10-Day Sri Lanka Tour: Ancient Cities, Trincomalee and Tea Country

After breakfast, drive inland to Sigiriya. Depending on when you arrive, check in to your hotel first, then visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the afternoon. At the bottom are landscaped water gardens; at the top are the remains of a royal citadel. The path climbs past the Lion's Paws to the summit, and from there you look out over forest, lakes and open country. There are many steps, so carry water, take your time and rest where you need to. Back to the hotel afterwards.

Overnight: Sigiriya

Today's trip is to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka's royal capital in medieval times. See the ruins of the Royal Palace and hear the story of the kings who ruled from here. In the Sacred Quadrangle, a small walled area holds a cluster of old religious buildings, among them the round Vatadage shrine. At Gal Vihara, figures of the Buddha are carved straight out of a granite rock face. Before you leave, stop by Parakrama Samudra, the vast reservoir that fed the old city. Return to Sigiriya for the night.

Overnight: Sigiriya

Have an early breakfast, because Anuradhapura is a full-day trip and you come back to Sigiriya afterwards. Begin at the Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred Bodhi tree and one of the most important places of Buddhist pilgrimage. Walk to Ruwanwelisaya, the huge white stupa, then see Thuparamaya, one of the first stupas built in Sri Lanka, and Jetavanaramaya, a towering stupa of brick. Your chauffeur can then take you to some of the monastery ruins and old reservoirs. The number of stops depends on the time you have.

Overnight: Sigiriya

After breakfast, drive east to Trincomalee on the coast. Once your room is ready, the afternoon or evening is yours on the beach. Three days of ruins, stupas and temples is a lot to take in, and this is your chance to rest. Swim, read or do nothing at all; the sand is soft, the Indian Ocean is in front of you and there is nothing planned until tomorrow morning.

Overnight: Trincomalee

This morning there is a boat trip to Pigeon Island, if the sea and the park allow it that day. The island lies off Nilaveli and is a marine national park with coral and tropical fish. If you snorkel, do what the boat crew and park staff tell you, as it depends on conditions. Later, visit Thirukoneswaram, the Hindu shrine on Swami Rock looking out over the Indian Ocean, passing the old Fort Frederick on the way up. End with the town's streets and market if there is time.

Overnight: Trincomalee

Have an early breakfast; this is a full travel day. On the way to Kandy, stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple. You walk uphill and climb steps to reach the caves, where Buddha statues fill the caves and murals cover the walls and ceilings. Then drive on through the central region to Kandy, the former royal capital, and check in. If you get there in time, go to a show of traditional dance and drumming in colourful costume; that depends on your arrival time.

Overnight: Kandy

Begin in Kandy at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It keeps a relic of the Buddha, and Buddhists from all over Sri Lanka come here to pray. A short drive takes you along the lakefront and through the town before you leave Kandy. The road then climbs into tea country. Stop at a tea factory to watch how the green leaf is processed into Ceylon tea and to look across the estates, if a factory visit can be arranged that day. Pause at waterfall viewpoints on the mountain road on your way to Nuwara Eliya.

Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Start with a short look around Nuwara Eliya, a hill town with a cool climate and buildings from the colonial era. If time allows, stop at Gregory Lake for the view of the water and the hills behind it. Then drive down out of the tea highlands to Colombo, Sri Lanka's commercial capital, with breaks and viewpoint stops when you want them. Check in to your chosen hotel in Colombo.

Overnight: Colombo

After breakfast, spend the morning in Colombo, as far as your flight time allows. See Independence Square, a landmark that marks the country's independence, walk along the ocean front at Galle Face Green and drive through the Fort district and the market streets of Pettah. Later your chauffeur drives you out to Bandaranaike International Airport for the flight home, and the tour finishes there.