100% customisable travel idea
Great sites in architect-designed houses Sri Lanka for aesthetes
Sri Lanka - Colombo - Dambulla - Kandy - Bentota - Tangalle
A renowned architect
The city, the temples, the ocean
In Colombo, a local shows you around: it is a chance to meet someone and immerse yourself in the heart of the city - a wonderful introduction to your journey. You quickly leave the main port behind for the cultural triangle in the centre of the island, where Sri Lanka’s religious architectural wonders are clustered together. You hang up your hat not far from Dambulla, on the shores of the Kandalama Reservoir. In sight is the fantastic Lion Rock, which is said to be guarded by hornets that prevent unwanted visitors from entering. You are not one of them. Next is Kandy, the former capital of the Sinhalese kingdom and a major centre of Buddhist heritage. In the city, pilgrims who come to venerate the Buddha’s tooth coexist peacefully with students and artists. The surroundings - lush jungles of teak and jackfruit trees - along with the harmony and authenticity, all contribute to a gentle way of life. The time has come to reach the coast, to the south-west first, then to the south. In Bentota and Tangalle,you can enjoy the Laccadive Sea, where the Indian Ocean becomes welcoming to travellers. A true accomplice, even; one who yearns for the tranquillity of the sea air. Rouse yourselves to go and explore Galle Fort with its moss-covered ramparts and its Dutch houses. In Kandy, UNESCO has recognised Sinhalese culture; in Galle, the colonial adventure. Modern Sri Lanka was born from a blend and, back in Colombo, you get the sense that it is entering a new stop.Your journey
Until you have laid your towel on the sand, a private car with a driver is the best way to get around Sri Lanka. Your travel companion is English-speaking and proves to be a valuable facilitator. They are also an excellent source of information. Journeys are never very long; from the comfort of the air-conditioned car, you take your time and enjoy the scenery. The atmosphere of the trip is relaxed, but not lazy: the country’s greatest historical and artistic sites are on your itinerary. Within the cultural triangle, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, and the Golden Temple of Dambulla are part of the experience. Should you wish to reserve a table at the Gallery Café in Colombo, enjoy a yoga session, take afternoon tea in Galle or go on a hot air balloon ride, we would be happy to arrange it for you. If an off-the-cuff wish or a minor setback arises along the way, you will have the contact details for our on-site Concierge to assist you. They offer you a wealth of knowledge and practical insight.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the next day.
Meet your driver and settle in for the night on a quiet street in the capital, in the house once occupied by Geoffrey Bawa. The architect bought it in 1958 and made it his pied-à-terre in Colombo. He naturally puts his own stamp on all this; you can see the synthesis of Bauhaus functionalism and the “organic” architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright that characterises his work. The two rooms are combined into a suite, with a bathroom and a living area; they belong together. It’s not so common to settle into a place a great artist designed for his own use! This immediately gives the trip a special charm.
Scheduled - The capital stands in stark contrast to the rest of the country, with its dense jungles, misty mountains and peaceful villages. Crowded streets, heavy traffic with tuk-tuks, motorbikes and brightly coloured buses, and everywhere, ambitious architectural projects - Colombo is a city that has no doubts about itself. To find your way around and discover a more urban side of the island, you'll set off on a walk with a local. He knows the city like the back of his hand and shares his recommendations and anecdotes with you.
Optional - Dinner at the Gallery Café, a popular spot in Colombo set in the former offices of Geoffrey Bawa; discover Sri Lankan cuisine.
Drive to Dambulla (4 hours and 30 minutes) and check in for two nights on a rocky promontory by Lake Kandalama, once again in a hotel designed by Geoffrey Bawa. The building, in the international style, has been gradually taken over by vegetation and wrapped in leaves. This attracts birds and monkeys, which visit as familiar neighbours. From the inside, which is contemporary, sleek, Sri Lankan, comfortable, the views are beautiful; the pools are too. The main restaurant serves highly refined contemporary Sri Lankan cuisine. Well-being is another aspect of the cosmopolitan art of living. The spa and hatha yoga classes each invite you, in their own way, to harmony of body and mind. The hikes in the surrounding area achieve this as well.
Scheduled - a private tour of Polonnaruwa, the former royal capital of the island. The estate features remarkable attractions, but the Buddha sculptures - standing, seated and reclining - of the Gal Vihara, a 12th-century rock temple, are especially impressive. To get from one monument to another, you’ll have a tuk-tuk with a driver. Also planned: a visit to Sigiriya, the fortress of the mad king Kashyapa (5th century), perched 200 metres high on a block of red granite, known as Lion Rock. The site's hydraulic engineering is highly sophisticated, and the Demoiselles (royal concubines or apsaras, celestial nymphs) painted on the stone walls are exceptional - both for their beauty and because they are the only known female images from that period in Sri Lanka. You will also visit the cave temples of the Golden Temple of Dambulla. This monastery, which includes five sanctuaries, is a major pilgrimage site. In fact, it is one of the largest and best preserved cave temple complexes in Sri Lanka. It houses more than 150 statues and paintings from the Kandy school.
Optional - Fly over the stunning landscapes of the Cultural Triangle in a hot air balloon.
You’ll drive to Kandy (2 hours and 30 minutes) and check in for the night on the hills overlooking the city. The hotel offers guests a spectacular view of the surroundings. At the end of the lawn, an infinity pool makes the most of the slope. The architecture blends Sri Lankan motifs with contemporary functionality. The whole place is very light. It feels good here. At the restaurant, dishes from here and elsewhere are served, so everyone can find something to eat. The spa offers treatments that, like the sauna, ease away the day’s fatigue.
Scheduled - a visit to the Temple of the Tooth, so named because it houses a tooth of the Buddha. It is a precious relic, and possessing it ensures a certain political and religious standing. Every day, hundreds of pilgrims come to pay their respects to it. Also planned: a visit to the Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, the largest botanical gardens in the country. Set within a bend of the Mahaweli Ganga, they are renowned for their collections of orchids and palm< trees.
Optional - A botanist can accompany you on your visit and bring the plants and trees to life; or you can enjoy a private yoga session in the home of a master teacher.
You’ll drive to Bentota (5 hours) and settle in for two nights at a villa designed by Bawa. A recent renovation has restored all its former glory and discreetly delivered the necessary technical upgrades. From the beautiful garden to the striking interior décor, the sense of harmony is soothing. The traditional patterns blend seamlessly into the whole. So do the two outdoor pools. In the dining room, modern Sri Lankan cuisine is served - vibrant and full of flavour. And, for a change of pace, they also prepare delicious Italian dishes. The bar is a stylish place you’ll be tempted to visit often.
Scheduled - Blue sea, green palms, golden sand. There’s no need to overcomplicate things when you have surroundings like this - just make the most of it. For as long as possible. However, let’s not forget that just about 10 km (6 miles) inland lies the wonderful Brief Garden, designed by Bevis Bawa, Geoffrey’s elder brother. With a private guide, you’ll explore this labyrinth of small gardens, terraces, stairways and cobbled paths, tropical trees, and poetic water features… Not far from here, you’ll discover Galle Fort, accompanied by a researcher and history enthusiast. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is the largest fortress built by Europeans in Asia. Founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century, it was later expanded and embellished by the Dutch. The trade of the Dutch East India Company made its fortune. Beautiful buildings still bear witness to this prosperity today - the Groote Kerk, a Reformed church, and the Dutch hospital, among others. And then the old streets are charming, with artists and craftspeople settled there.
Optional - A visit to the Lunuganga estate, the former residence of Geoffrey Bawa, hidden in the jungle; high tea at the splendid Amangalla hotel.
You’ll drive to Tangalle (2 hours and 20 minutes) and settle in for three nights at the southern tip of the island, on the unspoilt Mawella beach, in the testament house of the master of tropical modernism. Here you’ll find sophisticated simplicity, elegance, humanism and respect for nature - its hallmarks. Above all, you’ll feel the well-being that comes from an approach to architecture designed to enhance daily life: light structures that open widely to the outdoors, a fluid atmosphere brightened by cheerful, luminous colours, terraces and balconies. Indoors and outdoors blend together, yet the sense of intimacy remains. There is a kind of magic here.
Feeling good seems to have been the architect’s guiding principle. And it must be said that the villa is so perfectly integrated into its surroundings that you feel no urge to leave. Simply enjoy it. And what it opens onto: the beach. It’s not just poetic, it’s also practical: you can rent all the equipment you need for water or sand activities on site. On the estate, swimming pools and a croquet lawn invite you to spend a few peaceful hours. By the way, tea will soon be served in the garden…
Optional - A boat trip to see the whales.
Private transfer to Colombo airport and flight back.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Discovering Sri Lankan cuisine
Sri Lankan cuisine is the result of a rich multicultural heritage, shaped by Dutch, British, Portuguese and Indian influences. Ultimately, the entire history of Sri Lanka is expressed through its cuisine. In a pop-up restaurant privatised exclusively for the occasion, guests embark on a culinary journey, tasting eight traditional dishes from the country, accompanied by commentary and explanations (in English) from passionate chefs and cooks.Dinner at Gallery Café
While Sri Lanka is primarily known for its “rice and curry”, lime, mango, pomegranate, avocado and passion fruit grow here as abundantly as weeds do elsewhere. In other words, everything you need to create a fresh, colourful and flavourful plate. This is the case at this restaurant, set in Geoffrey Bawa’s former offices. Red bricks, designer furniture, colourful canvases and contemporary ceramics create an exclusive setting for a chic, mainly Sri Lankan clientele.In a hot air balloon above the Cultural Triangle
The points of this triangle, which brings together the major religious, artistic and political sites of traditional Sri Lanka, are Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. A flight over the Dambulla/Kandalama region offers a renewed perspective of a key and beautiful region. As a plus, such a peace can be found up there, with only the sound of the wind and the intermittent hiss of the burner. You reach new heights in every sense of the term. Back on solid ground, a drink is served to the participants - a gracious gesture.Yoga session in Aladeniya
In the personal home of the yoga master - who was trained in India and later practised in Japan - you receive their valuable teachings, including those of Hatha Yoga. A unique disconnection experience, in the spirit of travel.The gardens of Lunuganga
This former residence of Geoffrey Bawa is a 10-hectare (25-acre) paradise, secretly hidden in the jungle. The artist devoted many years to transforming this abandoned rubber plantation into a beautiful estate surrounded by magnificent gardens, where terraced greenery, frangipani trees, ancient statues, a pond and cinnamon trees blend together.Afternoon Tea at Amangalla
This old hotel from the Dutch colonial era, meticulously restored with great attention to detail, is absolutely splendid and timeless. You come at tea time (for there is a timeless tea hour) to partake in a civilised and delightful ritual; you settle into a Chesterfield and let yourself be lulled by the soft murmur of conversations and the careful steps of the servers; on its buttoned leather, you become a gentleman, or a lady.Whale watching
In Sri Lanka, while you have a good chance of spotting elephants, you can also see whales. From January to April, the mammals migrate between the Bay of Bengal and the Oman Sea. A catamaran trip out to sea allows you to see them in large numbers. Some days, you might also spot humpback whales, sperm whales, dolphins and turtles.
Why visit Sri Lanka with Voyageurs du monde?
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