Grand Tour of Sri Lanka

Our Sri Lankan holiday begins at London Heathrow, where we meet our Tour Manager ready for an overnight flight to Colombo, via Doha in Qatar.

Known as the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean', the tropical teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka is separated by India by just 22 miles of the Gulf of Mannar but has a rich culture and heritage all of its own.

Colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, Sri Lanka was settled in around 500BC by the Sinhalese, who adopted Buddhism and found inventive means by which to grow rice. A cycle of wealth and subjugation followed for the next thousand years but reminders of this great civilisation remain. Europeans discovered Sri Lanka's native cinnamon during the peak of the spice trade in the 1500s and until 1948 the island swapped hands.

With endless sandy beaches, delicious food and lush jungles awash with mystical temples, Sri Lanka today is a wonderful country that remains off the main tourist routes - for now.

Touching down at Bandaranaike International Airport this morning, we are transferred to our five-star hotel in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, where we have a welcome drink on arrival. Overlooking the banks of Beira Lake, this luxurious resort hotel is a short distance from the historic Port district, where ornate colonial buildings contrast with modern, glistening banks and offices.

Although a bustling city of business and trade, Colombo is also a popular tourist destination with historic sights and an appealing stretch of coast on the Indian Ocean. This afternoon and early evening is free to unwind and acclimatise to the surroundings, maybe taking a dip in the outside pool lined by palm trees or relaxing on the terrace.

This evening, we travel the short distance to a delightful restaurant that recreates the enchanting surroundings of a traditional Sri Lankan village around an ancient banyan tree. Here, we enjoy a delicious buffet of authentic local cuisine.

• Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast in Colombo, we check out of our hotel and drive to Habarana. Travelling through the lush jungle interior of Sri Lanka into the 'cultural triangle', we arrive in Habarana and check in to our enchanting accommodation nestled in the forests beside a peaceful lake.

There's time to grab lunch independently before we head out to a local wildlife reserve. Whether we visit either Minneriya, Kaudulla or Hurulu parks will depend on the location of elephants who roam free in this part of the country. Guided by experts, we seek these majestic animals that are a symbol of national heritage in Sri Lanka. Elephants feature prominently in Sri Lankan folklore, including Kandula, who helped Dutugamunu unite the island in the first century BC.

Back at our hotel this evening, we can discuss the day's wildlife sightings over a four-course dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we set out to view one of Sri Lanka's most spectacular sights - a UNESCO-listed 5th-century fortress and city on a overhanging granite rock.

This spellbinding pillar rises some 600 feet above the jungle and contains the remains of a citadel constructed by King Kashyapa I who reigned from 477-495AD. The stairway through the rock displays ancient paintings of celestial dancers and originally led to an entrance through the mouth of a mighty crouched lion carved out of the rock. Now, however, only the impressive paws at the bottom remain. If you're keen to experience this, there is the option to climb the steep stairs, or you could discover the royal palace and gardens at ground level.

After lunch at our hotel, we transfer to Polonnaruwa - the ancient capital of Sri Lanka - to explore the archaeological remains of once-glorious rock shrines. Dinner tonight also introduces us to Sri Lankan culture as we are encouraged to dress in a traditional sarong ahead of a memorable evening, with the opportunity to try cocktails made from a local coconut spirit.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Setting out on a coach journey to Kandy after breakfast, we stop at the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temples. The main entrance of this important pilgrimage site is guarded by a giant golden Buddha. Inside are sacred cave temples concealed by a giant, overhanging rock and filled with Buddhist iconography.

Inhabited by forest-dwelling monks since the 3rd century BC, the caves are believed to have provided sanctuary for an ancient king. On regaining his throne, King Valagamba commissioned a series of incredible carved images. Further paintings were added by later monarchs, demonstrating the evolution of ancient Sri Lankan art. Alongside more than 150 different statues of the Buddha, we admire stunning statues of Hindu deities including Vishnu and Ganesha.

Continuing south, we stop at a spice plantation on Matale, where the likes of cinnamon, cardamom and turmeric are grown. Here, we learn about what the plants are used for and watch a short cooking demonstration before arriving in Kandy. The rest of your afternoon is free before dinner in the hotel's restaurant this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

An expert local guide joins us after breakfast as we set out to discover Kandy. Our explorations of Sri Lanka's religious capital begin at the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Previously a garden for the exclusive use of a Sinhala king and later expanded by the British, these beautiful havens are Sri Lanka's largest and most impressive with more than 4,000 types of flora, including a famous collection of orchids and an avenue of towering palms.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we enjoy a guided tour of a city where ancient Buddhist temples and Kanyan art stand beside colonial British architecture. After visiting the city's market square where local vendors sell an enticing range of tropical fruits, spices, and authentic crafts, we arrive at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. This two-storey golden-roofed shrine is said to hold one of Buddha's actual teeth, which is laid on a golden lotus flower, encased in a jewelled casket and sat on a throne.

Returning to our hotel, there is time to unwind before dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sri Lanka is renowned for its tea production, but it wasn't always that way. Once famed for coffee, it was the British who brought tea to the island in 1824. When coffee was hit by a terrible blight, tea boomed. A commercial plantation was established by James Taylor and the first shipment of 'Ceylon' tea reached London in 1875. Today, Sri Lanka provides tea for 10% of the world's cuppas.

We learn all about this popular drink as we visit a plantation and factory. After discovering the different types of black tea produced here, there is a chance to partake in a hands-on experience of plucking tea leaves straight from the plant. Afterwards, we settle down on the al fresco terrace for a tasting overlooking emerald-hued tiers of tea. If you wish, you can have lunch independently in the restaurant.

Continuing onwards, we arrive at our hotel in Nanu Oya, where dinner is served in the restaurant this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

With its temperate climate, manicured green spaces and colonial architecture, it's easy to understand how Nuwara Eliya became known as 'Little England'. Our hotel is surrounded by verdant forests and there's time to explore on a relaxed morning.

As Sri Lanka's highest town, Nuwara Eliya offered a cooler climate for the British involved in the tea trade. Many fine examples of Victorian buildings still remain, often shaded by seemingly incongruous flora such as tamarind trees. Stroll round Victoria Park absorb the British history in this part of central Sri Lanka, perhaps visiting the red-brick, mock-Tudor Post Office or the grand bank next door on Queen Elizabeth Drive.

Returning to the hotel this afternoon, we indulge in a decadent high tea, admiring our scenic setting amid the elegant gardens before dinner tonight.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our tour of Sri Lanka continues as we leave our Nuwara Eliya hotel after breakfast and travel towards the southern coast of Sri Lanka.

Incredible jungle views pass by as we enter a wilderness of mountains where waterfalls plunge down rugged cliffs. One of the most spectacular sights on this route is the Nine Arches Bridge, a curved viaduct near Ella. We stop to view this iconic curved viaduct that rises nearly 100 feet above the ravine below. Passing through Demodara, we continue our journey to Tissamaharama, stopping enroute where there is the option for you to have lunch independently.

On arrival in Tissamaharama near Yala National Park, we check in to our beautiful four-star spa hotel, where there is time to unwind. Tissamaharama is known for its ancient Buddhist stupa, one of the largest in Sri Lanka. It's believed that King Kavantissa constructed it more than 2,000 years ago and consecrated by the Buddha himself. This evening, we gather in the restaurant for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Rising very early this morning, we make our way before sunrise into nearby Yala National Park, the largest in Sri Lanka, to spot the fantastic native wildlife. The park is made up of diverse landscapes, including monsoon forests, dusty plains and serene lagoons, with a backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Setting out on a Jeep safari, we search for leopards, wild boar, elephants, and even crocodiles with our knowledgeable local guide. There are also hundreds of different bird species which call this protected reserve home, including the crested serpent eagle and rare purple heron.

Returning to our hotel for a late breakfast and time to unwind, we set out on a second safari this afternoon to increase our chances of spotting the majestic but elusive leopard. Yala has the largest concentration of these graceful predators per square kilometre in Asia, but they aren't the only creatures in the park - keep an eye out for mongoose, wild buffalo and the large sambar deer.

Dinner is served at our hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Like other island nations in the Indian Ocean such as the nearby Maldives, Sri Lanka has some incredible tropical beaches. Long, golden sand slices of paradise lined with lofty palm trees and lapped by bright blue waters appeal to a variety of beach-lovers. From Bohemian retreats to lively surf resorts and locals' beaches, southern Sri Lanka is an underrated idyll.

After breakfast in Tissamaharama, we travel along the south coast to the historic port city of Galle for a guided walking tour. With a natural harbour, a labyrinth of quaint narrow streets, and a delightfully preserved UNESCO-protected Portuguese and Dutch fortress, Galle is fascinating to explore. We admire white-washed houses and grand religious buildings along the peninsula, as well as the 16th-century fortifications and car-free historical centre in the company of our expert guide. There is free time to continue exploring this charming city and enjoy lunch independently.

From Galle, we continue up the lush west coast to our five-star beach hotel in Beruwala overlooking the Indian Ocean, where we have dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free to spend as you wish in Beruwala, home to one of the longest beaches in the country. Breakfast is included at our luxurious hotel, right next to the beach. You could spend the day swimming in the warm Indian Ocean, reading in the shade of a palm tree on the golden sands, or make an appointment at the wellness centre, which offers a fantastic choice of treatments amid the tranquil surroundings of the Balinese-inspired spa.

The buzzing town of Beruwela retains its authentic charm, and you could decide to explore or take a gentle stroll down the warm sand to sample some delectable seafood or traditional Sri Lankan curries. Nearby, Aluthgama sits on a bend in the Bentota River and bustles with souvenir shops.

This evening, dinner is served at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is a free day and, if you'd like to explore further and take part in some local activities, there is a choice of optional excursions available today (payable locally).

The first possibility is joining an optional whale-watching trip from Mirissa Harbour, a stretch of Sri Lanka's southern coast with the highest concentration of blue whales in the world. Embarking early in the morning with a packed breakfast supplied, you set sail into the Indian Ocean to spot these incredible mammals - the largest animals on the planet. This part of the ocean is also a great place to see sperm whales.

Alternatively, you could combine a visit to a nearby turtle hatchery to participate in their baby turtle release programme with a boat ride up the serene Madu River amid cinnamon trees.

We enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our final day in Sri Lanka starts with a leisurely breakfast, before we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the city.

Beginning at the stately Colombo National Museum, we explore artefacts that detail the intriguing stories of ancient Sri Lanka before marvelling at the eclectic architecture of the Gangaramaya Temple. A kaleidoscope of Buddhist sculptures, imagery and vibrant colours, this 19th-century place of worship is one of the city's most important. From here, we visit Independence Square, built to commemorate the end of British rule in 1948. A monument to 'Father of the Nation' DS Senanayake stands next to the memorial hall - the design of which is based on the celebration hall of the Kingdom of Kandy.

This evening, we head to the Colombo Lotus Tower - the tallest building in Sri Lanka, representing the flower as a symbol of purity in the country. In the evening, this striking tower is illuminated. Entering the revolving restaurant at the top, we enjoy dinner with spectacular 360° views of the city - an unforgettable end to our exploration of Sri Lanka.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This intriguing tour has taken us from the historic, bustling cities of Colombo, Kandy and Galle to wild tropical jungle. The serene temples and mighty rock fortresses, idyllic beaches and wonderful wildlife of Sri Lanka has captivated and charmed us in equal measure.

Departing our hotel with a packed breakfast, we make the short journey to the airport this morning, before our flight back to the UK. Arriving at London Heathrow this evening, your grand tour of Sri Lanka concludes and you can make your way home.