Adventurous honeymoons: From riding horses in Arizona to diving with whales in Sri Lanka

It's probably the biggest trip of your life so far, so don't fly and flop. Ellie Ross offers suggestions that will make this a holiday to remember.

Into the blue: swim with the world’s largest mammal in Sri Lanka (Patrick Dykstra)

As one of the most anticipated and indulgent holidays you'll probably take, it's important to get your honeymoon right. As many couples have already done the fly-and-flop thing, more are now veering towards the adventurous to make that first trip a memorable one.

Dive in

Take the plunge as newlyweds by diving between two tectonic plates in Iceland. The four-night trip with Black Tomato (020 7426 9888; blacktomato.co.uk) will see you descend into the deep to discover the Silfra rift, a chasm between the North American and Eurasian plates. Next, jump on quad bikes, walk behind waterfalls and see exploding geysers before rounding your honeymoon off with a relaxing soak in the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. The price of £2,189pp includes flights, activities, transfers and four nights' B&B at the Hotel Borg in Reykjavik.

Saddle up

Pull on your cowboy boots for an adventure on horseback, set against the majestic Hualapai Mountains in Arizona. Ranch Rider (01509 618 811; ranchrider.com) has a seven-night stay at the remote Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch from £924pp, including meals and ranch activities (excluding flights). As well as daily rides into the Mojave Desert, guests can join quad bike and mountain biking rides, hike across the cactus trails and stargaze round a campfire. Each of the ranch's 10 rooms has a patio, and facilities include a Jacuzzi and pool. Two hours from Las Vegas, it's ideal for couples wanting to combine their trip with a visit to – or wedding in – Sin City.


 Green peace: explore the majestic landscapes and wildlife of the Scottish Highlands rather than flying long-haul for your honeymoon

Value added

Looking for value over luxury? A group tour with standard accommodation and some public transport, that costs from £977pp, G Adventures' (0344 272 2040; gadventures.co.uk) two-week Hike, Bike and Kayak Thailand itinerary packs plenty in. You will trek through forests and rice paddies, cycle through Bangkok and kayak around coral coves. Other highlights include a visit to Chiang Mai, trekking into remote hill-tribe villages and spending a night in a raft-house. International flights not included.

Whales and tea trails

Combine mountain biking along tea trails and swimming with blue whales on Natural World Safaris' 11-day Sri Lanka Honeymoon (01273 691642; naturalworldsafaris.com). You'll stay in a colonial-era bungalow, before arriving in Weligama on the southern coast by seaplane to snorkel with the earth's largest creature, guided by BBC marine photographer Patrick Dykstra. For added adrenalin, surfing is available, or just sit back and watch the sunset over the ocean. The price of £9,985pp includes return Heathrow flights, five nights' all-inclusive at the Ceylon Tea Trails Bungalows, six nights' half-board at Cape Weligama, transfers and activities.

Close to home

Adventure doesn't have to involve boarding a plane. Wilderness Scotland (01479 420020; wildernessscotland.com) has a six-night trip that includes biking and canoeing in the Highlands, along Thomas Telford's Caledonian Canal, before kayaking around the west coast, spotting wildlife from seals to golden eagles. In Skye, there are guided walks, while accommodation includes the five-star Inverlochy Castle. The price of £2,275pp includes B&B and three days' guiding.