Kandy Highlights

Kandy keeps touches on its colonial history in buildings such as the Queen's Hotel, a 19th century neoclassical beauty, where you'll meet your guide to start your urban exploration. Visit the colorful Kandy Market, a wonderful place to explore and see local market activities and enjoy the hustle and bustle. Then we'll walk to Kandy's lovely centre piece - Kandy Lake. An artificial lake 4 kilometres in circumference, it was created in 1807 by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, the last ruler of the kingdom of Kandy. A stroll around the lake takes approximately 40 minutes to an hour depending on your pace. Late afternoon is a suitable time to enjoy the bird life and the cooling breeze.

In the late afternoon, we'll visit a performance theatre in Kandy to see the spectacular Kandyan Cultural Dance Show. Developed in the Kandyan era, the Kandyan dancers and drummers in their decorative costumes are a distinctive feature of Sri Lankan culture and heritage. The dance show is followed by a visit to the prime landmark of the hill capital – the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Built during the 16th century, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and is a Buddhist temple located in the royal palace complex. This is the pride of Buddhists in Sri Lanka and devotees from around the world. Join the ??Thevava' or auspicious offering to the relic which is quite an experience. The resident monks show this age-old tradition as you become surrounded by the sound of drums and the heady smells of incense and of lotus and jasmine flowers.

Miscellaneous: Entrance Fees, English-Speaking Guide