Heaven for Honeymooners

Honeymooners Special

Get up close and personal with playful elephants at the orphanage, spot exotic wildlife in their natural habitat, learn to cook a Sri Lankan meal, visit UNESCO heritage sites in the Cultural Triangle and relax with your loved one on the stunning East Coast palm fringed beaches. This 14 night romantic honeymoon in Sri Lanka is perfect for those wishing to experience a bit of everything – Culture and local traditions, Sri Lankan Wildlife and tropical beach relaxation. This holiday has been designed especially for couples and honeymooners wishing to explore Sri Lanka between the months of April and November.

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 Trincomalee
A ‘Honeymoon Gift’ as a memento of your special holiday

Itinerary Highlights:

Explore Sri Lankan Culture
Experience Local Traditions
Spot Wildlife on Safari
Relax on the Beach

15 Days

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 Temples

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). These five separate caves contain approx. 150 stunning Buddha statues and paintings, some of Sri Lanka’s most important and evocative religious art. From the caves there are superb views over the surrounding countryside with Sigiriya clearly visible in the distance. The afternoon is leisure time for you to relax and enjoy the hotel amenities.

Day 6: Ancient City Cycle Tour & Wildlife Safari

After a leisurely morning by the hotel pool, you will head to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa (approx. 1-hour drive time) for lunch and a gentle guided cycle tour to explore the many well-preserved ruins of Ceylon; these include palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes. Leaving Polonnaruwa mid-afternoon, you will head towards Minneriya National Park (approx. 40-minute drive). Be sure to have your camera ‘at the ready’ for your exciting 2-hour jeep safari drive through part of the National Park. 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 7: To the Beach

Today you will be driven to the northeast coast to the port city of Trincomalee to begin your idyllic 6-night beach stay (total drive time approx. 2.5 hours), calling en-route at Kantale Reservoir for a photo stop. This historic city, known as ‘Trinco’, sits on one of the world’s finest natural harbours, offers sensational panoramic views across the Indian Ocean and is popular for blue-whale, sperm whale and dolphin watching. It is home to colourful Hindu temples, colonial architecture and boasts stretches of pristine sand, rocky inlets and mazes of lagoons.

Day 8-12: Relaxation Beach Days

These 5 days are beach leisure days for you to enjoy Trincomalee, your hotel facilities and this dramatic coastline in whichever way you please. Alternatively, we can arrange some additional local tours if you prefer such as whale/dolphin watching, a short drive to explore the historic city of Trincomalee or a snorkelling trip to Pigeon Island.

Day 13: Coast to Coast Internal Flight

Today, you have a short 45-minute flight to Negombo on the west coast (total time door to door approx. 4 hours) for your final 2-night stay beside the stunning, palm-lined, wide, sandy beach.

Day 14: Soak up the Rays

A complete day to relax and soak up the rays or explore the local area at your leisure. Negombo has an interesting mix of things to see/do including a colonial-built canal, crumbled fort, a lively fish market and a wildlife-rich lagoon – you will be spoilt for choice how to spend your last full day in Sri Lanka.

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. 20-30 minutes’ drive) 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
- (13) nights’ accommodation at 3* standard hotels sharing a double room
- Daily breakfast and dinner during the tour
- Daily breakfast on the beach (Trincomalee)
- Travel in a private vehicle with your own chauffer guide
- Entrance fees to all sites and experiences as specified on the itinerary
- Domestic flight from Trincomalee to Negombo
- Sri Lanka ETA visa
- All applicable taxes with no hidden charges