Ancient Kingdoms & Hill Country – 12 Days

Your chauffeur-guide welcomes you at the airport and you head straight inland to the heart of the Cultural Triangle. The drive passes coconut estates, paddy fields and roadside fruit stalls – stop for a fresh king coconut on the way. Check in to your hotel near Sigiriya, surrounded by forest and lakes, and spend the evening by the pool while the rock fortress glows on the horizon.

Meals: Dinner · Overnight: Sigiriya / Habarana · Travel: 4 hrs (160 km) · Distance: ~160 km

Spend the day in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first capital and a UNESCO site founded in the 4th century BC. See the Sri Maha Bodhi – a sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the Bodhi tree in India and the oldest living human-planted tree with a recorded planting date – and the huge white Ruwanwelisaya and Jetavanaramaya stupas. In the afternoon climb the 1,840 steps of Mihintale, where Buddhism was introduced to the island in 247 BC.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Sigiriya / Habarana · Travel: 1.5 hrs each way · Distance: ~170 km

Leave the crowds behind at Ritigala, a mysterious forest monastery of meditation platforms and stone paths hidden in a strict nature reserve. In the afternoon, take a jeep safari in Hurulu Eco Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for elephants, sambar deer and a peaceful, less-crowded safari experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Sigiriya / Habarana · Travel: 1 hr · Distance: ~95 km

Start early (7:00 am) to climb Sigiriya before the heat and the crowds. The 5th-century citadel of King Kashyapa rises 200 m above the jungle: walk through the symmetrical water gardens, see the famous cloud-maiden frescoes and the mirror wall, pass between the giant lion paws and reach the palace ruins on the summit for a 360° view. After lunch, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple (UNESCO), five caves filled with over 150 Buddha statues and painted ceilings. Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Sigiriya / Habarana · Travel: 40 min each way · Distance: ~45 km

Explore Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka's medieval capital (UNESCO), by bicycle or by car. Highlights include the Royal Palace, the Quadrangle with its Vatadage, the Parakrama Samudra reservoir and the Gal Vihara – four Buddha figures carved from one granite rock. In the afternoon, join a jeep safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park. From July to October hundreds of wild elephants gather on the old reservoir beds in what is known as 'The Gathering'.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Sigiriya / Habarana · Travel: 1 hr to Polonnaruwa · Distance: ~135 km

Drive south to Kandy through Matale. Stop at a spice garden to see cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and pepper growing and learn how they are used in Ayurveda and Sri Lankan cooking. Continue to Kandy, check in and in the evening watch a traditional Kandyan dance and fire-walking show. Then visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (UNESCO) for the evening puja, when drummers and pilgrims bring flowers to the golden shrine.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Kandy · Travel: 2.5 hrs (90 km) · Distance: ~95 km

Climb into the tea country on one of the most scenic roads on the island. Stop at Ramboda Falls, then visit a working tea factory to watch leaf being withered, rolled and dried – and taste fresh Ceylon tea at its source. Arrive in Nuwara Eliya, known as 'Little England' for its colonial bungalows, rose gardens, post office and golf course. Take an evening walk around Gregory Lake.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Nuwara Eliya · Travel: 3 hrs (77 km) · Distance: ~80 km

Early start (5:30 am) for Horton Plains, a high cloud-forest plateau and UNESCO site. Walk the 9 km loop trail (about 3 hours) to World's End, where the cliff drops 870 m, and to the pretty Baker's Falls. Look out for sambar deer, endemic birds and the purple-faced langur. Afternoon free in Nuwara Eliya to visit a strawberry farm or the Hakgala Botanical Garden.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Nuwara Eliya · Travel: 1 hr each way · Distance: ~70 km

Take the most famous section of the hill-country railway from Nanu Oya to Ella (about 3 hours). Lean out of the doorway (carefully!) for views of tea-covered hills, waterfalls and villages. Your driver meets you in Ella. In the afternoon, walk to the Nine Arch Bridge and try to time it with a passing train.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Ella · Travel: Train 3 hrs · Distance: ~65 km

Drive to Udawalawe National Park, where herds of elephants graze against the backdrop of the hills – sightings are almost guaranteed. After the safari, visit the Elephant Transit Home at feeding time, where orphaned baby elephants are cared for and later released into the wild (an ethical alternative to captive attractions).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Udawalawe · Travel: 2.5 hrs · Distance: ~65 km

Explore Galle Fort (UNESCO), a 17th-century Dutch fortified town still full of life. Walk the ramparts to the lighthouse, visit the Dutch Reformed Church and the old warehouses, and browse boutiques, galleries and cafés in the cobbled lanes. Afternoon at Unawatuna or Jungle Beach, and sunset from the ramparts.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Galle / Unawatuna · Travel: Local · Distance: ~25 km

Enjoy a final morning by the sea before the transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport via the Southern Expressway (allow 3 hours).

Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: — · Travel: 3 hrs to airport · Distance: ~150 km