Relief and Relaxation (15 Days)

Spend time on Negombo's sandy beaches and watch the centuries-old fishing industry at work.

Explore the ruins of this 12th-century capital, including its pagodas, image houses, meeting halls and citadel. The restored former Temple of the Tooth Relic stands just outside the citadel walls, and the palace ruins come with their share of legends.

Walk through the vast ruined city that served as Sri Lanka's capital until the 10th century AD, with pagodas, monastic buildings and ponds scattered across the site. Key landmarks include Jetavanarama, once one of the tallest structures in the ancient world, the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi, and the ruins of the Abhayagiri Monastery.

Visit the site where King Devanampiyatissa met the monk Mahinda, marking the arrival of Buddhism on the island. See the monastic ruins at the foot of the mountain, the cave where Mahinda resided, and historic stupas including the Ambasthala Dagoba.

See this 40-foot standing Buddha statue, carved from a single rock and standing unsupported except for one thin attachment at the back. The carving shows delicately worked robe folds and a cleanly sculpted body, and the partially collapsed structures around it suggest it once stood within an image house.

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

Walk through the ruins of this city, which flourished as Sri Lanka's second major capital between the 10th and 13th centuries AD. Highlights include Gal Vihara, the Vatadage, the lotus bath, the Lankathilaka Temple and the statue linked to King Parakramabahu, whose reign is regarded as Polonnaruwa's golden age.

Take a safari through the park's scrubland and forest, home to elephants as well as other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Between May and October the park can see over 150 elephants gather at once in the Great Elephant Gathering.

Climb this 5th-century AD rock fortress built for King Kasyapa, entering through steps framed by giant lion's paws. See the famous unfading frescoes, the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns, and walk through the tunnels leading to the former palace at the summit.

Watch an hour-long show of traditional Sri Lankan performing arts, including fire dancers, sword dancers and Kandyan dancers performing to drumming.

See this temple, noted for its wood carving.

Wander through this historic temple and view its paintings and sculptures.

Visit this temple, architecturally advanced for its time.

See the cave temple's interior walls, covered in painstakingly restored paintings.

Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the 16th century to house and protect the Buddha's sacred tooth relic. Walk through passageways and halls painted in red, cream and black, past carved pillars and golden statues.

Walk through gardens established in the early 19th century, home to over 4000 plant species including orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Highlights include the cannonball tree, a suspension bridge, hedge mazes and large, climbable trees.

Explore this former premium holiday town for the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with its cottages, villas and mansions. Visit the old red-brick post office and relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.

Visit the park in Ohiya for its montane grasslands and cloud forests. See the views from World's End precipice and the spray of Baker's Falls, with chances to spot endemic fauna and learn about archaeological finds made in the area.

Pass through tea fields and rocky terrain for views over the surrounding countryside.

Walk over this bridge and hear the story behind its construction.

End the hike at this station, known for its unique loop-over track design.

Go on safari in Sri Lanka's second-largest national park, located on the southeastern coast, with chances to see leopards, wild water buffalo, sloth bears and elephant herds, alongside many other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

Spend the day on the beach, with sun, soft sand and sea breeze by day and views over the ocean at sunset. Watch for nesting turtles or try water sports such as jet-skiing and windsurfing.

Visit one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia, with its Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum and lighthouse. Walk the cobblestoned streets, still carrying their Dutch names, that reflect the city's colonial history.

Spend the day on the beach, with sun, soft sand and sea breeze by day and views over the ocean at sunset. Watch for nesting turtles or try water sports such as jet-skiing and windsurfing.

Take a boat ride through the river's mangrove channels, spotting basking crocodiles and water monitors, visiting a small island where cinnamon is harvested, watching water birds, and trying the fish massage.

See the capital's historic sites, including the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple and the National Museum, with time to browse Independence Square's shops and boutiques.