The 15 Best Kandy Day Trips

1.From Kandy: Pinnawala Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 331 reviews · 8 hours · from $15Our pick

Leave Kandy by tuk-tuk or air-conditioned minivan for Kadugannawa’s viewpoint and Pinnawala’s elephant herd, then take in selected Kandy sights. Guides such as Danushka, Saman, Terence and Wicky are praised for careful driving and flexible stops, though your guide may vary. Entry fees and meals are extra, so budget beyond the $15 starting price.

“Our guide was perfect. The tour was extremely interesting and he was able to explain and show us so much. Since we had already visited a few places ourselves the day before, he adapted the program to our wishes and was very flexible. We would book this tour again anytime and can highly recommend it, especially the guide!!!”

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2.Kandy Temples and Pinnawala Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 144 reviews · 1 day · from $54

From Colombo or Negombo, ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide to Pinnawala’s elephant-bathing stop and Kandy’s Tooth Relic Temple. The day also brings a hilltop Buddha, a Kandy viewpoint, and a Pilimathalawa tea factory. Guides may include Aadhil, Dilip, Susantha, or Tuan. Budget extra for meals and temple entry.

“Aadhil was a safe driver. Very knowledgeable & super nice.. Adapted the trip to my needs & wants. Full packed day. Adored the elephant sanctuary. Very special. Totally recommend this fun trip”

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3.Kandy, Pinnawala and Tea Factory Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 99 reviews · 12 hours · from $55

Travel from Colombo or Negombo to Kandy, stopping for an elephant encounter, a spice garden, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, craft and jewelry workshops, and a tea factory. Guides on this route have included Malintha, Tuan, Priyantha, and Rahim, though your guide may vary. Expect a long day, extra costs for lunch and temple entry, and a busy schedule.

“I had an incredible day! 🐘✨ First, I went on an amazing elephant ride, which was such a unique and exciting experience, full of excitement and connection with nature. I highly recommend this place! Totally worth it! 🥰 Then, I visited the beautiful city of Candy and explored the stunning Temple of the Tooth—a truly special and peaceful place. Both were unforgettable experiences. Highly recommend! 🥰”

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4.03 Days Highlights Of Sigiriya,Kandy,Nuwara Eliya ,Ella & Udawalawe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $265Top rated

Leave Colombo early for a fast-paced, two-night circuit through Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella and Udawalawe. An English-speaking driver-guide handles the transport and overnight stays; you pay separately for major sights and the safari. Drivers vary, with past tours led by guides such as Aaron, CJ and Chathu.

“The scenery throughout journey the punctuality of the driver and his skilful driving we highly recommend Roxanne??he would do anything for you and very professional service”

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5.Private Day trip Kandy & pinnawala with your selected attractions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $65

Travel from Colombo to Kandy and Pinnawala in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide. Choose from stops including the Temple of the Tooth, a spice and herbal garden, Kandy viewpoints, a tea factory, and village-themed Ape Gama. Lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off, and several entrance fees are included. The drive and visits take about 10 to 12 hours.

“Our guide and driver Dimuth was very keen and attentive to ensure our tour delivered all we aiming to see and do. He was flexible with the plan to suit us and offered great commentary with excellent English about the area, and life in Sri Lanka. We'd recommend Dimuth and tour company.”

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6.Kandy Day Tour From Colombo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 51 reviews · from $55

Set out from Colombo at 6:00 am for a long day in Kandy, with shared air-conditioned transport, an English-speaking driver and a temple guide. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy’s viewpoint and a tea factory. Bottled water, king coconut and WiFi on request are included; entrance fees and meals are extra.

“Really good experience! It ended up being a private tour and the driver was very nice and adjusted the trip to my preferences. We even stopped to see the elephants, which was not in the original plan. Overall was a good tour and we did quite a few stops.”

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7.From Kandy : Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage & Ambuluwawa Tower

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 8 hours · from $20

Travel from Kandy by tuk-tuk or air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking driver, with guides including Masi and Rohan named in recent accounts. The day combines temples, viewpoints and local craft stops with a visit intended for Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and a climb up Ambuluwawa Tower. The $20 price excludes entrance tickets, and route changes are possible.

“Great day out - beautiful Buddhist temple, gem factory, woodcraft workshop craft workshop, elephant village to feed and stroke elephants, herb and spice farm and stops for local food and drink stalls- all with friendly and informative commentary by Mazi - our super guide and tuktuk driver - highly recommend!”

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8.3 Days Tour to Kandy Nuwara Eliya & Sigiriya from Colombo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · from $250

Leave Colombo at 6:00 am for a private, chauffeured trip through Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Sigiriya. Expect temple visits, a tea factory, mountain-city stops and the climb at Sigiriya, with two hotel nights, breakfasts and dinners included. Guides on past trips have included Krish and Keerthe; your assigned guide may differ.

“My tour guide Keerthe was excellent and very helpful in making the tour best suited for me. The elephant safari and Sigiriya rock fortress were incredible. I liked my trip so much I booked a day trip to galle.”

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9.Colombo to Kandy Train Tickets (Reserved Seats)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · from $18

Book a reserved second-class seat on a non-stop intercity train from Colombo Fort to Kandy. Choose a 7 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. departure, then travel independently while the countryside rolls by. Mahaweli Tours and Holidays sends an e-ticket by email or WhatsApp. The listed price is $18 per person, including a ticket service fee.

“Helpful staff, but train was over booked. Great price. They are very personal. Sri Lankans are such a friendly culture.”

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10.4 Days Tour to Kandy, Sigiriya & Nuwara Eliya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $325

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Colombo with an English-speaking chauffeur guide. Over four days, visit Kandy, Dambulla, Sigiriya and Nuwara Eliya, with a Minneriya safari, a tea estate and a village experience. A past trip named driver Mohamed and safari guide Nishanta; staff may vary. Entrance fees, meals and drinks are extra.

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11.Kandy and Pinnawala Private Day Tour from Colombo/Negombo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $65

Leave Colombo or Negombo by private vehicle for a long day linking Pinnawala, a tea plantation and factory, Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and a city viewpoint. Pickup and bottled water are included, and you can request a customized schedule. Anas is named as a guide and driver in one account, but confirm who will lead your tour.

“Great customized tour with excellent communication with the operator. Since we had to be back on our cruise ship by 5pm, arrangements were made to meet our tour guide/ driver, Anas, at 6:30am for a private tour to go to several places tRead more”

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12.Kandy Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · from $120

Spend about 12 hours travelling from Colombo to Kandy by private vehicle, with a driver-guide, lunch, bottled water, and hotel or port pickup. Stops include the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, an Ayurvedic spice garden, Kandy Lake, a tea factory, and a jeweller. Guides named Deshan and Chamika have been praised for their care and local insight, though guide quality can vary.

“Kandy - what a picturesque view (from the view point). Deshan our guide extremely knowledgeable of the area, very accommodating /flexible with the itinerary- more than happy to exclude and/ir include items on the itinerary (subject to tiRead more”

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13.From Kandy: Sigiriya, Dambulla and Minneriya Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 22 reviews · 1 day · from $84

From Kandy, travel by private air-conditioned vehicle to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple and Minneriya National Park. Expect a steep, rewarding climb, sacred cave art and a 4x4 safari, with entrance fees, jeep hire and meals paid separately. Guides named in past trips include Kenneth, Diyath and Ruwan.

“hele turen var god. vores guide Ruwan var god til at fortælle undervejs så man fik lidt historie med.”

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14.Best Of Sri lanka Tour (06 Days 05 Nights) – Kandy- N.Eliya -Bentota-Colombo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $366

Travel privately from Colombo through Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota and Galle, with five hotel nights, breakfast and dinner, and an English, Hindi or Tamil-speaking chauffeur-guide. Expect waterfalls, tea, temples and a river safari, plus long drives and extra entrance fees. Past trips have been led by guides including Premil and Chamantha, but ask who will guide your departure.

“Premil was fantastic, very responsive with communication in the planning stage prior to our arrival and very dependable once we arrived. We hired Premil for a six day tour of the country and would recommend him to anyone. He aided in the Read more”

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15.Kandy and Pinnawala Orphanage Short Excursions

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 18 reviews · 14 days · from $75

Take a private, air-conditioned trip from Colombo to Kandy and Pinnawala, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and stops that may include the Temple of the Tooth, elephant bathing, a tea and spice garden, and the Royal Botanical Gardens. Dhanuka has earned praise for answering questions, but guide commentary can vary. Entry tickets and lunch cost extra.

“A special thank you to Dhanuka, he was amazing, drinking like a pro and answering all our questions even the most stupid one. We tried coconut water, visited the elephant orphanage and also this special spice and tea garden. Finally we went to the tooth temple amazing experience. Thank again and we racomend 100%”

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