Welcome to Sri Lanka! A warm island breeze greets you as you’re driven to Negombo, a coastal town steeped in Dutch and colonial history. Relax by the lagoon or take a sunset stroll through local markets, letting the slow rhythm of island life begin to unfold.

Your mythological journey begins. Visit Munneswaram Temple, believed to be where Lord Rama prayed for absolution. At Manavari, the first temple where a lingam of Shiva was created by Rama, feel the weight of centuries in each stone. Wind your way through lush landscapes to reach Dambulla by dusk.

At sunrise, ascend Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the ancient citadel of King Kashyapa. Murals, mirror walls, and lion’s paws lead you to breathtaking views. In the afternoon, explore the 11th-century ruins of Polonnaruwa, moonstones, royal baths, and sacred stupas whisper stories of a golden age.

Wander through the iconic cave temple complex of Dambulla, five mystical caves glowing with Buddha statues and ceiling frescos. Continue east to Trincomalee, where turquoise waters meet sacred legend. End the day at Koneswaram Temple, perched dramatically above the ocean.

Let the morning be still. Wade through the gentle surf of Nilaveli Beach or snorkel around Pigeon Island. Later, visit the revered Shankari Devi Temple, one of the Shakti Peethas, to feel divine feminine energy ripple through this coastal sanctuary.

Travel inland through spice-scented roads to Kandy. En route, visit a fragrant spice garden for a hands-on encounter with Sri Lanka’s ancient Ayurveda. In Kandy, offer flowers at the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a place of immense spiritual weight for Buddhists worldwide.

Visit Gayathri Peedam and Ramboda’s Hanuman Temple nestled in emerald hills, each site echoing with Ramayana legends. Drive into tea country, arriving in colonial-flavored Nuwara Eliya where mist curls like poetry over rolling plantations.

Pray where Sita is believed to have been held captive, Seetha Amman Temple. Then stroll through Hakgala Botanical Gardens, once Ashok Vatika, the mythical garden of Ravana. Explore Nuwara Eliya: its Tudor-style homes, lakefront charm, and nostalgic fog.

Board the most scenic train ride in South Asia to Ella. Feel time stretch as tea fields blur past open windows. In Ella, visit the roaring Ravana Falls and explore Ravana Cave, believed to be the hiding place of the demon king from the epic.

Depart from Ella, descending to Colombo. Time permitting, do a quick city drive to glimpse Colombo’s colonial and contemporary contrasts, markets, temples, and art spaces before your journey ends.