Romantic Sri Lanka: a 2 week honeymoon

The cave temple of Dambulla, then three nights at a lodge near Sigiriya.

We drive inland through coconut groves and paddies to the Dambulla cave temple, with five caves full of Buddha statues and murals. In the afternoon you check in to a lodge near Sigiriya for three nights, between jungle and lakes.

Sigiriya before the crowds, pool time, then elephants in Minneriya.

Before sunrise we are at the gate of Sigiriya and climb past the frescoes and lion paws to the palace plateau, the jungle below often still in mist. After a pool break an open jeep takes you to Minneriya, where wild elephants gather by the reservoir.

A free day – massage for two, a bike ride or a hot-air balloon at dawn.

A day without a plan: sleep in, book an Ayurveda massage for two or cycle through the villages. Early risers can float over the jungle in a hot-air balloon (booked separately, weather permitting). In the late afternoon, Pidurangala Rock offers a view of Sigiriya at sunset.

A spice garden on the way, the evening ceremony in Kandy.

On the way to the hills we stop at a spice garden near Matale. In Kandy, the last royal capital beside its lake, you visit the Temple of the Tooth during the evening ceremony, then walk by the water as the city lights come on.

Up into the tea hills to a planter’s bungalow for two nights, with a dinner for two.

Winding roads lead up into the tea country, the air cooler with every bend. In the afternoon you settle into a planter’s-style bungalow for two nights – fireplace, veranda and a view over the estates – with a dinner for two in the evening.

Walk with the tea pickers, visit a tea factory, a free afternoon with high tea.

In the morning you walk a little way with the tea pickers and visit a traditional factory, tasting several teas on the spot. The afternoon is free for a walk to a waterfall, a book on the veranda or a classic high tea with scones.

The hill-country train on reserved seats, two nights in Ella.

From the nearest station you board the train on reserved seats and wind through tunnels, over bridges and past tea estates down to Ella. Your luggage goes by car. Two nights in a hotel overlooking the valley.

Nine Arches Bridge, a cooking class or massage, sunset on Little Adam’s Peak.

In the morning you watch the blue train cross the Nine Arches Bridge. The afternoon is free for a café, a massage or a cooking class with a local family. Late in the day you walk up Little Adam’s Peak for the sunset over the Ella Gap.

Via the Ravana Falls to Yala and an afternoon jeep safari.

We drive down from the hills past the Ravana Falls to the edge of Yala National Park. In the afternoon an open jeep and an experienced naturalist take you into the park – home to leopards, elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles. In the evening, a sky full of stars.

A short drive to Tangalle for four nights, optional turtle watching at Rekawa.

An hour and a half from Yala, Tangalle has wide, almost empty bays fringed with palms – your home for four nights. In the evening you can visit Rekawa, where sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

A free beach day – swim, read, spa or a mangrove boat trip.

A whole day without a plan – swim in the calm bays, read in the shade or book the spa. If you like, take a tuk-tuk to the Mulkirigala rock temple or a boat into the mangroves.

Galle Fort in the morning, a private candle-lit dinner on the beach in the evening.

In the morning you drive west past the stilt fishermen of Koggala to Galle Fort, a UNESCO site of lanes, merchants’ houses, galleries and a lighthouse. Back on the beach in the afternoon, a private table for two is set on the sand for your last evening, with lanterns and fresh fish.

Last swim, then the drive to Colombo airport – home, or on to the Maldives.

After a last breakfast by the sea there may be time for a final swim. Your driver then takes you to Colombo airport, about three hours away. Many couples fly on to the Maldives – a little over an hour to Malé – and we can book the resort for you.