Worldwide Sensation in One (10 Days)

The Golden Temple of Dambulla dates back to the 1st century BC and holds ancient murals depicting the life of the Buddha. Its five main caves, including the Cave of the Divine King and Cave of the Great King, contain hundreds of Buddha and deity figurines, and a giant golden Buddha statue stands a short distance outside the complex.

Polonnaruwa was Sri Lanka's second major capital, flourishing between the 10th and 13th centuries AD. Walking through the ruins takes in monuments such as the Gal Vihara, the Vatadage, the lotus bath, the Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu, whose reign is considered the city's golden age.

A jeep safari through the park's scrub lands and forests brings the chance to see elephants, along with other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. In the dry season between May and October the park is known for the Great Elephant Gathering, when over 150 elephants congregate in one place.

This 5th-century AD rock fortress was the seat of King Kasyapa, entered through an opening framed by the paws of a lion that gives the site its name. The climb passes unfading ancient 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 near Matale, Sri Lanka's spice capital, covers crops such as coriander, chilli, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg and their traditional uses, including in Ayurveda.

An hour-long show of traditional Kandyan arts including fire dancers, sword dancers and Kandyan dancers performing to drumming, alongside the chance to see gem crafting, woodcarving and batik work.

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

Established 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, climbable trees.

The climb begins around 1am up this 2,250-metre peak, known as Sri Pada, which is sacred to Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus alike for the footprint-shaped hollow at its summit. It has been a pilgrimage site for over a thousand years.

A jeep safari in Sri Lanka's second-largest national park, on the southeastern coast, offers the chance to see Sri Lankan leopards, wild water buffalo, sloth bears and large herds of elephants, along with many other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Also known as the Virgin White Tea Factory, this stop covers the history of the tea produced here and how the Virgin White Tea is plucked and processed without being touched by hand, followed by a tasting of tea and chocolate cake.

One of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia, built up by the Portuguese and Dutch, with the Maritime Museum, the Galle National Museum, the lighthouse and cobblestoned streets bearing Dutch names.

A boat safari from Mirissa harbour with a qualified naturalist offers the chance to see blue whales, sperm whales and fin whales in the waters off southern Sri Lanka.

A crescent-shaped beach at the eastern end of Weligama Bay, with sands that curve outward on either side.

A boat ride through the Madu River's mangrove channels passes basking crocodiles and water monitors, a small island where cinnamon is harvested by local residents, a fish massage stop, and waterbirds in their natural habitat.

The hatchery cares for five endangered sea turtle species that nest on this stretch of coast, with the Kosgoda Turtle Care Program protecting nests to improve hatchling survival. Visitors can see, touch and feed baby turtles and injured adults in care.

A tour of the capital's landmarks including the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, the Gangarama Temple and the National Museum, alongside shopping areas such as Independence Square and the Race Course.