Ancient cities, cool highlands, abundant wildlife and superb beaches
Lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a natural paradise; a landscape of verdant mountains, rainforests, paddy fields, tumbling waterfalls and sweeping gorges. Hidden amongst this are the ancient Buddhist city of Polonnaruwa and the impressive 'Lion's Rock' fortress at Sigiriya, testaments to the country's rich history. In contrast there's the religious centre of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya in the Central Highlands, as well as the chance to climb Adam's Peak for sunrise during trekking season. We then descend from the hill country by taking a train through the tea plantations into the central lowlands. From here we take a game drive in Yala National Park, which has one of the highest concentrations of leopards in the world, before spending our last few days lazing on idyllic palm-fringed beaches and visiting the old Dutch city of Galle.

Day 1 Start Marawila. 2 Visit cave temples at Dambulla; to Sigiriya. 3 Optional elephant ride, afternoon climb the rock fortress. 4 To Giritale; bike ride through country villages. 5 Visit ancient capital of Polonnaruwa; drive to Kandy via spice gardens and Aluvihare Temple. 6 Visit Temple of the Tooth, the Botanical Gardens, a gem factory and a cultural show. 7 Free time in Kandy to explore or relax; optional visit to Pinnawela elephant orphanage. 8 Optional Adams Peak climb (Dec-Apr only); to Kitulgala visiting tea factory en route; optional river rafting. 9 Morning jungle walk; afternoon to old colonial hillstation of Nuwara Eliya. 10 Early morning to Horton Plains; walk to World's End viewpoint; to Bandarawela by train. 11 Scenic drive through Ella Gap to Kataragama; game drive in Yala N.P. 12 Drive to Tangalle and walk through a rice paddy plantation; coastal drive to Ahangama; optional lunch at Tsunami house. 13 Free day to relax on the beach or optional activities including whale watching (Nov to April). 14 To Galle; visit old fort and turtle hatchery; transfer to Colombo. 15 End Colombo.