Day 1 & 2Upon arrival transfer directly to Brook Boutique, a peaceful holiday resort located about two hours from Colombo’s international airport and nearby the town of Dambulla in the Cultural Triangle. Relax and unwind by the poolside and take in the surrounding mountain views. Next morning visit Dambulla’s ancient cave temple consisting of a complex of Buddhist image houses. Its rock ceiling is one large sweep of colourful frescoes, some of which date back more than 2,000 years, depicting Buddhist mythology and the tales of the Buddha's previous births. This cave temple has the largest number of Buddha statues all housed in one place, including a 14m-long figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock.

Day 3, 4 & 5Head to the north east coast and en route we recommend a visit to the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa, which was Sri Lanka’s royal medieval capital between the late 11th and 13th century. After visiting Polannaruwa museum, which will provide an overview of this ancient city and its heritage, move onto exploring the ruins themselves. Visit Kalaweva, one of the massive reservoirs built by King Dhatusena and lunch at the Polonnaruwa Rest House. Continue on to the coastal village of Pasekudah where you will stay three nights at the Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa set on a pristine stretch of beach fronting the turquoise waters of Pasekudah Bay.

Day 6, 7 & 8Travel south along the East Coast to Arugam Bay - famously known as one of ten top surf spots in the world. The relatively isolated beaches and a simple, laid-back lifestyle here has many devotees. Surfing season starts in May when the waves are high and the wave breaks are thrilling. We recommend you stay three nights at Stardust, a welcoming beachside hotel perched at the edge of the bay. There is a beach break in front of the Stardust Hotel which is good for body Surfing and beginners. Three of the better point breaks for surfing – The Point, Pottuvil Point, and Crocodile Rock are all located nearby. It is not all about the sun and surf on the South East Coast. Experience coastal village life, visit ancient ruins and rock sculptures dating back centuries, and explore untouched wilderness where elephant roam free at Lahugala National Park.

Day 9 & 10Journey inland and into the southern highlands - a stirring land of lush tea plantations, majestic peaks and rushing waterfalls. Your destination is Haputale, a small village in the southern highlands perched on a ridge with magnificent sweeping views across the southern plains. Check-in to the Kelburne Mountain View Cottages situated at the edge of a ridge with breathtaking mountain views. Stroll through the Kelburne Tea plantation with the tea leaf weighing station just at the entrance to the Cottages. Visit the tea factory where you will gain insight into the manufacturing process as well as an opportunity to taste and purchase the different grades of Ceylon Tea. Adisham, a Benedictine monastery, and several waterfalls including Dunhinda, Diyaluma, and Ravana Ella are all located nearby in the towns of Haputale and Ella.

Day 11 & 12Travel to the small lakeside city of Kandy, steeped in history and culture. Stay two nights at Theva Residency, a small boutique hotel in the peaceful Hantane mountain range with breathtaking views across the Kandyan hills. Explore the city of Kandy with a walk around the Kandy Lake and visit the Temple of the Tooth which has a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha enshrined here since 4th Century A.D. Religious services (pooja) are held daily at dawn, mid-day, and in the evening where guests can participate. The services are accompanied with traditional music and drumming.

Day 13This morning you travel to the capital city of Colombo for your final night’s stay at CASA Colombo, a stylish boutique hotel that is centrally located close to shops, restaurants, Buddhist temples and Hindu Kovils, art galleries, and the National Museum. Experience Colombo’s colonial architecture with a visit to the Fort - Colombo's three-mile long rampart cordoning off the area covered by today’s Fort and Pettah. Fort was originally built in the sixteenth century by the Portuguese and then further developed by the Dutch and the British. Today, it is the commercial hub of the country, consisting of government offices, banks, five-star hotels and the country’s largest wholesale bazaar, which sells a huge range of items. In the Fort many of the old colonial buildings still stand alongside a slowly modernizing skyline.