Experiences in Kandy | Timbuktu Travel

Walk with elephants on their own turf in Kandy

Well cared for and utterly majestic, the elephants at the Kandy foundation are a joy to meet. Help the mahout (keeper) as they give out medicine and vitamins, then join an elephant on their walkabout across the grounds. You can also be part of bathtime - but there's a good chance you'll get soaked. Visit the on-site museum to delve into Sri Lanka's complex history with elephants and what the foundation does to protect these gentle giants.

Take a drumming lesson from a pro in Kandy

Journey to a home just outside of central Kandy to learn all about the art of drumming. Your teacher is a professional drummer whose family has been in the 'biz' for generations. Over a cup of Ceylon tea, hear all about the history of different drums and their uses at every occasion from temple rituals to Kandyan festivals. After seeing different percussion techniques in action, join your teacher in a drumming session of your own.

Tour the historic sites of Kandy by tuk tuk

Meet your host at Kandy's shimmering lake, before setting off on a walk to the Garrison cemetery - a place of immense history. On route to your waiting tuk tuk, stroll the grounds of the city's famous Temple of the Tooth. Zoom through Kandy and up into the hills where you'll find a sprawling view of the city. Your guide will share aged tales as you recline in the shadow of a giant Buddha, marvelling at the sights below. Finish off your tour with a visit to Helga's Folly Hotel, where you'll hear its intriguing back story over a cuppa.

Explore a bygone royal garden in Kandy

Udawattakele means, 'the garden above the royal palace', and it's home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Let the macaques charm you as they playfully sway from branch to branch - all set to the tune of a birdsong. Your local guide will talk you through the reserve's history and tell stories still alive in Kandyan culture. Over halfway into the walk, you'll find the Kandy lookout point with a breath-taking vista over the city. Sip on refreshments as you drink in views of the lake and the Temple of the Tooth in all of its splendour.

Tour a tea factory to learn its history in Kandy

A visit to a tea farm has become a staple of every Sri Lanka travel itinerary and for good reason! Sri Lanka is the fourth largest producer of tea in the world and it spans right back to the beginnings of the British Raj. Learn all about this story of locomotives and a rising industry as you tour a an organic tea farm in the Uva Highlands. Stroll through the fields and see just how much work goes into cultivation - you could even pick a few leaves yourself. Finish off the afternoon with a tasting of four hand-made teas overlooking the picturesque Ella Rock. The optional 'Teaology' experience includes a menu of vegetarian dishes matched with the teas on offer.

Tour famous Sri Lankan artists' studios in Kandy

Visit the studio home of two of Sri Lanka’s eminent artists where you'll spend a few cultured hours talking art, philosophy and music. Kandy is a city of art with a knack for producing an eccentric group of creatives, who draw inspiration from the area's lush hills and rich history. Enjoy a walk around the studio where you can admire their impressive collection of artwork at your leisure. This unique visit often ends with a chat over a cup of tea on the veranda - don't be shy about asking to hear some of their original music too!

Visit the temples and markets of central Kandy

This inspiring guided walk through begins by the tranquil lake where you'll hear stories of this ancient kingdom. Journey to the iconic UNESCO-awarded Temple of the Tooth, which houses one of the last remaining relics of Buddha. Gaze with fascination at the city square where a church sits side-by-side with a Kovil (Hindu temple) and the great Red Mosque. Quench your thirst at the lovely Empire Cafe before rounding things off at Kandy Market, which is full of weird and wonderful vegetables, fruits and spices - a true adventure for the senses!

Hike the trails of the remote Knuckles mountains

Spend half a day trekking in the Knuckles Range with your guide, an outdoors enthusiast and knowledgeable naturalist. This is one of Sri Lanka’s most hauntingly beautiful trails! It snakes through the Hill Country, which is home to 40 rural villages and a plethora of endemic wildlife. The rugged terrain is almost always cloaked with a thick mist that hangs spectre-like around the peaks, making it truly off-the-beaten track. You are unlikely to see another soul along the way, it’ll just be you and nature!