The Best Day Trips from Kandy

With its central position, Kandy makes a great base for a few days. Once you've seen the Temple of the Tooth and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, these are the best trips out. Traffic in Kandy is slow, so leave early.

Half-day trips

The three temples loop

Embekka, Lankatilaka and Gadaladeniya are three 14th-century temples set in beautiful countryside, about 40 minutes from town. See our three temples guide.

Matale spice gardens and Muthumariamman

Matale, about 45 minutes north, has spice gardens and a huge, colourful Hindu temple. Our spice garden guide explains how to avoid the hard sell. Nalanda Gedige is a little further along the same road.

Full-day trips

Sigiriya and Dambulla

Leave at dawn for Sigiriya, about 2.5 to 3 hours, and stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple on the way back. It's a long but rewarding day. An overnight stay lets you add Pidurangala and a safari.

Nuwara Eliya and tea country

Drive up the A5 through tea estates, stopping at a factory and Ramboda Falls, to reach Nuwara Eliya, about 2.5 hours. Add the Seetha Amman Temple and Hakgala if you have time. See our tea country guide.

The Knuckles Range

The Knuckles offers cloud forest and mountain trails about 2 hours from Kandy. Hire a local guide, as paths are poorly marked. Riverston has easier viewpoints. See our best hikes guide.

Kitulgala rafting

Kitulgala is about 2.5 hours away for rafting on the Kelani River. See our rafting guide.

Elephant safari

Minneriya or Hurulu are possible on a long day trip with an afternoon safari, about 3 hours away. Quieter Wasgamuwa is about the same distance. Skip places that offer elephant rides. See our elephant guide.

What about Pinnawala?

Many tours from Kandy include the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. It's controversial, as its elephants aren't released and welfare concerns have been raised. We'd recommend wild elephant safaris instead.

How to plan

• Hire a car and driver for the day. Your hotel can usually arrange one. See our driver guide.
• Use a tuk-tuk for the three temples loop or other nearby trips.
• Leave early, as Kandy's roads get very congested.
• Avoid July and August festival nights if you need to get back through the centre, as roads close for the Esala Perahera.