About this experience
Kandy is a sacred Buddhist city and simply a very picturesque place. It perfectly combines nature, hilly terrain, and architecture, and its center has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the 700-year-old botanical garden, tea plantations... You will not only visit unique places, but also learn the history of the city, which resisted colonizers until the last moment.
What to Expect
The journey from Hikkaduwa to Kandy will take about 4.5 hours. During this time, you will enjoy the views from the window and listen to an audio guide with interesting stories from history.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
You will visit a Buddhist shrine, appreciate its decoration, learn how the relic of the tooth ended up in Kandy after numerous relocations and what legend is associated with this relic. In the museum at the temple, you will see various ancient items and clothing.
Buddha Statue
We will head to the giant Buddha statue at the Bahiravakanda Temple. It is located on top of a hill, offering excellent views.
Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya
It's over 700 years old! You will wander through the magnificent orchid garden, see shrubs and trees of gigantic sizes, the Avenue of Memorial Trees planted by famous historical figures such as Nicholas II and Yuri Gagarin.
Tea Plantations and Tea Factory
Mountains and tea – the first things that come to mind when you think of Ceylon. Of course, you will see both. Enjoy the landscapes and understand why, according to the English who founded the tea industry here, Sri Lankan tea is the best in the world. You will also observe the tea production process at the factory, where modern and traditional technologies are used. We recommend staying for a tea tasting and trying 10 varieties of Ceylon tea, including the finest grades.
If desired, the following places can be included in the program
- Silk and Batik Factory. Learn how batik is made using wax and honey, and try on traditional Sri Lankan clothing, including the unique Kandyan sari, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
- Mask, Wooden Craft, and Natural Paint Workshop. Stop by to see the making of magical masks and paints from rainbow wood shavings.
- Gem Museum. Appreciate the rarest specimens, learn about the mining and cutting of gemstones. Of course, we will see magical sapphires: the largest and best of them were found here, in Sri Lanka.
- Elephant Orphanage and Paper Factory from Elephant Excrements. On the way back, we can visit the elephants in Pinnawala. And at the special factory, you will see and study the process of making environmentally friendly paper from elephant... feces.
- Traditional Sri Lankan Villages: Pineapple village, Cashew village, Rambutan village.
- Ornithological Excursion: Bird watching.
Organizational Details
- You will be accompanied by an English-speaking driver on the tour. There will be a Russian audio guide in the car.
- The excursion takes place in a comfortable car or minivan, depending on the group size.
- You will be picked up from Hikkaduwa and taken back after the tour. For the transfer cost from other cities, inquire via correspondence.
Additional Expenses
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – $10/person.
- Botanical Gardens – $10/person.
- Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala – $18/person.
- Elephant Museum + Elephant Ride + Paper Factory from Elephant Excrements – $20/person.
- Tea Ceremony and Tea Tasting – $15/person.
- Meals (lunch at a European-style restaurant, buffet type) – $10/person.
- Russian-speaking guide (organized tour with a licensed Russian-speaking guide) – $150/group
- Ornithological Excursion – $45/group
