Kandy City Tour From Negombo

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Temple of the Tooth, Sri Dalada Maligawa, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka

Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, alongside Adam’s Peak, is considered one of the holiest places in Sri Lanka and is an important pilgrimage destination. The golden-roofed temple is supposedly home to a tooth of Buddha and during the puja, the time of offering and prayers, tourists as well as religious followers are able to inspect the gold casket in which it is guarded. The temple itself is located in the royal palace complex, which encompasses several temples and museums. It was originally believed that the holder of the tooth relic would also be the rightful governor of Sri Lanka. Particularly noteworthy is the annual perahera, during which the tooth is paraded around the city accompanied by around 65 colorfully decorated elephants.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kandy Lake, Centre of Kandy City, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka

Kandy Lake was artificially constructed by the last king of Sri Lanka and Kandy, Wikrama Rajasinhe, as an additional feature for the beautifully laid out Temple of Tooth complex. Also called the Milky Ocean, the lake remains partially incomplete due to the British invasion in 1815. Several legends are connected to Kandy Lake and it is believed that the king installed a secret tunnel from its island to the palace. Nowadays, it remains one of the most highly regarded sights in the country and, despite its location in the center of the bustling city, the lake makes for a wonderful stroll and a respite from the noise of motorbikes and market vendors.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya 20400 Sri Lanka

Due to an ideal climate, Sri Lanka has been a popular destination for merchants trading in spices for more than 2000 years. Visitors can find a wealth of deliciously smelling plants in Kandy’s spice gardens from pepper and nutmeg to cloves, cinnamon and cardamom. The Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya, is located just a few kilometers outside of the city and is home to more than 4000 different plants species including medicinal plants, orchids and palm trees. Travelers are able to enjoy a truly memorable experience here. For those looking to take some of the spices back home, there are several markets.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue, Bahirawa Kanda Rd, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka

Located on a hill, overlooking the city, lies Bahiravokanda Vihara, a giant Buddha statue and one of the city’s most notable religious monuments. Visitors can climb to the top of the hill within an hour, but should be aware of rising temperatures during noon. Once you have reached the peak, bahivara kanda, or devil’s hill, offers panoramic views of Kandy and its surrounding area. The statue itself can be seen from most places throughout the city and is particularly enchanting at night when it is bathed in light. Make sure to remove your shoes before entering the premises or join the devotees, who offer flowers or light oil lamps in reverence to the mighty Buddha.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Sri Dalada Museum, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka

Dalada Maligawa is one of the most unique museums in Asia and exhibits a collection of relics, highlighting the spread of Buddhism throughout Asia and the rest of the world. It is the only museum of its kind showing a Buddhist exhibition of the religion’s global spread. The museum provides an insight into the development of the peaceful religion from the simple teachings of Buddha to differentiated systems and groups of followers across the globe. Visitors can follow its origins in India and its eventual extension to other countries throughout Asia. Dalada Maligawa Museum is well worth the visit not just for followers of Buddhism but also for those wishing to learn more about the cultural roots of Sri Lanka and gain an understanding of its identity.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Kandy, Sri Lanka

The urban forest reserve of Udawattakele once served as the pleasure garden of the kings of Kandy. The wildlife sanctuary is home to several species of mammals, reptiles and an impressive fauna. Additionally it houses several important Buddhist meditation hermitages. The park is particularly popular with bird watchers and is of great educational value. The Sri Lanka Forest Department has installed two offices in the reserve which display posters and stuffed animals and where visitors can get more information about the life of the park.

Duration: 2 hours