Kandy day trip from Kalutara: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

See Kandy's sacred sites and mountain views in a single day from the coast

A full-day tour from Kalutara (or Beruwala, Bentota, Aluthgama, Wadduwa) to Kandy with private air-conditioned vehicle and driver. The itinerary covers the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Royal Botanical Gardens and a gem shop, with highway charges and a water bottle included. You choose which attractions to visit and the pace depends on your interests: the operator adjusts the route based on time and your preferences. Minimum age is 12. The tour runs 12 hours from pickup to return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kandy's main attractions

• Visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
• Walk around Kandy Lake
• Explore Royal Botanical Gardens
• Visit Kandy viewpoint and gem shops

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel in one of five coastal towns and driven inland to Kandy on the highway, with charges already covered. The route climbs into the mountains surrounding the plateau city, and the day is built around the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic: the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, located in Kandy's heart. After the temple, you walk around Kandy Lake, an artificial lake next to the shrine where fishing is prohibited and the breeze off the water gives you space to pause and take in the surroundings.

The afternoon takes you through the Royal Botanical Gardens, which hold over 4,000 plant species and are known for their orchids. Depending on how the morning went and what interests you, the driver can also take you to a Kandy viewpoint, a gem shop, or other stops in the area. The flexibility is built in, so you're not locked into a fixed sequence. A water bottle and free 4G connection (up to 2 GB per day on request) come with the tour. You arrange and pay for lunch and entry tickets separately.

The 12-hour day means an early start and a late return, but it lets you see the main attractions without rushing through them. The air-conditioned vehicle and private driver mean you're not sharing the route or waiting for other groups, and the highway is included so there are no surprise tolls at the end.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• pickup from your hotel in Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota, Aluthgama or Wadduwa.
• highway charges.
• water bottle.
• free 4G connection on request (up to 2 GB per day).

Options for this experience

5 options

From BeruwalaNo fixed timeLasts 12 hours, with timing that depends on the places you choose to visit. Departs from Beruwala and includes pickup.

From KalutaraNo fixed timeLasts 12 hours, with timing that depends on the places you choose to visit. Departs from Kalutara and includes pickup.

From WadduwaNo fixed timeLasts 12 hours, with timing that depends on the places you choose to visit. Departs from Wadduwa and includes pickup.

See 2 more options

From BentotaNo fixed timeLasts 12 hours, with timing that depends on the places you choose to visit. Departs from Bentota and includes pickup.

From AluthgamaNo fixed timeLasts 12 hours, with timing that depends on the places you choose to visit. Departs from Aluthgama and includes pickup.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Island Divvy Tours

Is this one for you?Choose your pickup town at checkout. The driver collects you from your hotel and returns you there at the end of the day, so you don't need to arrange separate transport to and from the coast. The flexibility to customize stops means you can linger at the temple or gardens if they interest you, or move on quickly if you'd rather see more of the area.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I choose which attractions to visit in Kandy, or is the itinerary fixed?

The itinerary is flexible. You can exclude any location and add others depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop. The driver adjusts the route based on your interests and the daylight available.

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 the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, located in the heart of Kandy. It houses a relic believed to be a tooth of Buddha and is a major pilgrimage site and cultural landmark on the island.

Which pickup location should I choose?

Choose the town where your hotel is located: Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota, Aluthgama or Wadduwa. The driver picks you up there and returns you at the end of the day.

What is included in the tour price, and what do I pay for separately?

The tour includes the private vehicle, driver, highway charges, a water bottle and free 4G connection (up to 2 GB per day on request). Entry tickets to the temple, gardens and other attractions, as well as lunch and dinner, are not included and you arrange those separately.

How long is the drive from the coast to Kandy, and what is the full day like?

The tour runs 12 hours total from pickup to return. The drive inland takes time, but the day is paced to let you spend meaningful time at each stop without rushing. You're not moving constantly, and the private vehicle means no waiting for other groups.