Sri Lanka 3-Day Tour: Explore Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Sigiriya from Colombo

Embark on a thrilling 3-day tour of Sri Lanka’s top tourist spots. Explore the sacred city of Kandy, the picturesque Nuwara Eliya, and climb the iconic Sigiriya rock. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable adventure!

Duration: 3 days
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

COLOMBO - KANDY

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - Sri Dalada Maligawa, or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, it houses the Buddha’s tooth relic.

Kandy Lake - Also known as Kiri Muhuda or the Sea of Milk, Kandy Lake is an artificial lake in the heart of Kandy, Sri Lanka. Built in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe next to the Temple of the Tooth, its size has been reduced over the years. Fishing is banned in this protected lake.

Royal Botanical Gardens - Located about 5.5 km west of Kandy in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya attract 2 million visitors annually. They are near the Mahaweli River and are famous for their orchid collection.

Kandy View Point - Climb the hill by Kandy Lake to reach Kandy View Point for an unbeatable view of the city. This popular tourist spot attracts many peddlers, though their items are often sub-par. The area is also known for high pickpocket activity, so keep an eye on your belongings. Enjoy great views over the lake and the city from the hill.

Kandy Lake Club - Cultural Dance Show - Sri Lanka, rich in culture and tradition, offers a vibrant and unique show of traditional dances through the Kandy cultural show. The performance includes dances like “Salupliya” depicting several demons, “Thelme” showcasing low country rhythm, and Fire and Harvest dances accompanied by Ceremonial Drums and the Drum Orchestra. The Kandy Lake Club dance troupe performs as many as 12 different folk and traditional dances within an hour.

Colombo - The capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo has a long history as a port on old east-west trade routes, successively ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. This heritage is reflected in its architecture, which blends colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls. The Colombo National Museum, dedicated to Sri Lankan history, borders the sprawling Viharamahadevi Park and its giant Buddha statue.

Kandy - Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka, set on a plateau surrounded by mountains that are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforests.

KANDY-NUWARA ELIYA

Sita Temple - Seetha Amman Temple is located about 1 kilometer from Hakgala Botanical Garden and 5 kilometers from Nuwara Eliya, in the village of Seetha Eliya.

Glenloch Tea Factory - Situated in the Nuwara Eliya District at Katukithula on the way to Nuwara Eliya from Kandy, Glenloch Tea Factory maintains its tea plantation using proper planting methods, soil conservation, and manuring. Sri Lanka, known for its renowned beverage, benefits from its natural beauty, favorable climate, and ideal soil conditions for tea cultivation. Glenloch Tea is a significant contributor to Sri Lanka’s reputation as a top producer of quality tea.

Gregory Lake - Created in 1873 by British-era Governor Sir William Gregory, Gregory Lake was initially intended to provide electricity but was mainly used for leisure and recreation. At its peak, it was the most prominent attraction in the area, serving as a relaxation spot for many visitors.

Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple - Built by the Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka, Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple is located in Ramboda on the Kandy-Nuwara Eliya Road, about 30 kilometers north of Nuwara Eliya. The Chinmaya Mission is a Hindu spiritual organization that disseminates Vedanta, the science of the self as expounded in the Vedas, Upanishads, and other important Hindu scriptures, including the Bhagavad Gita.

Nuwara Eliya - Nuwara Eliya is a city in the tea country hills of central Sri Lanka. The Hakgala Botanical Gardens, known for its roses and tree ferns, also shelters monkeys and blue magpies. Nearby, the colorful Seetha Amman Temple is adorned with religious figures.

KANDY-SIGIRIYA

Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - Sigiriya, or Sinhagiri, is an ancient rock fortress in the northern Matale District near Dambulla in Sri Lanka’s Central Province. The site, of historical and archaeological significance, is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters high.

Dambulla Cave Temple - Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, this World Heritage Site is located in central Sri Lanka, 148 kilometers east of Colombo and 72 kilometers north of Kandy. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya Museum - Managed by the Central Cultural Fund, the Sigiriya Museum is considered one of the most beautiful museums in South Asia. It showcases the cultural, technological, and archaeological value of Sigiriya, allowing visitors to explore three decades of archaeological research. The museum’s design was inspired by Sigiriya’s complex systems, particularly its clever use of water for beauty, environmental quality, and irrigation.

Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre - Established in 1999 in the Dambulla Secretariat Division of Matale District, this wholesale market for vegetables and fruits features direct participation from farmers selling their produce.

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium - This 30,000-seat cricket stadium in Sri Lanka is located in the Central Province near Dambulla. Built on a 60-acre site leased from the Rangiri Dambulla Temple, it is the first and only international cricket ground in Sri Lanka’s dry zone. The stadium overlooks the Dambulla Tank (reservoir) and the Dambulla Rock.

Sigiriya - Referred to by locals as the Eighth Wonder of the World, this ancient palace and fortress complex is of significant archaeological importance and attracts thousands of tourists annually. It is likely the most visited tourist destination in Sri Lanka.

What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • English-speaking driver/guide
  • Air-conditioned transport (bus, van, or car)
  • Complimentary WiFi access during travel (subject to availability)
  • Included meals: dinner and breakfast
  • Bottled water provided
  • 2 nights’ accommodation in a 3-star hotel
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Discover the top attractions of Sri Lanka in a compact 3-day tour. This journey lets you explore over 3 magnificent cities as you unravel their secrets, such as:

 Pay a visit to Kandy, a vibrant city situated around a center lake in Sri Lanka. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated it a world heritage site and it is regarded as a highly sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site. Depending on where you meander, the city offers an amalgam of stunning vistas, bustling noises, and tranquility.

 Journey through Sri Lanka’s chilliest region, Nuwara Eliya and take in the awe-inspiring landscape.

 Scale a rock – if you are physically fit and do not pause to observe, you can reach the peak in under 30 minutes. If you prefer taking frequent breaks, or wish to halt to snap pictures or appreciate the view, the ascent and descent combined will take you between one and a half to two hours.

  • Comfortable walking shoes recommended for this tour.
  • All visitors to Buddhist and Hindu temples are expected to remove footwear and hats. Also shoulders and knees should be covered
  • The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date
  • Dec 24th night & Dec 31st night Supplements (peak season additional charge) need to pay directly to hotel as per hotel.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(23 Ratings)
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Mona_l
Mar 1, 2024
Memorable fun experience - Our tour guide Krish worked very well with us to help us manage our itinerary in safe, efficient fun way - the manager Jeevan stayed in touch with us and helped us with our hotel accommodations requests since we were touring with group of family and friends - we had memorable fun time , thanks to our tour guides and the manager too - Srilanka is beautiful country , long travel for us - we enjoyed it a lot
Review provided by Viator
Storyteller763939
Dec 25, 2021
A lot of highlights and a great driver - I had three great days with a lot of highlights Alinghi the way. Buddika was an awesome guide who arranged all the things I wanted to experience and gave me valuable insights along the way. I can definitely recommend this Tour and I would do it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yukoi597
Jan 26, 2020
Arrange Your Own Trip - Since my stay in Sri Lanka was such a short time, it was quite helpful and amazing that my guide Janith listened all my request (what I want to do in Sri Lanka) and flexibly squeezed into my trip plan. 1st Day : Colombo to Kandy Visited Kandy Gems and Woodcarving centre Had buffet next to the huge river Visited Sri Dalada Maligawa Watched Kandian Dance(my request) 2nd Day: Kandy to Naru Oya Getting on the train from Kandy to Naru Oya(my request and favorite experience) Had lunch by the waterfall Visited Hindu Temple(my request) Visited tea factory 3rd Day: Kandy to Sigiriya Visiting Herbal Farm Climbing Sigiriya Trying on Sri Lankan Sari(my request) Healing at professional Ayurveda
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dariia
Dec 29, 2019
3 perfect days in the center of Sri-Lanka - We did this tour from 27th to 29th of December and had Janith as a guide and driver. It was amazing experience. The center of Sri-Lanka is very interesting and exciting, you can enjoy mountain views, buddists and hindu temples, tea plantation, botanical gardens and national park. Program is very flexible, you can add or skip some attractions. Car was very comfortable, air-conditioned and with wifi. Its important, because we spent a lot of time in the car. Our hotel was very nice and has beautiful view of the city. But the best of our tour was Janith! He is perfect driver and very interesting guide. He answered all our questions, was very friendly and helpful. He really cared about us. If you want to get exciting experience in very comfortable way, you should do this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
766medl
Dec 13, 2019
A must in Sri Lanka - After we landed in Colombo we didn't have any idea about where to go or what places to visit and we were lucky to find this tour, we were able to see a lot of what Sri Lanka has to offer . Special thanks to our guide CJ who took real care of us and made sure that we stay safe and happy. We highly recommend this trip that is underrated for what she have to offer. Med and Oumaima.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Narayanan
Nov 28, 2019
Colombo-Kandy-Nuwara Eliya tour - Last week we went on a holiday vacation to Srilanka through Apple Vacations, Colombo. We have done several international holiday tours, and undoubtedly this we will rate in the top 5. Right from the day we started planning for the trip, Mr. Jeevan from Apple vacations, had been promptly answering all our queries that gave us a great confidence to go with Apple Vacations. We were promptly received in the Colombo airport and everything went so smoothly thanks to Jeevan and our excellent driver Mr Aaron who was taking us around the four days we were in Sri Lanka. He chose the best time for the Safari so that we could see some 300 elephants wandering in one place. And our trip to Nuwara Eliya was very relaxing. As we were vegetarians and it is difficult to find good vegetarian eating place in Srilanka, Mr Aaron took personal care to ensure that we were treated with best vegetarian food wherever we went. Overall it was a great and memorable vacation thanks to Mr Jeevan and Aaron of Apple Vacations. We would love to go with them again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Badrul
Sep 22, 2019
Kandy Nuwara Eliya - A must go experience, little england , boating, helicopter ride, horse rides, trails, water fall. bicycling, tea-factory and tea plantaton
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Spencer
Aug 12, 2019
Fantastic three days!! - I had a really good time on this trip. I wanted to see the major highlights in Sri Lanka and only had a few days - this trip was perfect. My driver, Buddika, was excellent. Always on time and was willing to customize the trip a little to hit things I wanted.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
My
Aug 7, 2019
Great experience - We would recommend this agency to anyone traveling to Sri Lanka. Always quick to respond to questions via texts. If you want to upgrade your accommodation, it could be arranged at little extra cost. They are very flexible in terms of scheduling and reasonable regarding the tour price. Our tour guide was CJ. Simply perfect througout our 3 day, 2 night tour of the country.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Philip
Aug 18, 2019
Very enjoyable - This trip is a great way to see some of Sri Lanka in a short time. Our driver was flexible, punctual and informative. The agency was helpful.We were lucky that our trip coincided with the Kandy festival in early August- a memorable experience and strongly recommended if you can do it, but this time of year can be wet so bring rain gear and/or umbrellas. We upgraded to stay in Hotel Topaz in Kandy- recommended. The best day was the last- the Rock plus we added an elephant safari which was great. There is lots of time spent in the car- probably around 4 hours on day one and two and 6 on day 3 but there is lots to see as you travel. If we were to repeat, we would add an extra day in Dambula to see a couple of the ancient cities nearby, or maybe skip the second day trips to the tea plantation, and waterfalls.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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