Say Yes to a Sri Lankan Honeymoon
Together with our friends at Ventours, we have designed a spectacularly romantic honeymoon itinerary in Sri Lanka, a lush island full of serendipitous moments.
Tea Trails (photo courtesy of Rebecca Recommends)
Along with the twinkling lights of the festive season, you often see many sparkling rings appear during the holidays. The appearance of said rings ushers in a flurry of wedding planning in the new year, and with wedding planning comes our favorite part—honeymoon planning! We have designed many unforgettable honeymoons over the years at Poe Travel, but we want to bring a far-flung destination to mind for your consideration: Sri Lanka.
We recently partnered with our dear friends at Ventours to design a Sri Lankan honeymoon itinerary that will knock your socks off. If you’re looking for an exotic honeymoon—or perhaps if your sense of adventure has stuck with you as you’ve continued through life—we think this itinerary will be just the ticket.
Sri Lanka is a small, teardrop-shaped atoll in the Indian Ocean, located just south of India. In fact, Sri Lanka is the southernmost point of mainland Asia. Marco Polo once referred to Sri Lanka as “the finest island of its size in the world,” and we can see why. It is a land of happy surprises and is filled with fantastic opportunities for active experiences and tranquil relaxation, perfect for that honeymoon state of mind, as you’ll see in this beautiful seven-night itinerary.
Day 1
Arrival Day
You’ll make your first foray into Sri Lankan life as you arrive into Colombo. While you wait for your luggage to make its way through customs, you’ll be whisked to a special lounge for refreshments after your international flight. Afterwards, pass through a special exit to meet with your guide and companion for the duration of your Sri Lankan stay to transfer to the nearby Wallawwa, a colonial manor house that has been lovingly restored into a beautiful hotel. You’ll have the rest of the day to relax and acclimate to your new surroundings.
Day 2
Off to Tea Trails
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your seaplane flight to Tea Trails while your driver and guide make the 4.5-hour journey by road to bring your luggage along. On arrival, you’ll make a short transfer to your Tea Trails bungalow.
Tea Trails, at an average altitude of 1,250 meters with manicured tea as far as the eye can see, is the world’s first tea bungalow resort. The English love of the sweet rhythm of life in a tea garden left its mark on these charming colonial planter bungalows, which sit a small distance from each other and are separated by hillside lakes and valleys, with sweeping lawns, sparkling swimming pools, and lush gardens of roses, agapanthus, and spring crocus.
Photo courtesy of Rebecca Recommends
During your two-night stay, you can choose how much or how little you do. Occupy yourselves with scenic walks and hikes, biking, croquet, or tennis. Indulge in relaxing spa treatments at the property’s lovely in-house spa for a bit of relaxation. Your butler will be able to talk through the range of activities on offer so that your time can be arranged to your liking.
We would personally recommend enjoying some downtime on arrival and then exploring a hiking trail with a naturalist. This evening, enjoy drinks and dinner at Tea Trails.
Day 3
Tea Trails
Your time at Tea Trails really is your own to do with as you’d like, so the following activities are only suggestions. For early birds, sunrise hiking and biking options can make for an unforgettable way to start your day. You could also enjoy sunrise yoga and meditation on the floating docks at the banks of the lake.
After breakfast, enjoy a tea-making demonstration from Tea Trails’ resident tea expert. Afterwards, visit the nearby Leopard Conservation Station, staffed by the Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust to learn about their important conservation work. Take a short hike to a scenic spot on the hillside for a delicious “Planter’s Style” picnic lunch.
Spend the afternoon at leisure at Tea Trails exploring independently or taking some time to relax. Alternatively, you can choose to participate in an exclusive tea tasting session with the resident planter, followed by a colonial “high tea.” This guided experience will allow you to taste, learn, and appreciate the unique flavor profiles that give different teas their distinctions. This evening, enjoy drinks and dinner at Tea Trails.
Day 4
Transfer to Yala
Your journey moves on today to Sri Lanka’s southeast coast and the Yala National Park, which boasts the highest density of leopards in Asia and is home to a plethora of wildlife. You’ll spend the next two nights at the Wild Coast Lodge, a luxurious tented camp situated at the edge of the national park. Your tented cocoon-styled suite will offer a phenomenal panoramic view of the jungle. After lunch, it’s time for your first game drive.
This part of your trip will feel like a Sri Lankan safari. During your stay, enjoy game drives accompanied by experienced rangers, where you’ll find yourself awed by the pretty forest with its varied flat plains alternating with rocky outcrops. As you’ll see, the vegetation ranges from parkland to dense jungle with watering holes, small lakes, lagoons, and streams, all of which are havens for resident and migratory birds. Areas popular with leopards are rock-strewn hillocks with dense shrubs in which the elusive and gorgeous animals hide.
Photo courtesy of Rebecca Recommends
Day 5
Wildlife in Yala
Similar to your time at Tea Trails, you can do as much or as little as you’d like during your stay at the Wild Coast Lodge. Choose between a morning or afternoon safari in the park, explore the activities on offer at the lodge, or simply relax and enjoy the wonderful lodge facilities together. At lunchtime, you can choose to participate in a culinary experience at the lodge which teaches you about the key components of Sri Lankan cuisine, offering hands-on experience and a tasty reward.
Before dinner this evening, stop by a beautiful beach garden overlooking the ocean, a truly romantic spot for sundowners and canapes before a sumptuous meal.
Day 6
Galle/Koggala/Weligama
Your final stop in your Sri Lankan adventure will be to the Galle/Koggala/Weligama region. There are a few stunning accommodation options in this region, but we would recommend Cape Weligama or the glorious Amangala.
After your morning transfer, which will take just under three hours, enjoy lunch at your hotel and then head off to the ancient trading post of Galle, said to be the famous Tarshish of the Bible. Along the way, stop to see the stilt fishermen of Sri Lanka, who sit perched far from the shore atop crude crucifixes of sticks and twine, dangling fishing rods into schools of fish. Marco Polo himself visited this World Heritage township, along with Chinese, Persian, Arab, and Indian traders. This area has also played home to the Portuguese, the Dutch, and finally the British. Wander around the fort with a local resident to see this maritime citadel through his eyes and learn its history. You’ll also have the chance to visit its numerous boutiques, cafes, and galleries before returning to your hotel for dinner.
Day 7
Weligama
Today brings another great option for early birds: visit the vibrant Weligama fish market at dawn, when the night trawlers sail in with the fresh catch of the day.
After breakfast, visit Top House, a 25-acre working cinnamon estate in Weligama. Run by an ex-pat British couple who have restored the old plantation to produce healthy “Ceylon Cinnamon,” this beautiful home is perched atop a hill with spectacular views of the jungle to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. During your tour, learn the history of the estate and how this cinnamon is planted, harvested, peeled, and prepared in an eco-friendly fashion.
Photo courtesy of Rebecca Recommends
Following your tour, enjoy a delicious organic, home-cooked lunch prepared by your hosts, delving even deeper into the life of a cinnamon farmer in Sri Lanka. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a bicycle tour along Sri Lanka’s countryside roads, passing green paddy fields and settlements that offer a glimpse into rural lifestyles. Return back to your hotel for a delectable final dinner in Sri Lanka.
Day 8
Departure Day
Your time in Sri Lanka comes to a close, but not before one last scenic drive. Your journey back to Colombo is a two-hour drive through pleasant tropical countryside. You’ll arrive at the airport in time for your international flight, and you’ll leave with brilliant honeymoon memories, the perfect way to begin your brand-new marriage.
Of course, all Poe Travel itineraries are customized exactly to your preferences, but we hope this fabulous sample itinerary has given you an idea of what a honeymoon in Sri Lanka can bring: active adventures, romantic settings, and a stunning way to celebrate your commitment to each other.
If you would like to Go Away to Sri Lanka (or anywhere else in the world), simply contact us. We will create a personalized itinerary with you in mind and make sure that you are treated like a VIP from start to finish.