What to do in Sri Lanka

Spend time with a celebrated local artist from the village of Ambalangoda, and witness how the local masks are being carved and painted. If you want you can learn the art of how to do the carving and painting as well.

Rise through the mist before dawn breaks over the 2000-year-old ruins of the Cultural Triangle. Glide through the air, looking out for the myriad historic landmarks scattered across the landscape. As you travel over Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Sigiriya, keep your eyes peeled for the aged ruins that break the surface of thick jungle. Experience these incredible sights from the air before landing to enjoy a glass of champagne!

Well cared for and utterly majestic, the elephants at the Kandy foundation are a joy to meet. Help the mahout (keeper) as they give out medicine and vitamins, then join an elephant on their walkabout across the grounds. You can also be part of bathtime - but there's a good chance you'll get soaked. Visit the on-site museum to delve into Sri Lanka's complex history with elephants and what the foundation does to protect these gentle giants.

Explore the less-trodden trails of Sri Lanka's first kingdom on a fun and informative cycling tour. Begin your excursion through the monastic city of Anuradapura exploring its lush paddy fields, local villages and ancient structures covered in creepers. Pass by some of the area's oldest shrines including Abhayagiri Dagoba, the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Stop for a picnic by the Elephant Pond before visiting the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree, one of the most sacred Buddhist relics in Sri Lanka.

Jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park & Visit Elephant Transit Home. Situated about 165 kilometres from Colombo, the Udawalawe National Park has become a popular tourist destination and the third most visited game park in Sri Lanka. It was originally built to provide a sanctuary for the wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir in 1972 on the Walawe River. It covers nearly 30 000 hectares, and is home to herds of Sri Lankan elephants, water buffalo, monitor lizards, sambar deer, leopards and indigenous water birds. Open-top safaris led by experienced guides through the savannah-type landscape are the ideal way to view the wildlife, with most visitors being assured of enjoying a special treat of viewing young and adult elephants at the water holes.

Journey to a home just outside of central Kandy to learn all about the art of drumming. Your teacher is a professional drummer whose family has been in the 'biz' for generations. Over a cup of Ceylon tea, hear all about the history of different drums and their uses at every occasion from temple rituals to Kandyan festivals. After seeing different percussion techniques in action, join your teacher in a drumming session of your own.

Meet up with an expert resident in the UNESCO Galle Fort who will take you around this magical enclosed living heritage city showing you the hidden gems and explaining about the lifestyles of the people. This will be a real hands on experience where you will get a real idea about how the Portuguese, Dutch and the British have left their mark on Sri Lanka and how their descendants are living inside the Dutch Fort.

Meet your host at Kandy's shimmering lake, before setting off on a walk to the Garrison cemetery - a place of immense history. On route to your waiting tuk tuk, stroll the grounds of the city's famous Temple of the Tooth. Zoom through Kandy and up into the hills where you'll find a sprawling view of the city. Your guide will share aged tales as you recline in the shadow of a giant Buddha, marvelling at the sights below. Finish off your tour with a visit to Helga's Folly Hotel, where you'll hear its intriguing back story over a cuppa.

Hop aboard a quintessential tuk tuk to explore the storied backstreets and tree-lined lanes of Colombo. As Sri Lanka's commerical capital, its modern design compliments ancient architecture. And a tour of Colombo always comes served with a slice of history! Get to know the ever-present culture of this fascinating city from the seat of a buzzing tuk tuk - it's a truly interactive way to see the highlights of Colombo!

Along Sri Lanka's idyllic and sun-kissed coastline, Weligama is any beach-lover's dream. It's here that you'll embark on a boat trip into the bay for a morning of deep sea fishing. Accompanied by an experienced crew, cast you line into the denim-blue water in the hopes of snagging some big names like sailfish or the more rare marlin. You can even choose to enjoy the view while you soak up some sun on deck!