Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Sri Lanka - Negombo - Hatton - Gal Oya National Park - Yala - Weligama
100% customisable for you
Let the honeymoon begin. After enjoying a celebratory tipple in the lounge, board your overnight flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital, which will take just under 11 hours.
Landing in Colombo the next day, you’ll be privately transferred to the small fishing village of Negombo, your base for the first two nights of your trip. Negombo is just 15 minutes from the airport, so you won’t have to travel far to reach your hotel, where you can relax and recharge your batteries after your long journey.
With its wide sandy beach and sparkling lagoon, the popular resort of Negombo is the perfect place to take it easy while your jet lag wears off. Spend a leisurely day relaxing by the sea, visiting a bustling market or strolling between the city’s charming colonial buildings and colourful canals.
Fancy venturing further afield? Visit the scenic Muthurajawela wetlands, the beautiful Henerathgoda Botanical Gardens and a handful of Buddhist temples nearby – an ideal introduction to Sri Lanka before your trip gets properly underway tomorrow.
It's time to leave Negombo behind today as you move on to explore Sri Lanka's picturesque tea hills. This morning, your driver will pick you up for the four-and-a-half-hour journey east to Hatton, a town affectionately known as the ‘tea capital of the country’.
Once you arrive, check into your new hotel, where you can spend some time enjoying the views before dark.
Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka, Hatton is the home of Ceylon tea, and its mist-draped mountains and verdant slopes provide a beautiful backdrop for your honeymoon. Over the next two days, savour this scenic setting as you explore the hills and discover the secrets behind Sri Lanka's tea-producing prowess.
Spend half a day on a scenic hike with a naturalist guide, weaving through hills, tea plantations, forests and streams while discovering the vibrant biodiversity of the area. Along the way, learn to identify bird calls, keep your eyes peeled for animal tracks and gain an in-depth insight into local tea culture.
After immersing yourself in the landscape, it’s time to sample the region’s riches during a private tea tasting. Led by an expert in the field, get to know the distinct flavours of different teas as you become what we like to call a cuppa connoisseur.
After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to head further east today on a six-hour journey through the stunning Sri Lankan scenery. After a day spent on the road, arrive at your hotel near Gal Oya National Park in time for supper. Despite its abundance of wildlife, history and beautiful scenery, this area is one of Sri Lanka's best-kept secrets, making it a great stop for those looking to escape the crowds.
Spend the rest of the afternoon lounging by the pool, soaking up the forest views from your private terrace or stretching your legs with a guided walk to the lake. Come evening, enjoy a sundowner at the bar and a tasty dinner at the restaurant before heading to bed, ready for more exploring tomorrow.
Spend this morning wandering through the lush jungle to meet the local Vedda community, the indigenous people of central Sri Lanka. The friendly locals have plenty of knowledge to share, having lived in harmony with the landscape for hundreds of years, and the chief will guide you on a walking tour of the forest, pointing out ancient hunting grounds and medicinal plants.
In the evening, trade land for water as you head out on a boat safari on Gay Oya Lake, the largest man-made lake in Sri Lanka. If you’re lucky, you might spot elephants bathing at the lake's edge while migratory birds swoop overhead. Watching the sun set over the lake is a supremely romantic experience – the perfect way to fall fully for Sri Lanka's charms.
Your next destination is Yala, an equally lovely national park in the southeast of the island. After breakfast, embark on a four-and-a-half-hour journey with your private driver, stopping en route to appreciate yet more dramatic views.
When you arrive, settle in and enjoy celebratory sundowners to toast the next leg of your special trip.
Yala National Park consists of several ecosystems: tropical rainforest, dry evergreen forest, grasslands and mangroves. It has one of the highest leopard densities in the world and is home to a whopping 215 bird species, so make the most of this wonderful wildlife by taking both a morning and an afternoon 4x4 safari today.
Accompanied by one of the park’s naturalists, look out for a colourful cast of local residents, including Sri Lankan elephants, buffalo, monkeys, saltwater crocodiles, cobras, Ceylon panthers and sloth bears. Along the way, your guide will reveal fascinating insights into the national park and its vibrant wildlife, as well as helping you spot the leopards that are so widespread here. It’s a special experience to see these majestic big cats in the wild – just one of the extraordinary encounters that make your time in Yala so memorable.
No honeymoon would be complete without some sun, sea and sand. Today, set off after breakfast for your three-and-a-half-hour transfer to the south coast. Your friendly driver will take the scenic coastal route, allowing you to enjoy sea views as you travel.
When you arrive at your hotel, drop your bags and head straight for the beach, where the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend sipping sundowners while sinking your toes into the sand. After a dreamy night’s sleep, you have a free day to relax – think romantic strolls on the long sandy beach or perhaps a spot of surfing before watching another spectacular Sri Lankan sunset, which is particularly lovely on this scenic stretch of coast.
Today, take a break from lounging poolside to discover the natural beauty of the rural region around Galle, just an hour north of Weligama. Begin the day with a leisurely boat ride with a local naturalist, learning about the flora and fauna as you pass by rubber and cinnamon plantations, under bridges and through local villages.
Next, swap boats for bikes as you begin a five-mile ride through rural Galle. Cycle past paddy fields and local markets, eventually reaching a rustic mud hut for refreshing herbal tea and fresh hoppers (tasty bowl-shaped pancakes) straight from the frying-pan. This dish is a Sri Lankan speciality; a staple at breakfast but equally tasty after working up an appetite on your bike.
After the tour, head back to your hotel to freshen up, then end the day with a romantic seafood dinner, plenty of cool white wine and more majestic views of the sea.
Today’s all about discovering Galle’s history. Built in 1588 and since awarded UNESCO World Heritage status for its historic melting pot of cultures, styles and traditions, Galle Fort is a must-visit when travelling Sri Lanka's south coast. Explore the fort and surrounding streets with your knowledgeable guide, who’ll teach you all about the architecture and history of one of the country’s oldest cities.
After the tour, head back to the beach for a late afternoon swim and more sundowners and seafood – the perfect way to mark the final evening of your luxury Sri Lankan honeymoon.
It's time to wave a sad farewell to beautiful Sri Lanka today. Go for a last dip in the ocean before the three-hour transfer back to Colombo Airport, where you’ll board your flight home. The flight will take around 11-and-a-half hours, and you’ll arrive in the UK this evening, full of once-in-a-lifetime memories from the happiest of honeymoons.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
