Northern Roots and Eastern Blues

Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and head up the western coast to Kalpitiya, a tranquil peninsula known for kitesurfing and quiet lagoons. Settle in for a relaxed first afternoon by Kalpitiya Lagoon, soaking up the ocean breeze as you ease into the journey ahead.

Travel inland for a thrilling jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's largest reserve. Spend the day searching its forests and natural lakes for leopards, sloth bears, elephants, and a wide array of birdlife, before retiring near the park entrance for the night.

Drive a short distance east to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the day exploring its sprawling sacred city, with its towering stupas, ancient monasteries, and the venerable Sri Maha Bodhi tree, said to be the oldest documented planted tree in the world.

Drive north along the A9 highway to Jaffna, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka's Tamil heartland. Visit the magnificent Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, an important Hindu temple known for its colourful gopuram and vibrant rituals, before settling in to your hotel and sampling Jaffna's distinctive cuisine.

Spend a full day exploring Jaffna and its surroundings. Wander the ramparts of the historic Jaffna Fort, originally built by the Portuguese and later expanded by the Dutch, and take a boat to one of the offshore islands such as Nainativu or Delft for ancient temples, wild ponies, and quiet beaches.

Drive south-east across the northern plains to Trincomalee on Sri Lanka's pristine east coast. Check into a beachfront hotel near Nilaveli and spend the rest of the day on its powder-soft sands, with their calm turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

Spend a more relaxed second day on the east coast. Visit the appropriately named Marble Beach, with its smooth pebbles and crystal-clear waters, then explore the nearby cultural sights of Trincomalee, including Koneswaram Temple perched on Swami Rock.

Drive south-west into the Cultural Triangle. Spend the day climbing the legendary Sigiriya Rock Fortress, marvelling at its 5th-century frescoes, water gardens, mirror wall, and the ruined palace at the summit, with its breathtaking 360-degree views over the surrounding plains.

Drive a short distance east to the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, exploring its UNESCO-listed ruins of palaces, stupas, and stone Buddhas. In the afternoon, embark on a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park to witness "The Gathering," one of Asia's most spectacular concentrations of wild elephants.