Whether you are newlyweds or a couple rekindling their romance, this honeymoon holiday in Sri Lanka is the perfect getaway! Experience breath-taking locations, luxurious accommodations, culture and history that stretch back thousands of years, and an amazingly varied range of cuisines during this unforgettable holiday.
It’s all about making memories on your honeymoon in Sri Lanka, and this tour is packed with exciting excursions as well as plenty of time alone for just the two of you. Meet fisherfolk in the town of Negombo and sample the freshest seafood; explore the ancient kingdoms of Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya and unravel their mysteries; float along with the clouds on a hot air balloon; witness sacred rituals in Kandy and explore a world famous botanical garden; pluck fresh tea leaves and learn the art of the perfect brew in the cool hills of the tea country; watch safely from a distance as a leopard stalks its prey in the jungle; and experience the multi-cultural smorgasbord of cuisines, arts and architecture at Galle Fort and the city of Colombo!
Read MoreYour accommodation will consist of handpicked hotels and glamping campsites, designed to minimise time spent in travel. This will allow you to have the maximum time to focus on each other whilst enjoying your accommodations, destinations, excursions and the amazing cuisines. This tour can also be customised to add more dates, excursions and destinations based on your preferences.
Ideal for:
Honeymooners or couples rekindling their romance, whilst exploring and experiencing Sri Lanka and its attractions at an easy pace.
Highlights at glance
- Visit historical World Heritage Sites such as Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, etc.
- Stay in romantic rooms in exotic locations all around Sri Lanka.
- Take a ride into the clouds on a Hot Air Balloon*.
- Go on a Boat Safari to see the largest mammal on earth, the Blue Whale** or experience the Ceylon Cinnamon Trail.
- Explore the historic caves in the Dambulla Cave Temple, which contain paintings, statues and relics accumulated over a period of 2,000 years.
- Experience luxurious spa treatments.
- Stroll through the 650-year-old Royal Botanical Gardens, featuring more than 4000 species of plants.
- Journey into the hills on a wonderfully scenic train ride, visit a tea plantation, and tour a tea factory.
- Relax on golden sandy beaches and experience the vibrant marine life of the South Coast.
- Stay at a Tented Safari Camp bordering the Yala National Park, experience guided safaris and a delicious BBQ dinner served by a roaring campfire.
- Experience regional culinary specialities and engage in culinary lessons with specialist chefs.
- Explore the eclectic streets of the Galle Fort, a Unesco World Heritage site, and the vibrant city of Colombo.
1st Night - Negombo
Ayubowan! Welcome to your honeymoon holiday to Sri lanka. Your first night will be spent at the coastal fishing town of Negombo which is a short distance away from the airport. Although your time here will be brief, there is much to explore here, either on your own or with your trusty personal chauffeur. With golden beaches, churches and buildings influenced by Portuguese, Dutch and British colonisation, fantastic nightlife and a fascinating mix of cuisines, Negombo is a great place to get lost in and make memories.
The first day of your private tour of Sri Lanka can be enjoyed at your own pace. You will be picked up from the airport by your private chauffeur and taken to your hotel. If you arrive during the day, you can explore the town, go on a private boat ride along the famous Dutch canal and of course, catch some sun on the wide, golden beaches. At night, the best place to visit is ‘Hotel Road’, which is packed with bars, seafood restaurants and hotels. You can do all of these activities by yourself or accompanied by your chauffeur.
2nd & 3rd Nights - Sigiriya
Next on your Sri Lankan honeymoon holiday is the drive to Sigiriya, which is quite scenic. Along the way you are likely to spot many birds and animals, including the iconic Sri Lankan wild elephant. Your destination is the home of the famed Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Complex water features, landscaped gardens, amazing 360 degree views and many mysteries await you here. The marvels continue at Polonnaruwa too, which you will visit on the following day. This sprawling ancient city is dotted with palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes.
You will head to Sigiriya after breakfast with stops along the way to enjoy fresh, exotic fruits and refreshing King Coconut. An authentic Sri Lankan lunch awaits you at your hotel and the excursion to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress is set for late afternoon. At the Fortress, you can take your time leisurely exploring the vast boulder gardens and water gardens before heading up. The climb up the rock is quite easy, as it is made up of walkways and steps with guide rails. Halfway up the rock, you will encounter the famous Sigiriya frescoes and you will reach the summit just in time to catch a gorgeous sunset highlighting the panoramic view all around you.
It’s a pre-dawn start for you today, but it will be absolutely worth it! Your Hot Air Balloon ride will take you up to the clouds just in time for day break. You can enjoy the magnificent view with a glass of champagne and get back down just in time for breakfast. After that your Sri Lankan honeymoon holiday will take you to Polonnaruwa, the 13th century capital city, to explore its multiple water features, temples, and palaces. At lunch you will be treated to an authentic clay pot meal experience, that is packed with delicious Sri Lankan dishes and sweets. At the end of the excursion, you will engage in a culinary lesson before returning to the hotel.
4th & 5th Nights - Kandy
On the way to Kandy, a short distance from Sigiriya, is the town of Dambulla. The 2,000 year-old Dambulla Cave Temple, with impressive mural paintings and 157 statues dating back to the 1st century BCE is a major highlight here. The city of Kandy is a serene city steeped in historical and religious significance and is a wonderful place for honeymooners to go exploring. The 650-year-old Royal Botanical Gardens, which features more than 4000 species of plants, is located adjacent to this city. Kandy is also home to some amazing artists, one of whom you will meet during this leg of the tour.
Today, your honeymoon tour of Sri Lanka will take you to the Dambulla Cave Temple, a World Heritage Site. You can explore the 5 sacred caves and also climb the gently sloping Dambulla Rock to enjoy panoramic views of the surroundings. Upon arriving in Kandy, you will have plenty of time to explore the city on your own. Later on, you will head over for a guided tour of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Sri Dalada Maligawa, where the sacred relic of a tooth belonging to Lord Buddha is kept. You will be able to witness a daily sacred ritual known as Thewawa, during your visit to this temple.
A short drive after breakfast will bring you to the impressive 60-hectare Royal Botanical Gardens. With its origins being traced as far back as 1371 BCE, it is no wonder that the Gardens boast such an extensive list of exotic and rare plants. After exploring this location and enjoying a delicious private lunch, you will head to the hilltops overlooking the Hunas mountain range to meet the famous artist Rahju. Here you will be able to have an exclusive private viewing of Rahju’s breathtaking art and discuss the themes that inspire his art over a cup of tea in his beautiful garden. The day ends with a romantic candlelight dinner at your hotel.
6th & 7th Nights - Tea country
All aboard! It’s time to hitch a ride on a train and head further up the picturesque hill country on your Sri Lankan honeymoon. The ride itself is wonderfully scenic, and will give you the opportunity to chat and connect with locals. Tea estate draped mountains, waterfalls, delicious food, cold weather and hot tea are just some of the highlights of the hill country. It’s a great place for romance, as you can take life one day at a time and just relax. It is also a great place to sample unique cuisines, experience different cultures, and understand just how an innocuous green tea leaf turns into a sought after cup of deliciousness!
Your adventures in the hill country continue after breakfast when you board the train to tea country! Travelling on train tracks built during the 19th century by the British, you will pass by wonderful scenery and encounter interesting individuals on the ride. A curious practice you will come across on your ride is the prevailing use of Single Line Train Tablets, an effective late 19th method devised to avoid collisions by trains using a single railway line. At the end of the ride, you chauffeur will be waiting to transport you to your hotel. The rest of the day is left free for you to enjoy your hotel and explore your surroundings.
Pure Ceylon Tea is delicious and has a distinct taste, and today on your Sri Lankan honeymoon holiday, you will learn what makes it so special. After breakfast, you will head to a nearby tea estate where you can have a chat with some members of the tea plucker community as they conclude their day. Here you will get to know their way of life and understand the skill of plucking the perfect tea leaves. Then we will head to a tea factory, where you will find out how tea goes from being a leaf on a bush, to a warm cup of golden goodness!
8th & 9th Nights - Yala
It’s time to head off to the land of the leopards, Yala National Park! Although it is most famous for Leopard sightings, Yala has a fantastically diverse population of animals. During your Private Safari in the Park you will encounter Elephants, Crocodiles, Sambar, Wild Buffalo, Eagles, Cobras, Peacocks and more. With rocky coasts, mountains, vast lakes and plains, the landscape of Yala is a treat for the eyes and is the perfect backdrop for exciting sightings! Your comfortable glamping accommodation will also offer up some great sightings, as it is situated right on the border of the Park.
After an early breakfast, your Sri Lankan Honeymoon will see you heading out to a safari camp bordering the Yala National Park. After resting from the long drive, you will head out on an afternoon safari in a private jeep, along with a professional and experienced naturalist and tracker. The 3 hour excursion will offer plenty of encounters with wild animals and is quite a unique experience. At night you will be treated to a romantic, alfresco candle light dinner experience under the stars, and partake in a night walk along the borders of the Park, to continue your encounters in the wild!
An early morning start will see you set off on a full day safari with packed breakfasts, lunches, and refreshments. Full day safaris are the best when it comes to getting the most sightings in, as it allows you to be inside the park for an extended period of time. Yala is also culturally significant and you will come across the ancient temples and monasteries of Situlpawwa, Magul Vihara and Akasa Chaitiya during your time there. A significant part of Yala borders the Indian Ocean and your picnic-style lunch on this day will be served in a safe location by the beach, where Park visitors are permitted to disembark from their vehicles.
10th, 11th & 12th Nights - The South Coast
It’s time to leave the jungles behind and head to the beaches! A favourite haunt of visitors to Sri Lanka, the South Coast is known for golden beaches, great nightlife and, also for being the launching point for Whale Watching tours. You will be visiting the culture-rich Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during this leg of your Sri Lankan honeymoon. The fort was built by Portuguese colonists, and modified by the Dutch and British, during their respective colonisations. Today, it is a beautifully eclectic mix of cosy homes, cafes with fusion cuisines, intriguing stores, quirky hotels, and art galleries.
After breakfast, you will partake in a culinary lesson with the chef at the camp. You will learn to make a couple of traditional Sri Lankan dishes, before departing for the South Coast. This part of Sri Lanka is great for surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving and more. It’s also great for catching some rays and indulging in some good food. Being Sri Lanka, there are plenty of historical sites and other attractions nearby to experience as well. The ride from Yala will take only a couple of hours, and the rest of the day is left free for you to explore and enjoy your surroundings at your leisure.
After breakfast, a short drive will get you to your next destination, Galle. Here you will be taken on a walking tour of the Galle Fort. On this tour, you’ll get an insight into the colonial history, legends and mysteries of the Fort. You’ll also meet members of the local community and enjoy a traditional home cooked meal. You are free to explore and experience the fort and Galle Town thereafter. We recommend that you head to the ramparts in the evening to watch the sunset whilst enjoying some street food.
If your Sri Lankan honeymoon falls between November to March, a Whale Watching tour would be the perfect addition to an encounter filled holiday. The boat excursion to meet the giants of the ocean requires an early morning start and the tour can take around 5 hours to complete. However, it is an incredibly rewarding experience as there are many Blue Whales and multiple pods of Dolphins to be seen. You will return in time for a delicious Sri Lankan lunch and you are free to explore your surroundings at your leisure thereafter.
If your holiday falls outside of the above period, or if there are adverse weather conditions forecasted or if being out at sea is not your most favourite thing to do, an alternative option would be to embark on the Cinnamon Experience. During this tour you will visit a beautiful, working cinnamon estate which produces pure Ceylon Cinnamon. Here you can experience the sequence of events, from planting and caring for the trees to harvesting and processing of the cinnamon bark. It is quite a fascinating experience and will help you to get a deep understanding of why Ceylon Cinnamon is highly valued and sought after.
13th Night - Colombo
We’re heading to the bustling city of Colombo next! There is much to see in this sprawling city from historical and religious sites to beaches, malls, cafes, art centres and lively nightlife! There are also many impressive cultural sights, grand colonial era buildings, vibrant markets and bazaars to explore, and your chauffeur can guide you with your choices. Being a melting pot of cultures, it is also home to a variety of cuisines that range from finger-licking-good street food to eclectic fine dining.
You will arrive in Colombo towards mid-morning and head for a relaxing couples massage at a luxury spa. The agenda for the rest of the day is left free to encourage exploration and your chauffeur can assist you with your choices. The city is quite alive at night with nightclubs, late night movies and cafes being popular haunts. But if that’s not your style you could always head to Galle Face beach for a nighttime stroll, and experience a more chilled out atmosphere full of street food vendors and families having picnics.
We’ve reached the end of your 13-night honeymoon holiday to Sri Lanka and it is time to depart. Your chauffeur will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to Colombo Airport in time to catch your departure flight.
What more to add?
- Early Check-ins or late Checkouts (organised upon confirmation of your flight schedules).
- Special romantic dinners at the hotels.
- Additional nights in any of the locations.
- Additional Safaris in Yala National Park (requires an additional night stay).
- Additional nights on the South Coast (beach stay).
*The Hot Air Balloon excursion is a seasonal activity and will be possible only from January to April.
**The Whale Watching excursion is a seasonal activity and will be possible only from November to March.
You may see the hotels which we have handpicked for you under each accomadation style. However, there are hundreds of other alternative properties for you to select if you wish to and you may mix and match hotels in different categories as well.
Modest
Accommodation
$ 3,724
1-2 persons
$ 3,191
3-4 persons
$ 3,022
5-6 persons
If you’re looking for a no-frills stay that’s easy on the wallet, and love to spend time with locals and explore the surroundings at your own pace, this is the perfect choice for you. This hotel style is wonderfully cosy, unique, mostly owner-run and provides you with a more personalised service.
Morning Star Guest House
Set in Negombo, this property is a 2-minute walk from the Negombo beach.
Sigiriya Jungles
Escape to a world where you can live luxuriously and embark on explorations to learn more about Sri Lanka's fascinating history.
Viyana Boutique Kandy
Overlooking Kandy, Lake Viyana Boutique Hotel is the ideal starting point for excursions to interesting sites in and around Kandy, or simply to unwind...
Hill Club Nuwara Eliya
The Hill Club is an exclusive members only Club, established in 1876, by the British Planters, and continues as a prestigious destination set in...
Big Game Yala by Eco Team
The Big Game Camp site by Eco Team is located close to the Yala National Park and it takes 15 to 20 minutes to...
Mandara Resort
Mirissa Weligama's Mandara Resort, leave your worries behind at Mandara Resort, which offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean while overlooking the well-known Read...
Lake Lodge Colombo
Located right in the heart of Colombo tucked away close to the Beira Lake a lurid green waterway home to pelicans and the Seema...
Plush
Accommodation
$ 5,091
1-2 persons
$ 4,558
3-4 persons
$ 4,389
5-6 persons
Indulgence without breaking the bank? Well, this is the category for you. Personalised and high-quality service, attention to detail, comfort and all modern amenities are hallmarks of this category, whilst being situated in some amazing locations.
Jetwing Lagoon
Jetwing Lagoon, an innovative Ayurveda & wellness resort, is an attractive and stylish five-star destination that offers unforgettable experiences.
Kalundewa Retreat
Tucked away in a lovely 100-acre area, you might want to refer to this Dambulla hotel as your heavenly hideaway.
Fox Resort Kandy
Built atop a cliff overlooking the beautiful hill capital of Sri Lanka, Fox Kandy by Fox Resorts offers picturesque views of the verdant hills...
Ferncliff Bungalow
One of the first bungalows in the valley of Sri Lanka's central hill country, Nuwara Eliya, Ferncliff is an 18 century family home set...
Big Game Yala by Eco Team
The Big Game Camp site by Eco Team is located close to the Yala National Park and it takes 15 to 20 minutes to...
Ubuntu Beach Villa
Designed to blend in with the breathtaking surroundings, this villa promises to be a lovely contemporary home with plenty of natural light, daring modern...
Colombo Court Hotel
The 32-room upscale Colombo Courtyard is a stylish, contemporary, and environmentally friendly hotel that works well as an affordable option in Colombo for leisure...
Dreamy
Accommodation
$ 9,816
1-2 persons
$ 9,282
3-4 persons
$ 9,114
5-6 persons
The absolute best in comfort and experience, these high-end properties will make your jaw drop! Unique designs, private plunge pools, personal butlers… the list goes on at these boutique properties. Luxury here is not about star ratings and amenities, it’s about being away from crowds and having authentic, personalised experiences.
Walawwa – Teardrop
Wallawwa - Teardrop promises to start or end your Sri Lankan vacation in true elegance.
Water Garden Sigiriya
Explore secret gardens, meditate by a serene lake, or relax in a private plunge pool and take in the breathtaking view of the ancient...
W15 Hanthana Estate
This is a gorgeously renovated cottage which is surrounded by a verdant landscape.
Castlereagh – Tea Trails
Built in 1925, and located about 40 minutes drive from Hatton town, Castlereagh bungalow has unmatched views of the Castlereagh Reservoir.
Mahoora Yala by Eco Team
Part of the Mahoora Camp portfolio by Eco Team, Mahoora puts you closer to Katagamuwa, the less-used entrance to Yala National Park, and on...
Cape Resort Weligama
Cape Weligama is part of the Resplendent Ceylon “best of Sri Lanka” circuit, created by the family-owned Dilmah Tea Company.
Tintagel Colombo
Tintagel is a stately 1930s heritage building, once home to the Bandaranaike family which gave Sri Lanka 2 prime ministers and a president, notably...
Everything you need to know about the tour
We’ve taken every possible measure to ensure your safety and comfort during this tour.
The hotels, tours, add-ons, guides and chauffeurs who are part of this programme are carefully vetted, so that you enjoy the highest quality standards and enjoy your tour with peace of mind. At any given point of the tour you will always be within reach of your guide or chauffeur, either physically or via phone (e.g: when you are out exploring on your own), for any assistance.
The important stuff:
Sri Lanka is a nation where religion and culture occupy an important place in the day-to-day lives of the local people. It is important to be aware of the customs and practices that are particular to the location you are visiting, so here are a few general tips to keep in mind during your travels. Your guide / chauffeur will assist you with more detailed information.
- If you plan on visiting any temples, ancient or current, you should wear clothing that covers your body from your shoulders down to your knees. Head coverings such as caps or helmets should be removed and shoes must be taken off at the entrance. White coloured clothing is generally a good choice to go with here.
- Some religious places do not allow photography or videography without prior permission and some may not allow it at all. Refer to signage or ask your chauffeur guide about the policy or protocol. Don’t try to photograph or take videos without permission.
- If you have any tattoos associated with Buddhism, Hinduism or Islamism, it’s best that you cover them completely in public places.
- Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places, workplaces and on public transport.
Included:
- Accommodation for 13 nights (BB), except at Big Game Camp Yala (Half Board) / Mahoora Camp Yala (All inclusive). All accommodation is on a Double or Twin sharing basis.
- Transportation via air-conditioned car / micro van with an English-speaking chauffeur throughout the tour including Airport Transfers.
- Chauffeur’s accommodation, meals and fees.
- Jeep Safari in the Yala National Park in a Private Jeep including private guide, entry permit costs & government tracker fees.
- Entry Permits to all the sites, temples, museums & monuments mentioned in the itinerary.
- Costs of all experiences, community visits, hikes and village walks mentioned in the itinerary.
- Cost of the Hot Air Balloon ride.
- Cost of the Whale Watching Boat Ride (shared boat).
- Service charges at the hotels & applicable taxes by the Sri Lankan Government at the time of booking.
Not Included:
- Any International or Domestic flights.
- Any Visa fee or ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) fee.
- Any additional beverage or food.
- Early Check in or Late Checkout Charges at Hotels.
- Cost of optional activities / sites.
- Tips to the staff.
- Any mandatory supplement by the government.
- Any expenses of a personal nature (telephone, laundry, hotel extra bills, etc.).
- Any other expense, other than those mentioned in the inclusions list above.
- Single room supplement.
About pricing:
Although it may sound strange for a tropical country, Sri Lankan hotels operate on seasonal rates. This is simply due to a particular region having attractions or weather that’s best enjoyed during a specific time of the year and also due to the demand coinciding with the European winter season. So it’s not uncommon to have two rates that apply on different dates in the same month.
But to make things less complicated for you, Experiential Journeys does things differently by giving you the lowest season ball-park rate on the website, and follows up with the exact rate upon receiving an inquiry or booking request along with the confirmed travel dates. You will not be charged anything until the final price is agreed upon.
Experiential Journeys is an Australian based company and uses AUD as the main currency. We serve a global community of travellers predominantly from New Zealand, U.K., U.S.A., Canada & U.A.E.
Experience
Possible experience in this tour
Some of these experiences are already included in the tour you are looking at, either as a full length or time limited activity. You have the freedom to pick out the ones you want during your tour and the extent to how you want to experience it.
3 hours
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Journey and Champagne Breakfast
Explore the skies of Dambulla heritage city in a hot air balloon, and watch the first rays of the sun gently kiss the misty...
Sigiriya
Dambulla
Polonnaruwa
4 hours
The Human Family Meets The Monkey Family
Experience a unique and remarkable opportunity to meet the primate actors of Disney’s Monkey Kingdom amidst the remains of the mediaeval capital.
Polonnaruwa
Sigiriya
Dambulla
2 - 3 Hours
Galle Fort with a Storyteller
Discover world heritage Galle Fort with a one-of-a-kind host.
Galle
Tangalle & South Coast
Bentota & West Coast
5 - 6 Hours
Whale Watching Mirissa
Experience the kiss of salty air as you journey into the Indian Ocean, to one of the world’s best whale hotspots. See it all...
Galle
Tangalle & South Coast
3 hours
The World’s Greatest Leopard Safari – Yala National Park
Yala National Park is synonymous with Leopard-topia– holding the largest leopard population in the world, per kilometer. Globally recognised as being not just the...
Yala
3 hours
Colombo Street Food Experience
Experience Colombo through its colourful, aromatic, multicultural cuisines on this 3-hour evening walking tour.
Colombo
Negombo
3 - 4 hours
Colombo City Walk… From the Fort to the Crocodile Gate
Colombo, a city with a soul, is the heart of Sri Lanka’s capital city. Experience its warmth and grandeur through a fascinating day tour...
Colombo
Negombo