Kandy to Pinnawala: How to Get There

Kandy to Pinnawala at a glance

Times are approximate and depend on traffic and stops.

By private car: the easiest way

A private car is the simplest way to visit Pinnawala, especially if you want to arrive in time for the river bathing and combine it with other stops. Your driver picks you up at your hotel in Kandy and waits for you at Pinnawala.

The route

From Kandy, the road heads west past Peradeniya and Pilimatalawa, then climbs over the Kadugannawa pass, with views across the hills and the striking flat-topped rock known as Bible Rock. It then descends towards Kegalle, where a short side road leads to Pinnawala, on the banks of the Maha Oya river.

Pinnawala as a day trip or on the way to Colombo

Pinnawala is between Kandy and Colombo, so many travellers visit on the day they leave Kandy for Colombo, Negombo or the airport. It adds only a short detour. See our guide to getting from Colombo to Kandy, which covers the same road in the other direction.

You can book a single transfer, a half-day trip, or include this journey in a trip with a private driver. See also our Kandy day tours.

About Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was founded on 16 February 1975 by Sri Lanka's Department of Wildlife Conservation, starting with five orphaned calves. Today it is run by the Department of National Zoological Gardens and is home to around 65 elephants, many born there.

The daily routine

According to the orphanage, the main herd usually leaves for the Maha Oya river at around 10 am and 2 pm and returns about two hours later. A smaller group bathes earlier in each session. Visitors watch from the riverbank or from cafés overlooking the water. The orphanage also offers fruit feeding at set times. Times can change, so check on the day. Source: Department of National Zoological Gardens (https://nationalzoo.gov.lk/pinnawala-elephant-orphanage/).

Opening hours and tickets

The orphanage is open every day, usually from 8:30 am. Foreign visitors pay a separate ticket price. Prices and hours can change, so check before you visit. See our guide to entry fees in Sri Lanka.

Visiting thoughtfully

Pinnawala divides opinion. Supporters point to its role caring for orphaned and injured elephants and its breeding programme. Critics raise concerns about how captive elephants are kept and handled, and about crowds of visitors. We believe you should make an informed choice.

If you'd prefer to see elephants in the wild, consider:

• A safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla, near Sigiriya. See our Minneriya safari tour.
• Udawalawe National Park, with wild elephants all year and the Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned calves are cared for and later released into the wild. See our Udawalawe safari tour.

If you visit Pinnawala, watch from the viewing areas, don't ride elephants, and follow the staff's instructions. Read our responsible travel guide and where to see elephants in Sri Lanka.

Best stops between Kandy and Pinnawala

Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

Just outside Kandy, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens are famous for their giant trees, palm avenues and orchid house.

The three temples near Pilimatalawa

Near the main road, the medieval temples of Embekke, Lankatilaka and Gadaladeniya are known for their carved wooden pillars and hilltop settings. They are usually quiet and make a lovely half-day loop. See ancient Buddhist sites.

Kadugannawa pass

The road crosses a high pass with wide views over the hills. Dawson Tower, a memorial to the engineer who built the road, stands near the top.

A spice garden

Several spice gardens line the road between Kandy and Kegalle. See spice gardens in Sri Lanka.

By bus

There is no direct bus to Pinnawala from Kandy. A typical journey looks like this:

1. Kandy to Kegalle or Karandupona junction: take a bus heading towards Colombo and ask to get off at the turn for Pinnawala.
2. To Pinnawala: take a local bus or a tuk-tuk for the last few kilometres.

The journey usually takes one and a half to two hours. Buses are cheap but busy. Return buses towards Kandy run along the same road.

By train

The nearest station is Rambukkana, about 3 km from Pinnawala, on the main line between Colombo and Kandy. At the time of writing (October 2026), Colombo–Kandy train services have been suspended because of an earth slip near Kadugannawa, which lies between Kandy and Rambukkana. Check the current status with Sri Lanka Railways before you plan. For now, the road is the reliable option.

When to go

Pinnawala is open all year. Plan to arrive about half an hour before a river bathing session, at around 10 am or 2 pm. Mornings are usually cooler and less crowded than afternoons, and weekends and public holidays are busier with Sri Lankan visitors. Read our guide to the best time to visit Sri Lanka.

A sample half-day from Kandy

• 8:30 am: leave your hotel in Kandy.
• 9:00 am: a short stop at one of the temples near Pilimatalawa.
• 9:45 am: arrive at Pinnawala.
• 10:00 am: watch the elephants walk to the river and bathe.
• 12:00 pm: lunch at a café by the river.
• 1:00 pm: return to Kandy, or continue to Colombo, Negombo or the airport.

Continuing your journey

From Pinnawala, Colombo is about two and a half to three hours by car, and the airport and Negombo are a similar distance. Many travellers visit on their last day before flying home. See our airport transfers, the best things to do in Negombo and the best things to do in Kandy.

What affects the cost of a private transfer

The cost depends on the size of the vehicle, whether you return to Kandy or continue to Colombo or the airport, any stops you add, and waiting time. Ask us for a quote that includes everything. See how to book.

Travel tips

• Arrive before 10 am or 2 pm for the river bathing.
• Carry cash for tickets and cafés. See money in Sri Lanka.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The path to the river is busy and can be slippery.
• Keep a safe distance from the elephants at all times.
• Combine it with your departure day to save a separate trip.

Kandy to Pinnawala and back, or one way?

You have two good options:

Most travellers find the one-way option the most efficient, because it fits into a transfer they would make anyway.

What else is near Pinnawala?

• Kegalle: a busy market town on the main road, useful for a quick stop.
• Ambuluwawa Tower: further south near Gampola, a spiral tower with wide views. See Ambuluwawa Tower.
• Kitulgala: a rainforest village known for rafting, a longer detour to the south. See our Kitulgala rafting tour.
• Colombo: about two and a half to three hours away. See one day in Colombo.

What to wear and bring

• Light, comfortable clothes and shoes with grip for the path to the river
• A hat and sunscreen, as the riverbank has little shade in places
• Cash for tickets, fruit baskets and cafés
• A camera with a zoom, so you can take good photos from a respectful distance

Lunch near Pinnawala

Cafés and restaurants line the lane down to the river, many with balconies overlooking the water where the elephants bathe. It's a good place for lunch or a drink while you wait for the herd. Prices are higher than in town, so if you're on a budget, your driver can suggest a local rice and curry place on the main road instead.

Pinnawala in the rainy season

Pinnawala stays open in the rain, but heavy rain can raise the river and change the bathing routine. Some activities may be suspended for safety. If the weather looks wet, check with your driver in the morning and bring an umbrella or light rain jacket. The temples near Pilimatalawa make a good alternative on a very wet day. See Sri Lanka rainy season.

Accessibility

The path from the road to the river is fairly short but can be crowded and uneven. Travellers with limited mobility can watch the elephants from the river-view cafés, which are easier to reach.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Arriving between bathing sessions. You'll mostly see elephants in the main area. Time your visit for around 10 am or 2 pm.
• Planning around the train. Colombo–Kandy services are disrupted at the time of writing.
• Riding elephants. Don't. Watch from the viewing areas.
• Not checking times. Bathing and opening times can change.

Visiting with children

Children usually love watching the elephants walk to the river and play in the water. Keep them close on the busy path to the river, and stay behind the barriers. Plan the visit for the morning session, when it is cooler and quieter. See Sri Lanka with kids.

Frequently asked questions