Quick answer
Day 4 of the 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary checks out of Sigiriya after three nights and drives roughly two and a half to three hours south to Kandy, stopping at the Aluvihare rock temple near Matale. The afternoon is for checking in and a walk around Kandy Lake, and the evening is for the puja at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, when drummers play and the relic chamber opens to worshippers. White or light clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected.
Key takeaways
- The drive from Sigiriya to Kandy takes roughly two and a half to three hours via Dambulla and Matale.
- The Aluvihare rock temple near Matale is where Buddhist scripture was first written down on palm leaves, traditionally dated to the first century BC.
- The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic holds daily puja ceremonies, and the evening one is the most atmospheric time to visit.
- Kandy Lake has a walking path of roughly 3 to 4 kilometres around it, a good way to stretch after the drive.
- Kandy is the 10-day route's only one-night stop, because the train to Ella leaves the next morning.
Day 4 of the 10-day itinerary at a glance
Day 4 of the 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary is a gentle travel day with a strong finish. After three nights at Sigiriya there is time for a relaxed breakfast before the drive south through Dambulla and Matale, climbing gradually from the dry zone into the wetter, greener Central Province.
Arriving in Kandy around lunchtime or early afternoon leaves room for a rest before the evening at the temple.
- →Around 8.30am to 9am: check out and leave Sigiriya.
- →Mid-morning: the Aluvihare rock temple near Matale, roughly 45 minutes.
- →Around midday to 1pm: arrive in Kandy and have lunch.
- →Late afternoon: walk around Kandy Lake.
- →Evening: the puja at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
The Aluvihare rock temple on the way to Kandy
The Aluvihare rock temple sits among huge boulders just north of Matale, right beside the Sigiriya to Kandy road. Tradition holds that it was here, around the first century BC, that monks first wrote down the Buddhist scriptures on palm leaves, and a small workshop still demonstrates the technique.
The cave shrines are smaller and less polished than Dambulla's but far quieter, and some of the paintings, including vivid depictions of punishments in the afterlife, surprise most visitors. Allow roughly 45 minutes and wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
Stops to skip on the Sigiriya to Kandy road
The Matale stretch of the Sigiriya to Kandy road is lined with spice gardens, and many drivers are paid a commission to stop at them. Some offer a genuine short tour, but most end in a hard sell of oils and powders at high prices, and on the 10-day route that time is better spent in Kandy.
Wood-carving and batik showrooms follow a similar model. If you would like to see one, set a time limit in advance; if not, say so at the start of the day so your driver can plan around it.
- →Spice gardens near Matale: often commission stops with a sales pitch at the end.
- →Gem museums: similar model; buy gems only from licensed dealers if at all.
- →The Sri Muthumariamman temple in Matale: a colourful Hindu temple and a genuine alternative stop.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the evening puja
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, known locally as the Sri Dalada Maligawa, houses Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist relic and sits beside Kandy Lake in the old royal palace complex. Daily puja ceremonies are held, including one in the evening, when drummers play, flowers and offerings are carried in and the doors of the relic chamber open.
The relic itself is never on display; worshippers file past the golden casket that holds it. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the evening puja, wear white or light clothing that covers shoulders and knees, remove your shoes and hat, and never pose with your back to a Buddha image. Confirm puja times locally, since they can vary.
- →Dress: shoulders and knees covered; white or light colours are respectful.
- →Shoes are left at a shoe counter outside; bring socks for the stone floors.
- →Photography of worshippers during the ceremony is best avoided.
- →The museum and royal palace buildings are included in the complex and worth an hour on their own.
Why Kandy gets one night on the 10-day route
Kandy gets a single night on the 10-day route because its essential experience, the evening puja, fits between an afternoon arrival and the next morning's train. Adding a second night would take a day from Ella or the coast, and most first-time visitors are happier with the extra time in the hills.
Travellers who want more of Kandy, such as the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, a Kandyan dance performance or a walk in the Udawattakele forest, can take the four-base variant of this route, which gives Kandy two nights and removes a hotel change elsewhere.
Planning day 4 of the 10-day route
Choose a Kandy hotel within easy reach of the lake and the temple, since the evening is spent there, and check how far it is from Kandy railway station for the morning train. Hotels on the hills above the lake have views but can mean steep walks or short tuk-tuk rides.
Lankan Stays & Trails drivers take luggage straight on to Ella by road on day 5 while you ride the train, so pack a small day bag in Kandy. Day 5 of this series covers the train itself, including which side to sit on.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Sigiriya to Kandy?
Roughly two and a half to three hours by car, about 90 kilometres via Dambulla and Matale. Stops at the Aluvihare rock temple or in Matale add time. Traffic entering Kandy can be heavy in the late afternoon and around school hours, so arriving by early afternoon is easier.
What time is the evening puja at the Temple of the Tooth?
The evening puja is usually held in the early evening, around dusk, but times can change for festivals and poya days, so confirm locally on the day. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to find a place and leave your shoes at the counter outside.
Is one night in Kandy enough?
On a 10-day route, one night covers the essentials: the lake walk and the evening puja at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then the train to Ella next morning. A second night adds the Peradeniya gardens and a dance show, at the cost of time elsewhere.
What should I wear to the Temple of the Tooth?
Clothing that covers shoulders and knees, ideally white or light in colour. Shoes and hats are removed before entering. A sarong or long skirt works for everyone, and a pair of socks helps on the stone floors, which can be cold in the evening.
Are spice gardens between Sigiriya and Kandy worth visiting?
Most are commission stops that finish with a hard sell of oils and spices at inflated prices. If you are curious, set a strict time limit and do not feel obliged to buy. Otherwise, tell your driver at breakfast that you would rather go straight to Kandy.
Can I see a Kandyan dance show on a one-night stay?
Usually, yes. Kandyan dance performances are typically held in the early evening at several halls in town, but they often overlap with the temple's evening puja. On a one-night stay you will normally need to choose one, and most travellers choose the temple.