Kalutara Trip Overview
Experience Sri Lanka’s old hill capital of Kandy on a privately full-day trip from kalutara
. Explore the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens to see giant palms, orchids, and exotic flora. After free time for lunch (own expense), spend the afternoon in enchanting, UNESCO-listed Kandy, with visits to the gold-roofed, UNESCO-listed Temple of the Tooth, Kandy market, and a cultural show. Finish with a stop for dinner (own expense) on your return journey to Kalutara.
Additional Info
Duration: 10 to 16 hours
Starts: Kalutara, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Kalutara Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Kalutara, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Experience Sri Lanka’s old hill capital of Kandy on a privately full-day trip from kalutara
. Explore the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens to see giant palms, orchids, and exotic flora. After free time for lunch (own expense), spend the afternoon in enchanting, UNESCO-listed Kandy, with visits to the gold-roofed, UNESCO-listed Temple of the Tooth, Kandy market, and a cultural show. Finish with a stop for dinner (own expense) on your return journey to Kalutara.
You will be starting your tour at 5:30 am from your hotel in Kalutara. If you bring a packed breakfast you will be able to eat along the way. Your first leg to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage by 09:00 am. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawalavillage, 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of Kegalle town in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2011, there were 88 elephants, including 39 males and 49 females from 3 generations, living in Colombo.
The orphanage was founded to care and protect the many orphaned unweaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation
Around 11.00 am Proceed to Kandy on Arrival First Visit in the city will be the Temple of the Tooth. The Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha has had much importance throughout the history of Sri Lanka. Being able to protect it and enshrine it was not only regarded as a symbol of piousness; but also, a symbol of status that proved the worthiness of the ancient kings of the country. As such the relic was enshrined wherever the capital of the country was during the era of the kings. As the last kings made Kandy their capital, the relic was enshrined in the royal palace; where it remains to this day.
You will be able to view the beautiful architecture of the palace and look at the many golden figurines in the shrine. There are many structures in the palace premises that you can visit.
At 01:00 Pm you will be going on technical tours to see the crafts of some of the traditional artisans of Kandy; such as the gem crafters, wood carvers and batik makers. You will get to see the process of how the they do their work, and will be able to purchase some great souvenirs (if you wish) too.
You will finish these tours by 2:00 pm and break for lunch at a local restaurant. After an enjoyable meal at your own cost you will be able to go on to the next leg of your tour at 3:00pm. You will get to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya by 3:00pm. 147-acre premises of the gardens hosts over 4000 species of plants; including an exclusive collection of orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Created early in the 19th century, the gardens have a significant amount of history that you will learn more about during your tour. You will also get to see famed plants such as the Cannonball Tree, the Giant Javan Fig tree, and the 40m tall Burma bamboo. You will complete your tour of the botanical gardens by 4:00 pm, and will then be returning to your hotel in kalutara
