Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka's first capital, a city of monasteries and enormous brick stupas that was the centre of the Buddhist world for more than a thousand years – and the hill where Buddhism arrived on the island.

Few visitors reach the north, which makes it all the more rewarding. Discover Tamil culture, colourful Hindu kovils, Dutch forts, palmyra landscapes and island shrines – and taste the famous Jaffna crab curry.

Visit the most sacred Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka, including the 'Atamasthana' (eight sacred places) of Anuradhapura, Mihintale, the Dambulla caves, the Temple of the Tooth and Kelaniya. Take part in offerings, a meditation session at a forest monastery and a Poya (full-moon) observance if dates allow.

Sri Lanka has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and five of them are on this tour. Travel through 2,500 years of history: the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Mihintale where Buddhism arrived, the palace in the sky at Sigiriya, the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, the Dambulla caves and the royal city of Kandy.

A deeper journey for travellers who want more than the headline sights. Spend four nights in the Cultural Triangle with time for Anuradhapura, Ritigala's forgotten forest monastery and a village day, then move into the hill country for tea estates, cloud-forest hikes and the famous train.

Few visitors reach the north, which makes it all the more rewarding. Discover Tamil culture, colourful Hindu kovils, Dutch forts, palmyra landscapes and island shrines – and taste the famous Jaffna crab curry.

Visit the most sacred Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka, including the 'Atamasthana' (eight sacred places) of Anuradhapura, Mihintale, the Dambulla caves, the Temple of the Tooth and Kelaniya. Take part in offerings, a meditation session at a forest monastery and a Poya (full-moon) observance if dates allow.

Sri Lanka has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and five of them are on this tour. Travel through 2,500 years of history: the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Mihintale where Buddhism arrived, the palace in the sky at Sigiriya, the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, the Dambulla caves and the royal city of Kandy.

A deeper journey for travellers who want more than the headline sights. Spend four nights in the Cultural Triangle with time for Anuradhapura, Ritigala's forgotten forest monastery and a village day, then move into the hill country for tea estates, cloud-forest hikes and the famous train.