Week in Paradise (7 Days)

This is an important regional Hindu temple complex near Chilaw, in existence since at least 1000 CE. Myths connect it to the Ramayana and its hero-king Rama, and it is one of five ancient temples in the region dedicated to Shiva.

The Golden Temple of Dambulla's caves date back to the 1st century BC and hold murals depicting the life of the Buddha along with hundreds of Buddha and deity figurines across five main caves, 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.

Sri Lanka's second major ancient capital flourished between the 10th and 13th centuries AD. Monuments include Gal Vihara, the Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue associated with King Parakramabahu, whose reign is regarded as Polonnaruwa's golden age.

A three-hour jeep safari through the park's scrublands and forests. Between May and October this is the site of the Great Elephant Gathering, when over 150 elephants congregate in one place, alongside other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

This 5th-century AD rock fortress was the seat of King Kashyapa. The climb passes through an entrance framed by giant lion's paws, which gives the rock its name, past unfading ancient murals, terraced gardens and still-working cisterns, and through tunnels leading to the palace ruins at the summit.

A guided tour of a spice and herbal garden near Matale, the spice capital of Sri Lanka, covering coriander, chilli, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg among other crops. Guides explain the uses of each spice and herb and the principles of Ayurveda.

An hour-long show of traditional Kandyan arts including fire dancers, sword dancers and Kandyan dancers performing to drumming. The evening also takes in demonstrations of gem crafting, woodcarving and batik work.

A guided tour of a working tea estate explaining the stages of tea manufacture: fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and grading. Visitors can watch tea pickers at work in the surrounding fields and finish with a tasting session and an introduction to the history of Ceylon tea.

The 11th tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka, seen en route to the tea estate.

This highland town served as the premier holiday resort for the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its streets hold cottages, villas and mansions from that period, along with an old red-brick post office and the green spaces of Queen Victoria Park and Lake Gregory.

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

Located on the southwestern coast, this hatchery works to protect the nests of five endangered sea turtle species that come ashore in Sri Lanka to nest, improving survival chances for hatchlings. Visitors can see, and sometimes touch and feed, baby turtles and injured adult turtles under the hatchery's care.

One of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia, built during the Portuguese and Dutch colonial periods. The fort holds museums, a lighthouse and cobblestoned streets with Dutch-era names.

A tour of the capital's historic landmarks, including the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green and the National Museum, along with shopping at Independence Square, the Race Course area, and various boutiques and designer stores.