Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
A half-day guided walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, near Kandy – Sri Lanka's largest botanical garden, with over 4,000 plant species, an orchid house, royal palm avenues and a giant Java fig tree.
- Location: Kandy
- Duration: Half Day
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best time: Open daily, all year. Visit in the morning for cooler weather and better light for photos. Kandy's driest months are roughly January to April. Weekends and public holidays are busier with local visitors.
About this experience
The Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya visit is a half-day guided walk (about 2 to 3 hours) through Sri Lanka's largest and best-known botanical garden, about 6 km from Kandy. The gardens cover about 60 hectares on a bend of the Mahaweli River, Sri Lanka's longest river. It suits all ages, nature lovers and photographers. What is the history of Peradeniya Gardens? The site was once a royal pleasure garden of the Kandyan kings. The British formally established it as a botanic garden in 1843. During the Second World War it was the headquarters of Lord Mountbatten's South East Asia Command. What will you see? 1. The orchid house, with dozens of orchid species. 2. Royal palm and cabbage palm avenues, the gardens' most photographed walkways. 3. The great Java fig tree, whose canopy spreads over a huge lawn. 4. The giant bamboo collection beside the river. 5. The spice garden, with cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and pepper. 6. Memorial trees planted by famous visitors, including royalty and world leaders. 7. A suspension bridge over the Mahaweli River. How long do you need? Two to three hours is enough for the main highlights at an easy pace. How far is Peradeniya from Kandy? About 6 km, 15 to 20 minutes by road, so it pairs well with the Temple of the Tooth and a Kandyan dance show. Why book with Figo Holidays? Figo Holidays is a Colombo-based destination management company running private tours across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. We arrange private transport, licensed guides and timings that avoid the heat and crowds, and build this experience into a tailor-made itinerary.Highlights
- Sri Lanka's largest botanic garden
- Orchid house
- Royal palm avenues
- Giant Java fig tree
- Giant bamboo by the Mahaweli River
- Spice garden
- Memorial trees planted by world leaders
Travel tips
Wear comfortable shoes; the gardens are large. Carry water, a hat and an umbrella for sudden showers. Watch out for fruit bats and monkeys, and don't feed them. Buy tickets at the main gate.