Kandy & Pinnawala Day Tour: Tea, Temples, Gardens

Taste Ceylon tea at the source, then walk a UNESCO temple and 147 acres of botanical gardens

A private day tour from Negombo to Kandy and Pinnawala with an English-speaking chauffeur guide, covering the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a working tea plantation, a spice and herbal garden, and Peradeniya Botanical Garden. The tour runs 12 to 14 hours and includes hotel pickup, all entrance fees, bottled water, lunch and a complimentary head and shoulder massage at the herbal garden. You choose your own additional attractions to fit the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kandy and Pinnawala attractions

• Pick up from Negombo hotel
• Drive to Kandy with tea factory stop
• Visit spice and herbal garden with massage
• Tour Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
• Visit royal botanical garden at Peradeniya
• Visit Ape Gama theme park near Pinnawala
• Drive back to Negombo

The experience

You're picked up from your Negombo hotel and driven toward Kandy with stops built into the route. The first stop is a tea factory and plantation where you learn how Ceylon tea is grown and processed, then taste a cup fresh from the source. From there you move to a spice and herbal garden to see Sri Lanka's medicinal and culinary plants. The garden includes a complimentary spa treatment (a head and shoulder massage) before you continue.

The main event is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Buddhism's most important pilgrimage destinations. After the temple, you visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden, a 147-acre reserve near the Mahaweli River known for its orchid collection and over 4,000 plant species. The route also passes Ape Gama, a four-acre theme park near Pinnawala that recreates an ancient Sri Lankan village, so you can stop there if it interests you. Lunch is a buffet included in the tour, and you return to Negombo by late afternoon or early evening.

The tour is private, so the pace and stops are yours to shape within the day's framework. Your guide speaks English and drives an air-conditioned vehicle. Bottled water is provided throughout, and all the main attractions (temples, gardens, the tea factory) are covered by the entrance fees included in your booking.

What’s included

• Private transportation with an English-speaking chauffeur guide.
• hotel pickup from Negombo or Colombo.
• entrance fees to all main attractions.
• buffet lunch.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• complimentary head and shoulder massage at the herbal garden.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour departs from the Negombo areaUp to 9 per booking · Guide in English · 06:30Pickup is included. Choose any first-class places. Duration: 12 hours. Buffet lunch. Vehicle options: car, van, or minibus. 1 to 3 people in a car, 3 to 6 in a van, 6 to 9 in a big van, over 9 in a bus.

Tour departs from ColomboUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 06:30You can visit any additional places along the way; entrance fees are at your own cost. First-class service. Duration: 12 hours. Buffet lunch included. Vehicle options: 1 or 2 people in a car, 2 to 5 in a van, 6 to 15 in a minibus or larger van. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Negombo Transfer

Is this one for you?Choose the Negombo or Colombo start point based on where you're staying, and use the flexibility to add a second or third stop that matches your interests, whether that's the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Ape Gama theme park, or another site your guide can reach within the day's timeframe.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

Can I add attractions beyond Kandy and Pinnawala to my day?

Yes. The tour is designed to let you select additional attractions that fit the 12 to 14 hour day, so you can shape the itinerary around what interests you most. Discuss your preferences with your guide when you're picked up.

What is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic?

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy is one of Buddhism's holiest sites and a UNESCO World Heritage location. It houses a tooth believed to be from the Buddha and draws pilgrims and visitors from around the world. The tour includes entry and time to explore the temple grounds.

What will I see at Peradeniya Botanical Garden?

Peradeniya Botanical Garden spans 147 acres and holds over 4,000 plant species, including rare orchids, medicinal plants, spices and palms. It sits at 460 meters above sea level near the Mahaweli River and attracts around 2 million visitors annually. The garden is managed by Sri Lanka's Department of Agriculture.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. Transportation options are wheelchair accessible, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. The sites visited are suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Does the tour start from Negombo or Colombo?

You can choose your tour start point at checkout: either Negombo or Colombo. Hotel pickup is included from your accommodation in whichever area you select.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes private transportation with an English-speaking chauffeur guide; entrance fees for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, tea factory, herbal garden and Peradeniya Botanical Garden; buffet lunch; bottled water; and a complimentary head and shoulder massage at the herbal garden.