Sri Lanka · HIKING TOURS IN KANDY

The 14 Hiking Tours in Kandy We Would Take Again

14 tours  ·  from $50

Every Sri Lankan itinerary ends up one free day short. These 14 hiking tours in Kandy are the ones that justify the slot, priced and timed so the argument takes minutes.

Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Knuckles Range Treks, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kandy: Knuckles Mountain Range Guided Trekking Tour

1.Knuckles Mountain Range Guided Trekking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 54 reviews · 10 hours · from $70Our pick

Spend 10 hours hiking the Knuckles Mountain Range with a private English-speaking guide such as Andrew, Vasantha, Murli, or Pubudu. Travel from Kandy by tuk-tuk or van, walk through rice fields, villages, rainforest, and waterfalls, and stop for local food, wildlife insights, and a swim. The hike is scenic but includes steep, wet, uneven sections and leeches.

“Andrew was really nice and knowledgeable! had a great time around the Forrest and trek is challenging however doable for all.”

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Knuckles Mountain Hiking - Tea fields, rice fields and the first change in scenery
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Knuckles Range Treks, Tour Reviews

Knuckles Mountain Hiking

2.Knuckles Mountain Hiking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $90Top rated

Spend a demanding day in Sri Lanka’s Knuckles Range with guide Niroshan, hiking through rice and tea fields, bamboo and cloud forest before reaching waterfalls and valley viewpoints. Private transport from Kandy, a picnic lunch, snacks and water are included. Bring sturdy shoes, leech socks and rain gear.

“We did a two day Trekking tour with Niro and it was the absolute best! Although we are two women (24, 32) traveling together we never felt unsafe or uneasy at any point, thanks to Niro.”

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Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy - Tea Trails, Bridges, and Bush Forest
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Knuckles Range Treks, Leopard Safaris, Tour Reviews

Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy

3.Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $100

Leave Kandy early for a private hike through the Knuckles Conservation Forest. Your guide leads you along tea trails, rocky paths, wooden bridges, dwarf forest, bamboo, and quiet mountain tracks. A picnic lunch, bottled water, tea or coffee, park fees, and private transport are included. Guides may include Manju, Shyamal, or Lakmal.

“The hike was unique, you can’t experience that on your own and Shyamal and his lovely driver were the perfect guide for it! First they took me to a coffee place were we also had some local food and after that they drove me to the starting poiRead more”

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From Kandy: All Inclusive Adams Peak Epic Guided Hike - Leaving Kandy after dark
Adam's Peak Hikes, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Tour Reviews

From Kandy: All Inclusive Adams Peak Epic Guided Hike

4.All Inclusive Adams Peak Epic Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 25 reviews · 15 hours · from $100

Leave Kandy late at night for a private, guided ascent of Adams Peak, also called Sri Pada. Guide Priyantha has helped hikers manage the long climb, while drivers such as Safeer and Ahamed handle the mountain transfer. Expect steep steps, cold air, a sunrise summit, breakfast, and a very long day.

“The experience was excellent from start to finish. The driver, Ahamed, provided a safe and smooth transfer, was punctual, and very attentive to my needs. The guide, Priyantha, was knowledgeable and shared interesting facts about the places we visited. He was especially helpful in finding the best spots to watch the sunrise. While the activity is a bit physically challenging, it is absolutely worth the effort. I highly recommend this tour!”

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Knuckles Spice Trail Trek from Kandy - Tea plantations and mountain views
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Knuckles Range Treks, Tour Reviews

Knuckles Spice Trail Trek from Kandy

5.Knuckles Spice Trail Trek from Kandy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $85

Leave Kandy early for a private 7 to 9-hour Knuckles Mountain Range trek with guide Lakmal and driver Leslie. Walk tea estate paths, pine and eucalyptus forest, rice terraces, spice gardens, and a traditional village. Swim in a natural pool, enjoy picnic lunch, and expect 10 to 15 km of smooth, medium-grade walking.

“We had such an amazing time on this trip. I would highly recommend this trek, Lakmal really knows his stuff and is a joy to hike with. The highlight was the swim in the natural pool and the home cooked meal at our lively hosts. Would 100% recommend and do again when we come back to Sri Lanka!”

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Knuckles Spice Trail Trek from Kandy - Tea plantations and mountain views
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Knuckles Range Treks, Tour Reviews

Knuckles Spice Trail Trek from Kandy

6.Knuckles Spice Trail Trek from Kandy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 8 hours · from $101

Leave Kandy early for a private 10 to 15 km trek through tea estates, pine and eucalyptus forest, rice terraces, spice gardens, and a traditional village. An English-speaking guide such as Lakmal or Ashoke leads the walk, with a waterfall swim and local lunch included.

“We hebben genoten. Het eerste gedeelte was volle bak regen en de bloedzuigers wisten ons ook te vinden. Toen het droog werd en bij de waterval kwamen werd het minder drassig en hebben ontzettend veel planten, vruchten, fruit, kruiden en specerijen gezien. Hele mooie tocht van 14 km. Lakmal onze gids was een topgids wist veel te vertellen over alles wat we tegen kwamen. Lunch bij locals alles vers en een perfecte kokkin. Kortom een mooie tocht en een prachtig gebied.”

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Knuckles five Peaks hiking and Waterfall - Jodu Ella and its twin cascades
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Knuckles five Peaks hiking and Waterfall

7.Knuckles five Peaks hiking and Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $79

Join guide Sumeda for an eight-and-a-half-hour private hike from Kandy into Sri Lanka’s Knuckles Mountain Range. You’ll walk through forest, learn about local plants, animals, history, and culture, enjoy a picnic lunch, and visit the twin 45-meter cascades of Jodu Ella. Moderate fitness is required.

“Sumeda, a companion on our adventure and not just a tour guide. His passion for his work, his in-depth knowledge of the area, and his attention and sensitivity towards us participants transformed a pleasant day immersed in the lush naturRead more”

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Kandy to Knuckles: Overnight Trekking & Hiking Adventure - Waterfalls, village paths, and forest species
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Kandy to Knuckles: Overnight Trekking & Hiking Adventure

8.Kandy to Knuckles: Overnight Trekking & Hiking Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6 reviews · 2 days · from $210

Leave Kandy early for a private two-day Knuckles trek with an English-speaking guide. Walk through villages, forests, and waterfalls, camp in a simple tent, enjoy a BBQ beneath the stars, and climb to 1,856 meters. Guides such as Sachin and Manju have been praised for patient guiding and strong knowledge of local plants and wildlife.

“Het was een fantastische ervaring. Helaas was ik wel de enige voor deze hike. Maar dat maakte de gids niks uit. Ik heb genoten van de uitzichten, het verblijf in het kamp, het eten, het kampvuur en de zorg die de gids voor mij draagde. Fantastisch!”

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Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy - Tea Trails, Bridges, and Bush Forest
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Knuckles Range Treks, Leopard Safaris, Tour Reviews

Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy

9.Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 1 day · from $108

Leave Kandy early for a 6 to 7 hour guided hike through tea trails, bush forest, rocky plateaus, and dwarf cloud forest. Guide Ashoke is praised for spotting plants, herbs, animal signs, and leopard tracks. Expect waterfalls, a natural pool, mountain views, mud, rain, and a demanding 16 to 21 km route.

“Great experience, very knowledgeable guide, especially about herbs and spices. we really enjoyed the day, could not have done it without an expert guide.”

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Knuckles Mountain Range Hiking and Trekking Day Tour From Kandy Hotels - The early ride from Kandy to the trailhead
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Knuckles Mountain Range Hiking and Trekking Day Tour From Kandy Hotels

10.Knuckles Mountain Range Hiking and Trekking Day Tour From Kandy Hotels

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $75

Leave your Kandy hotel early for a private jeep trip to the Knuckles Mountain Range. A naturalist guide leads the 22-kilometer round-trip hike through a UNESCO-listed forest area, with lunch, refreshments, entrance fees, and hotel transport included. Expect a long, physically demanding day.

“Wir wurden um 6Uhr vom Hotel in Kandy abgeholt und es ging dann erstmal knapp 2 Std zu einem Dorf wo wir Singhalesisches Frühstück bekamen. Von dort war es nur noch 1km bis zum Start. Wir hatten unseren eigenen Guide, weRead more”

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From Kandy: Adams Peak Guided hike via Peak Wilderness - The night transfer from Kandy to Nallathanniya
Adam's Peak Hikes, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, National Parks, Tour Reviews

From Kandy: Adams Peak Guided hike via Peak Wilderness

11.Adams Peak Guided hike via Peak Wilderness

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 3 reviews · 1 day · from $85

Leave Kandy at night for Nallathanniya, then climb Adam’s Peak by torchlight with an English-speaking guide. You’ll tackle the Mahagiridambe stone steps, reach the summit before dawn, enjoy refreshments, watch sunrise, and descend by the Murray Estate route. A private trip with dinner, breakfast, snacks, water, transport, and entrance fees included.

“Wir wurden um 22:30 Uhr am Hotel abgeholt. Kurz nach 01:00 Uhr starteten wir den Aufstieg mit unserem Guide. Dank ihm hatten wir den besten Platz, um den Sonnenaufgang zu sehen. Der Sonnenaufgang am Adams Peak ist der Wahnsinn und jede einzelne Stufe die zu steigen ist definitiv wert! Danke für dieses wunderbare Erlebnis!”

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Knuckles Mountain Range: Kotaganga Waterfall Chain Hike - Thangappuwa and the first hour on foot
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Knuckles Range Treks, Tour Reviews, Waterfall Tours

Knuckles Mountain Range: Kotaganga Waterfall Chain Hike

12.Knuckles Mountain Range: Kotaganga Waterfall Chain Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1 day · from $80

Leave Kandy at 6:00 am for a private guided hike from Thangappuwa through tea fields, cloud forest, and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. Follow a stream past seven waterfalls, stop for mountain views and a picnic lunch, and return in the late afternoon. Guides Mayo and Mayura are praised for their English and eye for wildlife.

“Otrolig gudie!! Jättesnäll, hjälpsam, trevlig, bra engelska, mån om att peka ut unika djur och växtarter.”

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Pekoe Trail Stage 1- Scenic Trek from Hanthana to Galaha - Hanthana Mountain Range: the starting point
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Tour Reviews

Pekoe Trail Stage 1- Scenic Trek from Hanthana to Galaha

13.Pekoe Trail Stage 1- Scenic Trek from Hanthana to Galaha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $50Best value

Join guide Thilanka for a roughly four-hour private walk from Hanthana to Galaha on Stage 1 of Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail. Expect tea plantations, forest paths, rural villages, mountain views, and plenty of chances to spot birds and insects. Pickup is offered, and the walk returns you to the Kandy meeting point.

“It was a great hike. The guide was super kind and gave me a lot of information about the hike and the surroundings. He was very friendly. You could also have a nice exchange about the country in general, and he gave great tips for places and shops. Nature lovers definitely have to join this tour. Various animals and insects could be observed.”

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Private Sri Lanka Tour & Hike Experience to Ambuluwawa Tower - The forest hike to the tower
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Sri Lanka Tour & Hike Experience to Ambuluwawa Tower

14.Private Sri Lanka Tour & Hike Experience to Ambuluwawa Tower

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $95

You’ll ride from Kandy with a private English-speaking guide, hike through forest to Ambuluwawa Tower, and climb its narrow spiral stairway for wide views over hills, waterfalls, and villages. The day also includes Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian religious structures, lunch in Gampola, bottled water, and hotel pickup. Guide Raj has led one especially praised outing.

“Absolutely incredible tour. The views were incredible at the top of the tower. This was like nothing we ever experienced. Thanks to the team for running an amazing tour. Highly recommend!”

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