Following the Tsunami, Sri Lanka with the help of international aid agencies and local effort is beginning to show signs of recovery, despite continued widespread evidence of the wave. The best thing for the locals now is for visitors to return to the island to help bring a much needed revival to the economy for the longer term. Our tours have been slightly modified to take into account the change in the infrastructure and to remain sensitive to those who are still trying to get their lives back in order.

Ancient Buddhist monuments, welcoming people, dense jungle, cool highlands and idyllic tropical coast. These are just a few of the highlights of this unique place

Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka's first capital, a potent symbol of Sinhalese power, and the most extensive and important of Sri Lanka's ancient cities. It became a capital in 380 BC and for over 1000 years Sinhalese kings ruled from this great city.

The Sacred Bo-Tree is the city's holiest site, and was grown from the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns.

The second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993, Polonnaruwa comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

We make for the mountains and Kandy, where we'll watch elephants bathing at the Elephant Orphanage, and visit the much venerated Temple of the Tooth. After a scenic drive through magnificent mountains, we visit a tea plantation, a unique introduction to the verdant highlands.

Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, illustrating the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions.