Bentota City Tour from Dikwella: Visit Lunuganga Estate and Madu River Mangroves (SKU: LK60270300)

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(SKU: LK60270300) Visit the strange and yet beautiful Lunuganga estate that was once the home of Sir Geoffrey Bawa, and take a river safari through the mangroves of Madu River.

Duration: 6 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Dikwella - Dikwella, nestled on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, captivates visitors with its pristine beaches and serene ambiance. Famous for its iconic Dikwella Blow Hole and the picturesque Hiriketiya Beach, it offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, making it a sought-after destination for travelers seeking tranquility and natural beauty.
Lunuganga Garden Tour - The first item in your itinerary will be Bawa’s estate in Lunuganga. Sir Geoffrey Bawa, the much-renowned lawyer turned architect, made the estate his country home from 1947 till his death in 1998. During his sojourn there he used the place as his experiment lab and made many architectural and interior additions. While visiting the estate you will get to see the beautifully designed gardens that are now open to the public. Some of the buildings of the estate are also now a country house hotel. The tour of the estate approximately takes two hours.
Madu Ganga Biodiversity Area - After that proceed to Balapitiya by 1300 hrs and go on a lovely Boat Safari Madu River.Balapitiya is a little southern town lying in marshy wetlands. The area is a high biodiversity zone that relies on the lagoon created by Madu River as it flows into the Indian Ocean. Your safari will take you on a ride down the river. You will get to see the dense mangrove forest that grows along the marshy banks of the river and the forms of wildlife that call the roots home. Your guide will also take you some of the larger free standing islands on Madu River. On one such island, you will find an old Buddhist monastery.
Meetiyagoda - Thereafter proceed to Meetiyagoda by approximately 1200 hrs and visit Moon Stone Mines.Here, you will be spending an hour getting some new appreciation for the jewels that adorn your favorite pieces with this visit to the moonstone mines of Meetiyagoda. See the deep shafts where the stones are mined. Learn more about the rare ‘blue flash’ moonstones that are mined in the area. Watch the miners wash and sift the mined stones to get those of the best quality. Hear more about the difficulties faced by the miners. Grab the opportunity to purchase some marvelous pieces; though you will need to haggle to get a reasonable price. This tour shows you the traditions of one of the oldest trades in Sri Lankan history - gem mining.

What's Included