Kandy to Minneriya day tour departs from Kandy after breakfast at the overnight hotel. Minneriya is located in the North Central province, about a 3-hour trip from Kandy. Minneriya is a hotspot for tourists because of the Minneriya Lake and Minneriya National Park.

Our first stop will be at the Matale Muthumariamman Hindu temple, which is located near the main highway through Matale and is a tall, animatedly decorated structure. These noticeable towers are called Gopurams, and they contain hundreds of vivid sculptures in a gorgeous variety of colors. Committed to the Hindu goddess of Mariamman, who is believed to be related to the fertility of women, the protector of diseases, and the provider of rain. The temple was built in 1852 by Thiyagaraja Chettiar. It’s a tourist attraction that you can never miss.

Next up is Hiriwadunna Village, which is located near Habarana Town and is a beautiful, tiny rural village. With a small population of about 2500 people, it is a fascinating way to witness the typical Sri Lankan village life. In addition, you can enjoy bullock cart rides, canoe rides, and taste a delicious traditional Sri Lankan lunch. The village is laid back and peaceful, with birds singing and refreshing breezes of wind through the paddy fields.

Minneriya National Park

Then the final destination is the Minneriya National Park. It is a massive 8,889.4 hectares of wilderness. It was originally declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1938 and changed into a national park in 1997. It is home to many species, from butterflies to elephants. Research accounts for the number of elephants to be up to 700. Travel through the park will be on safari jeeps as they are built to spot animals easily. Elephants are the main attraction here, and they roam freely. They tend to migrate here because of the food and water here. The Minneriya tank is a hotspot in the park for spotting elephants. However, the rare encounters with Sri Lankan leopards are very exciting because they do not come out easily. A visit to the Minneriya National Park is a must if you love wildlife.

Then we will be heading directly back to Kandy. There you will finish your Kandy to Minneriya day Tour with us!