Sri Lanka

Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and take time to relax ahead of dinner this evening.

Our day begins at the Gothami Temple which houses beautiful wall paintings that intricately and vibrantly depict the life of Buddha. In the afternoon we visit the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, where, according to legend, the Buddha converted the earliest inhabitants of Lanka to Buddhism. This temple is also renowned for its richly decorated walls, which include amazing murals painted by two well-known modern artists, Solias Mendis and George Keyt.

We journey to Anuradhapura for lunch. This area boasts a wealth of evocative sites and, this afternoon, we pay a visit to Mihintale, which was the site of the island’s first Buddhist sermon and first conversion of a long line of kings.

Our day begins at the ancient city of Anuradhapura, royal capital from the late 5th century BC, until it was sacked and burned by Chola Tamils in 993. The power of the Sinhalese kings was then transferred to Polonnaruwa. It will take us most of the day to examine the remains of 15 centuries of continuous occupation. As we stroll among the ancient buildings, we will be awed by the huge dimensions of the three dagobas of the oldest periods and charmed by the unique architecture and moonstone thresholds of its monasteries and temples. We also visit the site museum, which displays sculptures, bas-reliefs and other precious artefacts.

The story of King Kasyapa’s retreat to his palace, built 180 metres above the surrounding forest on the rock of Sigiriya, is filled with intrigue, murder, revenge and suicide. It took him seven years to build his citadel and its spectacular gardens, pools and pavilions, designed to blend with the natural landscape. This extraordinary complex is no less beautiful today than it was in the 5th century BC. We shall climb Kasyapa’s citadel slowly, stopping to enjoy the water garden terraces, the famous "Sigiriya maidens" painted in a rock gallery, the magnificent views and visit Sigiriya Archaeological Museum. After a full morning of activity, we have the afternoon at leisure.

We will spend the full day at the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa. A series of great builders – including Vijayabahu I (1055-1110), builder of the first Temple of the Tooth, and Parakramabahu (1153-86), who built a vast number of dams, reservoirs and canals. A tour of the new site museum will end this fabulous and interesting day.

This morning we will visit the huge Avukana Buddha, which stands at over 40 feet tall, and the massive 4th century BC reservoir at Kala Wewa, built by King Datusena in 307 BC. We then continue to the great Golden Temple of Dambulla. The easy ascent rewards us greatly as we will be able to stand before magnificent cave temples that are boldly decorated with paintings and effigies carved out of the living rock. The remainder of our afternoon will be spent at leisure. For those of us who have always wanted to see elephant in the wild there is the opportunity to take an optional safari this afternoon. Alternatively, you could choose to join a guided walk in the nearby nature reserve to study medicinal plants and wildlife.

En route to Kandy we will stop to visit Aluvihare, the site where the Buddhist doctrine Tripitaka was finally written down on talipot palm leaves. After viewing the cave temple’s graphic depictions of what awaits sinners, we have arranged an informal discussion about Sri Lankan Buddhism with the chief monk of this important temple. We will also visit a spice garden and stop for lunch at a restaurant created by a popular folk artist. Touring continues in Kandy at the Anglican Cathedral. This evening we will visit the Temple of the Tooth at the time of the puja, or prayer offerings.

Today begins at the three temples of the Kandyan era: Gadaladeniya Viharaya, with its strong southern Indian influences reminiscent of the Hindu art of Vijayanagar, Lankatilaka Viharaya, and finally Kataragama Devale, which is famed for its carved wooden pillars. We return to Kandy to visit a batik workshop and then have time at leisure ahead of meeting for dinner in the evening.

We drive to Nuwara Eliya this morning and in the afternoon stop en route to sample some tea as part of a guided tour of the Labukelle Tea Estate.

Explore Nuwara Eliya at leisure with time to enjoy walks through the ‘tea capital’ in Victoria Park and Gregory’s Lake. Lunch is at the 19th century colonial Hill Club.

We journey to Bentota, stopping en route at Mulkirigala Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple built on a 205-metre high rock. After lunch we join the southern express way just a short distance from the temple to continue our journey to Bentota.

Today, we will visit the Martin Wikramasinghe Folk Museum for an excellent overview of traditional life in Sri Lanka. We continue with a visit to the fishing village of Weligama to see a Megalith carved with a figure identified as Kushta Raja, the ‘leper king’, and the Purvarama Monastery, whose image house is considered to be one of the jewels of Buddhist painting. In the afternoon we tour the historical centre of Galle, including its ramparts and fort, as well as the National Marine Museum and the Marine Archaeological Project. Before heading back to our hotel we have a short visit to Ambalangoda. Our farewell dinner this evening includes a performance of the Kolam Dance.

We make our way back to Colombo to take our return flight back to London.