East Explorer (21 Days)

Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple and the National Museum, and take in the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course along with boutique shops and designer stores.

Enter the historic caves dating back to the 1st century BC and view the ancient murals depicting the life of Lord Gautama Buddha, along with hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities across the five main caves, including the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha statue a short distance outside the cave complex.

Walk through the ruined city that served as the capital for over a millennium until the 10th century AD, taking in pagodas, monastic buildings and ponds. Visit landmarks such as Jetavanarama, once one of the tallest buildings of the ancient world, the Sri Maha Bodhi, and the ruins of the Abhayagiri Monastery.

See the 40-foot standing Buddha statue carved from a single rock and standing unsupported except for a single thin attachment at the back, with delicately carved robe folds and a cleanly sculpted body. Partially collapsed structures nearby suggest it once stood within an image house.

Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion, giving the site its name, 'The Lion Rock'. View the unfading murals, climb the steep staircase, and see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns that demonstrate ancient Sri Lankan hydraulic engineering.

Take a safari through the park, which during the dry season between May and October sees over 150 elephants congregate at once in the famous Great Elephant Gathering, alongside other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Explore Thiriyai, a village where Tamil Buddhism was practised in ancient times, and visit the Girihadu Seya Stupa, said to mark the spot where Buddha gave hair relics to two traders, along with the old fortress of one of the last Vanniyar.

Take a five-hour tour to see blue whales, sperm whales and fin whales in the waters south of Sri Lanka, guided by a qualified naturalist with a focus on responsible, low-impact viewing.

Visit the smaller and larger Pigeon Islands and the coral reef encircling the larger one, home to breeding rock pigeons and a range of coral types and marine life.

Visit this ancient temple, praised by Indian poet-saints and noted by historical figures worldwide, with murals describing its history and a cave shrine dating to 1580 BC, while the main temple developed from 400 BC. See the giant statue of King Ravana, said to have worshipped here.

Visit the fort originally built by the Portuguese in 1624, see stones that once formed the Koneswaram temple before its destruction, and hear the history of its dismantling and rebuilding by the Dutch.

Explore the smaller and larger Pigeon Islands and the surrounding coral reef, home to breeding rock pigeons and varied coral and marine fauna.

Visit this Buddhist temple near Pottuvil, built over 2000 years ago by King Kavan Tissa of Ruhuna, where ruins and remains of ancient stupas, Seema Malaka, Avasa Geya and statues can still be seen, including stone statues of Buddha and two statues of old kings or gods.

Visit the park, which spans 35,664 hectares bordered by the Kumbukkan Oya river and the south-eastern coast towards Panama. See the Kumana Villu mangrove swamp, where many water birds nest during May and June, and water pools such as Kudawila wewa, Thummulla wewa and Kotalinda wewa that attract wildlife.

See this waterfall, which drops 82 feet from an oval concave rock in the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, taking the form of a drooping areca flower in peak season and reducing considerably in the dry season.

Pass through bright green tea fields and rocky stretches for views of Little Adam's Peak.

Walk over the bridge and hear the story of its construction.

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

Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the 16th century to house and protect Buddha's sacred tooth, and walk through its decorated passageways and painted halls with carved pillars and golden statues.

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

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

Enjoy the sandy beaches on the western coast, watch the centuries-old fishing industry, try water sports, and dive among corals and a 50-year-old shipwreck just off the coast.