Bentota City Tour from Kalutara





Description
The first place you will visit is the strange and yet beautiful Lunuganga estate that was once the home of Sir Geoffrey Bawa. The next place for your perusal is Meetiyagoda Moonstones Mines. finally, you will visit Balapitiya for the ultimate experience, the Madu River safari.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Kalutara, located in southwestern Sri Lanka, captivates with its serene beaches and rich cultural heritage. Famous for the Kalutara Bodhiya, a revered Buddhist temple, and the towering Kalutara Bridge, this coastal town offers a blend of spirituality and natural beauty that enchants visitors from around the globe.
Lunuganga estate is the brainchild of the late architect Geoffrey Bawa (23 July 1919 – 27 May 2003). This country home was his very first muse and his experimental laboratory; while remaining his go-to place for rest and relaxation as his fame increased throughout the years. Designed with the whimsical beauty and eccentric style typical of Bawa; the estate is filled with with a number of art and artifacts from all over Asia and Europe.
A mangrove lagoon joined to the sea by a narrow canal and containing 15 islands of varying size, some of which are inhabited. It is formed of two shallow waterbodies, Maduganga and smaller Randombe Lake, connected by two narrow channels. On the islands and shores, relatively undisturbed mangrove vegetation contains rich biodiversity qualifying the wetland for 7 Criteria of International Importance. Many globally/nationally endangered, endemic and rare species - e.g. Shorea affinis, an endemic and endangered plant, Mugger (Crocodylus palustris) vulnerable (IUCN Red Book) and CITES-listed Purple-faced Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus vetulus), endangered, Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Flapshell Turtle (Lissemys punctata), Indian Python (Python molurus) find shelter here. The lagoon provides the breeding, spawning, and fattening ground for many fish species and supports 1.2 % of the Little Green Heron biogeographical population.
Meetiyagoda, located in southern Sri Lanka, is renowned for its unique moonstone mines. These shimmering semi-precious stones, known for their iridescent sheen, are mined here amidst lush greenery. Visitors can witness the traditional methods of extraction and purchase exquisite moonstone jewelry, making it a gem enthusiast's paradise.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Your Hotel in Kalutara
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Comfortable walking shoes recommended for this tour. Drive time may change due to unpredictable road traffic. Photography stops on the way can be arranged but within locations with reasonable parking areas.
Reviews(1)
Timings on the net are all wrong. A strict admission policy prevails guided tours to the property are only at 0930 and 1400 hours. You need to be at the estate gates precisely at these times or else get turned away



