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Kandy

Best TimeJan – Apr
Elevation465m
TypeCultural

Sacred Hills, Living Culture

Sri Lanka's cultural heart sits in green hills around a calm lake. The Temple of the Tooth holds one of Buddhism's most sacred relics. The scenic train to Ella leaves from here, and the city's Kandyan dance traditions remain vibrant and alive.

Highlights

  • Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
  • Kandy Lake evening walk
  • Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya
  • Traditional Kandyan dance show
  • Start of the scenic train to Ella

Excursions in Kandy

19 activities available: include them in a curated package or build a custom tour.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

2h

Attend the evening puja ceremony at Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist shrine, housing the relic of the Buddha's tooth.

Part of Heritage & Hill Country Escape

Kandy City Tour

3h

A guided walk through Kandy's historic centre, including the lake, markets, colonial architecture, and sacred sites.

Part of Heritage & Hill Country Escape

Royal Botanical Gardens – Peradeniya

3h

Explore 150 acres of tropical orchids, spice groves, and giant Java fig trees at Sri Lanka's premier botanical garden.

Part of Golf Among the Misty Hills

Kandy Cultural Dance Show

1.5h

A private performance of traditional Kandyan dance and drumming, including fire-walking and plate-spinning acts.

Part of Heritage & Hill Country Escape

Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue

1h

Climb to the hilltop white Buddha statue overlooking Kandy for sweeping views of the city and surrounding hills.

Available in custom tours

Gem Museum & Lapidary Visit

1.5h

Tour a working gem museum and lapidary workshop to discover Sri Lanka's world-famous sapphires, rubies, and cat's-eyes.

Available in custom tours

Tea Factory & Tea Plantation Tour

3h

Visit a working highland tea estate and factory to trace the journey from leaf to cup with a tasting session.

Part of Fairways and Greens

Ambuluwawa Tower Excursion

3h

Drive to the unique helical-staircase tower atop Ambuluwawa Hill, surrounded by bio-diversity reserve forest.

Available in custom tours

Knuckles Mountain Trekking

6h

A guided trek into the UNESCO Knuckles Mountain Range, a pristine wilderness of cloud forest, streams, and rare wildlife.

Available in custom tours

Riverston Excursion

4h

Drive to Riverston's dramatic ridge viewpoints, known as the 'Mini World's End', for staggering highland vistas.

Available in custom tours

Spice Garden Visit

1.5h

A guided walk through a traditional spice garden to discover cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, and nutmeg growing in their natural habitat.

Part of Honeymoon Package

Traditional Kandyan Cooking Experience

3h

A hands-on cooking class with a local family learning to prepare rice and curry, pol sambol, and milk hoppers.

Available in custom tours

Scenic Train Ride (Kandy–Ella)

7h

Board the world-famous blue train for the spectacular Highland Railway journey through mist, tea estates, and ravines.

Part of Honeymoon Package

Hanthana Mountain Hiking

4h

A guided half-day hike through the forested Hanthana Range, offering sweeping views over Kandy valley.

Available in custom tours

Udawattakele Forest Walk

2h

A tranquil guided walk through Kandy's royal forest sanctuary, home to monkeys, birds, and ancient rock hermitages.

Available in custom tours

Pekoe Trail Stage 1

5h

Begin Sri Lanka's iconic long-distance tea trail from Nuwara Eliya's Shanthipura with sweeping highland panoramas.

Available in custom tours

Pekoe Trail Stage 2

5h

Trek through immaculate tea carpets and forested ridges on Stage 2 of Sri Lanka's premier long-distance walking trail.

Available in custom tours

Pekoe Trail Stage 3

5h

Follow ancient estate paths through rolling tea fields and small villages on a rewarding Stage 3 highland walk.

Available in custom tours

Pekoe Trail Stage 4

6h

Stage 4 winds through waterfalls, cloud forest patches, and working tea estates on the descent toward Hatton.

Available in custom tours

Packages featuring Kandy

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