THE ULTIMATE BAWA TOUR

US$4300

+ US$700 for a Single Supplement

September 1st – 14th September 2020

ABOUT THE TOUR

The Ultimate Bawa Tour is a combination of the Ultimate and the Bawa Architecture tour. By September 2020, lets hope it is time to get out there and see the world again.

This trip will head north from Colombo to Puttalam – on the coast. Here we can spend a restful day at the beach before heading inland to Anuradapura and then Dambulla. This is the start of the cultural triangle, with many ancient ruins and World Heritage sites like Lion Rock. In Dambulla we visit one of Bawa’s most famous projects – the Heritance Kandalama.

After Kandy, and the wonders of the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth, we spend a couple of days in the High Tea Country. Leaving “Little England” we head back down to the south coast. We stop for one day on the way to visit the elephants. At the south coast, we explore the amazing tropical beaches and excellent restaurants. The ancient trading port city of Galle, is a highlight and we stay at Bawa’s magnificent Lighthouse Hotel.

The coast road between Galle and Colombo is filled with interesting things to see. One highlight is Lunaganga – Bawa’s weekend retreat and garden creation. The last three days are in the bustling capital of Colombo. Plenty of time to explore the city, do some shopping and experience some fine dining.

This tour is 14 days to make the most of the extended trip. There is still plenty of downtime and enough double nights not to feel rushed. We stay at excellent hotels.

This tour is limited to six people with three seats are already taken.

best of sri lanka tour

Price includes:

    • Accommodation in all hotels mentioned
    • All breakfasts and dinners
    • Transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
    • Touring in a 33 seat air-conditioned bus with driver
    • All entrances as mentioned above
    • Two dedicated tour consultants: your host Michael Murray + local English-speaking licensed Sri Lankan guide & driver, available 24/7
    • Sightseeing & city tours as mentioned above
    • Local government taxes & service charges

    *Please note: Price excludes flights, visas, insurance, optional tours & activities, tips & porterage and all entrance fees to tourist and other attractions not specified above, all expenses of a personal nature.

best of sri lanka ultimate tour

Day 1: Negombo

Our driver will pick you up at the airport and bring you to our hotel. It is only 15 minutes from the airport and on the beach. It’s an ideal place to land and settle. If arriving late at night it may be best to book and extra night.

Day 2: Negombo to Puttalam

We head up the coast to Puttalam, which is about a three-hour drive. We stay at a beautiful restored Villa on the coast.

Day 3: Puttalam to Dambulla

Head inland and pass through Anuradhapura – the top corner of the cultural triangle. It is home to the largest Buddhist stupa in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We have two nights at the Dambulla Lake.

Day 4: Dambulla & Sigiriya

We start the day at the Dambulla Cave temples. These temples date back to the 1st century BCE and are World Heritage site. The afternoon we visit a world-renowned Ayurvedic clinic for treatments. We also visit a village home and meet some locals. We visit a spice garden on the way to Kandy.

Day 5: Dambulla to Kandy

It’s an early start to climb Lion Rock –Sri Lanka’s premium activity and a must-see. We then check out of the hotel and take the three-hour drive to Kandy. That night we attend the temple of the tooth ceremony before dinner at Kandy House.

Day 6: Kandy to the Tea Country

The Kandy Botanical Gardens are world-renowned and a very enjoyable excursion. In the afternoon it is all aboard one of the most scenic train journeys in the world to arrive at our destination – Nuwara Eliya – the capital of the tea country. We book in at St Andrews Hotel – another colonial era marvel.

Day 7: Tea Country

The tea country is in the Sri Lankan highlands and it is known as ‘Little England’. We learn about one of the country’s main exports – tea and visit a working tea plantation. Walk around Lake Gregory, 9 holes of golf or a game of croquet before high tea at the Grand Hotel.

Day 8: Nuwara Eliya to Udawalawa

It’s a short drive to Udawalawa and the National Park. This is one of Sri Lanka’s best wildlife sanctuaries and the list of animals we see is extensive. Herds of wild elephants, crocodiles, birdlife and lots more. If that is not enough, we will go to the baby elephant orphanage and help feed them.

Day 9: Udawalawa to Tangalle

Back down the hill country to the coast. Here we have some down time to lie around the pool or at the beach.

Day 10: Tangalle to Galle

The drive from Tangalle to Galle is particularly scenic. We stop off for a swim at Herikitiya – a particularly beautiful lagoon beach. Lunch will be at the remarkable Claughton House, one of architect Geoffrey Bawa’s most successful creations. Arrive at Galle Lighthouse in time for dinner.

Day 11: Galle

Galle is too good and we need the whole day to explore, do the rampant walk, shopping and take it all in. Galle is an ancient trading port with European influence dating back to the late 1500s.

Day 12: Galle to Colombo

Leaving Galle, we stop on the way at Lunagunga. This is famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa’s weekend retreat and the gardens and setting are particularly beautiful. Arrive at Galle Face –one of Asia’s best colonial era hotels.

Day 13: Colombo

So much to do in Colombo –too much to list here. You will be provided with a cheat sheet to go off and explore on your own. But don’t be late for our final dinner at the highly memorable “Ministry of Crab”.

Day 14: Checkout

Shuttle to the airport. If your flight is late at night, we can request a late checkout so you can have another relaxing day at the beach or around the pool.


The Ultimate Tour is The Hill Tour and Coastal Cruise – with extras! Instead of heading straight to Sigiriya, we go north from Colombo to Puttalam. Here we can spend a restful day at the beach before heading inland to Anuradapura and then Dambulla. This is the start of the cultural triangle, with many ancient ruins and World Heritage sites.

We then visit the tea country, one of the most popular destinations and often referred to as “Little England”. We still have time for the excellent beaches, spas, and restaurants of the south coast, before spending a couple of days in the vibrant capital of Colombo.

This tour is 14 days to make the most of the extended trip. There is still plenty of downtime and enough double nights not to get overextended. We stay at excellent hotels.

This tour is limited to six people with three seats are already taken.

 

COSTS:

US$4300, US$700 Single Supplement

Includes:

  • Accommodation in all hotels mentioned
  • All breakfast and dinners
  • Transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Local government taxes & service charges
  • All entrances and tours mentioned above
  • Two tour guides: your host Michael Murray, and a local English-speaking driver and licensed Sri Lankan guide, available 24/7.

Excludes:

  • Visas and Insurance
  • Optional tours and activities
  • Flights
  • All expenses of personal nature
  • Tips and porterage.
  • Entrance fees to tourist and other attractions not specified above

 

Bookings

Tickets

Booking a tour will require a deposit of A$500.
Full payment will be required 60 days from tour commencement.
The deposit is non-refundable.
If the full payment is paid and the guest needs to cancel due to illness or an unforeseen circumstance, a part refund is possible only on accommodation and travel expenses that are refundable back to BoSL. Some hotels are paid for in advance and payment is often non refundable.
All costs are stated in USD (except the deposit of A$500 is payable in Australian Dollar) as we are quoted in USD. One week before the balance is required, you will be sent an invoice with the remaining USD amount calculated to AUD at that day’s exchange rate.
Price displayed is for your deposit and not a full payment.

$500.00

Registration Information

Guest Information

Passport Details

Please provide Best of Sri Lanka (BoSL) with a copy of your passport photo page when making a booking.
Guests who do not-load the passport photos will have to manually check in at each hotel. Guests whop do not provide their flight schedule will not be picked up or dropped off at the airport.

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Payment and Confirmation

All deposits and balance payments to be made to:
Michael M Murray, trading as Best of Sri Lanka Tour
Westpac Business One
BSB 032-573 Account 371307
The Westpac Swift code is: WPACAU2S.
For banks requiring 11 characters use WPACAU2SXXX
BoSL recommends using TransferWise for cheaper easier international funds transfer.
Please use this link for TransferWise
Please request a receipt if required and nominate the name it is to be made out to.

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