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Tours Visiting Kandy
4.33 (204 reviews)
44 Tours
When do you want to go?
2026
I'm flexible
Passengers
Adults (18+)
Children (0 - 17)
Discover tours visiting Kandy
See sacred sites, cool hill country and local life, with guided tours that keep travel simple.
Kandy is a strong base for Sri Lanka tours, combining living culture, hill-country scenery and plenty of time outdoors without overcomplicating the route. You can choose between group trips and private plans, and most itineraries are structured in a way that is straightforward to follow. Many trips include the Temple of the Tooth, busy markets and gardens or tea-growing areas close to the city, which makes it easy to balance highlights with a slower pace. Some itineraries also add a scenic train ride into the hills, which is often one of the most memorable travel days. On longer tours, Kandy commonly sits between the Cultural Triangle and the south coast, so it works naturally within a wider loop of the island. Guiding styles range from fully guided to partly guided, letting you select the level of support that suits your travel style.
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Real reviews from our travelers
Colombo, Caves & Kandy - 8 daysUncover the magic of Sri Lanka on this 8-day adventure, starting and ending in Colombo. Step back in time at the cave temples of Dambulla and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Climb the striking Sigiriya Rock Fortress and enjoy a village-style cookery demo in Kayanwala. In Kandy, visit the revered Temple of the Tooth and a local tea factory before a scenic train journey winds through lush plantations to Nuwara Eliya. Spot elephants and other wildlife on safari in Udawalawe National Park, then round off the trip with a lively tour of Colombo’s colonial landmarks and colourful city streets.Signature Journeys8The village cooking demonstration, Kandy, Jetwing Lake Hotel, Nuwara Eliya Safari tour was too long. The Udawalawe resort was nice but too many flies in the restaurant, the bathrooms were very old, and I had a cockroach in the bath tub (another guest also had one in her room).Sigirya climb was too intense in the heat, should be optional and early morning
Colombo, Caves & Kandy - 8 daysUncover the magic of Sri Lanka on this 8-day adventure, starting and ending in Colombo. Step back in time at the cave temples of Dambulla and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Climb the striking Sigiriya Rock Fortress and enjoy a village-style cookery demo in Kayanwala. In Kandy, visit the revered Temple of the Tooth and a local tea factory before a scenic train journey winds through lush plantations to Nuwara Eliya. Spot elephants and other wildlife on safari in Udawalawe National Park, then round off the trip with a lively tour of Colombo’s colonial landmarks and colourful city streets.Signature Journeys8Little England was our highlight because of the colour, markets, scenery including vegetable gardens and tea plantations and agreeable climate after the humid conditions at lower altitude. We found the overall tour very enjoyable well organised with a very friendly group of fellow tourists.
Colombo, Caves & Kandy - 8 daysUncover the magic of Sri Lanka on this 8-day adventure, starting and ending in Colombo. Step back in time at the cave temples of Dambulla and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Climb the striking Sigiriya Rock Fortress and enjoy a village-style cookery demo in Kayanwala. In Kandy, visit the revered Temple of the Tooth and a local tea factory before a scenic train journey winds through lush plantations to Nuwara Eliya. Spot elephants and other wildlife on safari in Udawalawe National Park, then round off the trip with a lively tour of Colombo’s colonial landmarks and colourful city streets.Signature Journeys8Udawalawe national park was a great experience. The hotel needs refurbishment though. The 2 Jetwing hotels were superb! The train ride could have been missed, since it was not on the usual route. The tip kitty was a nice way of removing this burden from us the tourists, however, the guide was not clear on how it was being used.
Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 daysGo wild in Sri Lanka on this 10-day wildlife tour from coastal Colombo to the misty hills and lush national parks. Explore ancient cave temples in Dambulla, climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and wander the historic ruins of Polonnaruwa. Discover the charm of Kandy, take a scenic train ride through the tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya and then head south for wildlife safaris in Udawalawe, Yala and Bundala National Parks. Spot elephants, leopards and vibrant birdlife, then unwind in beachside Mirissa before heading back to Colombo. Signature Journeys10Both safari's were brilliant. We saw lots of elephants and other animals. We were especially happy to see a leopard The bird safari's was a little boring not much to see
Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 daysGo wild in Sri Lanka on this 10-day wildlife tour from coastal Colombo to the misty hills and lush national parks. Explore ancient cave temples in Dambulla, climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and wander the historic ruins of Polonnaruwa. Discover the charm of Kandy, take a scenic train ride through the tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya and then head south for wildlife safaris in Udawalawe, Yala and Bundala National Parks. Spot elephants, leopards and vibrant birdlife, then unwind in beachside Mirissa before heading back to Colombo. Signature Journeys10The temple of the Tooth and the fire walking were most interesting experiences. The Yala National Park was the wonderful for elephants. Standing in the hot sun listening to the history of the ancient ruins at Polonnarua. A printed handout with the important aspects explained would be a much better way of informing tourists of the important aspects of such sites, names and dates of unfamiliar kings and dynasties.
Colombo, Caves & Kandy - 8 daysUncover the magic of Sri Lanka on this 8-day adventure, starting and ending in Colombo. Step back in time at the cave temples of Dambulla and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Climb the striking Sigiriya Rock Fortress and enjoy a village-style cookery demo in Kayanwala. In Kandy, visit the revered Temple of the Tooth and a local tea factory before a scenic train journey winds through lush plantations to Nuwara Eliya. Spot elephants and other wildlife on safari in Udawalawe National Park, then round off the trip with a lively tour of Colombo’s colonial landmarks and colourful city streets.Signature Journeys8Local village cooking, safari and lion rock were stunning. The general itinerary had a great mix of experiences and great variety Tour guide was vague on changes to meeting times, tour itinerary and location changes. Felt rushed in areas, he'd say it's hot so we'll only do this part...or skip over something. The colonial hotel was a let down. The room standards varied between members of the group. Other hotels met my expectation
Colombo, Caves & Kandy - 8 daysUncover the magic of Sri Lanka on this 8-day adventure, starting and ending in Colombo. Step back in time at the cave temples of Dambulla and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Climb the striking Sigiriya Rock Fortress and enjoy a village-style cookery demo in Kayanwala. In Kandy, visit the revered Temple of the Tooth and a local tea factory before a scenic train journey winds through lush plantations to Nuwara Eliya. Spot elephants and other wildlife on safari in Udawalawe National Park, then round off the trip with a lively tour of Colombo’s colonial landmarks and colourful city streets.Signature Journeys8We loved the whole trip. Kandy was great. The hotels were lovely and our guide was first class Day 6: Would have been nice if we got to the hotel a bit sooner
Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer - 12 daysTake in the classic sights of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, but not before exploring ancient Anuradhapura, the northern city of Jaffna. Village visits, Elephant game viewing, scenic tea plantations and a couple days by the stunning coast in Trincomalee are all included within this incredible 12 day tour.Signature Journeys12Favourite parts were Udawalawe safari tour, Dambula Rock Temple, Matale spice gardens, Tea factory. The overall tour was really made by our outstanding professional chauffeur guide Roshan Perera.
Kandy tours at a glance
Trip and guiding style
Tours that visit Kandy are available as group or private trips, and may be fully guided or partly guided depending on the itinerary. Many departures use experienced English-speaking guides or driver-guides, with local specialists added at key sights when it improves the visit.
Accommodation
Accommodation varies by tour and can include everything from 3-star to 5-star hotels, heritage hotels, resorts, hostels or camping, depending on the style and budget. If a property is unavailable, an alternative of a comparable standard may be used, and star ratings can differ between countries.
Trip pacing
Most trips run at a medium pace, mixing guided sightseeing with time to relax in the evenings. Some days start early for important visits or include longer drives between regions, while other tours keep things slower and focus on Kandy and the surrounding hills.
Popular tours visiting Kandy
Why visit Kandy
A cultural hub with hill country scenery and easy links to key Sri Lanka highlights.
Kandy blends living tradition with cooler hill air, making it a natural fit on many Sri Lanka itineraries that want culture as well as scenery. Days often center on faith and history, including the Temple of the Tooth and, on some tours, a cultural show that adds context to what you have seen. The lake, markets and everyday street life also keep the experience grounded in a real working city rather than a single-site stop. Kandy can also make a longer route feel more coherent, because it sits between major regions and connects well by road and rail. It links easily with Dambulla and Sigiriya for ancient sites, and it opens the door to tea country, where green slopes and misty viewpoints shape the landscape. Many tours also build in wildlife time elsewhere in the island, such as jeep safaris in Udawalawe, Yala, Wilpattu or Bundala, giving a varied mix of culture and nature. With both group and private options available, you can keep things social or more personal while still following a clear plan.
Frequently asked questions
Are Kandy tours in Sri Lanka fully guided or partially guided?
Both options are available, and the approach depends on the tour style and length. Some Sri Lanka tours that visit Kandy are fully guided throughout with one tour leader, while others are partly guided, using expert guides at key sights and allowing free time between scheduled activities.
Do tours from Kandy include the Temple of the Tooth?
Many tours that visit Kandy include the Temple of the Tooth as a core highlight, often as part of the main city sightseeing. It is frequently paired with time around the lake and markets and, on selected itineraries, a cultural show in the evening.
Is Kandy used as a start point for tours from Kandy?
Some tours are built around Kandy as a major stop, and it can also be a convenient place to join a longer Sri Lanka journey. Start and end points vary by departure, so it is best to confirm the logistics in the trip notes before reservation.
Can travelers choose between group tours and private tours in Kandy?
Yes—there are both group and private options on tours that visit Kandy. That means you can travel with a wider group or choose a private format for your own party, depending on budget and preferred pace.
What kind of wildlife experiences can be included with Kandy tours?
Many itineraries link Kandy with dedicated wildlife days in other parts of Sri Lanka, rather than focusing on wildlife in the city itself. This typically means jeep safaris in national parks such as Udawalawe, Yala, Wilpattu or Bundala, chosen to suit the route and travel season.
Do Kandy itineraries include a scenic train journey?
Some Kandy itineraries include the scenic train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, which is popular for tea estates, valleys and hill-country views. It is not included on every tour, so check the itinerary details if the train ride is a priority.
What is the fitness level like on tours visiting Kandy?
Many tours are rated easy and are designed around sightseeing that suits most travelers, with manageable walking at cultural sites. A small number of itineraries include longer walks, hill-country hikes or more active days, so review the day-by-day plan if fitness is a key concern.
What are meals like on Sri Lanka tours that visit Kandy?
Meals vary by tour, and inclusions are clearly listed in each itinerary. Many trips include daily breakfast, while some also cover selected lunches or dinners, particularly on travel days or in more remote areas.
What accommodation can be expected on tours visiting Kandy?
Accommodation depends on the tour style and can range from hotels and heritage stays to hostels or camping on budget-focused trips. If a listed property is unavailable, the tour may use alternative accommodation of a similar standard, particularly during busy travel periods.
Do any tours visiting Kandy also visit other countries?
A small number of tours combine Sri Lanka with India as part of a wider multi-country trip. Where this applies, the itinerary sets out what is included in each country and how travel between them is arranged.
