Best of Nature (15 Days)

A two-hour boat ride through the mangrove-lined Madu River, passing basking crocodiles and water monitors, a cinnamon-harvesting island, waterbirds, and a stop for a fish massage.

One of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia, with museums, a lighthouse and cobblestoned streets still bearing their Dutch names. A guided walk through the fort takes in its colonial-era buildings and stories, with a stop for a king coconut or cup of tea.

Known for producing Virgin White Tea, plucked and processed without being touched by hand. The visit includes a tasting session with tea and chocolate cake, and the chance to buy tea leaves as a souvenir.

A jungle safari through dense evergreen virgin forest, with monkeys calling overhead, glimpses of colourful forest birds, and the chance to spot a green pit viper among the foliage.

Possibly the second largest blowhole in the world, near the village of Kudawella. Sea water sprays upward through the rock with a deep humming noise that gives the blowhole its name.

The second largest national park in Sri Lanka, known for its population of leopards, wild water buffalo, and sloth bears, along with large herds of elephants. The park is also home to numerous other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

Once the premier holiday resort of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with streets of cottages, villas and mansions from that era. Highlights include the old red-brick post office and time to relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.

Montane grasslands and cloud forest in Ohiya, with views from the precipice of World's End and the cooling spray of Baker's Falls. The plains are home to numerous endemic species and have yielded archaeological finds.

Home to young elephants displaced or lost from their natural habitat, located in Pinnawala village in Sabaragamuwa province. With around 70 elephants, it is the largest captive herd of elephants in the world, offering a close encounter with the animals.

An hour-long performance of traditional Sri Lankan art forms, including fire dancers, sword dancers and Kandyan dancers performing to drumming.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 16th century to house and protect Lord Buddha's sacred tooth relic. The temple features ornately painted halls in red, cream and black, carved pillars and gilded statues.

Cave temples dating back to the 1st century BC, with ancient murals depicting the life of Lord Gautama Buddha and hundreds of Buddha and deity figurines across five main caves, including the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. A giant golden Buddha statue stands a short distance outside the cave complex.

A three-hour safari through the park, known for the Great Elephant Gathering, when over 150 elephants congregate in one place during the dry season between May and October. The park's scrublands and forests are also home to many other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

A 5th-century AD rock fortress built by King Kasyapa, entered through an opening framed by giant lion's paws that gives the site its name, the Lion Rock. The climb passes the fortress's famous ancient murals, terraced gardens, still-working cisterns and a steep staircase, with tunnels leading up to the palace ruins.

A look at the capital's landmarks, including the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple and the National Museum, along with time for shopping at malls, boutiques and designer stores around Independence Square and the Race Course.