Kandy

SRI LANKA

Regions

Kandy was the last royal capital and it is one of the most charming towns in Sri Lanka, famous for its gorgeous setting beside a lake, cradled by hills and surrounded by the sinuous lines of tea plantations. It is home to the gold-roofed Temple of the Tooth, with its guardian elephants, a deeply significant Buddhist site that contains a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre and draws thousands of pilgrims from across the world. Nearby are in Peradeniya, beside the Mahaweli Ganga, are the Perdeniya Botanical Gardens where the British pioneered the growing of exotic plants such as coffee, tea, nutmeg, rubber and cinchona (quinine). The gardens stretch over 60 hectares and feature an arboretum, orchid house and huge colonies of flying foxes.

> Itineraries visiting Kandy

Ancient Kingdoms of Ceylon - 10 days from £ 2250 per person

This brief tour perfectly balances culture and relaxation: take in the archaeological treasures of the Golden Triangle, visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and the sacred cave temples of Dambulla, and end with an indulgent few days with your feet in the sand at an exclusive boutique beach hotel.

Classic Island Tour of Sri Lanka - 17 days from £ 3499 per person

This in-depth tour encompasses all the major sites of the Cultural Triangle before taking a leisurely route through the centre and south visiting temples, tea plantations and a national park to reach one of the glorious beaches that stretch the length of the southwest coast.

Geoffrey Bawa - An Architectural Tour of Sri Lanka - 16 days from £ 2900 per person

This tour draws pure inspiration from the late and talented architect, Geoffrey Bawa and visits the places he lived in, designed and drew inspiration from.

Golfing in Sri Lanka - 11 days from £ 2500 per person

With its exceptional golf courses, scenery and luxury hotels, Sri Lanka is a superb destination for golf-loving explorers – from the Victoria Golf and Country Resort in Kandy (voted the best golf course in the sub-continent) and the cool, colonial Nuwara Eliya Golf Course, to the capital's ultra smart Royal Colombo Golf Course.

Our Signature Sri Lanka - 17 days from £ 4400 per person

If money was no object this would be our ideal cultural tour of Sri Lanka. This in-depth tour encompasses the very best of Sri Lanka both in terms of sites and hotels.

Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle and Beach - 16 days from £ 2100 per person

This tour offers both an insightful view to Sri Lanka's history as well a relaxing coastal break enjoying the island's lovely palm fringed beaches and the warm Indian Ocean.

Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle and Maldives - 16 days from £ 3799 per person

This fabulous tour allows a mix of culture and sheer bliss. In Sri Lanka you will visit the historical cultural triangle to view mesmorising cave temples, archeological sites and buzzing markets before flying to the Maldives to relax and indulge lazing on white beaches and snorkelling in crystal-clear waters.

The Most Spectacular Festival in Sri Lanka - Esala Perahera - 9 days from £ 2100 per person

This variety packed tour gives you an in depth insight into what Sri Lanka is all about. Take part in the Esala Perahera festival in Kandy, visit the mysterious and fascinating ancient sites in the Cultural Triangle, followed by a couple days of pure relaxation on a beautiful beach. Before you depart to go home, spend the evening in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo where you will be surprised by its seductive charms.