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Things to do in Kandy

Our most recommended things to do in Kandy

Kandy: Sigiriya Fortress & Cave Temple All-Inclusive Tour

1. Kandy: Sigiriya Fortress & Cave Temple All-Inclusive Tour

Following early morning pick-up from your hotel in Kandy, travel by chauffeur-driven vehicle to Sigiriya. Upon arrival, climb the rock fortress of golden-hued granite, chosen by King Kasyapa at the site for his new capital. Get stunning views of the surrounding plains, which in the rainy season can turn into a delightful water garden. Continue to the Dambulla cave temple complex, built by the 1st-century King Walagambahu as a site of worship after his exile from Anuradhapura. Enjoy lunch before the drive back to Kandy, and stop at the spice garden in Matale en route. 

Kandy: Temples, Gardens & Cultural Show City Highlights Tour

2. Kandy: Temples, Gardens & Cultural Show City Highlights Tour

Enjoy a full day of Kandyan culture that takes you from gardens to temples to a cultural show. Start your day with hotel pickup at 9:00 AM in Kandy and head to your first stop, the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya. These gardens have a long history dating back to the British Era, and were used during WWII as Allied Forces Headquarters for the Asian Region. Now, the garden houses thousands of beautiful plant species, so you’ll want to spend the full 2 hours allocated here wandering the gardens.   Afterwards, continue on to visit the Sri Maha Bodhi Vihara in Bahiravakanda. This monastery on a hill is used as a meeting center for National and International Buddhist Relations, and boasts a giant Buddha statue that can be seen from all over Kandy. Climb up to reach a viewpoint that gives you the ultimate panoramic views of Kandy and take some photos.   Return to Kandy for lunch, where you’ll be given approximately an hour of free time. In the afternoon, visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Temple of the Tooth. This temple has a burgeoning history spanning several centuries and is the home of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. Formerly a palace complex for Kandyan kings, these beautiful buildings show their royal roots through their architecture.  At 4:30, enjoy a spectacular Kandy Cultural Show, which will give you the opportunity to watch various traditional Kandyan dances and acts, such as the demon dance, the fire dance, and much more. Once the show is over, you’ll be returned to your hotel at around 5:30, completing this full day.

From Kandy: Scenic Train Ride to Ella

3. From Kandy: Scenic Train Ride to Ella

The Kandy to Ella train ride in Sri Lanka is considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Your train journey takes you on a scenic ride through some of the most beautiful highland countryside areas in Sri Lanka. Watch the brilliant green carpets of the tea plantations. See the picturesque villages with misty mountain backdrops pass by. Peer through drizzle and mist to look at the magical landscapes of Hill Country. Enjoy the amazing sights of intimidating mountains, deep and dark woodlands, and magnificent waterfalls as they go by your windows. Kandy to Ella (trave time 6 to 7 hours)

Pinnawala & Kandy Day Trip from Colombo

4. Pinnawala & Kandy Day Trip from Colombo

Benefit from pickup at your hotel in Colombo, and then relax in air-conditioned comfort on the journey to Kandy. Visit the Temple of the Tooth on arrival to see the sacred tooth of Buddha, a symbol of status that proved the worthiness of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka. Admire the beautiful architecture of the palace and look at the golden figurines in the shrine. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage You never miss the elephant gathering in river Then, explore some of the ancient crafts by traditional artisans, including gems, wood carving, and batik. Watch craft demonstrations and buy souvenir gifts before lunch at a local restaurant at your own expense. Continue to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, and go for a stroll in the 147-acre grounds. See over 4,000 different species of plants, including an exclusive collection of orchids, spices, and medicinal plants. Learn the history of the 19th-century gardens, and see famous plants such as the cannonball tree, giant fig tree, and 40-meter tall Burma bamboo.

Kandy: All Inclusive City Tour

5. Kandy: All Inclusive City Tour

Be picked up from your accommodation at 8:00 AM. Your first stop will be the Giragama Tea Factory. Here, you will see the sorting, grinding, and drying tools and then the packaging machines. Learn how tea is processed from shiny green leaves to the contents of your tea bag. After enjoying a cup of high grown processed tea, set out to explore the plantation.  Continue your tour and head to the Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, which is renowned for bundles of varieties of plants including orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees. Then, visit the Bahirawakanda Buddha statue known as big Buddha, which is one of the most scenic places in the city. At 1:00 PM, take a break to enjoy lunch at Oak Ray restaurant. After Lunch, visit the wood carving factory and gem lapidary. Then, be driven to Kandy Lake, which was built by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1807. It is one of the major highlights in the city and the drive is a scenic and memorable ride.  At 4:00 PM, witness a cultural show in one of the many theaters available in the Kandy city. Then, visit the Temple of the Tooth. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and around the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. You will be returned to your hotel for 7:00 PM.

Sri Lanka: eSIM Data Plan

6. Sri Lanka: eSIM Data Plan

Make your trip to Sri Lanka hassle-free with your convenient eSIM. Stay connected during your travels with high-speed coverage in Sri Lanka as well as Cambodia, Japan, and Bangladesh. Purchase and install your eSIM anytime and anywhere, and choose from a variety of data packages, validity options, and coverage in additional countries. Simply scan the eSIM QR code to access all your essential apps on your trip. Avoid the trouble of managing multiple SIMs with this zero-waste solution. Get one eSIM per device and top up by simply buying and activating additional eSIM plans as you go. Once activated, your coverage will begin according to your selected duration. All iPhone model launched beyond iPhone XS can support eSIM. For Android, if you are unsure, please check with the guideline photo for eligibility. If you can not connect to the internet after install this eSIM, please follow the Self Help Troubleshooting Guide in your GYG voucher. APN (Access Point Name): smartone Local operator info: Sri Lanka: Dialog Cambodia: Hello Axiata Japan: softbank Bangladesh: Robi

3-Day Trip to Sigiriya Kandy Ella Udawalawe with Train Ride

7. 3-Day Trip to Sigiriya Kandy Ella Udawalawe with Train Ride

Day 1 : COLOMBO – SIGIRIYA – KANDY Sigiriya Museum This decent museum has a fine diorama of the site, providing an excellent overview and explaining Sigiriya's cultural importance beyond the obvious natural beauty. The theory that Sigiriya was a Buddhist monastery is given here, although the established position that it was a palace or fortress prevails. Dambulla Cave Temple Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 kilometres east of Colombo and 72 kilometres north of Kandy. Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress Rising dramatically from the central plains, the enigmatic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka's single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilization, thought to be once the epicenter of the short-lived kingdom of Kassapa, and there are spellbinding vistas across mist-wrapped forests in the early morning. Overnight Stay at Royal Kandyan or Similar Hotel Day 2 KANDY-NUWARA ELIYA- ELLA Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic The golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha. During puja(offerings or prayers), the heavily guarded room housing the tooth is open to devotees and tourists. However, you don’t actually see the tooth. It’s kept in a gold casket shaped like a dagoba (stupa), which contains a series of six dagoba caskets of diminishing size. As well as the revered main temple, the complex includes a series of smaller temples, shrines and museums. Glenloch Tea Factory Glenloch Tea Factory situated in Nuwara Eliya District at Katukithula on the way to Nuwara Eliya from Kandy. Glenloch tea plantation at Katukithula are been maintain using all the correct method of planting, Soil conversation and Maneuvering. Sri Lanka Become the bets land of most renowned beverage of the world. Sri Lanka silvering water falls process naturally the beauty of nature Ramboda Waterfall Ramboda Falls is 109 m high and 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 729th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Pussellawa area, on the A5 highway at Ramboda Pass. If intrested can be do an Train Ride from Nanu Oya - Ella Overnight Stay Day 3 Ella City Tour – Udawalawe National Park - Colombo Little Adams Peak whether considering the word ‘Little’,it is named after the sacred Adams Peak Nine Arches Bridge The Nine Arch Bridge in Ella is on the Demodara loop and spans 91 meters at a height of 24m. The beautiful nine arches make it a very picturesque spot especially as it is located in a dense jungle and agricultural setting Udawalawe National Park This park is home to several hundred elephants and other rare plants and wildlife We can arrange Drop Colombo Or Negombo or Airport

Nuwara Eliya: All-Inclusive Private Sightseeing Day Tour

8. Nuwara Eliya: All-Inclusive Private Sightseeing Day Tour

Start your tour with a 7:30am pick-up, and head to Nuwara Eliya. Stop in Ramboda and visit Ramboda Waterfalls and Bhakta Hanuman Temple, with a visit to a Tea Plantation and Tea Factory.  Arriving at Nuwara Eliya in time for lunch, enjoy your meal at the Summer Hill Breeze Hotel, before a city tour of Nuwara Eliya, including Gregory Lake and Victoria Park. Surrounded by hills and tea plantations, the town of Nuwara Eliya boasts spring-like weather throughout the year. A favourite retreat of the British during colonial times, the town is dotted with English country style houses and half-timbered bungalows. At around 4:00pm, leave Nuwara Eliya and return to your hotel in Kandy.

Sri Lanka hill country train trip, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya 2-day

9. Sri Lanka hill country train trip, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya 2-day

Two memorable days to cover major tourist attractions in Sri Lanka's hill country. The tour includes the two most important cities in the hill country, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. The tour starts with Kandy city and walking tour to visit the tooth relic temple, Kandy market, handicraft center, Peradeniya botanical garden, and Kandyan cultural show. The tour also includes many other highlights of the ancient capital of Kandy and the English colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya. Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Colombo – Kegalle – Kandy You’ll depart Colombo after breakfast and make a stop at a spice garden on the way to Kandy. You will be able to take part in a walking tour of the spice/herbal garden and learn about the spices and herbs that grow in Sri Lanka. Spices and herbs are being used in Sri Lankan kitchens as well as in Ayurveda medicine/indigenous medicine. However, a large part of the spices is exported. Kandy was the last kingdom of ancient Sri Lanka and is the most picturesque city on the island, nestled in the mountains and surrounded by tea plantations. Of Sri Lanka’s 3 botanical gardens, the gardens at Peradeniya are the largest, spread over 60 hectares and featuring more than 8,000 different species of trees and plants. After, visit the Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy and enjoy dinner and a typical Sri Lankan Cultural Show of Drum Dancing music, and fire walking. Overnight in Kandy. Day 2: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Colombo After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll begin the journey back to Colombo via Nuwara Eliya. You’ll have a chance to appreciate the awe-inspiring scenery on the way to Nuwara Eliya, as you travel through valleys, into the mountains, and past beautiful patches of forest. Nuwara Eliya is the highest of Sri Lanka’s 3 hill stations, situated at over 6,000 feet above sea level. Known as Little England, it is where the British colonists built themselves a home away from home. Follow the winding road that leads to the hill country through tea plantations, beside the waterfalls that cascade down the hills, and into misty valleys. You’ll have the opportunity to visit a tea factory and sample a cup of unblended, fresh Ceylon tea, before continuing back to Colombo.

Kandy: Historical Three Temples All-Inclusive Tour

10. Kandy: Historical Three Temples All-Inclusive Tour

Visiting three of the most ancient and historically important temples that are within an easy walking distance to one another is a memorable expedition for a heritage lover. The three temples (Embekke, Lankathilaka, Gadaladeniya) have been built in the 14th century before the Kandyan Kingdom was fully established. This tour finished at approximately 12:30 PM, when you are returned to your hotel.  Be picked up at 8:00 AM from your hotel lobby in Kandy. Arrive at your first temple by 9:00 AM. Embekke is a crafted work of wooden dedication. Look at the pillars or drum hall with unique designs on each side. Appreciate the care and effort in shapping swans, peakcocks, wrestlers, dragons and more. Hear about the history of this temple, and the importance it has represented for the culture. Visit Lankatilake Temple by 9:45 AM. Lankatilake is perhaps the finest temple in the district. An impressively solid-looking structure built on a huge rock outcrop and painted a pale blue rather than the usual white.  Then next visit Gadaladeniya Temple, built on a rocky outcrop and covered with small pools, the temple is reached by a series of steps cut into the rock. This Buddhist temple with a Hindu extension is a similar age to the Lankatilake Temple and the Embekka Devale.

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Nuwara Eliya

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What people are saying about Kandy

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 53 reviews

We had a lovely day with CJ, he was very caring in showing us the sites and stopping at places for views and food. It is a long drive from Colombo to Kandy but we were very comfortable in his car and with his driving. It was an exhausting day but totally worth it. The elephant sanctuary, the tea factory, the temple and the botanical gardens were all fabulous as well as the restaurants CJ stopped at for us. I have nothing negative to say about the day.

There were only 2 of us with our guide buddy. The round trip was very interesting and exciting, well run and lots of tips and since there were only 2 of us, it was also very flexible to our wishes. The selection of hotels was really great, the drive through the country by car was very pleasant!

Our driver/guide, Keerthe, was punctual, informative, and trustworthy. He had a good understanding of the best times to enter a location and helped us buy our tickets to facilitate our visits. Keerthe navigated the city and town roads safely and with great skill.

Beautiful and interesting tour, Sigiriya my favorite but all was amazing with good mix ! Our guide Kaarthe and conductor very professional and always ready to give you a help

The tour was excellent. I liked a lot the hotel in Sigirya and in Colombo. Keerthe, the driver, was very nice, respectful and always on time.