About this experience
A trip to Kandy will help you discover the essence of Ceylon - you will see ancient temples, majestic buildings from the colonial era, the stunning Botanical Garden... all this in the heart of Sri Lankan jungles! Along the way, I will tell you about the history of Sri Lanka, the customs and traditions of the locals, and share interesting facts about the 'Blessed Land'.
What to Expect
Elephant Orphanage
I will meet you at your hotel on the west coast, and we will head inland. Our first stop will be the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala. It was established in 1975 to preserve the declining elephant population on the island. Today, the orphanage is home to about 60 elephants, which are brought here if they are injured or if a baby elephant is left orphaned. In the sanctuary, you will observe elephants bathing in the river and feeding milk to baby elephants from bottles. Nearby, you can also ride these mighty animals and personally treat them with bunches of bananas.
Tea Plantation and Botanical Garden
En route to Kandy, you will visit a small tea plantation and a tea factory. Here, you will learn how tea is harvested, sorted, fermented, and even enjoy a cup of fragrant fresh brew. Then you will arrive in the suburb of Kandy - Peradeniya. Here is the world-famous Royal Botanical Garden. Extensive in its territory, it has the largest collection of amazing plants in Asia. You will see the Orchid House, the Royal Palm Avenue, the Double Coconut, and the Umbrella Tree. In the depths of the park, you will see a numerous colony of flying foxes living in the crowns of tall trees. In addition, on the Alley of Famous People, you will find a tree planted by Yuri Gagarin in 1963.
Kandy, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
During a city tour, you will see its main attractions - ancient temples and historic buildings. Here you can have lunch. Then, you will visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic - a place of pilgrimage for thousands of Buddhists from all over the world. On the way back, if you wish, you can visit a spice garden where spices and medicinal plants used in Ayurvedic medicine are grown. Here they make various creams and infusions.
Organizational Details
- Approximate return time to the hotel - 22:00.
- Entrance fees are not included in the price. Elephant Orphanage - $20, Botanical Garden - $10, Temple of the Tooth - $10.
- The tour will be guided by me or another guide from our team.
- Attention: clothing when visiting places of worship (temple) should cover shoulders, legs below the knees, be non-transparent, loose-fitting. Take socks with you: you enter the temple leaving your shoes outside.
- Breakfast at the hotel can be packed for you (please leave a request in the evening).
- The cost of the tour may vary depending on the starting and ending point of the excursion route.
- We can pick you up from Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Bentota, Tangalle, Weligama, Mirissa, Negombo, or another resort in Sri Lanka.
