Garden Tours · SRI LANKA
Good garden tours in Sri Lanka fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 11 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Tour Ella’s largest spice garden, cook seven Sri Lankan dishes over a traditional fireplace, then enjoy your meal on banana leaves.
“Very nice spice gardeb tour and interactive cooking workshop.”
Learn Sri Lankan rice and curry at a small Sigiriya cooking class, pick garden produce, cook with a local host, and eat your results.
“It is a very nice experience to cook with a local who knows Sri-Lankan cooking, especially when you like the food. It's a great traditional kitchen and everything is clean and wel prepared. The tour through the garden is a bit thin since the garden was not really wel kept jet. I would absolutely recommend the course although its a bit expensive.”
See elephants bathe and play at Pinnawala, with Colombo pickup, transport, entry, snacks, and optional spice garden stop.
“Thank you from the bottom of hearts ❤️ What an amazing tour with our amazing guide Pradeep. We were so surprised about the beauty of Sri Lanka which has totally take us by our hearts ♥️ We loved it all and will for sure come back to experience much more of the country, culture and the kindness of the Sri Lanka people. What a day!!! We will never forget the knowledge from Pradeep, our guide, about all we saw and the deep knowledge of the country, its politic, food and much much more ❤️ Thank you to Pradeep for your friendship for the day of wonderful moments which will forever…”
Cruise Sri Lanka’s Madu River through mangroves, spot crocodiles, visit a cinnamon island and temple, and enjoy a relaxed 1 to 2 hour boat tour.
“We had the boat to ourselves and our young guide was so great at spotting things of interest in the undergrowth. It was relaxing and fascinating all at once! As it was just us we picked the stops we wanted and not those we didn't! He found jellyfish, baby alligators and huge lizard. We visited a cinnamon island and saw lots of different plants and enjoyed the breeze of the river boat at speed!”
Review of Sri Lanka’s Warala Watta spice tour, with cinnamon making, farm tastings, factory visit, price, tips, and practical advice.
“Le cadre est magnifique, en plein cœur d’un jardin paisible où l’on découvre chaque étape de la transformation de la cannelle. Le guide était passionné et très pédagogue : on apprend énormément tout en profitant d’une visite agréable et interactive. Je recommande à 100% Une expérience incontournable si vous êtes dans la région”
Review of Ella’s $25 cinnamon, spice garden and waterfall tour, with river swimming, lunch advice, transport details, and honest drawbacks.
“The spice garden was aimed at tourists shopping at inflated prices. The cinnamon “education” lasted only two minutes. We were taken to a temple for an hour, where a monk gave a tour in barely understandable English and didn’t let us leave until we gave a donation. The waterfalls were beautiful, but we had to pay extra to see them.”
Review the $45 Sigiriya to Kandy transfer with Dambulla Temple, a spice garden, scenic countryside, practical tips, and honest drawbacks.
“parfait ! conducteur très sympa et très arrangeant. attention au Spice garden où ils essayent de vous vendre tout et n'importe quoi à des prix très élevés. temple de Dambulla, 2000 par personne + pourboires pour laisser vos chaussures et pour emprunter un foulard si vous n'avez pas la bonne tenue !”
Explore Ella’s Nine Arch Spice Garden, learn Sri Lankan cooking, enjoy six curries, and shop for fragrant spices in a small group.
Review of Sri Lanka’s Lunuganga and Brief Gardens tour, with Bawa architecture, hotel transfers, pricing, timing, and practical advice.
“Thank you so much for your lovely comment! 🌿✨ We’re truly happy to hear that you found the Lunuganga & Brief Garden Tour enjoyable. These beautiful gardens are a special part of Sri Lanka’s heritage, and it means a lot to know you had a great experience with us. We hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable journey with Sign of Lanka! 🙏”
Review of Kandy’s private walking tour, Temple of the Tooth, lake, market, viewpoint, and tuk tuk ride to Peradeniya Gardens.
“Even if Kandy doesn't have a lot to see this tour brings out the best in only a few hours. Beautiful gardens and great temples.”
Review of a private Sigiriya to Kandy transfer with Dambulla Cave Temple, herbal garden, Matale kovil, and air-conditioned transport.
“Kind courteous driver who looked after us well. As we had already visited the Dambulla Cave temple they were happy to take us to the Popham Arboretum instead (which i highly recommend) Yes the Spice Garden stop is really a sales opportunity rather than a real attraction but is to be expected.”
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