Full day
Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Tour
Climb the Lion Rock early, then see the painted caves of Dambulla.
- Sigiriya Lion Rock climb
- Dambulla Cave Temple
- Village lunch
From, per vehicleUS$45
View tour
Private day tour
Kandy Cultural Tour
Sri Lanka's last royal capital in one relaxed day: the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Royal Botanic Gardens, a working tea factory and, if you like, an evening of Kandyan drumming and dance.
- DurationAbout 15 hours from Colombo
- PickupFrom 06:00
- Pickup fromColombo or Negombo, Kandy
- Best timeJanuary to April
Highlights
- Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist shrine
- Walk among orchids and giant trees in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
- See how Ceylon tea is made, then taste it fresh at a working tea factory
- Watch Kandyan drummers and fire walkers at the evening dance show
Your day
Pickup from your hotel
Your driver collects you from your hotel in Colombo or Negombo.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
Orchid houses, spice trees, palm avenues and a giant Javan fig tree across about 60 hectares.
Tea factory and tasting
See how fresh leaves become black tea, then taste a cup in the hills around Kandy.
Lunch with a view
A relaxed lunch overlooking the hills.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
The golden-roofed shrine that holds a relic of the Buddha, at the heart of the Sacred City of Kandy World Heritage Site.
Kandy Lake and city viewpoint
Stroll by the lake built by the last king of Kandy in 1807, then see the whole city from the hillside viewpoint.
Kandyan dance show Optional
An hour of drummers, dancers and fire walkers. Tickets are bought on the day.
Drive back
Your driver takes you back to Colombo or Negombo.
Drop-off at your hotel
Back at your hotel in the evening.
Good to know: Staying in Kandy? We start at 09:00 and finish after the dance show at about 18:00.
Prices
| Pickup from | Car · 1–3 | SUV · 1–4 | Van · 1–6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo or Negombo hotelPickup around 06:00, back around 21:00 | US$115 | US$140 | US$150 |
| Kandy hotelPickup around 09:00, back around 18:00 | US$45 | US$55 | US$60 |
Prices in US dollars for the whole vehicle, not per person. Guests per vehicle shown in each column.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking chauffeur-guide
- Fuel, highway tolls and parking
- Bottled water
Not included
- Entrance tickets to the temple, gardens and dance show
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips for your driver
Before you go
- Cover your shoulders and knees at the Temple of the Tooth. Light or white clothes are respectful, and shoes stay at the entrance.
- In July or August, the Esala Perahera festival fills Kandy's streets at night. Ask us about this year's dates.
- Kandy is cooler than the coast. A light layer is useful in the evening.
- The temple is busiest at the daily ceremonies. Your guide will time your visit around them.
Questions
Is the dance show worth it?
If you enjoy music and performance, yes. It's a colourful hour of traditional drumming and dance, and it finishes with fire walking.
Can we see the Esala Perahera?
The festival runs for about ten nights in July or August. Dates change every year, so ask us and we'll plan around it.
Can we stay overnight in Kandy instead?
Yes. Many travellers turn this into two days. Ask us for a quote with a hotel.
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Full day
Galle Fort & South Coast Tour
Galle Fort's ramparts, a river safari, a beach swim and stilt fishermen.
- Galle Fort walk
- Madu River boat ride
- Beach and sunset
From, per vehicleUS$50
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Half-day safari
Yala Safari Tour & Transfer
Morning jeep safari for leopards and elephants, with an onward transfer option.
- Leopards, elephants, sloth bears
- Private jeep and tracker
- Safari + transfer option
From, per vehicleUS$80
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Need a ride from the airport too? Book an airport transfer from US$25.