Quick answer
Day 5 of the 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary for Swiss travellers is the transfer from the Cultural Triangle to Kandy, a drive of roughly three hours, followed by an afternoon or evening visit to the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) and a walk around Kandy Lake. Many travellers time their temple visit around an evening puja, a chanting and drumming ceremony held a few times daily, before an early night ahead of the transfer into hill country on day six.
Key takeaways
- The Cultural Triangle to Kandy transfer takes roughly three hours, arriving with enough of the afternoon left for sightseeing.
- The Temple of the Tooth houses a relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha and is one of the most significant Buddhist sites on the island.
- Evening puja ceremonies, held a few times daily at the temple, add chanting and drumming to the visit and are worth timing the day around.
- Kandy Lake, an artificial lake in the centre of town, offers an easy evening walk within a few minutes of the temple.
- Modest dress covering shoulders and knees, plus removing shoes and hats, is required to enter the Temple of the Tooth.
The transfer from the Cultural Triangle to Kandy
The drive from the Cultural Triangle to Kandy covers roughly three hours, moving from the drier plains of Habarana or Sigiriya into increasingly hilly, greener terrain as the road climbs towards the central highlands. The scenery shifts noticeably over the course of the drive, which makes it feel shorter than a similar transfer on flatter ground.
Departing after breakfast typically allows arrival in Kandy by early-to-mid afternoon, leaving enough daylight for the Temple of the Tooth and a lake walk before dinner.
- →Typical drive time: roughly three hours from the Cultural Triangle to Kandy.
- →Recommended departure: mid-morning, after breakfast at the Cultural Triangle base.
- →Terrain shifts from dry plains to green hills over the course of the journey.
The Temple of the Tooth
The Temple of the Tooth, known locally as Sri Dalada Maligawa, houses a relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha and is one of the most venerated Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka, drawing both pilgrims and visitors. The relic itself is kept within an inner chamber and is not directly viewable, but the surrounding temple complex, with its carved doorways, museum and shrine rooms, is open to visitors.
Many travellers time their visit around one of the daily puja ceremonies, when drummers and chanting accompany the ritual opening of the inner chamber's doors, adding a layer of atmosphere beyond a straightforward walk-through visit.
Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees covered, and shoes and hats removed before entering, so comfortable footwear that is easy to slip on and off is worth planning for.
- →The relic is believed to be a tooth of the Buddha, housed in an inner chamber not directly visible to visitors.
- →Puja ceremonies, with drumming and chanting, are held a few times daily; confirm current timings before you go.
- →Modest dress required: shoulders and knees covered, shoes and hats removed.
A walk around Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake, an artificial lake created in the early 19th century at the centre of town, sits within a few minutes' walk of the Temple of the Tooth and offers an easy, flat loop that suits an evening stroll after a day of driving and sightseeing. The walk takes in views back towards the temple and the surrounding hills, and is a pleasant way to close out the day without further exertion.
Kandy in the evening has a noticeably cooler, calmer feel than the Cultural Triangle, a preview of the further temperature drop that hill country brings on day six and seven.
Rounding out one evening in Kandy
With only one night in Kandy on this route, the evening is best kept to the temple visit, the lake walk and dinner, rather than trying to add further sightseeing such as the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, which suits a different, longer stay in Kandy if that interests you.
An early dinner and an early night set up day six's transfer into hill country, which itself involves either a scenic train journey or a further multi-hour drive depending on which option is chosen.
Why Kandy gets one night on this route
A single night in Kandy reflects the ten-day route's overall pace: enough time for the temple, the lake and a proper night's rest, without stretching the trip beyond ten days by adding a second Kandy night that would come at the expense of hill country or the south coast.
Lankan Stays & Trails schedules Kandy as a one-night stop by default on this itinerary, though travellers with a particular interest in the Royal Botanical Gardens or a slower pace can discuss extending it when planning the trip.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from the Cultural Triangle to Kandy?
Roughly three hours, with the terrain shifting from the dry plains around Habarana or Sigiriya to increasingly green, hilly country as the road climbs towards Kandy.
What should you wear to visit the Temple of the Tooth?
Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is required, and shoes and hats must be removed before entering, so footwear that is easy to slip on and off is worth choosing for this visit.
What is a puja ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth?
A puja is a ritual ceremony held a few times daily, involving drumming and chanting during the ceremonial opening of the inner chamber housing the relic. Timing a visit around one adds atmosphere beyond a standard walk-through.
Is one night enough in Kandy on a 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary?
For most first-time travellers, yes. One night allows time for the Temple of the Tooth and a walk around Kandy Lake, though travellers with more interest in Kandy specifically, such as the Royal Botanical Gardens, can discuss extending it.
What is there to do near the Temple of the Tooth in the evening?
Kandy Lake, an easy flat walking loop a few minutes from the temple, is the standard evening activity, offering views back towards the temple and the surrounding hills before dinner.
Can you see the actual tooth relic at the Temple of the Tooth?
No, the relic itself is kept within an inner chamber and is not directly viewable by visitors, though the surrounding temple complex, including shrine rooms and a museum, is open to visit.