Temple, gardens and hill-country scenery on a long private day from the coast.
The experience
Best for guests who want Kandy's temple, gardens and hill scenery without changing hotels. This is a long day with roughly 12–14 hours of travel and sightseeing, so an overnight Kandy visit may suit families and slower travelers better.
Your day
Stop 1
Your driver collects you from your Bentota-area hotel early in the morning. The route climbs gradually from the coastal lowlands towards Sri Lanka's central hills.
Stop 2
Walk among giant tropical trees, palms, orchids, bamboo and landscaped avenues in one of Sri Lanka's best-known gardens. The visit provides a peaceful contrast to Kandy's busy center.
Stop 3
Continue into Kandy and take in the lakefront, local streets and viewpoints. Your driver can allow time for a relaxed lunch before the main temple visit.
Stop 4
Enter Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist shrine. Learn why the sacred tooth relic is significant to the island's religious and political history, and observe the temple's architecture and ritual atmosphere.
Stop 5
If timing allows, watch traditional Kandyan drumming, dance and ceremonial performance before traveling back to the southwest coast and arriving at your hotel in the evening.
