This historic Buddhist monument, widely known as Senkadagalapura, was the final capital of the Sinhala rulers, whose patronage allowed the Dinahala culture to thrive for more than 2,500 years until the British takeover of Sri Lanka in 1815. It is also the location of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the holy tooth of Buddha), a popular pilgrimage site. A day trip to Kandy may be scheduled from either Colombo or the South Coast, and we recommend leaving Colombo at 7 a.m. or the South Coast at 6 a.m. This allows you to make the most of your day excursion while avoiding traffic.

Locations covered

• Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – The Wildlife Department of Sri Lanka created the Elephant Orphanage in 1975 on a 25-acre plot of land around 90 kilometers from Colombo. The orphanage’s objective and general mission is to offer care and protection to many of Sri Lanka’s orphaned elephants found in the jungle as a result of habitat destruction and poaching. It has become a big tourist attraction over the years, allowing tourists to see and even feed or bathe the Elephants.
• Kandy city tour – This is the country’s second biggest city and one of the greatest spots to visit if you want to get away from the noise and bustle of Colombo. Kandy is a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site and is wonderfully tucked in the highlands. It also holds the world-renowned Kandy Perahera, which has been held for over 1500 years.
• Kandy Temple – The temple, known locally as the Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a sacred site of prayer for all Therawada Buddhists in Sri Lanka and across the world. It was constructed within the royal palace compound, which houses Lord Buddha’s solitary remaining relic. The relic was crucial in local politics in ancient times, and it was thought that anybody who possessed the tooth relic had the authority to dominate the land. For these reasons, the ancient Kings made considerable efforts to keep it safe from outside invasion.
• Royal Botanical Gardens – The botanical gardens, which are located near the Mahaweli River, are said to date back to 1371. (the longest in Sri Lanka). The garden has about 4000 plant varieties and receives over 2 million visitors each year. This breathtaking site will delight your senses.
• Kandy view point – Climb the hill near Kandy Lake to reach a renowned tourist destination with one of the greatest vistas on the island. Prepare to be surrounded by a big number of peddlers selling various types of souvenirs. Visitors may enjoy spectacular views of the lake and Kandy from this fantastic vantage point.
• Spice Gardens of Matale – A fantastic opportunity to sample Sri Lanka’s world-renowned spices, with aromas of cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, and much more filling your senses. Visitors are transported back in time to an age-old spice business that drew many international traders to Sri Lanka.
• Free visit to a gem Shop / wood Carving and batik Shop – Sri Lanka is world famous for its amazing variety of precious and semi-precious gem stones. The country is also home to fantastic wood carvers and batik designers that create incredible handicrafts that will no doubt bring back memories of your stay here.

Inclusions

• Transport to Kandy from Colombo / South Coast and back
• Lunch on tour
• Entrance fees to: Pinnawala / Kandy Temple / Dance Show / Botanical Gardens

Exclusions

• Anything that is not mentioned above