Introduction
Sri Lanka, a drop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean, is blessed with a variety of romantic destinations – from beaches to national parks, scenic train rides, historic sites, lush tea plantations and serene hills. After the stress of the wedding festivities, a honeymoon in Sri Lanka is the ideal way for couples to embark on their new beginning. The paradise island of Sri Lanka is often perceived as a fairy tale that has a taste of beaches as well as breathtaking greenery. Several luxury accommodation options are available for couples to enjoy privacy and quiet, cozy and scenic environments during their honeymoon.
Here are a few adventurous honeymoon ideas in Sri Lanka that will offer couples the thrill they are looking forward to as well as the peace and calm amidst Mother Nature.
Hiking
You can choose to stay in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella or anywhere along the hill country route if you want to include hiking on your adventurous honeymoon in Sri Lanka.
From simple 2-hour hikes at the Lion’s Rock in Sigiriya to slightly more challenging (5 hour) hikes at Adam’s Peak in Nuwara Eliya and Ella Rock in Ella, Sri Lanka’s hill country boasts plenty of hiking options as per your preferred difficulty level. The nature trail to World’s End at Horton Plains National Park is also very do-able for newlyweds, and a beautiful sight indeed.
The Knuckles Mountain Range also has advanced trekking paths that go deep into the rainforest and the rugged wildlife. You pass through tiny villages and can spend one night camping in the wilderness. The landscape is lined up with cascading waterfalls, buffalo, spot boar and a few monkey species.
For any hiking adventure in Sri Lanka, it is best to wear comfortable clothing and footwear, carry a water bottle, insect repellent and a torch to stay safe and have a memorable experience.
Surfing
We understand that most young couples are often beach lovers and regular surfers as well. Nothing would thrill you more than to have some good surfing breaks at the beach destination you choose for your honeymoon. When preparing your itinerary, be sure to include one of the popular surfing destinations such as Kalpitiya, Arugam Bay, Unawatuna, Weligama, Hiriketiya or Hikkaduwa. Yes, the options are many, but you must make your choice based on the monsoons during your visit. December to March is the best time to visit the south and west coast while June to October is when the east coast beaches – Arugam Bay and Passikudah are bright and shiny!
Wildlife Safaris
Sri Lanka has 26 National Parks, out of which the popular ones are in Yala, Udawalawe, Bundala, Wilpattu and Minneriya. Each of these parks have game drive facilities where couples can pre-book a jeep which will drive you around the National Park. The driver will be the guide who will help you spot animals in the wild such as elephants, deer, sloth bear, sambar, water buffalo and even leopards! The Bundala National Park is popular for its bird watching experience as it is a breeding ground for many migratory and endemic bird species in Sri Lanka. Yala National Park is the most visited in Sri Lanka but the other options are also good if you are looking for a quieter experience.
There are usually two timings for the game drive – 6am and 3pm, as these are the timings during which animals come out of there hideouts in search for food and water. Sightings vary each day, depending on your luck, but most likely you will be able to spot several wildlife species during the 3-hour jeep safari ride within the park.
Gal Oya National Park is also a very romantic and one-of-a-kind experience for couples as it is the only wildlife park in the country that offers boat safaris that take you on the Gal Oya (river) to observe wildlife on either side as well as elephants swimming in the water.
Adventure Parks
While you are enjoying the peace and quiet of Mother Nature in Sri Lanka, you can also take a day to indulge in some adventurous activities such as a visit to the Che Adventure Park where they organize exciting activities for you and your partner such as paintballing, archery, river rafting, zip lining and so on. There is also the Guruge Nature Park and Leisure World theme park for some fun-filled water activities.
Historical/Cultural Attractions
For those who like to explore the rich history that Sri Lanka is known for, a visit to Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya is a must. Dating back to centuries ago, you can explore ruins of Temples, Buddha Statues, and King’s complexes in these ancient cities of Sri Lanka. The National Museum in Colombo is also a good place to learn about Sri Lanka’s culture and history. Also, try to include Kandy in your itinerary so you can visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – a Buddhist Temple that houses the sacred tooth of Lord Buddha. Regardless of what time of the year you are visiting Sri Lanka, these cultural attractions are always open to visitors, making it very easy to add these to your itinerary as per your preference.
White Water Rafting
For the thrill seekers, white water rafting is a much sought-after activity available in Kitulgala, Sri Lanka. This destination is enroute to popular tourist locations such as Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, hence can be included as a day stop before your hill country exploration begins. The waters of Kelani River are naturally designed with highs and lows that offer the thrill of rafting. Couples will be given a brief training on how to maneuver the raft in the waters and after putting on some safety gear, you are ready to experience and adrenaline rush like never before!
Adventurous Accommodation Options
Adventure seeking honeymooners may also enjoy the unorthodox accommodation options that Sri Lanka has to offer. Kodev Kalpitiya on the west coast and Karpaha Sands in Passikudah on the east coast offer glamping opportunities on two of the best beach destinations in the country. Wildlife luxury camping with Leopard Trails is also an option to be explored. In addition to that, Ella Retreat is an exciting glamping accommodation option for Nature Lovers exploring the popular tea country honeymoon destination – Ella. If you are trekking deep into the Knuckles Mountain Ranges, Wild Glamping is available for you to relax and unwind for the night.
Apart from these, there are also luxury boutique hotel accommodation options such as Ceylon Tea Trails, Wild Coast Tented Lodge, 98 Acres Resort and Spa, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle, and many more that offer the best in terms of pampering as well as natural surroundings for their valued guests.
Conclusion
Adding a touch of adventure to the peace and quiet of your honeymoon package is an interesting idea for stirring up the excitement and adding to your memories. As discussed above, Sri Lanka offers plenty of adventure opportunities that you can choose from as per the preferences of you and your partner. Make it a perfect honeymoon by including a minimum of one or two nights in one of the luxury camping accommodation options across the island, as these are indeed a bucket-list kind of experience!