Kandy Day Tour: Temple of the Tooth & Spice Garden

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic sits in the heart of Kandy's royal palace complex.

A full-day private tour from Colombo to Kandy, Sri Lanka's UNESCO-listed Sacred City, with an English-speaking driver and stops at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Spice Garden, tea factory, and Lake. Entrance fees at sightseeing attractions are not included in the tour price. Return transfers from Colombo are included, along with mineral water and lunch at a recommended restaurant.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kandy and Surroundings

• Pickup from Colombo or Negombo hotel
• Visit Spice Garden and learn about spices
• Tour tea factory and plantation
• Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic
• Lunch at recommended restaurant and visit wood carving
• Transfer back to Colombo or Negombo

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Colombo hotel and a drive inland to the Spice Garden, where you learn about Sri Lanka's medicinal herbs and spices: their healing properties and traditional uses in Ayurvedic medicine and worldwide pharmaceuticals. From there, the route continues to the tea factory and tea plantation before heading into Kandy itself.

In Kandy, you visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), a Buddhist temple housed in the former royal palace complex that holds the relic of Buddha's tooth. The day also includes stops at Tea Factory Market Square, a visit to the Lake, and Oak Ray, a handcrafted wood carving workshop. Lunch is at a restaurant the operator recommends, and you return to Colombo or Negombo by late afternoon.

The driver speaks English and handles all driving. The tour runs on a private basis in an air-conditioned car or van. Mineral water is provided on arrival. Entrance fees at the temple and other attractions are paid separately at each site.

What’s included

• Return transfers from Colombo or Negombo in a private air-conditioned car or van.
• English-speaking driver for the full day.
• mineral water on arrival.
• sightseeing stops at the Spice Garden, tea factory, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Tea Factory Market Square, Lake, and Oak Ray wood carving workshop.
• all related government taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (13 to 65 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Arabic and Tamil

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Beauty Lanka Travels

Is this one for you?The tour takes a full day and involves stops at multiple sites with walking at each one. If you prefer a shorter outing or want to stay in one place, a half-day or single-site option would suit you better.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Arabic and Tamil.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and why is it important?

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is a Buddhist temple in Kandy's royal palace complex that houses the relic of Buddha's tooth, making it one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism and a major reason Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Can I visit the Spice Garden and learn how the plants are used?

Yes, the Spice Garden is a dedicated stop where you learn about medicinal herbs and spices, their healing properties, and how they are used in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional remedies worldwide.

Does the tour include entrance fees to the temple and other attractions?

Entrance fees at sightseeing places are not included in the tour price and are paid separately at each site. The tour price covers the private transport, driver, and guide service.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour runs for 8 to 10 hours total, with pickup from your Colombo or Negombo hotel in the morning and return by late afternoon. Exact times are confirmed at booking.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is at a restaurant the operator recommends, though the cost is not included in the tour price and is paid separately.