Depart your home country for your flight to Sri Lanka.
Most suited for
Couples
Ideal time to visit
December - September
Discover Sri Lanka through the lens of its most famous architect, Geoffrey Bawa, and the rich heritage that inspired him.
Immerse yourself in Bawa’s work by staying in properties he designed, taking in both the traditional Sri Lankan and Dutch Colonial architecture that culminated in Bawa’s signature ‘tropical modernism’ style. You’ll also explore the immense Sri Lankan architectural heritage from the ancient to the Kandyan Kingdom.
You’ll also have plenty of time to explore Sri Lanka’s other cultural highlights, including the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress. Plus, since much of Bawa’s work adorns the southern coast, round off your experience with some rest on palm-fringed beaches – it’s a holiday, after all!
The Architecture of Geoffrey Bawa & Beyond
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Day 2
Negombo
Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, your chauffeur-guide will meet you for the short transfer to Jetwing Lagoon. The hotel was one of Bawa’s early hotel projects and is conveniently close to the airport for a first-night stop. Availability permitting, you’ll stay in The Bawa Room.
Days 3 - 5
Cultural Triangle
This morning, your chauffeur-guide will whisk you off to the Cultural Triangle. You’ll spend three days exploring the sights while based at Bawa’s terrific Kandalama hotel, his most iconic hotel design.
During your time in the Cultural Triangle, you’ll experience the spectacular Sigiriya Rock Fortress with an early start to avoid the crowds. Explore the Pidurangala Rock Temple, its ancient Sanskrit carvings, and hike to its summit for stunning views of Sigiriya. There is flexibility built into your tour and a few ETG twists!
Days 6-7
Kandy
Transfer to Kandy and spend two days in and around Sri Lanka’s second city. Explore the sacred Temple of the Tooth and consider some of the city’s beautiful but less visited temples. Kandy is surrounded by lush countryside and makes an excellent base for some outdoor adventures. Accommodation here will be at Hiyarapitiya House, designed by Bawa’s foremost protege and student, Channa Daswatta.
Days 8 - 9
Colombo
Time to explore the capital, an excellent city, and there is no better way to do so than with a Colombo City Walk. The engaging local guide will bring the city’s heart to life, and you’ll feel the influences that have shaped Colombo over the years. While in the capital city, there is a chance to visit No. 11, Geoffrey Bawa’s Colombo Residence, and we’ll also try to obtain special permission for you to explore the parliament complex he designed (NB: this permission is only very occasionally granted currently). Finish the day with dinner at Paradise Road Café, not just a great spot for a meal, but also Bawa’s old office. Overnight in a Bawa townhouse, converted into a hotel, the Jetwing Ratnam Residence.
Days 10 - 11
Bentota
Journey with your guide along the coast to Bentota, where you’ll check into the extraordinary Lunuganga for a two-night stay. During your time here, you can explore Lunaganga, Bawa’s garden home, and the place that inspired him to study architecture. There is also a chance to visit his brother’s home, which has beautifully landscaped gardens.
While in Bentota, we suggest stopping for lunch at the Bentota Beach Resort. Not only was it one of Bawa’s major hotel projects, but it also features beautiful ceiling work by Ena de Silva and lift doors by Lucky Senanayaka (two of Bawa’s close artistic collaborators).
Days 12-15
Tangalle
En route from Bentota to Tangalle on the South coast, we’ll arrange a private tour of the old Dutch-built Galle Fort before stopping for lunch at Atapattu Walawwa, a 260-year-old ancestral manor house and a monument to Sri Lanka’s architectural heritage. After lunch, we’ll take an in-depth architectural tour of the property.
Of course, his last house was called ‘The Last House’, where you’ll spend your last four nights in Sri Lanka. Your time here is free to relax, enjoy the beautiful coastal setting, and reflect on your holiday and adventure.
Day 16
Fly home
Your driver will transfer you to Colombo airport for your flight back home.
Travelled with teenage kids to experience a taste of Sri Lanka
Stayed in beautiful boutique hotels and enjoyed everything from snorkelling among the coral reefs of Trincomalee to riding in tuk tuks through Colombo.
The Moore Family
Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Sri Lanka Experts
Holly is a true Sri Lanka enthusiast, with a talent for designing holidays that blend the must-see highlights with the hidden corners of the country. Whether it’s a family-friendly wildlife encounter, a romantic retreat in the tea hills, or an off-the-beaten-track adventure, Holly loves curating trips that surprise and delight ETG travellers.
“If you appreciate architecture, our Geoffrey Bawa tour offers an unparalleled journey through Sri Lanka’s rich design heritage. You’ll stay in celebrated Bawa-designed properties like the tranquil Lunuganga Estate and the gorgeous Kandalama Hotel, which seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings.”
Holly
Sri Lanka Specialist
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of Sri Lanka. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
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Colombo, Negombo & around, Sri Lanka
Jetwing Lagoon
This is a great first or last stop on your trip to Sri Lanka: relax and enjoy life on the lagoon.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
Friends
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The Deep South, Sri Lanka
The Last House
An intimate beach hotel with attentive staff and panoramic views over the Indian Ocean.
Highlights
Highlights
Bawa-designed,
Lagoon views,
Secluded beach
Best for
Couples
Families
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Rajasthan, India
Alila Fort Bishangarh
An 18th-century warrior fort. Now a luxury Rajasthani resort. Steeped in history, with sweeping countryside views.
Highlights
Highlights
Luxurious fort,
Epic views
Best for
Couples
Families
Gallery
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you.. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Experiences of Sri Lanka
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
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Cultural Triangle, Sigirya
Sigiriya and Village Farm Experience
Travel by tuk tuk and tractor as you explore a few local farms. Learn firsthand about the life and work of the villagers, who grow a variety of crops including sweet potato, manioc and finger millet. Meet the farmers and their families, and try your hand at some of the agricultural techniques they use each day.
Finally, sit down to a home-cooked lunch made entirely from ingredients grown on the land. As this experience sits well off the beaten tourist trail, you’ll likely attract as much curiosity from the locals as you feel yourself – expect a warm welcome and a truly authentic taste of rural life.
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Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Pidurangala Rock
Located just north of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Pidurangala Rock is a site of spiritual and historical significance in its own right. The small temple at the base is thought to date back to the 6th century AD, and legend suggests King Kassapa used this forested hillside as both a place of worship and a strategic retreat while under threat from his brothers.
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Ella, Sri Lanka
The Pekoe Trail
The Pekoe Trail is a 300km network of walking routes designed to open up Sri Lanka’s hill country to responsible travellers. Spanning seven valleys and weaving through remote communities, the trail champions sustainable tourism, cultural preservation and local livelihoods.
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Galle, Sri Lanka
Lunuganga and Brief Gardens
Set beside tranquil Dedduwa Lake in Bentota, Lunuganga was once a colonial-era plantation. Geoffrey Bawa transformed it into a 15-acre garden estate that fuses tropical beauty with subtle modernist design—reflecting his signature “tropical modernism” philosophy. Pathways wind through symmetrical lawns, dense foliage and carefully framed vistas. Sculptures and hidden pavilions surprise at every turn.
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Hill Country, Sri Lanka
Lunch at a Social Enterprise Restaurant
As part of our “One Meal At A Time” initiative, we’ve partnered with social enterprise restaurants across Asia to bring travellers a deeper connection to their destination. In Sri Lanka’s hill country, near Bandarawela, we support a hospitality school that trains marginalised young people in cooking, service and life skills.
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Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
Learn to Surf
Set on Sri Lanka’s sunny east coast, Arugam Bay has earned a global reputation among surfers for its smooth breaks and beautiful setting. It’s ideal for beginners thanks to consistent waves, warm waters, and fewer crowds than more famous surf destinations.
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Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Pilikuttuwa Cave and Forest Temples
Spread across over 200 acres of countryside, the Pilikuttuwa site is one of Sri Lanka’s largest cave temple complexes. More than 100 natural caves and dripstone shelters dot the landscape, once offering refuge to Buddhist monks seeking solitude during the rainy season. Etched rock murals hint at the devotion of past centuries, while many shrines remain in quiet use by local worshippers today.
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Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa Cycling Tour
Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka, from the 11th – 13th Century. Unlike in the first capital, Anuradhapura which is mainly composed of Buddhist religious sites, here you’ll find the remains of multi-storey palaces, royal pavilions and bathing ponds complete with changing rooms – all standing testament to the luxurious lifestyle of the royalty – alongside Buddhist and Hindu temples with flawless craftsmanship and artistry.
Half a day cycling through Polonnaruwa will bring the splendours of the city closer to you, transporting you to another time.
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Ella, Sri Lanka
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
Located just outside Kandy, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens were once the private grounds of Sri Lankan royalty before becoming one of the most celebrated gardens in the British Empire. Today, they remain the largest botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, covering 60 hectares and bordered by the Mahaweli River on three sides.
Important FAQs about Sri Lanka
At Experience Travel Group, we’ve been curating immersive Sri Lanka holidays since 2006 long before the island became a mainstream destination. Our deep-rooted local knowledge, trusted partnerships, and passion for meaningful travel make us the ideal choice for discovering Sri Lanka beyond the ordinary.
Over nearly two decades, we’ve developed unique experiences that blend cultural depth, comfort, and flexibility. Whether it’s staying in boutique hotels hidden in tea country, meeting local artisans, or exploring UNESCO heritage sites with expert guides, we design every journey to reveal the real heart of Sri Lanka, not just the tourist highlights.
With our thoughtful planning and in-country support, you’ll have peace of mind while enjoying a tailored adventure that suits your interests and travel style. We don’t do off-the-shelf holidays — we create personalised journeys that capture what’s truly special about Sri Lanka.
Let us show you the Sri Lanka we know and love.
Sri Lanka is a year-round destination, but the best time depends on where you’re going. One of the best times to visit is between December and March. The summer month and September is also a great all-round option, with good weather and fewer crowds.
Every ETG holiday to Sri Lanka is carefully designed to be seamless, immersive, and stress-free. Your journey typically includes international flights (if requested), chauffeur guide throughout and accommodation in hand-picked, characterful hotels.
You’ll enjoy incredible, immersive experiences unique to you, all planned by dedicated Sri Lanka specialists, with the added reassurance of 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Sri Lanka
Wondering when to visit Sri Lanka? Our Curious Traveller’s Guide to Sri Lanka will give you a more detailed breakdown of the best time of year to book a holiday, as well as tips on the best beaches, unmissable sites, and much more.
