Highlights of Sri Lanka (10 Days)

The Golden Temple of Dambulla dates back to the 1st century BC and holds five main caves with ancient murals of the Buddha's life and hundreds of Buddha and deity figurines, including the Cave of the Divine King, the Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. A giant golden Buddha statue stands a short distance outside the cave complex.

Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress built by King Kasyapa, entering through the lion's paw gateway that gives the site its name. See the unfading frescoes, climb the steep staircase past the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns, and walk through the tunnels leading up to the palace.

A jeep safari through Minneriya National Park, known for the Great Elephant Gathering of over 150 elephants in the dry season between May and October, along with other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Walk through the ruins of Polonnaruwa, which flourished between the 10th and 13th centuries AD, taking in monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu.

A guided tour of a spice and herbal garden near Matale, the spice capital of Sri Lanka, explaining the uses of coriander, chilli, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg and the role of Ayurveda.

A tour around Kandy, taking in the local markets and the city's architecture.

An hour-long evening show of traditional Kandyan dance and music, including fire dancers, sword dancers and drummers.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the 16th century to house and protect the Buddha's sacred tooth, with painted passageways and halls, carved pillars and golden statues.

Formed in the early 19th century, the gardens hold over 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices and medicinal plants, with avenues of large trees, a cannonball tree and a suspension bridge.

A highland town that was a holiday resort for the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with cottages, villas, an old red-brick post office, Queen Victoria Park and Lake Gregory.

A visit to Horton Plains in Ohiya, with its montane grasslands and cloud forest, the view from World's End, Baker's Falls, endemic fauna and archaeological finds in the area.

A stop in Ella to see tea fields, the view from Little Adam's Peak, the Nine Arches Bridge and the Demodara Railway Station with its loop-over track.

An afternoon jeep safari in Yala National Park, the island's second largest, known for its leopards, wild water buffalo, sloth bears, elephants and other wildlife.

Visit the stilt fishermen of Koggala to learn about their traditional fishing technique, passed down through generations, with photo opportunities at sunset.