Sri Lanka · KANDY TOURS

The 15 Best Kandy Tours & Day Trips

69 tours  ·  from $3

The tooth temple, the lake, the botanic gardens and the road up into the tea. The 15 below sort the city loops, the Pinnawala mornings and the Sigiriya day runs by price, pickup and how early the driver wants to leave.

Kandy Private Guided City Tour by Tuk Tuk - Hilltop Views at the Golden Buddha
City Tours, Guided, Kandy Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tuk-Tuks

Kandy Private Guided City Tour by Tuk Tuk

1.Kandy Private Guided City Tour by Tuk Tuk

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,307 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $6Our pick

Explore Kandy in a private tuk-tuk with guides such as Dinesh, Dilan, Gayan, Ranjan, or Sanjeewa. Shape the route around temples, tea, gardens, viewpoints, crafts, and herbal medicine. The tour includes hotel pickup and many free-entry stops, while major sights cost extra.

“Brilliant day with Sanjeewa as our driver. Took to us some great places, listened to what we wanted to do and as our plans and the weather changed he was totally adaptable. Would highly recommend this trip to everyone.”

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From Kandy: Sigiriya Rock & Dambulla Cave Temple Adventure - Matale’s Sri Muthumariamman Temple adds a Hindu perspective
Dambulla Cave Temple Tours, Dambulla Cave Temple Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours in Kandy, Tour Reviews

From Kandy: Sigiriya Rock & Dambulla Cave Temple Adventure

2.Sigiriya Rock & Dambulla Cave Temple Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 785 reviews · 10 hours · from $29

Travel from Kandy by tuk-tuk, car, or van to Matale’s Hindu temple, Sigiriya or Pidurangala, Dambulla Cave Temple, and a spice garden. Guides such as Danushka, Wicky, Saman, Mahesh, and Banuka tailor the day, stop for photos, and help you make the most of a long route.

“If we could give Wicky more than 5 stars we would. He was incredibly kind, funny and knowledgeable. It was extremely apparent how passionate he was about Sri Lanka’s people and culture. He avoided busy roads and took us through the country side, so we could see the villages and animals. He made sure lots of photos were taken of us and told us lots of amazing facts. And he bought us beautiful fruit from the local markets. Most importantly, Wicky kept us safe with his amazing driving and communicated clearly everything that was happening so we were well informed. Thank you Wicky!!!!!”

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Kandy Village Cooking Class - Choosing vegetables, spices, and chicken or fish
Cooking Classes, Kandy Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Kandy Village Cooking Class

3.Kandy Village Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 536 reviews · from $25Top rated

Join Shyama and her family for a three-hour Sri Lankan cooking class near Kandy. Start at the municipal market, choose five vegetables plus chicken or fish, then cook several curries in a village kitchen and eat the meal you prepare. Pickup is offered, but confirm return transport.

“Attended this cooking class during our stay in Kandy and loved it. The experience was fun, authentic, and hands-on, starting with a visit to the local market before cooking our chosen dishes in a traditional village kitchen. Our host was warRead more”

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Kandy to Ella Train Tickets - Reserved Seats - Starting at Peradeniya instead of central Kandy
Kandy to Ella Train Rides, Kandy to Ella Train Rides in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Kandy to Ella Train Tickets – Reserved Seats

4.Kandy to Ella Train Tickets – Reserved Seats

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 523 reviews · from $26

Ride Sri Lanka’s famous blue train from Peradeniya near Kandy toward Nanu Oya or Ella. Your 2nd or 3rd-class reserved seat is arranged in advance, with hotel delivery often available and WhatsApp support from the ticket coordinator. Expect tea country, waterfalls, long hours, and a steep markup over railway fares.

“Wow! I’m so pleased with this experience. I booked within a few days (for a Wednesday) because I wasn’t able to get any online and wasn’t sure what to expect but the coordination was very smooth. Ticket coordinator was friendly and tickets were delivered the evening before. As a solo traveler they even gave me an extra seat and I was super grateful for that! I got reserved second class seats and they were the best!! Train was not very full either so was able to move around to both sides. Although I think my side had the best views :)”

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From Kandy: Pinnawala Day Tour - Kadugannawa View Point and the road into the hills
Kandy Tours, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Visits, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Visits in Kandy, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Kandy: Pinnawala Day Tour

5.Pinnawala Day Tour

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

Travel from Kandy to Pinnawala by tuk-tuk or air-conditioned minivan with a flexible English-speaking guide such as Danushka, Saman, Terence, or Channa. See elephants, temples, tea country, gardens, viewpoints, and local workshops, then tailor the stops to your interests.

“We had an awesome trip with Terence. He is so kind, helpful, extremely caring and knows so much about his country and culture. We started the day with the temples in Kandy and then went to the elephant’s orphanage, also having interesting and informative workshops along the way. He takes care of everything and makes sure the guests feel comfortable and happy. We fell in love with Sri Lanka thanks to his trip!”

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Kandy to Ambuluwawa & Kandy City Guided Tuk Tuk Day Tour - Tea at New Giragama gives the day a local taste
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Kandy to Ambuluwawa & Kandy City Guided Tuk Tuk Day Tour

6.Kandy to Ambuluwawa & Kandy City Guided Tuk Tuk Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 270 reviews · 8 hours - 1 day · from $12

Spend up to eight hours touring Kandy by tuk tuk or car with an English-speaking guide such as Chintha, Dhanu, Akila, or Malik. The day links Ambuluwawa Tower, tea and craft stops, Peradeniya gardens, hilltop temples, Kandyan dancing, and the Temple of the Tooth, with room to adjust the plan.

“Dhanu was a very good driver ,excellent service and took us exactly where we wanted to go,very informative with good English,really enjoyed our trip”

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Day tour to Sigiriya & Dambulla from Kandy - Sigiriya Rock and its water gardens
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Day tour to Sigiriya & Dambulla from Kandy

7.Day tour to Sigiriya & Dambulla from Kandy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 252 reviews · from $25

Travel from Kandy in a private vehicle to Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple, and Sri Muthumariamman Kovil. Your driver-guide may tailor the day, as Irfan, Ilham, Silmi, and Rizwan have done for past parties, but confirm whether guiding inside the sites is included.

“The driver accompanying us was very helpful but of course he was lacking in providing information about the places. Other than that, it was a very enjoyable tour.”

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Kandy to Sigiriya Day Tour and Dambulla cave temple with private vehicle - Matale’s Muthumariamman Temple brings color before the ruins
Dambulla Cave Temple Tours, Dambulla Cave Temple Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Private, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours in Kandy, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kandy to Sigiriya Day Tour and Dambulla cave temple with private vehicle

8.Kandy to Sigiriya Day Tour and Dambulla cave temple with private vehicle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 232 reviews · from $42

Travel from Kandy by air-conditioned private vehicle to Matale, a spice garden, Sigiriya Rock, and Dambulla Cave Temple. Drivers such as Laliy, Dinesh, Fazeel, and Shashi are praised for flexibility and safe service, but confirm whether a site guide is included before booking.

“We had a great day with Laliy to see Sigiriya. Laliy was a great driver that made us feel safe and comfortable on our trip and even stopped at a few additional places for us to get a feel (and great pictures) of Kandy. Some tips for other travellers: leave as early as possible from Kandy. If you leave at 8 you’ll only get to Sigiriya at 11 ish and it can be extremely hot by then. Bring a towel with you as there is limited shade on the hike and it is sweaty. The trip does not include guides at the sites so if you want that you will…”

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Kandy: Guided City Tour by Tuk-Tuk - Starting above the city at Kandy View Point
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Kandy: Guided City Tour by Tuk-Tuk

9.Guided City Tour by Tuk-Tuk

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 227 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $3Best value

Explore Kandy in a private or very small-group tuk-tuk with guides such as Wasana, Vish, Andrew, and Ashan. Shape the route around your interests, then visit temples, viewpoints, the botanical gardens, a tea factory, and cultural sites. The advertised tour lasts 4.5 hours, but some outings run longer.

“Wasema was an excellent and experienced driver who made my time in Kandy truly enjoyable. He took me to all the iconic spots around the city and was incredibly patient while I stayed longer at places to take photos. He even became my personal photographer at times! I really appreciated his kindness, professionalism, and flexibility. I highly recommend him to anyone visiting Kandy. I was very satisfied with his service.”

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Kandy: Nuwara Eliya Day Trip - Asgiriya Stupa and the first cultural stop
1-Day Tours, Kandy Tours, Tour Reviews

Kandy: Nuwara Eliya Day Trip

10.Nuwara Eliya Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 198 reviews · 10 hours · from $27

Travel from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya in a private or small-group vehicle, often a tuk-tuk, with guides such as Wicky, Danushka, Saman, or Tony. Stop at Ramboda Falls, a tea factory, Asgiriya Stupa, Seetha Amman Temple, Gregory Lake, and more.

“Sometimes, a guide can become a friend. Banuka was such a guide for us. His spoken English is really good. He’s knowledgeable as well. As soon as we said we will skip some places and spend more time on some other, he planned it out instantly. He was a bit shy about having food with us but we rejected his rejection. The Asian household I come from, the more while having food the merrier. He facilitated our all necessary breaks like lunch, snacks, tea, and washroom. The 8-hr trip became 11-hr long and his smile never faded. He even bought some avocados for us as a gift. What more do…”

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Private Day Trip to Sigiriya & Dambulla from Kandy – Aaliya Tours - Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil adds a different side of Sri Lanka
1-Day Tours, Kandy Tours, Private, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours in Kandy, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Day Trip to Sigiriya & Dambulla from Kandy – Aaliya Tours

11.Private Day Trip to Sigiriya & Dambulla from Kandy – Aaliya Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 190 reviews

Travel from Kandy in a private car with a driver-guide such as Irfan, Shamin, Fazeel, or Silmy. See Sigiriya or Pidurangala, Dambulla Cave Temple, and possible extras including Minneriya safari and a Hindu temple. Expect a long, flexible day with entrance fees and lunch extra.

“This was a great day out, helped by a really knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide Mr. Irfan. The trip is a long day but there's lots to see and do, we left 8am and returned around 8pm so don't plan anything after. Mr Irfan talked about various as we drove past which was very interesting, and also offered a few extra stops with things to do, in addition to slowing down so we could take pictures. He seemed really proud to be able to show off the country. Although the driving may seem a bit crazy in Sri Lanka Mr Irfan was a good driver and kept us safe on the…”

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Tours and Transportation in Sri Lanka - What the advertised one-day price really means
Kandy Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tours and Transportation in Sri Lanka

12.Tours and Transportation in Sri Lanka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 188 reviews · from $55

Breath Sri Lanka Tours helps you shape a private Sri Lanka trip around your interests, from transport and attraction tickets to safari plans and beach time. Praboda coordinates the details, while drivers such as Jagath may handle the road. Expect personal advice, bottled water, and help across language barriers.

“We had an amazing experience in Sri Lanka, largely thanks to our guide. From day one, he showed great dedication, kindness, and constant care for our well-being. He has excellent knowledge of all the places we visited, which truly madRead more”

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Kandy City Explore Tour Morning/Evenening Private Tour - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the audience hall
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Kandy City Explore Tour Morning/Evenening Private Tour

13.Kandy City Explore Tour Morning/Evenening Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 186 reviews · 5 hours · from $7

See Kandy by private or small-group tuk-tuk, choosing at least five stops from temples, gardens, tea, crafts, spices, and city viewpoints. Guides such as Wicky, Channa, Danushka, and Terence are praised for adapting routes, explaining Buddhist traditions, and extending time when possible.

“Was so amazing! We did at lest 6 different stops in one day. Channa my guide was super nice and knowledgeable, made my experience that much better!”

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From Colombo: Kandy Full-Day Trip - Breakfast and the road to Pinnawala
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From Colombo: Kandy Full-Day Trip

14.Kandy Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 169 reviews · 12 - 14 hours · from $50

Leave Colombo around 6:00 am for Pinnawala, Kandy, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll visit the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake, a viewpoint, and Geragama Tea Factory with an English, Tamil, or Sinhala guide such as Chathu, Krish, or Dhanesh.

“Great variety of activities packed into one day. Beautiful temples, tasty tea and an out of this world elephant riding experience. The tour was well-organised and driver friendly. Highly recommended!”

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Private Dambulla Sigiriya Tour from Kandy with Lunch - Dambulla Cave Temple in 30 minutes
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Private Dambulla Sigiriya Tour from Kandy with Lunch

15.Private Dambulla Sigiriya Tour from Kandy with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 166 reviews · from $59

From Kandy, a private air-conditioned minivan takes you to Matale, Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya Rock, and Minneriya National Park. Expect a long, flexible day with Sri Lankan lunch and a driver-guide such as Janaka, Nilanka, or Gajaba. The safari jeep and entrance tickets cost extra.

“AMAZING TRIP. First and foremost, we had the kindest and most knowledgeable guide, Mr. Janaka. He treated us like family and was able to answer all our questions about history. The rides from one place to another were very comfortablRead more”

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New in Kandy Tours

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