Kandy
Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and still feels like it — a lake at the centre of town, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and the hills starting to rise just beyond the rooftops. Time your visit around the evening pooja ceremony at the temple, when the drumming starts and the relic chamber opens to view. A walk around the lake, the botanical gardens at Peradeniya, and a traditional Kandyan dance performance all fit naturally into a day or two here, before the road climbs on into tea country.
What we can do here
- Evening pooja ceremony at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Walk around Kandy Lake
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
- A traditional Kandyan cultural dance performance
Packages that include Kandy
Island Sampler
Five days from the airport and back — an evening safari, Sigiriya at sunrise, tea country, and Galle Fort before you fly out.
Classic Ceylon
The one most people come for: Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, the Temple of the Tooth, the hill-country train to Ella, a Yala safari, and Galle Fort at the end.
Wildlife, Culture & Adventure
Four safaris, the cultural triangle, tea country hikes and whales off Mirissa — a full loop from Negombo and back.
Island Circuit
A proper circle of the island from the airport and back — Wilpattu, the cultural triangle, tea country, Horton Plains, a Yala safari, Udawalawe's elephants and Galle Fort.
Sri Lanka in Depth
For travellers who hate rushing — two safaris, Ella's hikes and waterfalls, the cultural triangle, and real time in Trincomalee, Anuradhapura and Jaffna.
Two Shores
Both monsoons, both coasts, and everything between — Jaffna, Trincomalee, Arugam Bay's surf, a Yala safari, Ella's waterfalls and the cultural triangle.