How to Visit Ambuluwawa Tower From Kandy, Sri Lanka

I asked a local man in Colombo to tell me all the best places to visit in Sri Lanka. While he gave me a long list, at the very end he said, “And if you have time, try to visit Ambuluwawa Tower, it’s very nice!”. On my second trip to Kandy, I decided to head to the tower on a day trip using public transport thanks to the kind help of my hostel owner who wrote down all the exact details I needed to ensure I took the right bus.

If you’re looking for a completely unique thing to do in Kandy and have a spare half day, then I highly recommend heading to Gampola to visit the Ambuluwawa Tower. It’s easily one of the most incredible landmarks in the country and offers one of the best views of the area.

If you’re afraid of heights you might want to rethink a visit, but the tall, skinny tower is a must for those looking for some adventure. This guide will explain everything you need to know about visiting Ambuluwawa Tower from Kandy.

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What is the Ambuluwawa Tower?

The Ambuluwawa Tower is a unique, whimsical spiral tower and temple complex perched on a hilltop high above Gampola town. Ambuluwawa mountain peak sits at 3,567 metres above sea level, with the tower itself measuring 54 metres from bottom to top of the spiral.

The tower and complex is a relatively new addition to the area and was completed in 2006. It’s a one of a kind complex, being a multi-religious place that is home to a Buddhist Temple, Hindu Temple, a Christian Church, and a Muslim Mosque. It’s considered a peaceful place where people from all backgrounds can come together in harmony.

The complex is also a botanical garden, with a beautiful landscaped garden surrounding the temples and tower with a variety of plants and even a small lake and several small ponds.

Now, the tower itself has become the main attraction within the complex and is certainly the part that stands out the most (you can see the tower from Gampola town). The white cone shaped tower features a spiral staircase that clings to the outside of the roof and winds its way all the way to the very pointed tip. It’s definitely something that belongs in a fantasy movie, making it a unique landmark in Sri Lanka.

Read next: 25 Amazing Things to Do in Sri Lanka

How to Get to Ambuluwawa Tower from Kandy

It’s best to visit Ambuluwawa Tower from Kandy and it’s easy to do by yourself on public transport. Ambuluwawa Tower is only 25 km south of Kandy via the town of Gampola. However, if you prefer a more comfortable experience, then you can also join a day trip tour from Kandy.

By Bus from Kandy

Head to the bus station in Kandy, where all the buses tend to park along Station Road in some sort of orderly fashion. You can ask for the Gampola buses and someone will point you in the right direction, but they were quite far down the end of the line when I was there.

The Gampola bus is #718 which travels to and from Kandy. They leave frequently, multiple times per hour all day. The trip from Kandy to Gampola takes around 1 hour including stops. The one way trip costs 120 LKR (USD $0.50). The bus will drop you off at Gampola Bus Station right in the middle of town.

To get back to Kandy, jump on a #718 Bus at Gampola Bus Station back to Kandy for the same price.

By Tuk Tuk from Gampola

Once in Gampola, you’ll have to hire a tuk tuk to get you up to the tower complex in the hill above town. It’s only 6 km from the bus station to the tower itself, up a steep, winding road. There’s plenty of tuk tuks at the station waiting, but be prepared to bargain hard.

I paid 1,500 LKR (USD $5) for a tuk tuk up to the tower and back from the bus station, including waiting time. I’ve heard people paying up to 2,000 LKR for two people.

It’s an incredibly steep road and it almost felt as though the tuk tuk wasn’t going to make it up to the top! But he did.

By Tour from Kandy

If you prefer not to take the bus, then you can also join a day tour which includes a visit to Ambuluwawa Tower. Check out some of these below:

Ambuluwawa Tower Ticket Price and Opening Hours

The ticket price and entry for the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex is 2,000 LKR (USD $7) per person for foreigners as of 2024 (an increase that came into effect January 1st).

The ticket office and gates are open from 8.30 am to 5 pm every day. The road up to the tower is closed after these hours, so don’t arrive too late expecting a sunset view.

When to Visit the Ambuluwawa Tower

The tower has become incredibly popular in recent years with both locals and tourists alike. You should definitely avoid weekends and arrive early to avoid the crowds, especially in high season from December until April.

Try to pick a nice, clear day to visit the tower. One of the highlights of the complex is the spectacular view of the area and you won’t get this if the mountain is covered in cloud. Check the weather forecast before you commit to going!

Climbing the Ambuluwawa Tower

To climb the tower, you first have to walk into the building at the base of the tower. You’ll find an indoor staircase there heading upwards. The first half of the climb is actually inside, as you climb up wide steps first. This is definitely the most boring part.

Then, the indoor stairs end at a viewing platform. If you’re scared of heights you could easily stop your climb there and simply enjoy the view. Otherwise, you can also continue up, but this is where the skinny staircase begins to cling to the outdoor roof.

The staircase wraps itself around the tower, as it gets narrower the further you go. Soon, you’ll almost get dizzy from taking such tight turns to get around the stairs. The stairs become extremely skinny in some places, and it’s almost impossible to pass anyone coming down. But there is a side barrier in place the entire way.

Of course, with the amount of people visiting the tower, you will certainly encounter other people trying to go up and down the staircase. This is quite challenging at times, as you have to wait for people to slowly and carefully pass each other. Sometimes, you’ll have to go back a a few steps to a place where you can squeeze (and I really do mean squeeze!) past.

Even if you start to look down and wander why an earth you would be climbing up such a narrow staircase into the sky, the views make it all worthwhile. The tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, including Gampola town, the mountains in the distance, and the lush, green valley.

Don’t feel like you have to reach the “top”, as there isn’t really much more of a view. There’s no platform or anything at the very top, the stairs literally just disappear once it gets to the pointed spiral at the end. I managed to get myself to this very top point, but plenty of people didn’t want to wait and I don’t blame them.

Then, you have to turn around and walk back down the same way again. You really need to be aware of people waiting to go up, so don’t take too long as you’ll only be holding the queue and making it harder for everyone to pass!

I was pretty lucky that there were only a few people at the tower when I was there. I’ve heard of people waiting halfway up the stairs for half an hour or more for other people to come down. If there isn’t too many people, you should be able to walk to the top in 10 minutes or so, but this will change depending on waiting time along the way.

Other Things to Do at the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex

Next to the tower, you’ll find other religious buildings which are home to a small Hindu Kovil, a Muslim Mosque and a Christian Church.

Around the back of the tower, you’ll find a wide terrace offering views over the region for those who aren’t keen to climb the tower.

There’s also a small tower in the complex next to the main tower and I highly recommend taking the time to climb its few levels. It’s much less scary to walk up and offers a great view of the main tower. Hardly anyone bothered to walk up the small tower, but I would say it’s definitely worth it for nice photos.

Take some time to explore the gardens, home to 29 endemic species and 200 species of plants. If you walk further around the back of the mountain, you’ll also find a small lake that offers a peaceful escape from the tourists.

Tips for Visiting the Ambuluwawa Tower

• Be prepared for lots of stairs if climbing the tower, although it’s not overly challenging physically
• Don’t carry a big backpack, just take a small daypack or handbag as it becomes very inconvenient when trying to pass people on the narrow upper sections of the tower
• Allow up to an hour to visit the complex (on top of the transport to/from) which should give you enough time to admire the views, climb the tower and walk around, however, this might increase if the tower has a queue
• The tower is exposed to the elements so wear a hat and sunglasses if it’s sunny
• Bring enough water and snacks as there’s no shop or vendors at the complex (you could purchase food in Gampola town if needed)
• Watch out for the monkeys around the garden, don’t leave your possessions unattended or feed the animals
• From my hostel door in Kandy, it was around 4.5 hours round trip to Ambuluwawa Tower altogether, so allow a decent half a day for the trip

Find more things to do in Kandy: 10 Best Things to Do in Kandy

Where to Stay in Kandy

You’ll find great value accommodation in Kandy. Most hotels and guesthouses are spread out in town and into the surrounding hills, here’s where I recommend:

White Rose Hostel | A boutique homestay with dorms and private rooms walking distance to the city centre.

Selyna Sky Terrace | A welcoming and budget friendly guesthouse with private rooms away from the bustling centre.

SWP Eco Lodge | A mid-range eco lodge close to the lake in Kandy and surrounded by nature.

The Radh Hotel | A luxury hotel right in the heart of the city for those looking for comfort and convenience.

Where to Next? More Sri Lanka Travel Guides:

• Ella: 10 Best Things to Do in Ella: An Essential Guide
• Kandy to Ella Train: 18 Tips for the Kandy to Ella Train Ride
• Colombo: Best Things to Do in Colombo in 24 Hours
• Galle: 2 Days in Galle Fort: Best Things to Do in Galle
• Sigiriya: Ultimate Guide to Sigiriya: Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
• Hiriketiya: Hiriketiya Beach: A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Little Coastal Paradise
• Weligama: Layback Surf Camp Review in Weligama
• Jaffna: 10 Best Things to Do in Jaffna, North Sri Lanka
• Trincomalee: Trincomalee Travel Guide: Underrated Beach Destination in Sri Lanka

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