3-Day Kandy Heritage Tour with Pinnawala and Ambuluwawa Tower

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, home to the world's largest herd of captive elephants
• 02 Explore the historic monasteries of Gadaladeniya and Lankathilaka Aramaya
• 03 Climb the breathtaking Ambuluwawa Tower for rewarding panoramic views
• 04 Discover the Sacred Temple of the Tooth and witness the Kandy Cultural Show
• 05 Stroll through the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya
• 06 Learn how famous Ceylon Tea is made at the Giragama Tea Factory

Take a fascinating stroll through the Sacred City of Kandy, now a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site, on this 3-day journey through Sri Lanka's hill capital. Visit the Sacred Temple of the Tooth in the Royal Palace Complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, along with other remarkable sites such as Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, historic monasteries, Udawattakele Forest Reserve, Ambuluwawa Tower, and the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya. This tour combines heritage, spirituality, nature, and tea culture for a well-rounded experience in and around Kandy.

Take a fascinating stroll through the Sacred City of Kandy, now a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site, on this 3-day journey through Sri Lanka's hill capital.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Colombo, Kandy, Pinnawala, Katunayake, Gampola

Languages English, Russian

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Sri Lanka and Transfer to Kandy

• Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, a tour representative will greet you at the arrival lobby. You will then be transferred to Kandy, the hill capital of Sri Lanka. On the way, you will visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a captive breeding and conservation institute for wild Asian elephants situated in Pinnawala village, 13 km northeast of Kegalle town in Sabaragamuwa Province. It is home to the largest herd of captive elephants in the world.
• As you continue your journey, you will visit two monasteries - Gadaladeniya and Lankathilaka Aramaya. The Gadaladeniya Temple is an ancient monastery built on a rock in Diggala, in the Kandy district. King Buwanekabahu IV built the temple in 1344 AD, according to an inscription carved into its walls. The temple was designed by the South Indian architect Ganesvarachchari in a style similar to South Indian architecture. Lankathilaka Aramaya, a 14th-century Buddhist temple, is situated in Hiripitiya village in the Udu Nuwara area of the Kandy district. This historical temple was also built by King Buwanekabahu IV (1341-1351 AD) in 1344 AD. Gampola, a stronghold on the banks of the Mahaweli River, was the king's capital.
• After visiting the monasteries, you will head directly to the Oak-Ray Regency Hotel, a 3-star hotel in Kandy, and check in. In the evening, you will visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and witness the Kandy Cultural Show.
• Dinner and overnight stay at the Kandy hotel.

2

Day 02

Kandy Heritage and Scenic Viewpoints

• After breakfast, you will drive to Udawatta Kele and spend a few hours there. Udawatta Kele Forest Reserve, also spelled Udawatta Kele, is a historic forest reserve located on a hill ridge in Kandy and spans 104 hectares. During the Kandyan Kingdom, it was known as 'Uda Wasala Watta' in Sinhalese, meaning 'the garden above the royal palace'.
• Next, you will proceed to Kandy View Point, Arthur's Seat, which offers a stunning view of Kandy city, especially the lake. It is situated 550 m above sea level on Rajapihilla Mawatha. En route, you will visit Bahirawakanda Temple, which features a famous landmark - a large Buddha statue that is easily visible from Kandy city centre. It is just a five-minute drive from the city centre.
• Then, you will drive a little south of Kandy, beyond the city limits, to visit Embekke Devalaya and the famous Ambuluwawa Tower on Gampola Road. Embekke Devalaya was built by King Vikramabahu III of the Gampola Era in Sri Lanka and is dedicated to Kataragama Deviyo. A local deity called Devatha Bandara is also worshipped at this site. Ambuluwawa Tower is a must-see site in Sri Lanka, located 3,567 meters above sea level and home to 200 plants belonging to 80 species. Although the climb to the top is a bit tough, the views from the top are worth it.
• After a long and tiring day, you will return to your hotel.
• Dinner and overnight stay at the Kandy hotel.

3

Day 03

Peradeniya Garden, Tea Factory and Departure

• After breakfast, you will pack your luggage and drive back to Colombo. On the way, you will visit and explore the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya and witness the mesmerising beauty of Sri Lanka's flora and fauna. As a tropical country, Sri Lanka is home to thousands of indigenous plants, which are preserved in various gardens across the island. The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden is one such garden, with a long history dating back to the 19th century. Later, en route, you will visit the Giragama Tea Factory to learn about the process of making 'Ceylon Tea' and purchase different types of flavoured tea.
• After the tea factory, you will continue towards Colombo and stop midway to visit your final site, a Spice Garden where you can buy necessary items. Finally, you will be transferred to Colombo International Airport.
• End of our services.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Pickup and drop-off at the airport
• Private transfers in a comfortable, air-conditioned van or car
• A professional English-speaking driver
• Hotel stays in the standard room category with daily breakfast and dinner, as mentioned in the itinerary
• Entrance ticket fees for all the sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Government taxes and VAT. Please note that these are subject to change in the event of any changes in government tax policy.
• Parking and toll charges
• We also provide the following value-added services:
  • 500 ml bottled water per person per day during the tour
  • Souvenir gift
• We do not charge any hidden fees

What's Not Included

• Entrance fees not mentioned in the itinerary
• Christmas and New Year supplements
• Kandy Perehara supplement (during the time of Kandy Perehara)
• Any meals or beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
• Guide and driver tips
• Personal expenses (telephone and laundry services)
• Early check-in or late check-out charges
• Additional transfers and sightseeing

What to bring

• Bring an extra water bottle
• Cap or hat to protect yourself from the sun
• Sunglasses
• Photography equipment

Know before you go

• Keep your documents with you, especially if you are an Indian national.
• Do not collect any plants when you visit the Botanical Garden.
• Be careful when climbing Ambuluwawa Tower. Do not push each other.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Colombo International Airport (CMB), Katunayake, Sri Lanka