15 Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Tours from Colombo Worth the Fare

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.Private Day trip Kandy & pinnawala with your selected attractions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $65Top rated

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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5.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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6.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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7.Day Tour to Elephant Orphanage / spice garden

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 6 hours · from $59

Travel from Colombo to Pinnawala with a guide, watch elephants near the river, and stop for coffee and local snacks. Pradeep and Ruwan are among the guides named by guests. Pickup, transport, and entrance tickets are included, but the spice garden stop and paid elephant interactions are not assured.

“Thank you from the bottom of hearts ❤️ What an amazing tour with our amazing guide Pradeep. We were so surprised about the beauty of Sri Lanka which has totally take us by our hearts ♥️ We loved it all and will for sure come back to experience much more of the country, culture and the kindness of the Sri Lanka people. What a day!!! We will never forget the knowledge from Pradeep, our guide, about all we saw and the deep knowledge of the country, its politic, food and much much more ❤️ Thank you to Pradeep for your friendship for the day of wonderful moments which will forever…”

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8.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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9.Kandy to Pinnawala Guided Day Tours by Local

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 16 reviews · 1 day · from $14Best value

Spend a full day travelling from Kandy by tuk tuk or car, with a live English-speaking guide and a route that can be adjusted to your interests. Stops include Pinnawala or the Millennium Elephant Foundation, a tea factory, the Royal Botanical Garden, temples, craft workshops and a Kandyan dance show. Akila and Ramzan are among the guides named for this tour.

“It was a wonderful day with our driver Ramzan! We have chosen together the stops for the day at the beginning of the tour and after the tour started! He is amazing and very kind, for lunch he brings us in a fantastic local restaurant where we had the best lunch of our time in Sri Lanka! We recommend this tour for everyone, it is vary value for the money and with this tour you can see all the places in Kandy and around. If you have to choose a driver, you have to choose Ramzan! Thanks for all!”

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10.Pinnawala & Kandy Day Tour from Negombo

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 13 reviews · from $60

Travel from Negombo to Pinnawala and Kandy in an air-conditioned vehicle with a chauffeur-guide. The day includes the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Royal Botanic Gardens, a tea factory, a spice garden, a Gem Museum and a Kandy viewpoint. Previous drivers Rukshan and Krish have led the trip, though your assigned guide may differ.

“Wonderful experience. Went to pinnawala, Kandy temple, gem museum, tea factory and many more places just as the tour states. It was fantastic and our driver Rukshan was wonderful. He showed us all the places and took us around all the places and drove very well. We definitely recommend 5 stars!”

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11.Private all inclusive Day tour Kandy, Pinnawala, & your own selected attractions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $97

Leave Negombo at 6:30 am with a private English-speaking chauffeur-guide for a packed day toward Kandy. Visit Geragama Tea Factory, a spice and herbal garden with a complimentary head and shoulder massage, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Pinnawala Ape Gama. Transport, admission, buffet lunch and bottled water are included.

“Good day out with comfortable vehicle and very friendly, personable driver. Spice Garden was very interesting as was tea factory. Temple visit was good, but have seen much more ornate & interesting temples, and the temple guide’s English was difficult to understaRead more”

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12.Pinnawala,Kandy Day Tour from Colombo/Negombo

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 9 reviews · 12 hours · from $62

Spend about 12 hours travelling between Pinnawala and Kandy, with an elephant visit, a tea factory tour and the Temple of the Tooth on the itinerary. Air-conditioned transport and hotel pickup are listed, but the price details conflict, so confirm what your fare covers. English-speaking guides have included drivers named Tuan and Janaka.

“The driver was very friendly and very helpful... I willl come again .”

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13.Kandy Temple of Tooth & Elephant Orphanage

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · 12 hours · from $62

Take a private, 12-hour drive from Colombo to Kandy and Pinnawala, with an English-speaking driver, hotel or cruise-port pickup, and stops that may include the Temple of the Tooth, a city viewpoint, a tea factory and the elephant orphanage. Entry fees and meals cost extra. Ask ahead whether your driver will guide you at each site.

“It was great, the provider was very flexible and the tour was well coordinated”

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14.Negombo: Kandy and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 7 reviews · 14 hours · from $85

Set out from Negombo or Colombo in a private car with an English-speaking driver for Pinnawala, Kandy and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The day may include elephants feeding and bathing, the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake and a viewpoint. Drivers named Gagan and Gajen have been praised for patience and help, but traffic and road conditions can affect the plan.

“The experience was wonderful. Gagan was a great driver and he showed us around all of the places as well was was super patient and helpful overall.”

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15.Kandy and Pinnawala Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $70

Leave Colombo at 6:00 am for a full day that pairs Pinnawala’s elephant sanctuary with Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth, city viewpoints, botanical garden and a short dance show. The group is capped at 10, and an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water are included. Janaka is a guide name associated with the tour, but confirm who will lead your departure.

“We had a fun filled day tour from Colombo to Kandy! Janaka was an exceptional guide, he was punctual, professional, a great driver and incredibly knowledgeable about Sri Lanka. His vehicle was clean and comfortable, and he made sure evRead more”

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