Honeymoon Adventure in Sri Lanka - 15 Days

Highlights

• Hike through rainforests and visit Dutch colonial cities
• Enjoy private pools, morning yoga, and movie nights on the beach
• Visit the iconic fortress temple at Sigiriya
• Embark on a bicycle tour down the backroads of rural Sri Lanka

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo, Transfer to Galle, Visit Dutch Fort

Welcome to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka! This island gem lies off the southern tip of India and is home to around 20 million people. It's a nation with deep roots, as the Sinhala Kingdom that existed in what is now modern-day Sri Lanka was founded in 543 BCE. Over the centuries, the country was ruled by hundreds of monarchs as well as the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. However, in 1972 it cast off the shackles of British colonial rule and became an independent republic. Since then, travelers have discovered Sri Lanka's rich Buddhist culture, incredible coast, and unspoiled natural wonders.

Upon arrival at the airport, a local guide will meet you, and you'll hop on a local bus for the two-hour drive south down the coast of Sri Lanka to the Dutch colonial town of Galle. It sits on a large bay and has the distinction of once being the chief port of Sri Lanka. The Dutch first arrived in 1602 and colonized the island mainly to protect their trading interests in the Indian Ocean. In this charming town, you'll find many well-preserved buildings that, hundreds of years ago, were Dutch law courts and administrative centers but are now cafés, boutiques, and art galleries. 

However, the most iconic structure in Galle is its Dutch Fort, which you'll visit on a tour. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. The fort complex sits on a rocky peninsula on the bay's north end and spans about 130 acres (53 ha). It also enjoys the distinction of being Asia's largest colonial-built fort.

Day 2: Galle to Weligama, Kanneliya Rainforest Hike & Picnic Lunch

In the morning, you'll transfer from Galle about an hour east to the beach town of Weligama. After checking into your hotel, you'll hop back in the car for a ride north into the wilds of Sri Lanka and the Kanneliya Rainforest, designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. You'll embark on a two-hour hike through the reserve, which protects 600 acres (243 ha) of virgin rainforest. It's home to hundreds of species of mammals and reptiles, including monkeys, snakes, and chameleons. Many exotic birds are also here, including the colorful Sri Lanka blue magpie and red-faced malkoha. 

The reserve is also home to almost 80 villages, and you'll visit one at the end of your hike. You'll be hosted by a couple who will prepare a home-cooked meal, which you'll enjoy on the shore of a lovely lake. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel in Weligama. 

Day 3: Morning Yoga Session, Explore the Countryside

Start the day with a yoga session in paradise. The best part is that these sessions can be tailored to your individual needs. It can be an individual session or a group class. You can choose to practice either in the studio or outside on the lawn. Also, the instructors will offer yoga disciplines according to your level, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned practitioner. 

After finding your center, you'll head out and explore the countryside beyond the coast. This day trip along the scenic backroads outside Weligama will take you by lush rice paddies, lakes, gardens, temples, and acres upon acres of rubber and cinnamon plantations. Passing through small towns and villages, you'll see traditional homes built during the colonial era. Part of the day includes stops at the wetlands east of Weligama, sanctuaries for exotic birdlife such as ibises, peacocks, storks, egrets, herons, and many more. Bring your binoculars!

Day 4: Weligama to Koslanda, Free Day

In the morning, you'll head northeast from Weligama toward Sri Lanka's central highlands. Your destination is a hotel in the remote village of Koslanda, surrounded by tropical forests. After checking in, you'll have the remainder of the day free to relax. You'll probably want to take a refreshing dip in the Infiniti pool amid incredible views of the surrounding mountains. The hotel is less than a mile from Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka's second-highest waterfall at 720 feet (220 m). 

Day 5: Picnic Lunch at Private Waterfall

More romance and relaxation are in store today. After enjoying a leisurely breakfast and some time at the hotel, you'll grab a picnic basket and head to a secret lagoon. Here you'll dine al fresco next to a romantic waterfall. After eating, you can swim in peace and solitude, as you'll have the whole waterfall to yourself. Crack open a bottle of wine, champagne, or a few cold beers—make sure you leave nothing behind but footprints!

Day 6: Koslanda to Kandy by Train, Visit Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantation, Kandy City Tour

In the morning, board a train on a scenic four-hour journey that ascends from tropical banana trees to more temperate eucalyptus forests as you pass waterfalls and hillside tea plantations. Your destination is the town of Nuwara Eliya, known for its lovely gardens, historic temples, and many tea plantations. Here you'll take a two-hour tour of one such plantation. Work alongside the pickers to select leaves, then learn the process of fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, and grading. Of course, at the end of the process, you'll participate in the all-important tasting to determine the quality of the tea.

Afterward, you'll continue north to the city of Kandy, the gateway to Sri Lanka's gorgeous Hill Country. There's a lot of history here, as Kandy was the nation's capital during the last Sri Lankan dynasty, which ended in the early 19th century. After checking in to your hotel, you'll embark on a quick 1.5-hour tour of this UNESCO World Heritage city. You'll visit the Royal Palace, which sits on serene Lake Kandy. Nearby is the Dalada Maligwa (Temple of the Tooth), a popular pilgrimage site that contains the left canine tooth of Lord Buddha.

Day 7: Floating Breakfast in Private Pool

Begin the day with a wholly unique type of pampering. Slip into your swimwear and take a dip in a private heated pool surrounded by breathtaking views of Kandy's misty mountains. This will be your dining room for the ultimate breakfast/brunch indulgence. Enjoy a gourmet meal served on a floating tray, and don't worry about any schedules—this is another day you'll have free to relax. 

Day 8: Visit Bambragala Temple & Hike to Pettigala Rock

There are many fine lookout points in Sri Lanka, and today you'll hike to one of the best. Located just outside Kandy is Pettigala Rock, which overlooks the Victoria Reservoir and the surrounding mountains of the Sri Lanka highlands. However, before you begin the hike, you'll first visit Bambaragala Viharaya, a Buddhist temple over 2,000 years old. You'll be greeted by resident monks who will tell you about the area's history and nearby cave temples. Spend some time strolling the cobbled courtyards and admiring the cave statues and ancient paintings before continuing to Pettigala.

The Pettigala hike starts from the top of Bambaragala Viharaya. A well-worn trail begins at the top of the monastery steps and continues into the forest. It's not always a smooth hike, as portions of the track are covered in dense undergrowth, and it's pretty steep in sections. However, it only takes about an hour to reach the top, and once you do, you'll be rewarded with 360° views of the countryside. Besides snapping photos, this is the perfect spot for a meditation session, which you'll have plenty of time to do. 

Day 9: Transfer to Kalkudah, Tour Polonnaruwa & Floral Bath

In the morning, you'll leave Kandy on a three-hour drive to the east-coast village of Kalkudah. On the way, you'll stop at the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. Once a thriving city that ruled the island from the 11th-13th centuries, today, you'll find its well-preserved ruins dotted around the ancient reservoir of Parakrama Samudra. On a 1.5-hour tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll discover impressive palaces, shrines, and statues. Also, don't miss a visit to Gal Vihara, where you'll find dozens of giant statues of Buddha carved right into the walls of this rock temple. 

After Polonnaruwa, you'll continue to Kalkudah. This coastal retreat has long and inviting beaches but is less well known than other nearby resort towns. Fewer tourists mean a more intimate experience, and you'll be able to enjoy the beaches in relative solitude. Upon arrival, you'll check in to your hotel and can decompress from the day's travels in a romantic floral bath as you sip complimentary tea. Later, should you choose, a guide will be available for a stargazing experience in which you'll peer through a telescope past the clear coastal skies into the cosmos.

Day 10: Cinema Under the Stars

Take the day to walk along the beaches of Kalkudah and swim in the ocean. Do some sunbathing and read a book on the sand in between meals of fresh seafood. Once the sun goes down, you and your loved one will enjoy an exceptional cinematic experience: a movie on the beach. Relax with your feet in the sand under the stars as you enjoy a private screening. Date nights don't get any better!

Day 11: Free Day in Kalkudah

Today involves more quality free time with your loved one. If you prefer, spend the day relaxing at the hotel bar with a tropical drink while listening to music. Maybe take a romantic stroll on the beach. There are also many optional activities, including yoga classes and bike riding around the countryside. Another option is to discover the joys of all things coconut with a visit to Coconut Cultural Park. The staff here provides an overview of the process of growing the trees and how they prepare a wide variety of coconut products. They also serve coconut ice cream and coconut honey.

Day 12: Kalkudah to Sigiriya, Dambulla Cave Temples, Picnic at Pidurangala Rock

After breakfast, you'll hop in the car for the three-hour drive inland to the central plains of Sri Lanka. Some of the most incredible landmarks in the country exist here, particularly the Sigiriya rock fortress. This is your destination, but on the way, you'll stop at the popular cave temple complex of Dambulla, a UNESCO-listed site that dates back to the 2nd century BCE. On a tour, you'll wind your way deep into these cliffside sanctuaries, home to Buddhist mural paintings and 157 statues. Some of these sanctuaries are still used by monks today for meditation. 

Day 13: Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Safari at Minneriya National Park

Today you'll visit Sigiriya, an ancient fortress sitting 1,144 feet (349 m) atop a granite monolith. Not only is this a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it's also the most incredible artificial landmark in the country. Also known as the "Lion Fortress"—the entrance is between two massive, rock-hewn lion paws—it was built in the late 5th century CE by King Kashyapa, Ieader of the Sinhalese Kingdom. Twelve hundred granite steps lead up through rock walls adorned with colorful frescoes to the fortress. At the top are gardens, defensive structures, esplanades, and sweeping vistas of the surrounding plains.

In the afternoon, you'll hop in a 4WD vehicle for a three-hour safari in Minneriya National Park. This 34 square miles (89 sq km) of protected area is the largest gathering place for Asian elephants on earth (estimates place their number at around 700). In the dry summer season, they migrate from all over the country to the ancient Minneriya Tank Reservoir, which was built in the 3rd century CE. These animals congregate at this vast freshwater source to drink, bathe, and socialize. While the elephants may be the star attractions here, keep an eye out for rare Sri Lankan leopards, sloth bears, and langur monkeys. 

Day 14: Village Bicycle Ride, Transfer to Colombo & City Tour

After breakfast, you'll transfer to the small village of Hiriwadunna. This tiny village is situated in a rural paradise little touched by the modern world. Here there are thatched-roof homes, and oxen still pull wooden carts. On a three-hour tour, you'll each hop on a bicycle and ride 2 miles (3 km) down backroads past fertile green rice paddies. See hidden lakes dotted with lily pads, stop to chat with locals and share a cup of tea, and make your way to a local temple for a good-luck blessing. End the tour with an authentic Sri Lankan curry lunch freshly prepared by a local family—and feel free to join in the cooking.

Then, continue southwest to Colombo. After checking in to your hotel, head out on a 2.5-hour tour of this metropolis. Visit highlights like Independence Square and Pettah, the historic merchant quarter. Here you'll see the Red Mosque, whose dizzying patterns of red-and-white stripes create an optical illusion. You'll also stop at Colombo Fort (the city's business district) and the Old Parliament, a Neo-Baroque building dating to 1930. For a peaceful stroll, head to Galle Face Green, an urban park stretching 1,600 feet (500 m) along the coast. Or visit Viharamahadevi Devi Park, the city's oldest green space, for one last evening on your amorous getaway.

Day 15: Depart Colombo

The honeymoon may be over, but the romance will last a lifetime. In the morning, your driver will pick you up for the ride to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. See you at the anniversary! 

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