Kandy is Sri Lanka's last royal capital, set around a lake in the green central hills. It is the island's cultural heart, home to the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and a handy base for Sigiriya, Dambulla and the tea country.
A day exploring Kandy's main sights, usually including the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake and the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. Many tours also include a Kandyan cultural dance show in the evening.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Sigiriya is a 5th-century royal citadel built on top of a massive rock rising about 200 m from the plains. The climb passes ancient frescoes and the giant Lion's Paw gateway.
A UNESCO-listed complex of five cave shrines carved into a rock outcrop, filled with Buddha statues and painted ceilings dating back over two thousand years. It is one of the best-preserved cave temples in Sri Lanka.
Kitulgala on the Kelani River is Sri Lanka's best-known rafting spot, with rainforest scenery and beginner-friendly rapids. The area is also known as a filming location for the classic film The Bridge on the River Kwai.
A boat ride through the mangrove-lined Madu Ganga near Bentota, a wetland dotted with small islands, including one with an old Buddhist temple and another where cinnamon is peeled by hand.
Conservation hatcheries on the south-west coast collect sea turtle eggs to protect them from poachers and release the hatchlings into the sea. Visitors can see baby turtles and learn about the species nesting on Sri Lanka's beaches.
Had a great trip booked through us? Your review helps thousands of travellers make the right choice.
Write a Google ReviewTakes less than 1 minute · Helps real travellers like you
✈