Where to Sit Down: The 4 Best Kandy Tea Tours

1.Kandy to Nuwara Eliya Day Trip – Little England & Tea Country

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · from $30Our pick

Leave Kandy by private car with a driver-guide such as Adhil, Irfan, Ilham, or Shukry. Visit Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, Ramboda Waterfall, Bluefield Tea Gardens, Gregory Lake, Victoria Park, and Nuwara Eliya Racecourse. The 10-hour trip offers flexible photo stops, bottled water, and hotel pickup.

“Adhil was great, there was nothing he would not do for us. He was very knowledgeable and gave us a great day. It’s a long but very beautiful drive. I would recommend this trip to anyone.”

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2.From Colombo or Negombo: Pinnawala, Kandy & Tea Factory Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 15 reviews · 8 hours · from $46

Travel with an English-speaking driver, often Janaka, from Colombo or Negombo to Pinnawala, Kandy, and a tea factory. You’ll see elephants by the river, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, enjoy Kandy views, and stop at spice, gem, wood-carving, batik, and tea workshops. Expect a long day, plenty of driving, and flexible sightseeing for up to 10 people.

“Trip was excellent and tour guide Janaka was just the flavour of our trip. Everything went smoothly and I would recommend highly to use this tour company. Driver was super flexible and did over and above for us.”

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3.Kandy & Pinnawala & Tea Factory Full Day Tour From Negombo

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 11 reviews · 14 hours · from $49

Travel from Negombo to Kandy in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Visit Pinnawala, a tea factory, Royal Botanical Garden, Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake, and hilltop viewpoints. The day also includes optional shopping stops, museums, and cultural sights. Expect about 14 hours on the road, with entrance fees paid separately.

“It was a substantial and manageable programme. I did not imagine that we would be able to complete the predicted 14 hours. Our guide gave good ideas, which added to the enjoyment. Well structured sequence with the right amount of time. Our guide was prepared and did his best to provide us with cultural and historical information despite the circumstances. He guided us in a kind and calm manner. Considering the Sri Lankan driving we felt safe with him, even though the last 100 km drive home took us nearly 3 hours, we didn't want any more bends and curves!”

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4.From Negombo: Ambuluwawa Tower & Tea Factory,Kandy Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 15 hours · from $69

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Negombo to Ambuluwawa Tower, Pinnawala, a tea factory, and Kandy. Your English-speaking driver-guide, sometimes named Jaminda, helps you choose between major stops when time gets tight. Expect dramatic views, temple visits, shopping stops, and a late return.

“Had a brilliant day out on this tour. A great day with a packed itinerary. Started with a gratis king coconut juice at a roadside vendor. Elephant orphanage was an amazing experience, especially washing the elephant. Ambulawawa Tower has amazing views of a beautiful landscape. Tea factory is really interesting (assuming one likes tea of course) and gives a good overview of the tea making process. At Kandy, we got great views over the lake and visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth is a must. Our driver was really informative and a good guide, especially at the Temple with his knowledge as a practising Buddhist. We skipped over several…”

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