Sri Lanka Summer Honeymoon

Accompanied by your Chef, pick vegetables and herbs from the estate’s organic garden. Then, watch the Chef prepare a traditional Sri Lankan curry. The afternoon is at leisure. Alternatively, explore the estate gardens on foot (independently).

Morning is at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities at your chosen boutique hotel. Alternatively, explore the working tea and spice garden independently. In the afternoon, accompanied by the Estate Manager, stroll through the tea gardens and observe colourful saree-clad tea-pickers. Try picking tea leaves alongside the estate workers before proceeding to a tea factory, where you will learn first-hand about the various processes involved in the journey of tea from leaf to cup, taste the different varieties of tea and get an insight into the art of tea blending.

Set off this morning to Kandy, where you will visit the magnificent Temple of the Tooth with its gilded roof, exquisite woodwork and beautifully decorated walls with paintings. Enshrined within the temple is the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha that was brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD. Then, drive inland passing through typical Sri Lankan villages and towns to the ancient capital city of Sigiriya. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Drive to Sigiriya, and climb up to the summit of the Sigiriya rock fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortified settlement atop Sigiriya dates back to the 5th century AD and is a stupendous architectural achievement. Hidden in the caves of the fortress are the famed Sigiriya murals, better known as the Sigiriya Maidens. In the afternoon, take a jeep safari inside Minneriya National Park and look for wild Asian elephants in their natural habitat.

Accompanied by your guide, travel by bullock cart and tuk-tuk through Hiriwadunna village and discover the simplicity of Sri Lankan village life. Share a cup of tea with the village elders and gain an insight into local customs and traditions. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities.

Begin your day with a visit to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s famed ancient capital city. A relaxed bicycle ride lets you explore the 11th-century ruins strewn across a single complex. Your tour will include a visit to the Royal Palace of Vijayabahu, originally seven stories high with 1,000 chambers; the Hall of Public Audience, the relic house, originally built to house the tooth relic of Buddha; and Gal Vihara, the rock-cut temple renowned for the images of Buddha. Then, continue to the white sandy beaches and the turquoise blue waters of Pasikudah Bay on Sri Lanka’s east coast.

Today will be at leisure to relax by the beach, swim, snorkel, and enjoy the leisure facilities at your beach hotel. Alternatively (supplement applies), take a day trip to nearby Batticaloa and discover the crumbling star-shaped 17th-century Batticaloa Fort. Enjoy a walk through the bustling market that sells everything from spices to colourful handicrafts.

At leisure by the Indian Ocean.

At leisure by the Indian Ocean.

At leisure by the Indian Ocean.

At leisure by the Indian Ocean.

At leisure by the Indian Ocean.

Take to the skies and enjoy a short scenic flight (via Koggala) to Colombo. On arrival, proceed to the International Terminal for your onward flight.