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
2hAttend 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
3hA 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
3hExplore 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
1.5hA private performance of traditional Kandyan dance and drumming, including fire-walking and plate-spinning acts.
Part of Heritage & Hill Country Escape→Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue
1hClimb to the hilltop white Buddha statue overlooking Kandy for sweeping views of the city and surrounding hills.
Available in custom toursGem Museum & Lapidary Visit
1.5hTour a working gem museum and lapidary workshop to discover Sri Lanka's world-famous sapphires, rubies, and cat's-eyes.
Available in custom toursTea Factory & Tea Plantation Tour
3hVisit 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
3hDrive to the unique helical-staircase tower atop Ambuluwawa Hill, surrounded by bio-diversity reserve forest.
Available in custom toursKnuckles Mountain Trekking
6hA guided trek into the UNESCO Knuckles Mountain Range, a pristine wilderness of cloud forest, streams, and rare wildlife.
Available in custom toursRiverston Excursion
4hDrive to Riverston's dramatic ridge viewpoints, known as the 'Mini World's End', for staggering highland vistas.
Available in custom toursSpice Garden Visit
1.5hA 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
3hA hands-on cooking class with a local family learning to prepare rice and curry, pol sambol, and milk hoppers.
Available in custom toursScenic Train Ride (Kandy–Ella)
7hBoard the world-famous blue train for the spectacular Highland Railway journey through mist, tea estates, and ravines.
Part of Honeymoon Package→Hanthana Mountain Hiking
4hA guided half-day hike through the forested Hanthana Range, offering sweeping views over Kandy valley.
Available in custom toursUdawattakele Forest Walk
2hA tranquil guided walk through Kandy's royal forest sanctuary, home to monkeys, birds, and ancient rock hermitages.
Available in custom toursPekoe Trail Stage 1
5hBegin Sri Lanka's iconic long-distance tea trail from Nuwara Eliya's Shanthipura with sweeping highland panoramas.
Available in custom toursPekoe Trail Stage 2
5hTrek through immaculate tea carpets and forested ridges on Stage 2 of Sri Lanka's premier long-distance walking trail.
Available in custom toursPekoe Trail Stage 3
5hFollow ancient estate paths through rolling tea fields and small villages on a rewarding Stage 3 highland walk.
Available in custom toursPekoe Trail Stage 4
6hStage 4 winds through waterfalls, cloud forest patches, and working tea estates on the descent toward Hatton.
Available in custom toursPackages featuring Kandy
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