The Finest of Ceylon (16 Days)

Negombo's sandy beaches sit on the Western Coast of Sri Lanka, where you can watch a fish industry that has operated here for centuries. Water sports are available for those wanting something active.

Galle Fort is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia, built during the Portuguese and Dutch periods. Walk the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names, visit the museums and lighthouse, and hear the guide's stories of the old headquarters town.

The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery on the southwestern coast works to protect the nests of five endangered sea turtle species that come ashore in Sri Lanka. The Kosgoda Turtle Care Program improves the hatchlings' survival chances, and visitors can see, touch and feed baby turtles as well as injured adults in care.

Rumassala hill, three kilometres east of Galle, is topped by a white Buddhist dagoba and is the landmark of Unuwatuna beach. It is one of five Sri Lankan sites linked in legend to fragments of Mount Dronagiri dropped by Hanuman, and is said to have been Sita's abode during her time in Lanka.

A two-hour boat ride on the Madu River passes through narrow channels created by mangroves, where crocodiles and water monitors can be seen basking. The trip takes in a small island worked by cinnamon-harvesting residents, a fish massage, and waterbirds in their natural habitat.

Also known as the Virgin White Tea Factory, this estate produces its famous Virgin White Tea without the leaves ever being touched by human hands during plucking and processing. The visit includes the factory's history and a tasting of tea with chocolate cake, plus the chance to buy tea leaves.

Ussangoda is a bare coastal plateau whose serpentine rock contains toxic heavy metals, allowing only specially adapted smaller plants to grow. Ramayana legend attributes its baldness to Hanuman's burning tail setting fire to King Ravana's territory, and also claims the plateau was once used as an airport for Ravana's flying chariot before Hanuman destroyed the landing site.

Yala is home to the famous Sri Lankan leopard, wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan sloth bear and large herds of elephants, alongside many other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

Nuwara Eliya was the premium holiday resort town for the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and its streets still hold pretty cottages, quaint villas and mansions from that period. The old red-brick post office sells inexpensive, colourful postcards, and Queen Victoria Park and Lake Gregory offer places to relax.

Horton Plains National Park in Ohiya combines montane grasslands with cloud forest. The park's highlights include the sweeping views from World's End and the cooling spray of Baker's Falls, along with sightings of endemic fauna and information on archaeological finds made in the area.

This hour-long performance showcases some of the island's most popular art forms, including fire dancers, sword dancers and Kandyan dancers performing to drumming.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the 16th century to house and protect Lord Buddha's sacred tooth relic. The temple's passageways and halls are richly painted in red, cream and black, with carved pillars and golden statues throughout.

Formed in the early 19th century, the gardens hold over 4,000 species of plants across a large area, including orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Features include the cannonball tree, a suspension bridge, hedge mazes and large trees suited to climbing.