Kandy was the last royal capital of Sri Lanka's kings before the island came under British rule in 1815, and it is still the country's cultural and spiritual heart. Set around a lake in green hills at the edge of the hill country, it is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the most important Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka, and the whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At around 500 metres above sea level, Kandy is pleasant all year round. For something special, time your visit for the Esala Perahera, a spectacular procession of dancers, drummers and elephants held over ten nights in July or August.
One or two nights is enough for the city itself. Kandy is also where the scenic train ride into the tea country begins, towards Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya) and Ella, which makes it a natural stop between the Cultural Triangle and the hills. It's about three hours from Colombo by road.
Every tour can be tailored — combine it with other destinations, add nights or change the pace.
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Climb the Sigiriya rock fortress, explore the carved sanctuaries of Polonnaruwa and pay respects at Kandy's Temple of the Tooth on a 4-day journey through Sri Lanka's UNESCO heartland.
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