Half day
Kandy City & Temple
Kandy’s highlights in a half day: the Temple of the Tooth, the lake, the Royal Botanical Gardens and a cultural show.
Day tour · from Kandy
Sigiriya & Dambulla
Climb Sigiriya Rock and visit the Dambulla Cave Temple on a full day from Kandy.
- Length
- Full day (about 10 hours)
- Departs from
- Kandy
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Price
- On request
Can you visit Sigiriya as a day trip?
From Kandy, yes — Sigiriya is 2 hr 30 min – 3 hr away. From Colombo or Negombo it is a very long day (7–8 hours of driving), so we usually recommend an overnight.
At a glance
- Good for
- Couples, Friends & small groups, Solo travellers, Families
- Best time
- Year-round; early starts beat the heat.
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one day. Leave Kandy early to climb Sigiriya before the heat, lunch nearby, then visit Dambulla’s painted cave temples in the afternoon on the way back.
How the day runs
-
06:00
Depart Kandy
-
08:30
Sigiriya
Climb the rock and explore the gardens.
-
12:30
Village lunch
Rice and curry near Sigiriya.
-
14:30
Dambulla Cave Temple
Five painted caves.
-
17:30
Return to Kandy
Timings are a guide; your driver adjusts them to traffic, weather and your pace.
Included
- ✓ Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✓ Fuel, tolls and parking
Not included
- ✕ Entrance fees and activity tickets (quoted separately)
- ✕ Meals unless stated
- ✕ Tips
What to bring
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for temples
- Sun protection and water
- Comfortable shoes
Pickup & good to know
Pickup from your hotel at a time agreed with you. Tell us where you are staying when you enquire.
Ask about this day tour
Tell us your date and where you are staying. We confirm pickup time and availability personally.
Updated . Travel conditions change — we confirm details when we plan your trip.
More day tours
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Nuwara Eliya Tea Country
A day trip from Kandy into the high tea country: waterfalls, a working tea factory, Nuwara Eliya’s colonial town and Seetha Eliya.
Full day
Scenic Train Experience
Ride the hill-country train from Kandy to Nanu Oya, with your driver meeting you for a tea-country afternoon.