Udawatte Kele Sanctuary

This 104-hectare forest reserve sits on the ridge behind the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, and in Kandyan times it was the royal forest above the palace. It became a sanctuary in 1938 and is one of the few intact wet-zone forests beside a major city. Marked trails lead through tall trees and bamboo to a pond, meditation caves and the Kodimale viewpoint over Kandy. It sits below the headline sights but earns its place on a longer visit to Kandy, especially paired with nearby International Buddhist Centre.

Climb forest paths through dense canopy where monkeys crash through branches overhead, pause at clearings to spot colourful birds, and emerge at rocky viewpoints overlooking red rooftops scattered across Kandy's valley bowl surrounded by misty mountains.

Escape city crowds in a protected forest reserve with wildlife spotting opportunities. It is not the first thing you should see in Kandy, but with two or more days it fills a gap the major sights leave. It pairs naturally with International Buddhist Centre and National Museum of Kandy - together they fill a solid half-day. Mornings are quieter if you want to take your time.

See where it ranks among the things to do in Kandy. The Kandy guide covers transport, costs and when to go.

We plan trips to Kandy and the rest of Sri Lanka. Tell us your dates and we will put a route together. Our routes are on the tours page.