Sri Lanka: Temple, Hill Station & Waterfall — 3 Days

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains, with white water rafting in Kitulgala

This three-day circuit moves from Sri Lanka's cultural heartland through the central highlands and returns via an active adventure. The itinerary begins in Kandy, where the Temple of the Tooth Relic stands as the country's most significant Buddhist shrine, then ascends to Nuwara Eliya, the island's highest town, situated among working tea estates and colonial-era architecture. The final day combines a four-hour nature trail through Horton Plains National Park — a high-altitude plateau with distinct ecology — followed by white water rafting on the Kelani River at Kitulgala before returning to Colombo. Accommodation is provided in mid-range hotels in both upland towns, with transfers throughout by private vehicle and English-speaking driver.

Highlights

Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, the most venerated Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka
Tea plantation and factory visit in Nuwara Eliya showing production methods
Four-hour nature trail to Baker's Waterfall and World's End viewpoint in Horton Plains National Park
White water rafting on the Kelani River at Kitulgala
Evening walk around Lake Gregory in Nuwara Eliya

Day by day

1Colombo to Kandy: Temple of the Tooth RelicColombo to Kandy · Temple of the Tooth Relic · Hotel Thilanka

Meet your driver in Colombo for the three-hour transfer to Kandy. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka's most venerated Buddhist site. Overnight at Hotel Thilanka.

2Nuwara Eliya: Tea Plantations and Lake GregoryNuwara Eliya · Lake Gregory · hotel · tea plantation and factory · Glennfall Reach Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel before the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Nuwara Eliya. Visit a tea plantation and factory to see production stages. Evening walk around Lake Gregory. Overnight at Glennfall Reach Hotel.

3Horton Plains Trek and Kitulgala RaftingHorton Plains National Park · Baker's Waterfall · World's End viewpoint · Kelani River · Kitulgala to Colombo

A four-hour nature trail through Horton Plains National Park reaches Baker's Waterfall and World's End viewpoint. Descend to Kitulgala for white water rafting on the Kelani River, then transfer to Colombo—approximately two-and-a-half hours by road.

Where you go

Map: Sri Lanka: Temple, Hill Station & Waterfall — 3 Days route — Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

1Temple of the Tooth Relic
2Nuwara Eliya
3tea plantation and factory
4Horton Plains National Park
5Baker's Waterfall

Included

Accommodation in mentioned hotels
Meals as per mentioned meal plans
Air conditioned transfers with an English speaking chauffeur guide
All mentioned activities and park entrance fees
Prices may vary plus/minus depending on the season
Accommodation and meals (For 2 Adults)
1 night in Hotel Thilanka on Bed and Breakfast basis
1 night in Glennfall Reach in Nuwara Eliya on Bed and Breakfast basis