3-Day Sigiriya & Kandy Tour: Rock Fortress & Tea Plantations

Climb a 5th-century rock fortress, walk tea plantations, and spot elephants in one sweep

A 3-day tour from Colombo visiting Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya's tea country, Ella, and Udawalawe National Park with an English-speaking driver-guide, two nights' accommodation, and hotel pickup and drop-off included. The itinerary chains six sites across three days, moving from the central plains to the highlands and back down to the lowlands where elephant sightings are guaranteed on the game drive.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Colombo to Sigiriya and Kandy

• Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Explore Dambulla Cave Temple
• See Sigiriya museum diorama

Day 2: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and Ella

• Visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth
• Climb to Kandy viewpoint
• Walk around Kandy Lake
• Tour Glenloch Tea Factory
• View Ramboda Falls
• Visit Gregory Lake
• Explore Nuwara Eliya city

Day 3: Ella to Udawalawe and Colombo

• Hike Little Adams Peak
• Visit Ravana Falls
• See Nine Arch Bridge
• Game drive at Udawalawe National Park
• Enjoy views of Ella Gap

The experience

The tour opens at Sigiriya Rock Fortress, where near-vertical walls rise from the central plains to a flat-topped summit holding the ruins of an ancient civilization. You climb to the top and take in views across mist-wrapped forests. The same day includes Dambulla Cave Temple, Sri Lanka's largest and best-preserved cave temple complex, situated 148 kilometres east of Colombo. Overnight accommodation is at a 3-star hotel in Kandy.

Day two moves through the highlands. You visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, where Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic is housed in a series of nested gold caskets. During puja (offerings or prayers), the room opens to devotees and tourists. From there, the route climbs toward Nuwara Eliya, passing through tea plantations where you can walk among the rows that produce Ceylon tea. You'll stop at Glenloch Tea Factory to see how the leaf is processed, and pass Ramboda Falls (109 metres high) and Gregory Lake, a British-era creation from 1873. The night is spent in Ella.

The final day takes you to Udawalawe National Park, the only place in the world where an elephant sighting is guaranteed on every game drive. The park is home to several hundred elephants and other rare wildlife. After the game drive, you return to Colombo. An English-speaking driver serves as your guide throughout. The tour includes bottled water and two nights' accommodation but does not cover meals except where noted, or entrance fees to Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple, which you pay locally in Sri Lankan rupees or USD cash.

What’s included

• English-speaking driver-guide throughout the three days.
• bottled water.
• two nights' accommodation at 3-star hotels (one in Kandy, one in Ella).
• hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle.

Options for this experience

2 options

From ColomboGuide in English, Arabic or Tamil · 06:00Pickup is included

Three-day tour, fully inclusiveGuide in English, Arabic or Tamil · 06:00Hotel accommodation is provided, and all listed entrance fees are covered. Vehicle options: air-conditioned car (1–2 passengers), air-conditioned mini van (3–6 passengers), or luxury van/coach (groups). Entrance tickets are included for the Cave Temple, Sigiriya Lion Rock, Temple of the Tooth and Udawalawe National Park. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and SundayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Arabic and Tamil

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 133

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want six major sites in three days with a set itinerary that moves you daily through the rock fortress, temples, and tea country. The routing and timing are locked in, so you'll need to commit to early starts and several hours on the road each day.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Arabic and Tamil.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What's involved in climbing Sigiriya Rock Fortress?

Sigiriya Rock Fortress requires you to climb near-vertical walls to reach the flat-topped summit where ancient ruins sit. The climb is steep and demands moderate physical fitness. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. The entrance fee (around 35 USD or 11,000 Sri Lankan rupees) is paid on arrival by card or cash.

Do I need to remove my shoes at the temples?

Yes. All visitors to Buddhist and Hindu temples must remove footwear and hats. Shoulders and knees should be covered when entering, so pack clothing that meets this requirement.

Will I definitely see elephants in Udawalawe National Park?

Udawalawe National Park is the only place in the world where an elephant sighting is guaranteed on every game drive. The park is home to several hundred elephants and other rare wildlife, making it the most reliable spot for elephant viewing in Sri Lanka.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes an English-speaking driver-guide, two nights' accommodation at 3-star hotels in Kandy and Ella, bottled water, and hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle. Entrance fees to Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and meals are not included and are paid separately.

Can I walk through the tea plantations?

Yes. On day two, you walk through the lush green tea plantations near Nuwara Eliya and visit Glenloch Tea Factory to see how Ceylon tea is processed and dried. This is one of the highlights for anyone interested in Sri Lanka's colonial tea history or the landscape itself.

What's the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella?

The Nine Arch Bridge is a 91-metre span built entirely from rocks, bricks, and cement with no steel or metal, sitting 24 metres high on the Demodara loop. It's set in dense jungle with tea cultivation below, making it a striking spot for photos and a notable stop on the route to Udawalawe.