15-Day Honeymoon Itinerary for South Asia in December

  • Day 1: Arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka
    Bandaranaike International Airport to Cinnamon Grand Colombo Hotel - 1 hour (34 km)

    Explore the city of Colombo with its rich history, beautiful beaches, and delicious seafood. Visit the Gangaramaya Temple, Seema Malaka Temple, and the National Museum of Colombo.

  • Day 2: Explore Sigiriya and Dambulla
    Colombo to Sigiriya - 4 hours (176 km), Sigiriya to Dambulla - 20 minutes (17 km)

    Visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located on a massive granite rock. Explore the Dambulla Cave Temple, which houses over 150 Buddha statues and paintings.

  • Day 3-4: Visit Kandy and Nuwara Eliya
    Dambulla to Kandy - 3 hours (72 km), Kandy to Nuwara Eliya - 2.5 hours (79 km)

    Explore the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy. Head to Nuwara Eliya, known as "Little England," and enjoy the scenic drive through the tea plantations. Visit the tea factory and taste some of the world's best tea.

  • Day 5-7: Enjoy the Maldives
    Nuwara Eliya to Male - 4 hours (282 km)

    Relax and enjoy the stunning beaches, crystal clear waters, and luxurious resorts in the Maldives. Go snorkeling or diving to explore the vibrant underwater life. Take a sunset cruise and enjoy a romantic dinner on the beach.

  • Day 8-10: Discover Udaipur, India
    Male to Udaipur - 7 hours (605 km)

    Explore the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and Saheliyon-ki-Bari, known as the Garden of the Maidens, in Udaipur. Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola and witness the beautiful sunset views.

  • Day 11-13: Experience Jaipur, India
    Udaipur to Jaipur - 6.5 hours (395 km)

    Visit the famous Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, and City Palace in Jaipur - the Pink City of India. Shop for local handicrafts and enjoy the mouth-watering Rajasthani cuisine in the vibrant bazaars.

  • Day 14-15: Explore the Taj Mahal in Agra, India
    Jaipur to Agra - 4 hours (240 km)

    Visit the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and witness the stunning white marble mausoleum at sunrise or sunset. Explore the Agra Fort and Itimad-ud-Daulah, known as the "Baby Taj."

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Gangaramaya Temple (1 hour, free)
  • Seema Malaka Temple (30 minutes, free)
  • National Museum of Colombo (2 hours, 500 LKR/$3)
  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress (2-3 hours, 6300 LKR/$35)
  • Dambulla Cave Temple (2-3 hours, 1500 LKR/$8)
  • Temple of the Tooth Relic (1-2 hours, 1500 LKR/$8)
  • Royal Botanical Gardens (2-3 hours, 1500 LKR/$8)
  • Tea factory visit in Nuwara Eliya (1 hour, free)
  • Maldives luxury resort (3 nights, $1000+)
  • City Palace, Udaipur (2-3 hours, 300 INR/$4)
  • Boat ride on Lake Pichola (1 hour, 400 INR/$5)
  • Amber Fort (2-3 hours, 500 INR/$7)
  • Hawa Mahal (30 minutes, 200 INR/$3)
  • City Palace, Jaipur (2-3 hours, 700 INR/$10)
  • Taj Mahal (2-3 hours, 1300 INR/$18)
  • Agra Fort (2-3 hours, 650 INR/$9)
  • Itimad-ud-Daulah (1-2 hours, 510 INR/$7)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $2050+

Transportation

Flights are the most efficient way to get around South Asia, with SriLankan Airlines, Air India, and IndiGo being popular options. Private car hires with a driver are recommended for traveling within the destinations, which can cost around $50-80 per day. Public transportation is also available but can be crowded and slow.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a visit to the beaches of Goa or the hill stations of Darjeeling. If you have less time, consider skipping Sigiriya or Agra to focus on other destinations. Remember to pack comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes for the various activities and terrains.

Airports

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the main airport in Sri Lanka, located in Katunayake, 22 miles north of Colombo. Male International Airport (MLE) is the main airport in the Maldives, located on Hulhule Island. Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR) is the main airport in Udaipur, India, located 15 miles east of the city center. Sanganer International Airport (JAI) is the main airport in Jaipur, India, located 7 miles south of the city center. The nearest airport to the Taj Mahal is Agra Airport (AGR), which has limited flight options.

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