Garden Tours at Lunuganga Estate | Teardrop Hotels Sri Lanka

Explore the living masterpiece of Lunuganga through a range of guided garden experiences.

Daily group tours offer an engaging introduction to the estate’s celebrated landscapes, while private tours provide a more personalised journey through its carefully composed vistas, hidden pathways and architectural follies. For those seeking deeper insight, exclusive curatorial tours led by specialists reveal the history, design philosophy and creative legacy behind one of Asia’s most influential gardens.

Public Garden Tours

Perfect for architecture enthusiasts, garden lovers and those with an interest in design, this immersive experience is hosted by a Lunuganga Guide and leads guests through sculpted lawns, tranquil water features, hidden pathways, and carefully framed vistas that embody Bawa’s unique artistic vision. You can choose from scheduled daily group tours or arrange a private tour for a more personalised experience at an additional cost.

Curatorial Tours

For guests seeking a deeper understanding of the estate, private curatorial tours with a senior curator of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust or Garden Curatorial team can be arranged with advance booking, subject to availability. Offering rich insight into the garden’s history, design influences and living collections, the experience also connects Lunuganga to the broader legacy of Geoffrey Bawa and the Trust’s ongoing conservation efforts. Designed for an intimate experience, these exclusive tours are typically limited to a maximum of four guests at a time, although additional guests may be accommodated at the discretion of the Trust at a supplementary charge. To arrange a private or curatorial garden tour, please get in touch with enquiries@teardrop-hotels.com

Dine at Lunuganga

The Garden Café, exclusively for garden tour visitors, is a tranquil spot to relax before or after your tour. Located under the Sandella, near the entrance, the café offers a selection of fresh paninis, salads, and light bites, alongside refreshing drinks such as king coconut water, hot coffee, cold beers, and Geoffrey Bawa’s favourite – gin and tonic! You can combine your tour with a meal at three venues at Lunuganga: lunch at the Garden Café or Sandella, High Tea at the Roman Pavilion after the 2:00pm or 3:00pm tour (a maximum of 4 guests) or Sandella. We recommend lunch reservations be placed between 12:00pm and 14:00pm.

Garden Tour Details

Garden Tour & Café Timings:

Public Garden Tours: Daily at 11:00am | 2:00pm | 3:00pm
Private & Curatorial Tours: Flexible between 10:00am to 4:00pm
Café Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Garden Tour Admission Rates (Per Person):

Public Tour – Non-Resident: USD 20 | Resident: LKR 3,500 | Students: LKR 750
Private Tours – USD 50
Curatorial Tours – USD 325 (for 4 Guests)

Garden Tour Rules:

All tours are approximately 1.5 hours in duration
Tours start promptly. Guests will not be allowed to join mid-tour
Tours conducted by third-party guides are not permitted
For the privacy of in-house guests, Lunuganga’s Main House and Main Restaurant are not included in the tour and reserved exclusively for in-house guests
5 Lunuganga (Ena House) is not included in a standard garden tour; however, subject to availability and at an additional charge, a visit can be arranged
Dietary or special requirements (e.g. walking difficulties) must be communicated in advance
The Garden Café is designated for garden tour visitors, meaning dining-only reservations are not accepted unless guests pay the full Garden Tour ticket price on top of food and beverage charges.
Personal photography is allowed without the use of flash or tripods in outdoor spaces; professional or commercial photography or filming requires prior written approval from the Geoffrey Bawa Trust.
Prior reservations are required 24 hours prior to arrival by phone at +94 773 638 381 and confirmed via email at enquiries@teardrop-hotels.com