Small Miracle (15 Days)

These caves date back to the 1st century BC and hold ancient murals depicting the life of Lord Gautama Buddha alongside 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 capital flourished between the 10th and 13th centuries AD. Its ruins include the Gal Vihara, the Vatadage, the lotus bath, the Lankathilaka Temple and a statue of King Parakramabahu, whose reign is considered Polonnaruwa's golden age.

A three-hour safari through the park, known for the Great Elephant Gathering between May and October when over 150 elephants congregate in one place. The park's scrublands and forests also hold other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

This 5th-century AD rock fortress was the seat of King Kasyapa. The entrance is framed by the paws of a lion giving the rock its name, and the climb passes unfading murals, terraced gardens, still-working cisterns and tunnels leading to the palace ruins.

An hour-long performance of Sri Lankan traditions, featuring fire dancers, sword dancers and Kandyan dancers moving to drumming.

Located in Pinnawala village in Sabaragamuwa province, this is home to young elephants displaced or lost from their natural habitat. It now holds around 70 elephants, making it the largest captive herd in the world.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the 16th century to house and venerate Lord Buddha's sacred tooth. Its passageways and halls are 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, including orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Highlights include the cannonball tree, a suspension bridge, hedge mazes and large climbing trees.

The 11th tallest waterfall in the country.

Located in Ohiya, the park's montane grasslands and cloud forests lead to the precipice of World's End and the sprays of Baker's Falls. Endemic fauna and archaeological finds can also be seen in the area.

This former premium holiday resort for the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries retains pretty cottages, quaint villas and mansions. The old red-bricked post office, Queen Victoria Park and the shores of Lake Gregory are among the stops.

The walk passes through bright green tea fields and rocky stretches to views over the surrounding landscape.

A three-hour safari in the second largest national park on the island, on the southeastern coast. Sightings can include Sri Lankan leopards, wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan sloth bears and elephant herds, alongside many other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Once the headquarters of the Portuguese and Dutch, Galle Fort is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia. The visit takes in its museums, lighthouse and cobblestoned streets with Dutch-era names.

The boat passes through mangrove channels on the Madu River, home to basking crocodiles and water monitors. Stops include a small island where cinnamon is harvested, a fish massage, and sightings of waterbirds.

The country home and garden of architect Geoffrey Bawa, begun in 1947, led him to pursue architecture after training as a lawyer. He continued experimenting with the garden's spaces and structures throughout his life until 1998, and the estate, left to the Lunuganga Trust on his death in 2003, is now open to the public with its buildings run as a country house hotel.

Highlights include the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, the Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green and the National Museum, along with the malls around Independence Square and the Race Course, plus boutique shops and designer stores.