Coast and Culture (13 Days)

A beach-side resort town close to the airport, known for its cafes, restaurants, fishing village and harbour, and a good place to unwind on arrival.

The site where Buddhism began in Sri Lanka, marking the meeting of King Devanampiyatissa and Monk Mahinda. The visit takes in monastic ruins at the foot of the mountain, the cave where Mahinda resided, and historic stupas including the Ambasthala Dagoba.

A 40-foot standing Buddha statue carved from a single rock, supported only by a thin attachment at the back, with finely carved robe folds and body. Partially collapsed structures nearby suggest it once stood within an image house.

The Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating to the 1st century BC, with ancient murals of the Buddha's life and hundreds of Buddha and deity figurines across five main caves, including the Cave of the Divine King and Cave of the Great King. A giant golden Buddha statue stands outside the complex.

Sri Lanka's second major ancient capital, flourishing from the 10th to 13th centuries AD. The ruins include the Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and a statue of King Parakramabahu.

A safari park known for the Great Elephant Gathering, when large herds of elephants congregate in the dry season between May and October, alongside other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

A 5th-century rock fortress built by King Kasyapa, entered through an opening framed by giant lion's paws. The climb takes in famous ancient murals, terraced gardens, still-working cisterns and tunnels leading to the former palace.

A guided visit to a spice and herbal garden in Matale, Sri Lanka's spice-growing centre, covering coriander, chilli, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and their uses, along with an introduction to Ayurvedic medicine.

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 the Buddha's sacred tooth relic, with painted passageways, carved pillars and golden statues.

Gardens established in the early 19th century with over 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices and medicinal plants, rare trees, a suspension bridge and hedge mazes.

A train journey from Peradeniya to Nuwara Eliya through highland countryside, passing tea plantations, villages and misty mountain scenery.

A former British hill resort town with cottages, villas and mansions from the colonial era, an old red-brick post office, Queen Victoria Park and the shores of Lake Gregory.

A walk through Ella's tea fields and rocky terrain taking in the views from Little Adam's Peak, the Nine Arches Bridge, and the Demodara Railway station with its loop-over track.

A safari in Sri Lanka's second-largest national park, with chances to see leopards, wild water buffalo, sloth bears and elephant herds, alongside other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Also known as the Virgin White Tea Factory, where the rare Virgin White Tea is hand-plucked and processed, followed by a tasting session with tea and chocolate cake.

A stop to watch stilt fishermen working off the coast of Koggala, with the chance to hear about the tradition from fishermen who practise it.

A former Portuguese and Dutch stronghold, centred on the well-preserved Galle Fort, with the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum, lighthouse and cobbled streets of Dutch-era buildings.

A boat ride through the mangrove-lined ecosystem of the Madu River, passing basking crocodiles and water monitors, a cinnamon-harvesting island, a fish massage stop and waterbirds in their natural habitat.

A tour of Colombo taking in the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple and the National Museum, with time for shopping at Independence Square.