A Taste of Sri Lanka

Honeymoon Treat

Visit UNESCO world heritage sites in the Cultural Triangle, learn to cook a Sri Lankan meal in a rural village, spot exotic wildlife in their natural habitat on 3 separate safaris, visit both a spice garden and tea factory, experience one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world and enjoy a few relaxing beach days on the stunning South Coast. This 14-night fun packed holiday in Sri Lanka will give you a true feel for this delightful country, its culture and local traditions, Sri Lankan Wildlife and its idyllic tropical beaches. This holiday is perfect for newlyweds wishing to honeymoon in style whilst experiencing the very best of this paradise island between the months of October and April.

In addition to the special honeymoon courtesies provided by each of the hotels, we at Sri Lanka Holidays are delighted to include the following free upgrades as a way of celebrating your marriage:

A special 3-course romantic ‘Jungle Dinner’ in Sigiriya with wine
A couples 60-minute ‘Spa Treatment’ in Mirissa
A ‘Honeymoon Gift’ as a memento of your special holiday

Itinerary Highlights:

3 Wildlife Jeep Safaris
Culture, history and local traditions
Smell spice/taste tea
Palm lined beach relaxation

2+ Age

Best Deals

Culture and History

Romance

Destination

Day 1: International Flight

Depart from the UK on an international flight to Colombo, travelling overnight.

Day 2: Beach Hotel

Upon arrival in Colombo, you will be met by your driver and escorted to a nearby beach hotel in Negombo (approx. 20-30 minutes’ drive) for a relaxing afternoon and refreshing overnight comfort stop.

Day 3: Cultural Triangle via Elephant Orphanage

Heading inland to Sigiriya today (total drive time approx. 4.5 hours) to the lush green centre of Sri Lanka, known as the Cultural Triangle. Calling en-route for lunch at Pinnawela village, you will also visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, home to over 90 wild Asian elephants - this orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Upon arrival in Sigiriya, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the hotels various facilities.

Day 4: The Lions Rock & Local Village Experience

Today is a local day and we recommend an early start to avoid the midday heat. The remarkable rock citadel of Sigiriya, known as Lions Rock, is one of the most famous landmarks in Sri Lanka and dates back to the 5^th Century. Passing through the carved lion’s feet and bravely climbing the 1200 steps to the summit of this UNESCO World Heritage site, you will be rewarded with sensational 360-degree panoramic views for miles around as well as the beautiful gardens below. Return to the hotel for hearty breakfast and refresh. Around midday, you are invited to experience traditional Sri Lankan village life including a cookery lesson from a local villager, during which you will make your own lunch, followed by an oxen cart ride through streets of this rustic rural community.

Day 5: Cave Temple & Wildlife Safari

Fascinatingly built into and underneath the overhanging cliff, the UNESCO world heritage site of Dambulla Cave Temple is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka (only approx. 20-minute drive from your hotel). Later in the afternoon, have your camera ‘at the ready’ for a 2-hour jeep safari drive at Minneriya National Park (approx. 1-hour drive from your hotel). Here you may witness herds of elephants enjoying their natural habitat as well as spot many other mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles – you might even be lucky enough to catch a sighting of a leopard or sloth bear!

Day 6: Spice Garden & exploring Hill Capital

Today, you travel to Kandy (total drive time approx. 3-hour), the charming hill capital of Sri Lanka and its second largest city. En-route, you will visit a spice garden and gain an insight into this age-old industry of spice production which attracted many European and Asian merchants to the ports of ancient Sri Lanka. The afternoon will comprise of a city tour with an opportunity to browse the local markets before visiting the most sacred Buddhist temples of all, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, located in the royal palace complex. This golden-roofed Temple houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of Buddha.

Day 7: Waterfall, Tea Factory & Scenic train journey

The day starts with a drive to Nanu Oya (approx. drive time 2.5 hours), calling for lunch en-route at a quaint local café overlooking Ramboda Fall, the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. Here you will also have the opportunity to visit the tea factory and learn about the various varieties, processing methods and qualities of tea. At Nanu Oya, board the scenic train to Ella and enjoy 2.5 hours of sensational scenery on one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. You will travel through stunning landscapes of lush tea plantations, mountains and small villages as you pass lovely old bridges, beautiful waterfalls and grazing cattle – you’re likely to be greeted by local kids running along the train tracks too! Arriving in Ella at 17.00hrs, you will have the entire evening to enjoy at leisure.

Day 8: Waterfall, Tea Factory & Scenic train journey

A day to stretch your legs and experience Sri Lankan countryside starting with a trek from your hotel in Ella to the summit of Little Adams Peak for some sensational panoramic views. Once back at the base (about 2 hours later), you will hike cross-country through some woods to reach the impressive sight of Nine Arches, a beautiful bridge structure built just from rocks, bricks and cement (no steel) during the British Colonial Period to connect Demodara and Ella railway station.

Day 9: Travel to Yala National Park & Safari

As you travel today to Yala National Park in the Southern Coast Region of Sri Lanka you will see that landscape starting to flatten out once more (total drive time approx. 3-hours). Yala National Park is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka and renowned for its huge variety of wild animals as well as its conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards (for which Yala has the highest density in the world) and aquatic birds. You will get to explore some of this huge area of forest, grassland and lagoons in the afternoon from the comfort of a 4 x 4 – be sure to have your camera at the ready!

Day 10: More exotic wildlife encounter

Enjoy the whole morning of leisure overlooking the National Park, relaxing in your remote, ‘forest feel’ hotel. After lunch, enjoy another 4x4 safari and see if you can spot and tick off even more exotic wildlife from your list seen so far on this tour.

Day 11: To the beach

Today you will be driven to the south coast to the picturesque town of Mirissa for your relaxing few days beach stay (drive time approx. 2-hours). In addition to its beautiful beach and buzzing nightlife, Mirissa is also a fishing port and one if the island’s main whale and dolphin watching locations.

Day 12 - 14: Relaxation Beach Days

These remaining 3 days are beach leisure days for you to enjoy Mirissa and this idyllic coastline as you please. Alternatively, we can arrange additional local tours such as whale/dolphin watching, a short drive to the historic city of Galle or a visit to a turtle hatchery at your request.

Day 15: Fly back home

Sadly, all good things come to an end and today you will be driven back to Colombo (drive time approx. 4-hours) for your return flight to the UK. *note:

You will be travelling in a private airconditioned vehicle with your own chauffeur. This means that morning departure times are flexible each day, as is the amount of time you wish to spend at each site/activity. Your guide will advise on suitable travel times to avoid peak congestion and recommended the best time of day to ensure maximum enjoyment of the activity.
All travel time to/from locations are quoted in the itinerary, but please understand that these are only approximate to give a general guide. You will discover that Sri Lankan roads (and their users) are quite unique and appear somewhat chaotic – and it’s not just pedestrians, cyclists, bikers, tuk-tuks, dogs, slow moving heavy goods and agricultural vehicles that cause congestion. Don’t be surprised if you see the occasional elephant, monkey, land-lizard or cattle strolling across the road too!
Consequently, ‘we expect the unexpected’ and work on anticipate travel times based on 30-40 kms per hour.

Make Your Own Memories

- Scheduled international flights (economy travel) from most of the major airports in the United Kingdom
- 14 nights accommodation at 3* standard hotels sharing a room
- Daily breakfast
- Travel in a private vehicle with your own chauffer guide
- Entrance fees to all sites and experiences as specified on the itinerary
- Train Tickets 1st/2nd Class (from Nuwara Eliya to Ella)
- Sri Lanka ETA visa
- All applicable taxes with no hidden charges