Most scenic route from Kandy to Sigiriya by private taxi
We are hiring a driver to take us from Kandy to Sigiriya. Are there multiple routes, and which one is the most scenic with good places to stop for photos.
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3 Answers from travellers
The standard A9 highway route through Matale is actually the most scenic and practical. You will wind down the mountains through lush spice gardens and rubber plantations. I highly recommend asking your driver to stop at the Nalanda Gedige temple halfway through. It is an incredible ancient stone temple located at the exact geographic center of Sri Lanka.
The drive usually takes about 2.5 hours, but leave Kandy before 8:00 AM. The traffic getting out of the Kandy city limits can be notoriously slow.
Stop at one of the spice gardens in Matale, but do not feel pressured to buy the expensive oils in their gift shops. Just enjoy the tour of the plants!
Scam Watch: kandy
TukTuk or tour drivers take you to "gem museums" or "government-certified" gem shops. They receive huge commissions (up to 40%) on anything you buy. Prices are inflated 3-10x the actual value.
Men approach tourists near Temple of the Tooth offering to be guides. After the tour, they demand large "donations" or guide fees (5000-10000 LKR).
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