Scenic Serendib (11 Days)

An important regional Hindu temple complex dating back at least to 1000 CE, linked in myth to the Ramayana and its hero-king Rama. It is one of five ancient temples in the region dedicated to Shiva.

An ancient temple praised by Indian poet-saints, with murals describing its history and a cave shrine dating to 1580 BC alongside the main temple developed around 400 BC. A giant statue of King Ravana, said to have worshipped here, stands at the site.

A national park made up of a smaller and a larger pigeon island surrounded by coral reef. The rock pigeon breeds here, and the islands can be explored for their coral types and marine life.

A 5th-century rock fortress once ruled by King Kasyapa, entered through an opening framed by giant lion's paws. The climb passes the site's famous murals, terraced gardens, still-working cisterns and tunnels leading to the palace ruins at the summit.

A guided tour of a spice and herbal garden covering coriander, chilli, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg, followed by a traditional cooking demonstration showing how Sri Lankan dishes such as roti and curry powder are made.

An hour-long show of Sri Lankan dance and performance traditions, 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 sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, with painted halls, carved pillars and gilded statues.

A national park of montane grassland and cloud forest in Ohiya, with views from World's End and the spray of Baker's Falls, along with a chance to spot endemic wildlife.

A hill town that served as the main holiday resort for the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with cottages, villas and mansions along its streets, the old red-brick post office, Queen Victoria Park and the shores of Lake Gregory.

Tea fields and rocky trails lead to views of Little Adam's Peak, before a walk over the Nine Arches Bridge and on to Demodara Railway Station with its loop-over track.

A safari through the island's second-largest national park on the south-east coast, with a chance to see Sri Lankan leopards, wild water buffalo, sloth bears and elephant herds, alongside other mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.

A bare coastal area with serpentine rock containing toxic heavy metals, which only certain plants can tolerate. Local legend links its scorched appearance to Hanuman's burning tail and to its earlier use as a landing site for King Ravana's chariot.

A hill east of Galle topped by a white Buddhist dagoba, said in legend to be a fragment of Mount Dronagiri dropped by Hanuman, and also linked to Sita's stay in Lanka.

A fort town built by the Dutch from 1663 on a promontory surrounded on three sides by the ocean, with Dutch colonial buildings along its walls and streets, and UNESCO World Heritage status.

A look at landmarks including the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple and the National Museum, along with the shops around Independence Square and the Race Course.