Ultimate Guide: How to Visit Ambuluwawa Tower, Sri Lanka

Visiting the Ambuluwawa Tower is a must-do in Kandy, so you can’t miss it on your Sri Lanka Itinerary.

Wondering how to visit Ambuluwawa Tower, Sri Lanka? Take a short trip from Kandy to Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex and enjoy the epic 360-degree view from the tower.

We think this is one of the best attractions near Kandy that should not be skipped.

This ultimate guide to the Ambuluwawa Temple includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect on the climb. and tips for visiting.

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Where is Ambuluwawa Temple?

The stunning Ambuluwawa Tower is located on the outskirts of Gampola town, just a 1-hour drive from Kandy, Sri Lanka.

How to Get to Ambuluwawa Temple from Kandy?

The distance between Kandy and Ambuluwawa is approximately 25 km, which takes 1 hour, depending on traffic.

We have a detailed post on how to get from Colombo to Kandy with all the information you need.

If you arrive by public transport, you will first need to get to Gampola. Gampola train station is 6 km away, about 20 minutes from Ambuluwawa Temple. From Gampola, you can get to Ambuluwawa by tuk tuk for about 1000 LKR (3 USD).

But ask your driver to drop you off at the entrance to the tower, not at the ticket office, which is 2 km from the Ambuluwawa Tower. But we don’t recommend paying more than 3 USD.

We arrived in Kandy from Sigiriya by our rented tuk tuk, then visited the Ambuluwawa Temple on the way to Ella.

Recommended post → Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka

Best Time to Visit Ambuluwawa Tower

Sri Lanka is a popular destination all year round! But the best time to visit Kandy is during the dry season, from January to April.

The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for sightseeing and exploring the nearby attractions.

Avoid weekends and arrive as early as possible to avoid the crowds!

Ambuluwawa Temple Opening Hours

The Ambuluwawa Tower is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.

Since opening hours are subject to change, check the up-to-date information before you travel!

Ambuluwawa Tower Ticket Price

The entrance fee to the Ambuluwawa Temple is just 2000 LKR (7 USD) for foreigners and 1000 LKR (3.5 USD) for foreign children. You cannot pay for the entrance ticket by bank card, so bring enough local money.

Good to know
The entrance fee is 100 LKR for local adults and 30 LKR for children.

Ambuluwawa Tower Height

The peak of Ambuluwawa is 3,567 meters above sea level, and the tower is approximately 48 meters high. It is not recommended for those who are afraid of heights!

The climb is challenging, as the spiral staircase gets narrower as you go up. Be careful when climbing narrow stairs, as the same way leads up and back!

If there is no crowd, it takes about 10-15 minutes to get to the top of the tower.

Unfortunately, we did not reach the top, and after waiting 30 minutes, we decided to turn back. It was a scary experience when halfway up the climb, people started coming down while we were trying to get up the narrow stairs.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

Ambuluwawa Tower & Biodiversity Complex History

The Ambuluwawa Complex was built on the mountain near Gampola, envisioned by Minister D. M. Jayaratne, and opened to the public on 18 December 2006.

Due to its unique climatic conditions, it is a richly diverse area with 126 species, including 29 endemic species and 200 species of plants.

Ambuluwawa is a Biodiversity Complex and Sri Lanka’s first multi-religious sanctuary. It is home to a Buddhist stupa, a Hindu temple, a Muslim mosque, and a Christian church. Spend at least 1-1.5 hours at the Ambuluwawa Tower and explore the beautiful temples.

Read our → Sri Lanka Itinerary

Tips for Visiting

It’s safe to visit the Ambuluwawa Tower in Sri Lanka, and well worth it.
The parking fee is 150 LKR (0.50 USD) for tuk tuk & motorbikes and 350 LKR (1.20 USD) for cars.
We suggest you check the weather before your visit!
There is no dress code, but you should wear respectful clothing when visiting the temples.
Bring plenty of water and some snacks.
Due to the very high humidity and temperatures, we do not recommend starting your climb in the middle of the day.
Use sunscreen and wear a hat because there is little shade.
You should wear comfortable shoes and clothes!
Take care of your valuables because there are monkeys in the parking lot.
Don’t bring unnecessary things with you! We recommend carrying a small bag up the tower, as the space is very narrow. We left our big backpacks at the ticket office for only 200 LKR (0.70 USD).

Where to Stay in Kandy

Kandy has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Luxury: Earl’s Regency Hotel
Mid-Range: The Theva Residency or Earl’s Regent Hotel
Budget: Queen’s Hotel

more hotels in Kandy

We hope you found our guide to Ambuluwawa Tower useful and will inspire you to visit Sri Lanka. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go

Ultimate Guide: How to Visit Ambuluwawa Tower, Sri Lanka