Couples Travelling in Yala
Experience surreal solitude in the tropics of Sri Lanka when you visit Yala with your significant other. With a host of rustic and luxury experiences, Yala is packed with everything to make your romantic getaway all the more special. Here are some options for things to do to make your time in together Yala memorable.
Safaris
Enjoy game safari drives within the Yala National Park or the Bundala and Kumana National Parks and witness the exotic beauty of the paradise island. See endemic birds taking refuge in the treetops, elephants gathering around watering holes, and if you are lucky, a glimpse of the rare Sri Lankan leopard roaming around the trails.
Tented Camping
Once you have experienced the wonders of the Yala sanctuary, retire in one of the many exclusive luxury tented camps that are fitted with all modern amenities. Cocoon yourselves in a luxury tent under the night stars and awake the next morning to the sound of birdsong. If you both prefer a more rustic camping experience, there are many authentic camp sites to choose from.
Village Walks
Take a stroll along the rustic trails of the neighbouring villages in Yala in a guided village walk. Experience the hospitable nature of the village folk in the area and taste the delectable local cuisine. It’s a wonderful way to learn more about the simple day-to-day lives and culture of the locals.
Diving
Go on a diving adventure with your significant other at the Great Basses Reef. The diving site offers kaleidoscopic vistas of life under the ocean, along with fascinating wrecks of ships that ran aground during the 18 th Century.
Kataragama
The neighbouring town of Kataragama is famed for being a cultural melting pot for the diverse religious communities of the island. The middle of the year serves to be the ideal time to explore the cultural displays in the town, as it hosts the annual ‘Padayatra’ or foot pilgrimage along with the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya Esala Perahera. Feast your eyes on exuberant cultural displays and see the fervent devotion of those who converge at the Kataragama Temple to request the gods for blessings and prosperity.
Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya
Within the Yala National Park lies the intriguing Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya that can be traced back to the 2 nd Century BC. It is here that 12,000 arahants settled in the days of yore to meditate and attain spiritual solace. Explore the relics and history that surrounds the Viharaya, that is situated atop a 400ft rock.