Colombo Trip Overview
Experience Sri Lanka’s old hill capital of Kandy on a privately full-day trip from Colombo. Explore the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens to see giant palms, orchids, and exotic flora. After free time for lunch (own expense), spend the afternoon in enchanting, UNESCO-listed Kandy, with visits to the gold-roofed, UNESCO-listed Temple of the Tooth, Kandy market, and a cultural show. Finish with a stop for dinner (own expense) on your return journey to Colombo.
Additional Info
Duration: 10 to 11 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Experience Sri Lanka’s old hill capital of Kandy on a privately full-day trip from Colombo. Explore the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens to see giant palms, orchids, and exotic flora. After free time for lunch (own expense), spend the afternoon in enchanting, UNESCO-listed Kandy, with visits to the gold-roofed, UNESCO-listed Temple of the Tooth, Kandy market, and a cultural show. Finish with a stop for dinner (own expense) on your return journey to Colombo.
You will be starting your tour at 6:00 am from your hotel in Colombo. If you bring a packed breakfast you will be able to eat along the way. You will get to Kandy by 09:30 am. Your first destination in the city will be the Temple of the Tooth. The Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha has had much importance throughout the history of Sri Lanka. Being able to protect it and enshrine it was not only regarded as a symbol of piousness; but also, a symbol of status that proved the worthiness of the ancient kings of the country. As such the relic was enshrined wherever the capital of the country was during the era of the kings. As the last kings made Kandy their capital, the relic was enshrined in the royal palace; where it remains to this day.
You will be able to view the beautiful architecture of the palace and look at the many golden figurines in the shrine. There are many structures in the palace premises that you can visit.
At 11:00 am you will be going on technical tours to see the crafts of some of the traditional artisans of Kandy; such as the gem crafters, wood carvers and batik makers. You will get to see the process of how the they do their work, and will be able to purchase some great souvenirs (if you wish) too.
You will finish these tours by 1:00 pm and break for lunch at a local restaurant. After an enjoyable meal at your own cost you will be able to go on to the next leg of your tour at 2:30pm. You will get to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya by 3:00pm. 147-acre premises of the gardens hosts over 4000 species of plants; including an exclusive collection of orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Created early in the 19th century, the gardens have a significant amount of history that you will learn more about during your tour. You will also get to see famed plants such as the Cannonball Tree, the Giant Javan Fig tree, and the 40m tall Burma bamboo. You will complete your tour of the botanical gardens by 5:00 pm, and will then be returning to your hotel in Colombo; completing your tour.
