Sri Lanka's Leopards and Temples

Our enchanting Sri Lankan holiday begins as we meet our Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London Heathrow, 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 about 500BC by the Sinhalese, who quickly adopted Buddhism and constructed inventive means by which to grow rice. Peaks and troughs 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 the island swapped hands up until 1948.

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

Touching down at Bandaranaike International Airport this morning, we are transferred to our fantastic 5-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 vie for prominence 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.

We have the afternoon and early evening to unwind and acclimatise to our new surroundings, perhaps taking a dip in the outside pool lined by palm trees or lounging 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.

We get to know Colombo after breakfast at the hotel this morning as we are joined by an expert local guide for a sightseeing tour of this historic 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.

There is free time over lunch to enjoy some local cuisine independently before we transfer to our new hotel. 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. Dinner this evening is at our 4-Star hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, we set out to view one of Sri Lanka's most spectacular sights - a UNESCO-listed 5th-century fortress and city centred on a jaw-dropping overhanging granite rock looming high out of the jungle.

This spellbinding pillar rises some 600 feet above the ground 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. There is the option to climb the stairs and admire the breathtaking views from the top of pristine jungle and rolling mountains - or you could discover the royal palace and elegant gardens at ground level.

After lunch at our hotel, we transfer to Polonnaruwa - the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Here, we explore the captivating archaeological remains of once-glorious rock shrines, mighty monuments and vast dome-shaped stupas.

Dinner this evening is back at our beautiful hotel in Habarana.

Embarking on a coach journey to Kandy after breakfast at the hotel, 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, and these images demonstrate the evolution of ancient Sri Lankan art. Alongside more than 150 different statues of the Buddha and murals depicting the various stages of his life, we admire the stunning statues of Hindu deities, including Vishnu and Ganesha.

Continuing to Kandy, we stop enroute for the opportunity to have lunch independently. Our accommodation tonight is a 4-Star hotel overlooking the Mahaweli River and lush foliage. The rest of your afternoon is free to relax, before we gather for dinner in the hotel's restaurant this evening.

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 gorgeous Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Previously a pleasure 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 together at a local restaurant, we enjoy a guided tour of a city where ancient Buddhist temples and Kanyan art sit alongside colonial British architecture. After a visit to 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.

A highlight of our Sri Lankan holiday awaits after breakfast today as we are transferred to Peradeniya railway station for a gorgeous journey on the delightful 'tea train'.

This scenic route is famed for its picturesque scenery as we climb into the central highlands, navigating a series of mountainous slopes, bridges and tunnels as misty hills, thick forests and cascading waterfalls pass our windows. With a packed lunch provided, we can sit back and marvel at this stunning landscape lined by vast tea plantations. Due to its breathtaking vistas, this trip is popular with visitors, but also provides a glimpse into daily life in rural Sri Lanka on a service that is a lifeline for locals.

We arrive in Nanu Oya after skirting the imposing Great Western Mountain. Here, we are transferred to our hotel near Nuwara Eliya. With its temperate climate, manicured green spaces and colonial architecture, it's easy to understand how this town became known as 'Little England'. Our 5-Star hotel is surrounded by verdant forests and after checking in, we enjoy dinner in the restaurant.

Sri Lanka is renowned for its tea production, but it wasn't always that way. Once famed for coffee instead, 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 travel to Ramboda after breakfast at our hotel, where we enjoy a tour of a plantation and factory. After discovering the different types of black tea produced here, there is the chance to partake in a hands-on experience plucking the tea leaves straight from the plant. Afterwards, we settle down on the al fresco terrace for a well-deserved tasting overlooking the emerald-coloured tiers of tea. If you wish, you can decide to have lunch in the restaurant.

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

Our rail tour of Sri Lanka continues today as we leave our Nuwara Eliya hotel after breakfast and a leisurely morning to board a train to Demodara.

Incredible jungle views pass by the carriages as we enter the seemingly untouched mountains where waterfalls plunge down rugged cliffs. One of the most spectacular sights on this route is the Nine Arches Bridge. This curved viaduct near Ella provides magnificent views of the surrounding scenery and tea plantations from its vantage point nearly 100 feet above the ground.

From Demodara, we continue our journey by coach 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 4-Star spa hotel, where there is time to unwind. Tissamaharama is known for its ancient Buddhist stupa, one of the largest in Sri Lanka. Believed to have been built to be built by King Kavantissa more than 2,000 years ago, it was apparently consecrated by Buddha himself.

This evening, we gather in the restaurant for dinner together.

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 set against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean. We set out on a Jeep safari, searching 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 game drive 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 beautiful creatures in the park - keep an eye out for mongooses, wild buffalo and the large sambar deer.

We can discuss this exciting day's sightings over dinner at our hotel this evening.

Like other island nations in the Indian Ocean such as the nearby Maldives, Sri Lanka is host to 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 gorgeous 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 the 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 delightful Galle, we continue up the lush west coast to our 5-Star beach hotel in Beruwala overlooking the Indian Ocean, where we have dinner together this evening.

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 5-Star 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.

A buzzing town that still retains its authentic charm, you could decide to explore Beruwala 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, we enjoy dinner together at our wonderful hotel.

Today is a free day to continue relaxing in this paradisical location. If you wish to explore further afield 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.

At the hotel this evening, we enjoy dinner at our hotel.

We start our final day in Sri Lanka with a relaxed morning to enjoy the facilities at this perfectly located hotel before returning to the capital. After checking in to our original 5-Star hotel in Colombo, there's free time to unwind or explore at your own pace. You could head to the Pettah Floating Market to browse the stalls of local produce and handicrafts, or shop for last-minute souvenirs in the stores around the old Dutch Market. This evening, we head to the Colombo Lotus Tower - the tallest building in Sri Lanka. The lotus flower is a symbol of purity in the country and its design represents a blossoming bud. In the evening, this striking tower is illuminated. At the top of the tower, we enter a revolving restaurant for dinner with spectacular 360° views of the city - an unforgettable end to this exploration of Sri Lanka.

Armed with a packed breakfast, we make the short journey to the airport this morning, ready for our flight back to the UK.

After a stopover at Doha in Qatar, we arrive back at London Heathrow this evening, where we say farewell to our Tour Manager and fellow travellers with whom we have shared the many spectacular sights of Sri Lanka.

From historic, bustling cities of Colombo, Kandy and Galle to pristine jungle on the spellbinding rail journeys and astonishing rock fortresses, this amazing country has captivated and charmed us in equal measure. Blending idyllic beaches and the incredible wildlife of Yala National Park, our time in Sri Lanka has provided a lifetime of unforgettable memories to treasure.