Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy worth booking?
Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy is a 10-hour experience in Kandy, Sri Lanka, from $73 per person. It scores 58 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
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $73 per person
This tour takes you to three lesser-known, but amazing, locations in the area of Matale. You will first view the beautiful, historic, and completely mysterious Nalanda Gedige. Then you will have a fun-filled visit in the
What you get
About this experience
This tour takes you to three lesser-known, but amazing, locations in the area of Matale. You will first view the beautiful, historic, and completely mysterious Nalanda Gedige. Then you will have a fun-filled visit in the form of the Euphoria Spice and Herbal Gardens in Matale, where you learn more about spices and watch a traditional cooking demo that puts them to good use. You will then move onto a serious note with the secretive and ancient rock temple Aluvihara. Finally, you will visit the spectacular Sembuwatta Lake at sunset, making for some amazing views.
What's included
Included
- Transport by a private air conditioned vehicle.
- 1-Liter Water bottle (per-person).
- Entrance tickets to the visiting sites. (Sembuwatte Lake, Nalanda Gedige, and Matale Aluviharaya)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Kandy.
- Cooking demo at the spice garden.
- Service of an English-speaking chauffeur guide.
- Tuk tuk ride to Sembuwatte Lake.
Not included
- Food and beverages.
- Gratuities (optional).
- Expenses of personal nature.
What you'll see and do
Kandy
Nestled amidst Sri Lanka's lush hill country, Kandy captivates with its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. Home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, it holds a revered place in Buddhist tradition, drawing pilgrims and visitors alike. The city's serene lake, surrounded by verdant hills, offers a tranquil retreat, while its vibrant markets and bustling streets provide a glimpse into local life. With its blend of history, spirituality, and scenic charm, Kandy exudes an enchanting allure.
Pass by without stopping
Nalanda Gedige
Nalanda Gedige is an old Dravidian (Pallava era) structure believed to have been built between the 8th to 10th century. At first view it’s an obviously Hindu temple from the detailed wall and roof architecture, to the little windowless main shrine. However, the ruins of the erotic tantric sculptures, and plain moonstone point to a more Buddhist origin.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Euphoria Spice and Herbal
Euphoria Spice and Herbal is located 12 km away from Matale (The spice capital of Sri Lanka). Enriched with herbs, spice groves and plants with fragrant greenery shading from the tropical trees that enlightens the unique aroma of each spice and herb. We give the opportunity for our visitors to explore and gain knowledge on Sri Lankan spices, herbs and the benefits of Ayurveda. The tropical climate in which our plants and herbs are grown helps them preserve its ancient originality. The educational tour around the garden, which we call “The Spice Tour”, let the visitors feel the sensation of the Sri Lankan spices and herbs which is demonstrated in different foreign languages to suit our customer need.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple
Aluviharaya cave temple in Sri Lanka is a rock-cave temple close to Matale where Buddhist monks wrote the Tripitakas during King Walagamba’s rule. These Tripitakas originally had come down by mere word of mouth by being committed to memory by Buddhist monks of the time.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Sembuwaththa Lake
Sembuwatta is an artificial lake made from a natural spring in the area. It’s famed for its amazing views and natural swimming pool. You will be spending a relaxing hour here, allowing you to take some spectacular photos with the setting sun.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
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 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Lakpura LLC
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A maximum of 8 people per booking
- Comfortable walking shoes and hats are recommended
Photos
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Loved this tour!
Highly recommend this tour and ask for Mohan Anura as your driver/guide. He is excellent and goes out of his way to ensure you are having the best experience. Tuk tuk ride a bit bumpy but great fun and lovely lake view and walk at end of it. Cooking was great fun and then eating it when cooked. Lots of laughs during my husbands cooking experience! Shown round herb garden and informed of benefits the herbs are to our health. Visited Nalanda Gedige (centre of Sri Lanka) and then Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple both of which very interesting. A very well executed tour with professional and excellent tour guide Mohan. We have used Lakpura for private transfers and tours and cannot recommend them highly enough. No hidden costs unlike other tours we have experienced in Sri Lanka and my one regret is we didnt book all our tours with Lakpura. Thankyou Lakpura and all the lovely people/staff we met on our tours Mahesh (his Scottish music), Mohan made our Sri Lankan experience! Sampath our temple guide and our tuk tuk driver….thank you very much Bohoma sthuthi Eileen and Dougie
Response from the operator: J33769U03 Thank you so much for taking the time to review your experience and our service. We are thrilled to hear the lasting impression the experience has left on you, Your wonderful comments and positive feedback are a great incentive for us to further ensure and enhance our level of service for the future as well. We hope to have you again here in Sri Lanka.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $73 to $158
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kandy.
How much does Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy cost?
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Prices start at $73 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 Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy take?
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Plan for about 10 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 Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 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 Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy?
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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 Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy?
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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 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Matale Highlands and Cooking Experience from Kandy 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, Chauffeur guide and Tour organizer. 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.
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