Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour
Kandy, Sri Lanka

Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour

Outty Ranking 54 5.0 · 1 traveler reviews8 hoursFrom $140
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Outty Ranking

54/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour worth booking?

Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour is a 8-hour experience in Kandy, Sri Lanka, from $140 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
54 / 100
Rating
5/5 (1)
Duration
8 hours
From
$140 per person

Two of Sri Lanka's most scenic mountain roads are between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya: A5 crossing the tea region of Nuwara Eliya and A7 along Hatton crossing Sri Lanka's largest tea region, that of Dimbula. Our sightseeing day-trip includes both of them to show you the very heart of the island's central highlands. Starting at 800m above sea level, you will reach an altitude of 2031 m (at Top Pass) and spend half of the tour above 1800 m, which is the best altitude for growing tea. Almost all day long, you can enjoy highland vistas and the intense green colour of tea plantations stretching till the horizon. You will take breaks at several waterfalls and a spice garden and a tea factory, plus half an hour hiking between tea bushes at a very scenic spot, and having a small city tour in our “Little England”. Our experienced drivers are known for careful driving. They have been doing these tours for 5 years. Their cultural & historical expertise well-founded.

What you get

    About this experience

    Two of Sri Lanka's most scenic mountain roads are between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya: A5 crossing the tea region of Nuwara Eliya and A7 along Hatton crossing Sri Lanka's largest tea region, that of Dimbula. Our sightseeing day-trip includes both of them to show you the very heart of the island's central highlands. Starting at 800m above sea level, you will reach an altitude of 2031 m (at Top Pass) and spend half of the tour above 1800 m, which is the best altitude for growing tea. Almost all day long, you can enjoy highland vistas and the intense green colour of tea plantations stretching till the horizon. You will take breaks at several waterfalls and a spice garden and a tea factory, plus half an hour hiking between tea bushes at a very scenic spot, and having a small city tour in our “Little England”. Our experienced drivers are known for careful driving. They have been doing these tours for 5 years. Their cultural & historical expertise well-founded.

    What's included

    Included

    • Cup of Black Tea at Damro Tea Factory
    • Total Parking charges
    • Air-Conditioned vehicle
    • Cup of Herbal Tea at Spice Garden
    • Knowledgeable English speaking driver
    • Passenger Insurance cover 500,000 LKR P.P
    • Road Tax & Insurance Tax
    • Total fuel cost
    • 1000 ml bottled drinking water per person
    • Replacement vehicle in case of unlucky events - with new driver

    Not included

    • Entry fees of visiting site or activities
    • Extra person in vehicle other than those who booked
    • Extra excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
    • Food, meals, other beverages than water

    What you'll see and do

    1. Udapalatha

      Take your break at Surathura Spice & Herbal Garden in Udapalatha, see tropical spice plants and learn more about herbs used in traditional Ayurveda and enjoy the welcome cup of herbal tea.

      30 minutes here

    2. Ramboda Waterfall

      Ramboda, halfway between Gampola and Nuwara Eliya, is famous for its vistas to the lakes in Kotmale valley and several waterfalls along the road, the twin waterfall Puna Ella can be seen from a distance, when heaving a break at the observation platform, whereas Ramboda Falls in the narrow sense is situated in the garden of a hotel and restaurant. You will have an opportunity to go there for a snack or just a short hike.

      30 minutes here

    3. Damro Labookellie Tea Centre and Tea Garden

      When visiting the tea factory of Damro, in one of Sri Lanka's largest tea plantation historically known as Labookellie, you will learn more about all the steps of the tea leaf processing, withering, rolling, oxidation/fermentation, drying, and quality sorting.

      45 minutes here

    4. Nuwara Eliya

      Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s highest situated town. Due to it’s cool climate it attracted English farmers growing potatoes and vegetables and soon afterwards also the colonial high society from Colombo, for enjoying their spare time and exercising their favourite sports. The flair of a British Hill Station is the reason why Nuwara Eliya earned the nickname “Little England”. On your small city tour you will see the post office famous for its English style of timber framing and other colonial buildings such Grand Hotel and Hill Club, have a view to the golf course and the race course and see Gregory Lake outside town.

      90 minutes here

    5. Devon Falls

      On the way back from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy, we will have breaks at the observation platforms near the wide cascades of St. Clair’s Falls, sometimes called Sri Lanka’s “Little Niagara”, and Devon Falls, a classical horse-tail waterfall at a vertical escarpment measuring 100 meters.

      15 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 3 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Lanka Excursions Holidays

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour, photo 2Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour, photo 3Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour, photo 4Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour, photo 5

    Traveler reviews

    1 verified traveler reviews for Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    annalisar903 · May 2025

    1000 times yes

    Nuwan was perhaps the best person we met in Sri Lanka, he literally saved our holiday. His smile captivates you in the first 10 seconds, and for the rest of the time he juggles laughter, preparation and skill in everything he does (even the videos and photos he took of us are something professional!) He is a very knowledgeable guide and relying on him will save you time, money and also you will experience Sri Lanka in total serenity 100% recommended, no one deserves 5 stars more than him! A kiss from the engineer and his partner.

    Response from the operator: Grazie mille per le gentili parole di apprezzamento per i miei servizi. È stato un piacere viaggiare con voi, e tutto prende davvero vita quando gli ospiti si divertono e quando spiegazioni e piccole battute vengono accolte con piacere

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    Good to know

    Duration
    8 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    0
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Lanka Excursions Holidays, who run 17 experiences we rank across 8 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 48.5.

    See everything Lanka Excursions Holidays runs

    Why this scores 54

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)91
    Review evidence (18% weight)13
    Booking momentum (14% weight)0
    Value for money (12% weight)27
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)51
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kandy.

    How much does Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour cost?

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    Prices start at $140 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kandy usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour take?

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    Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kandy is not rushed.

    Is Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kandy, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour?

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    Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kandy can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kandy and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kandy within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Kandy?

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    On Outty we rank every Kandy experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Explore Kandy City Tour by Tuk Tuk, Tours and Transportation in Sri Lanka, Kandy City Tour By Best Guide Lanka Tours. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Kandy?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Kandy?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour?

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    Included: Cup of Black Tea at Damro Tea Factory; Total Parking charges; Air-Conditioned vehicle; Cup of Herbal Tea at Spice Garden; and Knowledgeable English speaking driver. Not included: Entry fees of visiting site or activities; Extra person in vehicle other than those who booked; Extra excursions not mentioned in the itinerary; and Food, meals, other beverages than water. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 138 listed pickup locations in and around Kandy. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time.

    What languages is Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour offered in?

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    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Kandy. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Day-trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Highlands - Highlight Tour.

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