Colombo, Kandy & Pinnawala Day Trip: A Detailed Review

Is planning a trip to Sri Lanka on your mind? Very well, I once thought about doing just that, and I discovered that, actually, many tours attempt to cram Colombo, Kandy, and Pinnawala into just one day. As I remember, it seemed awfully ambitious, and the tour I booked turned out to be very memorable, like your very own action movie, only hopefully much less dangerous. I was very keen to share all about my experience. This review of the Colombo, Kandy, and Pinnawala day trip is filled with what I experienced, like, tips I would like to give you, and the sorts of things you need to consider. I’m very ready to help you determine if this particular whirlwind adventure is actually, the correct option for you.

What to anticipate

Usually, the day started early, really before sunrise for many. Tour operators usually offered a pickup from, very often, Colombo hotels. The journey begins with, naturally, a rather long drive to Pinnawala, apparently the home to the Elephant Orphanage. The sanctuary offers, seemingly, a unique opportunity to see these wonderful animals really up close, even as they bathe and, obviously, play in the nearby river. Moving on from there, the trip swings onward towards Kandy. Often Kandy is a city that holds significant religious, well, cultural, and historical importance to the region, a visit that often includes stops at, maybe, the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Then there is the exploration, seemingly, of a tea factory where you will experience the tea-making process from start to finish. Later there is, generally, the return trip back to Colombo, late into the evening. Long day? Certainly.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: Like getting up close to giants

Very well, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is, for me, one of the high spots of the whole trip. Apparently, founded to care for orphaned and injured elephants, this place allows you to see the animals basically roaming around in a somewhat, let’s say, natural environment. In the morning you will be able to observe feeding time which is something special to observe and there are, what else, bathing times when the entire herd moves down to the river. This creates great photographic opportunities and allows for interactions with the elephants in ways which is typically not possible when compared to national park visits.

Considerations: Actually, it’s almost important to be aware that as a place with significant tourist footfall, Pinnawala, naturally, can get extremely crowded. Some have voiced ethical concerns as it relates to animal tourism, yet Pinnawala has, more or less, a commitment to, well, the welfare of its elephants which tends to be quite clear. Like your visit, I really think it contributes to, perhaps, the local economy and does really help support the ongoing conservation efforts there.

Kandy: Spirituality, culture and great views.

Kandy will be the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Often the highlight happens to be, basically, a visit to the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa), you know, it is thought to house a tooth relic of Buddha. I find the atmosphere, with all those rituals and the devoted pilgrims, absolutely breathtaking. Apparently, the temple’s design and all that artwork are amazing, really providing deep insights into Sri Lankan traditions.

Then there is the panoramic views from the city, they can be observed up above Kandy Lake, or from the higher points dotted across the landscape, or possibly even both if you feel ambitious. Kandy has something to offer to everybody, as the views capture that natural beauty set alongside the historical buildings.

Considerations: Being like one of Sri Lanka’s holiest sites it’s almost vital to be dressed appropriately to gain entry, so, you know, clothing which covers your shoulders and your knees is absolutely a must. Furthermore, photography is not permitted in some areas. Then there’s the crowds, Kandy draws tourists, both locals and international travellers, this may impact on your experience; patience really is key for these events.

Tea Factory visit: Where the Magic happens.

You can see how Sri Lanka earned a reputation for all things tea at the tea factory, which provides that insight. So the tour shows off all parts of how the stuff is made. It shows the whole process from picking those special leaves up until how that leaf gets converted for a drink that can go straight into your cup.

Guided tours will really tell you everything and teach you how to make something really good. To, actually, bring that whole adventure home there are opportunities available, which can teach any beginner, something that turns this into something fun for anyone with just that little interest in, of course, the tea.

Considerations: Those tours could be better during that harvest, also that flavour could alter the tea from those other seasons, there may not always be every tea type accessible for tasting. Then there could always be buying things like certain factory purchases, maybe they aren’t cheaper for everything, so have that thought while you compare.

What goes well

It would be reasonable to expect there’s some advantages of taking any day tour:

Everything planned: So there’s actually all plans that can handle transport and the entryway logistics at some different destinations allowing something relaxing.
Efficient experience: Any day will offer more than just things through the country; something done without the requirement of long travels and more plans made.
Trained Guides: Trained professionals could explain everything for each site allowing an enriched journey with different cultural insights or context to them.

Something’s missing?

So the one day schedule presents its set in difficulties:

Something gets quick: When doing things in just that limited window, one only gets shallow appreciation in regard to more details while some attractions seem quick without getting deep details from everything.
Spending long for travel: More for these days, more time does move toward road transports decreasing time when arriving; roads can lead one to actually extend what’s typically long while someone is going between destinations which affects all site visiting enjoyment.
A very intense time: Then trips pack up with many travels; these can feel tired because there can exist restricted relaxed periods, leading to one missing aspects out through exhaustion there at journeys end because travels tire them when that travel is prolonged

Making your day go how you like it

When someone chooses to take on their Colombo, or Kandy to Pinnawala that full days journey that allows just that wonderful venture while ensuring everything moves like someone does wants; give it thought.

Get realistic at all sites: You will feel its right whenever focusing primarily where there are your greater passions which does make the trip become, anyway, even less intense where those other highlights end quickly or do go reduced; go do everything, basically.
Expect there will happen travels: You should prepare ahead as any journey consumes time because then anyone expects delays allowing someone maintaining patience instead if pushing onward always to feel anxious!
Having those local knowledges help there: Get questions on every operator around every sites or even activities that happens when seeing it, or finding some better dining choices with those different adventures where local engagement offers real enhanced visits compared against things found only with tours on the service.

Summary

Those travels through Colombo, the city which, somehow, does pass into those hills to those places holding elephants alongside places filled through tea are very ambitious indeed for anyone spending an entire day, and, as I understand it, even though there does comes those quick memories which does create a possibility with those journeys through one day someone takes there’s often limits where some cannot possibly, actually, know better when those trips need some longer moments so individuals enjoy their moments deeply plus take any travels feeling stress free or more intense!

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