Discover Sri Lanka through the spaces, landscapes and ideas that shaped one of Asia’s most influential architectural legacies.
Sri Lanka by Design is a carefully curated journey inspired by Geoffrey Bawa and the island’s distinctive approach to tropical living. Rather than following a conventional sightseeing route, the journey explores Sri Lanka through architecture, gardens, heritage, local craftsmanship, food and landscape.
From Bawa’s intimate Colombo residence at Number 11 to the extraordinary gardens of Lunuganga, guests experience how architecture in Sri Lanka responds to climate, nature, light and everyday life. The journey continues beyond Bawa, connecting ancient cities, contemporary design, tea country, coastal heritage and carefully selected stays.
The Geoffrey Bawa Trust manages Bawa’s historic Number 11 residence and Lunuganga estate, along with the Ena de Silva House and De Saram House, making these important parts of his architectural legacy accessible through organised visits.
Land Only – International flights are not included. If you require assistance with flight arrangements, please contact us for available options.
Jetwing Beach, Heritance Kandalama
Earl’s Regency Kandy
Jetwing Lighthouse Galle
Lunuganga by Teardrop Hotels
Cinnamon Bentota Beach – Signature Selection
Daily breakfast is included, with dinner as specified in the itinerary. Dining is also incorporated into the design experience, including dinner at Paradise Road The Gallery Café, located within Geoffrey Bawa’s former office in Colombo.
The journey includes entrance fees and curated experiences specified in the itinerary, together with the services of a dedicated English-speaking chauffeur guide or National Guide according to guest numbers. Specialist experiences include Number 11, Lunuganga, Bawa-designed hotels, Sri Lankan craftsmanship, contemporary design, tea heritage and a private wildlife safari. All applicable government taxes and service charges are included
Travel throughout Sri Lanka in private air-conditioned transportation, accompanied by a dedicated English-speaking chauffeur guide or National Guide as applicable. The private arrangement allows the journey to move comfortably between Colombo, the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, Galle and Bentota while maintaining the curated nature of the itinerary.
A personalised meet-and-greet service on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport and private arrival transfer are included, together with transportation throughout the planned journey. The tour concludes with a transfer towards Colombo or Bandaranaike International Airport according to the guest’s departure flight schedule.
Further personalise the journey with accommodation enhancements, private experiences and additional curated arrangements, available upon request and subject to availability. Extensions can also be considered for guests wishing to spend additional time exploring Sri Lanka’s architecture, design, culture or coast.
Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your chauffeur guide and begin your journey into Negombo.
Relax in elegant surroundings and enjoy the comforts of your hotel.
Begin with one of the signature experiences of the journey Number 11, Geoffrey Bawa’s former Colombo residence.
The house evolved from a series of small properties into a highly personal composition of courtyards, rooms, collections, light and shadow. Today it contains Bawa’s art, objects and architectural details and can be visited through guided tours organised by the Geoffrey Bawa Trust.
Continue with a curated exploration of Colombo, discovering the city’s distinctive blend of architecture, art, design and heritage. Visit Seema Malaka, set peacefully on Beira Lake and showcasing Geoffrey Bawa’s approach to space and surroundings, before continuing to Independence Square, one of Colombo’s notable architectural landmarks. Along the way, experience the contrast between the city’s colonial heritage and contemporary character.
Discover Colombo’s growing art and design scene with visits to selected galleries, concept stores and creative spaces. Explore contemporary Sri Lankan art, locally designed interiors, textiles, crafts and lifestyle collections, offering a glimpse into how the island’s traditional craftsmanship continues to influence modern Sri Lankan design.
Finish the day with dinner at Paradise Road The Gallery Café, one of Colombo’s distinctive dining spaces, combining art, design and contemporary Sri Lankan character. Set within the former offices of Geoffrey Bawa, the restaurant provides a fitting end to the day, bringing together architecture, art and cuisine.
After breakfast, leave Negombo and journey towards Dambulla, moving from the world of modern architecture into Sri Lanka’s ancient past. Along the way, the landscape begins to reveal a much older relationship between nature, architecture, religion and human ingenuity.
On arrival, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, where centuries-old rock caves, Buddhist murals and statues offer a striking contrast to the modern architectural experiences in Colombo. This transition sets the scene for exploring how Sri Lanka’s built heritage has evolved across generations.
Stay at Heritance Kandalama – A Bawa Masterpiece
Continue to Heritance Kandalama, one of Geoffrey Bawa’s most celebrated architectural works. Built into its natural surroundings, the hotel demonstrates Bawa’s approach to creating spaces where architecture and landscape become inseparable.
Take time to explore the property, from its open corridors and rock formations to views across the Kandalama reservoir towards the surrounding countryside. The stay becomes an important part of the journey itself, allowing guests to experience Bawa’s philosophy rather than simply observe it.
Begin the day with an early morning visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, one of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable ancient sites. Climb through landscaped water gardens, terraces and stone pathways before reaching the summit, where the remains of the ancient royal citadel overlook the surrounding countryside.
Beyond its history, Sigiriya offers a fascinating example of how architecture, engineering, water and landscape were brought together centuries before modern tropical design.
Return to the hotel after your Sigiriya experience and enjoy time to relax amid the natural surroundings of Kandalama.
Later in the afternoon, set out on a 4WD jeep safari at Minneriya National Park, travelling through open grasslands and forest in search of wild elephants and other native wildlife. End the day surrounded by the landscapes and wildlife of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.
After breakfast, travel towards Kandy, with a stop along the way to discover Sri Lanka’s traditional wood carving craftsmanship and the skills that have been passed down through generations.
Later in the evening explore the historic city before visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant cultural landmarks. Discover its distinctive architecture, intricate craftsmanship and centuries-old traditions while experiencing the cultural heart of the hill capital.
After breakfast, travel into Kandy city and spend time experiencing its local atmosphere. Take a leisurely walk around Kandy Lake, passing historic buildings, local streets and everyday city life while enjoying views across the lake and surrounding hills.
Later journey towards Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Watch the scenery gradually change from the lush interior to tropical lowlands, palm-fringed villages and the coastline.
En route, visit a tea estate and factory to discover Sri Lanka’s renowned tea-making tradition. Walk through the tea fields and try your hand at tea plucking alongside local tea Pluckers, before visiting the factory to learn how freshly picked leaves are processed. Complete the experience with a freshly brewed cup of Ceylon tea overlooking the surrounding plantations.
Continue towards Galle, where the next chapter of the journey returns to Geoffrey Bawa’s architecture and his connection with the tropical landscape.
Arrive in Galle and settle into a design-led coastal property.
Explore Jetwing Lighthouse, one of Geoffrey Bawa’s landmark hotel designs and a striking expression of his tropical modernist style. Positioned on a rocky headland overlooking the Indian Ocean, the property was designed to make the surrounding landscape, sea and changing natural light part of the architectural experience.
Explore the hotel’s open courtyards, broad verandas, dramatic stairways and carefully framed ocean views. A highlight is the sculptural staircase featuring Laki Senanayake’s dramatic artwork depicting a historic battle between the Portuguese and Sinhalese.
Explore the historic Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Walk along its centuries-old ramparts and through narrow streets lined with colonial-era buildings, courtyards, boutiques and cafés.
Discover the Fort’s distinctive blend of Portuguese, Dutch and British influences, while experiencing how its historic buildings have been carefully adapted for contemporary life. Visit key landmarks including the lighthouse, old churches and ramparts, with time to explore the local galleries, shops and architectural details that give Galle Fort its unique character.
Meet a Sri Lankan designer for a personal introduction to the island’s contemporary creative scene. Discover how local craftsmanship, natural materials, traditional influences and modern design come together, while learning how Geoffrey Bawa’s legacy continues to influence Sri Lankan design today.
After breakfast, travel to Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa’s celebrated country estate near Bentota. Journey through Sri Lanka’s tropical southern landscape before arriving at the estate, where architecture, gardens and nature come together in one of Bawa’s most personal creations.
Enjoy a Curatorial Tours experience at Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa’s celebrated country estate, accompanied by an in-house guide. Explore the gardens, pavilions, pathways and carefully framed landscapes while discovering the ideas that shaped Bawa’s approach to tropical architecture.
After breakfast, leave Lunuganga and continue to Cinnamon Bentota Beach, one of Geoffrey Bawa’s landmark resort designs. Explore how Bawa responded to the property’s unique position between the Bentota River and Indian Ocean, bringing together architecture, landscape, art and local craftsmanship.
Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, enjoying the beach and resort before your final evening in Sri Lanka.
After breakfast, travel towards Colombo or Bandaranaike International Airport, depending on your departure flight schedule.
After booking, you will receive a payment receipt and booking confirmation, together with a link to complete the Passenger Information Form. The form must be completed within 72 hours of booking.
Please include any special requests, preferences or optional extras when completing the form. Requests made after submission cannot be guaranteed and will be subject to availability and any applicable additional charges.
Optional Tours & Activities
Additional private experiences, accommodation enhancements, curated experiences and extensions can be arranged upon request at an additional cost, subject to availability.
Additional wellness experiences, excursions, accommodation upgrades, private experiences and personalised arrangements can be arranged upon request at an additional cost, subject to availability.
Visas are not included in the package cost. Travellers are responsible for obtaining the required visa and ensuring that their passports and other travel documents meet the applicable entry requirements prior to travel.
| Stay Period – 01 November 2026 to 19 December 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Description |
02 Pax + 02 Kids (2 Adults + 2 Children) (Ages 6–11.99 years) |
| Per person cost sharing double room (USD) | 2,375 |
| Total Cost (USD) | 7,125 |
| Stay Period – 10 January to 31 March 2027 | |
|---|---|
| Description |
02 Pax + 02 Kids (2 Adults + 2 Children) (Ages 6–11.99 years) |
| Per person cost sharing double room (USD) | 2,625 |
| Total Cost (USD) | 7,875 |
| Stay Period – 01 April to 30 April 2027 | |
|---|---|
| Description |
02 Pax + 02 Kids (2 Adults + 2 Children) (Ages 6–11.99 years) |
| Per person cost sharing double room (USD) | 2,449 |
| Total Cost (USD) | 7,347 |
| Stay Period – 01 May to 30 June 2027 & 01 September to 31 October 2027 | |
|---|---|
| Description |
02 Pax + 02 Kids (2 Adults + 2 Children) (Ages 6–11.99 years) |
| Per person cost sharing double room (USD) | 1,999 |
| Total Cost (USD) | 5,997 |
| Stay Period – 01 July to 31 August 2027 | |
|---|---|
| Description |
02 Pax + 02 Kids (2 Adults + 2 Children) (Ages 6–11.99 years) |
| Per person cost sharing double room (USD) | 2,230 |
| Total Cost (USD) | 6,690 |
| Stay Period – 01 November 2027 to 19 December 2027 | |
|---|---|
| Description |
02 Pax + 02 Kids (2 Adults + 2 Children) (Ages 6–11.99 years) |
| Per person cost sharing double room (USD) | 2,365 |
| Total Cost (USD) | 7,095 |
Northern Heritage – Culture – Sacred Temples – Coastal Discoveries
Ayurveda – Yoga – Mindfulness – Luxury Retreats
Geoffrey Bawa Architecture – Local Artisans – Cultural Heritage – Scenic Landscapes
