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Home / Programs / SAH Tours / Architecture of Sri Lanka Study Tour
An SAH Study Tour December 7-20, 2025
Marco Polo once described Sri Lanka as “the most beautiful island of its size in all the world.” SAH invites to you to witness the layers of its 3,000-year history.
Known by many names – Lanka, Taprobane, Serendib, Ceylon – the island’s interactions with ancient India, China, the Middle East and three successive colonial powers – Portugal, the Netherlands and Great Britain – resulted in a rich fusion of Asian and European culture and architecture.
Curated and led by Sri Lankan-American architect Ravi GuneWardena, our 14-day tour traces these cultural interactions within Sri Lanka’s diverse structures. Start with ancient Buddhist and Hindu monuments dating to the 4th century BCE and continue through colonial-era buildings. Cap your understanding of the nation’s architecture with visits to 20th century works by modern world-renowned figures like Geoffrey Bawa, Minette de Silva, and Valentine Gunasekara.
You will also enjoy time to reflect and relax in overnight accommodations with significant architectural pedigree —19th-century grand hotels, a former British governor’s residence, and four luxury resorts designed by renowned modern architect Geoffrey Bawa.
The sweeping itinerary is organized chronologically, starting with the ancient capitals, moving southward to Kandyan Kingdom and highland regions, to coastal colonial ports, and ending in the modern capital Colombo.
SAH Upper-Level, Life, and Benefactor members enjoy one week of early access to register for SAH Study Tours, opening Thursday, July 17, 2025. Registration for all SAH members and the public will open Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 12pm CDT. Registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Click the link below to access our secure online reservation portal, or call the SAH Office at 312-573-1365, to reserve your space.
A per-person deposit of $1,000 applicable to the total price is due upon reservation. You may choose to pay the entire trip price up front, or use our walkthrough to make your deposit.
Double-occupancy: $6,000 per person Single-supplement: $850 per person*
A deposit of $1,000 per traveler is due at the time of reservation and will be applied to the full cost of the program. Payable via Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or check made payable to “SAH” Final payment is due by October 1, 2025 and must be submitted by check, ACH transfer, or wire transfer only; credit cards are not accepted for final payment.
By submitting your deposit you are bound by the terms and conditions delineated throughout the Tour Brochure or elsewhere published.
* Single supplement will be charged when requested or required with limited availability.
What is included: Accommodation for 14 nights in comfortable hotels as indicated. Leadership of lecturer/host Ravi GuneWardena, plus an experienced tour manager and local guides. Group arrival and departure airport transfers on program dates. Also included are entrance fees for all included visits; private ground and river vehicle transportation throughout the trip; bottled water daily, breakfast daily, 13 lunches, and 13 dinners including welcome and farewell dinners with cocktails; gratuities for meals and baggage handling.
Not Included: Airfare and applicable taxes and fees to and from your origin city to Sri Lankan destinations; airline baggage fees and excess baggage fees; passport/visa fees; meals not specified in the itinerary; food and beverages not part of the included meals; personal items and expenses; gratuities other than specified; travel and trip cancellation insurance; post-tour extension; optional sightseeing; communication charges, including cellular roaming fees; other items not specifically mentioned in the itinerary or as included. Prices, itinerary, accommodations, and experts are subject to change.
All participants are expected to be physically active and not be an impediment to others on excursions, to enjoy traveling as part of a group, and to be ready to experience cultural differences.
Expect high humidity and daily highs in the mid-80s Fahrenheit. Hotels and shuttles will be equipped with air conditioning, but many of our tour stops will not be. Please pack accordingly.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact SAH Director of Programs Christopher Kirbabas at [email protected] before booking.
All requests by participants for cancellations must be received in writing by the SAH Office. Depending on the date of cancellation, you may receive a full or partial refund, according to our schedule, below:
For this and other reasons, participants are strongly encouraged to purchase trip cancellation insurance.
Cancellations may also be subject to charges or fees not originating with SAH, including but not limited to airfare and visa fees. The costs associated with any admission tickets already purchased for planned activities at time of cancellation are non-refundable.
No refunds will be issued for any unused portion of the program including, but not limited to, occasional missed meals or any missed sightseeing visits requiring admission fees. If you purchased a double occupancy and your roommate cancels, you will be charged the single occupancy supplement. The program costs are non-transferable.
All accommodations and travel arrangements in Sri Lanka will be coordinated by Quickshaws , an agency crafting tailor-made tours since 1950. With an unblemished record of safety and quality spanning six decades they are committed to sharing their passion for Sri Lanka and look forward to helping you get the very most out of your journey.
SAH thanks the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and the Alphawood Foundation for their operating support.
Founded in 1940, the Society of Architectural Historians is an international nonprofit membership organization that promotes the study, interpretation and conservation of architecture, design, landscapes and urbanism worldwide.
Society of Architectural Historians 1365 N. Astor Street Chicago, Illinois 60610
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