Belilena Cave
One of Sri Lanka’s most significant prehistoric sites, where excavations uncovered stone tools and human remains tens of thousands of years old, attributed to the so-called ‘Balangoda Man’, genuinely off the standard circuit.
Polonnaruwa
Sri Lanka’s medieval capital, its royal palaces, sacred quadrangles and the Gal Vihara’s rock-carved Buddhas explored at a relaxed pace along quiet park roads.
Sigiriya
A 5th century rock fortress rising 200 metres above the surrounding plains, with hydraulic water gardens, ancient frescoes and a summit that once held a royal palace, one of the defining sights of any Sri Lanka journey.
Dambulla
Five rock cut cave shrines filled with over 150 Buddha images beneath painted rock ceilings, in continuous religious use since the 1st century BC, almost always paired with Sigiriya given the short distance between them.
Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka’s first great royal capital, founded in the 4th century BC and occupied for well over a thousand years, home to the Sri Maha Bodhi tree, the oldest documented living tree on earth.