Kandy, also known as Senkadagalapura, is a sacred city located in the lush hill country of Sri Lanka. As the final stronghold of the Sinhala monarchy, Kandy is rich in heritage and embodies traditional Sri Lankan culture. This flourishing highland capital is a gateway to the country's central region, celebrated for its tea estates, enchanting waterfalls, and breathtaking scenery.
Often referred to as “Maha Nuwara,” meaning The Great City, Kandy is situated in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Central Province. Encircled by verdant hills brimming with tropical foliage, the city served as the nation’s capital until 1815, when it fell to the British. The last ruler of this fascinating city was King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. The best time to experience Kandy is in August, during the annual Kandy Perahera—a grand 10-day festival filled with colorful parades featuring drummers, dancers, elephants, and whip crackers.
Ceylon Waves offers an exceptional tuk-tuk tour of Kandy, covering the city’s most prominent landmarks along with its vibrant cultural and religious attractions.
Your tuk-tuk adventure begins with a pick-up from your accommodation, followed by a visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa). This iconic temple, deeply revered by Buddhists around the world, houses the left canine tooth of the Buddha. In 1988, UNESCO recognized it as a world heritage site, acknowledging its historical and spiritual significance.
Adjacent to the temple is the serene Kandy Lake, locally called “Kiri Muhuda” or the Sea of Milk. Constructed in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, this artificial lake lies at the center of the city. Though its size has reduced over the years, it remains a protected site, with fishing strictly prohibited, making it a perfect spot for a peaceful walk.
Our next destination is the Bahirawakanda Temple, also known as Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya, renowned for its colossal Buddha statue visible from various parts of Kandy. Located atop Bahirawakanda hill, this site offers stunning panoramic views of the city.
Following Bahirawakanda, your tuk-tuk will take you to the Kandy viewpoint, where you’ll enjoy an excellent vantage point of the entire city. We’ll then head to the local municipal market, a lively marketplace situated in the heart of Kandy. Spanning two levels, this market is a vibrant shopping hub offering a wide range of goods.
We will continue our tour at the Natural Gems and Gemmological Museum, a site that educates visitors on Sri Lanka’s geological history, featuring some of the world’s rarest gemstones. The museum provides a comprehensive overview of Sri Lanka’s 4.6 billion years of geological evolution, making it a fascinating stop for anyone interested in geology and gemology.
Next on our itinerary is a visit to a tea plantation, a highlight of any trip to Sri Lanka. Famous for its tea, the island offers visitors a chance to see the intricate tea-making process up close, from the careful plucking of the leaves to their processing in the factory. You’ll learn all about the history and craftsmanship behind Sri Lanka’s world-renowned tea.
We will then proceed to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, a sprawling 147-acre park that is home to over 4,000 species of plants. Just 5.5 kilometers from Kandy’s city center, this tranquil location, with the Mahaweli River flowing through it, is an ideal spot to immerse yourself in nature’s beauty.
Our final stop is the Kandy Cultural Dance Show, a vibrant display of Sri Lankan dance, art, and cultural heritage. Hosted by the Kandy Lake Club Dance since 1982, the show brings together various traditional dance forms of Sri Lanka onto a single stage.
After a day filled with cultural exploration and scenic views, your tuk-tuk driver will drop you back at your accommodation, bringing your memorable Kandy tuk-tuk tour with Ceylon Waves to a delightful close.
