next three nights. Spend your first day exploring the unending beach. Go for a swim in the fresh, sparkling water.

Hotel Options
About

A remarkable seaside manor, The Last House is appropriately named as it was the final masterpiece designed and constructed under the direction of world-renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa. The seaside estate is a striking example of Bawa's signature 'tropical modernist' style.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Tangalle
Tangalle

Day 9

Tangalle

Explore the small fishing village of Rekawa. There is an incredible Marine Turtle Conservation project where you may be lucky enough to spot the endangered animal. Chat with locals and observe their simpler way of life. Return to the Last House for the evening.

Day 10

Tangalle

If you’re feeling up for an active day, consider whale watching, snorkeling, sailing, river trips and sea kayaking. The company employs youth affected by the tsunami. Pay a visit to the ancient Mulkirigala temple. The temple rests atop a boulder more than 650 feet above sea level. Revel at the ancient inscriptions dating back more than 2,000 years. Spend your final evening at the Last House.

Day 11

Bentota

Enjoy a scenic 2-hour coastal drive as you make your way to historic Bentota. Along the way, you’ll stop and visit the Ruhuna University in Matara. Bawa created the university by combining space and the natural landscape between the university’s two hills. Between numerous pavilions, courtyards and a stunning view of the Indian Ocean, Bawa transformed the area into a haven for the academic youth. After Matara, you will make a stop in Galle to visit the UNESCO site of the town's 17th-century fort. View period Portuguese and Dutch architecture and wander through the town’s narrow alleys, imagining life centuries ago. Enjoy lunch at the Lighthouse Hotel, designed by Geoffrey Bawa in 1994. The Lighthouse maintains a Portuguese style, reenacting the country’s landing at Galle in brass and bronze on the expansive main stairwell. Once you reach Bentota, spend two nights in Bawa’s garden retreat, which was once a rubber plantation. The Lunuganga is notable as Bawa’s personal space. The property was known for being his favorite retreat and where he spent nearly 50 years developing his work and style. The dense foliage, pavilions and statues have turned this once-industrial area into a garden haven.

Hotel Options
About

The Lunuganga Estate was the private residence of world-renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. It was on this property that Bawa spent nearly 50 years experimenting and perfecting his ideas and visions.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Bentota
Bentota

Day 12

Colombo

Take a morning flight and spend the last evening of your adventure in Colombo, where you will be staying at the elegant boutique hotel, The Tintagel, in Sri Lanka’s famous ancestral neighborhood. The hotel was once occupied by Sri Lanka's former president’s family. You can see the Parliament Building also built by Bawa. The building sits in the middle of a massive man-made lake. We recommend having dinner at Bawa’s office turned into a restaurant - The Gallery. Rest up at your luxury hotel before your flight home tomorrow. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Tintagel is located in the middle of the city, surrounded by upmarket residences and shops. It’s approximately a 45-minute drive away from the airport and five minutes’ walk from Odel Shopping Mall, the most desirable shopping location in the area.

History: Colombo was one of the most popular East-West trade routes in centuries past. The Tintagel, a colonial mansion that takes one back in time, echoes such history.

Service: The Tintagel is widely-known for its unbeatable, bespoke service, and its friendly, warm staff.

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Tintagel Preferred Hotel

Day 13

Departure

Today, enjoy breakfast at your hotel, before being transferred to the airport to catch your departing international flight.

Suggested Hotel For Day 1

The Wallawwa

The Wallawwa

Situated just 15 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport, The Wallawwa is an old colonial home that has been restored and converted into 17 guestrooms and suites-- The Mountbatten Suite, two Family Suites, two Wallawwa Bedrooms, and twelve Garden Suites. The property offers well-manicured, lush gardens, a library, a study with computer and complimentary internet access, a swimming pool, and a spa. The Verandah offers Asian Fusion cuisine and is set overlooking the property's beautiful gardens.

Suggested Hotel For Days 2–3

Heritance Kandalama
Preferred Hotel

Heritance Kandalama

Designed by famed Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, the unique Heritance Kandalama hotel is set into a cliff face among dense tropical forests, flanked by the Dambulla rock temple and Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The hotel’s buildings were planned to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment and are covered with hanging vines and flowering plants. Each of the 152 rooms faces either Kandalama Lake or the forest – even the bathrooms were planned to showcase the view – and is decorated in an elegantly simple contemporary style. The Kandalama is the first Green Globe 21-certified hotel in Asia, and the first hotel in the world to be awarded the prestigious LEED Green Building certification. There are three restaurants to choose from, including the Kanchana Café, which has won multiple awards. Among The Kandalama’s amenities are a pool, business center and fitness center, while the world-renowned Six Senses Spa has a location here that offers Asian, Swedish, aromatherapy and Ayurvedic massage.

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Suggested Hotels For Days 4–5

Kings Pavilion

Kings Pavilion

Tucked away in green in the heart of the city, Kings Pavilion offers an urban retreat in a prime Kandy location. Guest rooms are decorated in a cozy and modern style, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the space with natural light and balconies with mountain views. Suites also offer living areas and whirlpool tubs. Hotel facilities include a restaurant with a terrace, an outdoor swimming pool, lush gardens and a spa with a sauna.
Earl's Regency Hotel

Earl's Regency Hotel

Located in the centre of Kandy, just a short drive from the railway station and the famous Temple of the Tooth, Earl's Regency Hotel is a luxurious property with splendid views of the mountains around Kandy. All its rooms are air-conditioned and come with a minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities and a TV with satellite channels. Free WiFi is available in the public areas. The hotel also has a 24-hour coffee shop, as well as the sumptuous Far Pavilions restaurant, which offers local and international cuisine. The spa has massage rooms, a sauna and steam room, and there are also tennis and badminton courts.
Kandy House

Kandy House

This historic dwelling was once the ancestral home of a Kandyan family and was restored to its former splendor in 2005 by Channa Daswatte, Geoffrey Bawa’s protege. The two-story main house is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens, which have avocado, jackwood, papaya, Sri Lankan orange and Kithul trees - the perfect setting for afternoon tea complete with Kandy House’s desserts made with treacle from Kithul blossoms. Each of the nine guest rooms is furnished with stunning Dutch antique furniture, many with a four-poster bed. The modern en-suite bathrooms provide a washed concrete-style double vanity area and shower area, and a stately Victorian bath. The Verandah rooms - Peacock Royal and Red Spot Duke - are the hotel’s most spacious rooms which open onto a wide wrap-around verandah, dotted with cane chaises lounges, reading chairs and antiques. Although there is no Internet connection and cell phone service is patchy, guests will find plenty to do here with yoga classes, Ayurvedic treatments and hikes through Kandy’s flora and fauna. The restaurant serves Western and Sri Lankan fare, all prepared with seasonal produce fresh from the Kandy market, and homemade cakes and cookies are available at teatime.

Suggested Hotel For Days 6–7

Ceylon Tea Trails
Preferred Hotel

Ceylon Tea Trails

Sri Lanka, once known as Ceylon, is one of the world's historic centers of tea production, replete with rolling green hills and genteel plantation homes. Ceylon Tea Trails, run by the Dilmah Tea Company, has restored four classic colonial bungalows built for British tea estate managers in the days of the Raj. These historic houses offer guests the unique experience of life on a working tea estate in the highlands (elevation here is over 4,000 feet). The bungalows range in size from four to six rooms and two have their own pools. Summerville and Castlereagh are situated opposite each other on the shores of the Castlereagh Lake, Norwood is at the other end of the valley about 15 minutes away by car and Tientsin is about 30 minutes away in the next valley. Maintained trails with beautiful views run between all the bungalows, and through the surrounding hillsides and plantations. Each house comes with its own manager, chef, butler and houseboys; in-house massage appointments can be arranged. Meals and afternoon tea are prepared by your private chef using gourmet ingredients and produce grown right on the property, and can be served indoors or on the lawn.

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Suggested Hotel For Days 8–10

The Last House

The Last House


A remarkable seaside manor, The Last House is appropriately named as it was the final masterpiece designed and constructed under the direction of world-renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa. The seaside estate is a striking example of Bawa's signature 'tropical modernist' style. The six-bedroom house provides beautiful views of the sea and lagoon and luxurious offerings, which include spa treatments, a kitchen with a diverse menu, and a list of outdoor and cultural activities. The entire property can be privately reserved, or guests can stay in one of the individual rooms or suites, which include The Cinnamon Hill Suite or the Moonamal, Atteriya and Na rooms.


Suggested Hotel For Day 11

Lunuganga

Lunuganga


The Lunuganga Estate was the private residence of world-renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. It was on this property that Bawa spent nearly 50 years experimenting and perfecting his ideas and visions. The result is a Sri Lankan national treasure--a beautiful combination of elaborate and wild gardens and living spaces framing the natural setting of the residence. Enjoy the secluded walkways, romantic gardens, and breathtaking views of Deduwa Lake and relax in this work of art that perfectly blends the wild with the civilized. 


Suggested Hotel For Day 12

Tintagel
Preferred Hotel

Tintagel

The dramatic and sultry Tintagel property is located in central Colombo, close to Colombo Town Hall, National Art Gallery and Sinhalese Sports Club. The hotel was previously home to three of Sri Lanka’s political leaders, making it an important structure of national heritage. This unique and intimate hotel boasts ten high-ceilinged suites with timber floors, lavishly decorated with a unique blend of color, texture and atmosphere. The spacious bathrooms feature rain showers, bathtubs and large vanities. All rooms include complimentary WiFi, LCD TV screens with DVD/CD players, a minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities and Egyptian cotton bedding. Selected suites come with a private courtyard or a balcony. There are a range of dining facilities including an alfresco restaurant, a chic indoor restaurant offering international cuisine, a private dining room and a bar with black leather lounges and bronze tables. Other facilities and services of the hotel include a spa with optional in-room service, swimming pool, gym, steam room, library and courtyard.

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Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

A Luxurious Comeback for Sri Lanka

Author
Remote Lands
The tiny island of Sri Lanka has endured a lot, both in the past and in recent memory. Torn apart by civil war and a devastating tsunami, this strong and determined little country has fought its way through the hard times and come out on the other side not only with its beauty and culture intact, but also with its eyes on bigger rewards.
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