Explore more curated experiences in Kandy
View all Kandy toursHanthana Ridge and Katusukonda Hike from Kandy with Tea Estates and a Waterfall
A guided hike on the Hanthana range immediately above Kandy, out along the Katusukonda ridge through tea estates and past caves, ending at a waterfall you can swim in.
Highlights
- The Hanthana range immediately above Kandy, walkable from a 20-minute drive
- Ridge views over Kandy and its lake on one side, the hill country on the other
- The Katusukonda outcrop and the caves below the ridge line
- Tea estate paths and remnant forest with almost nobody on them
- A waterfall pool to swim in at the end of the walk
Hanthana Ridge and Katusukonda Hike from Kandy with Tea Estates and a Waterfall: Key Facts
| Price | From $36.4 per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 hours |
| Languages | English |
| Tour type | Guided Tour |
| Booking | Direct with the local operator — no OTA markup |
Full description
The Hanthana range is the wall of hills directly south of Kandy — seven peaks in a line that you look at from the lake every day without necessarily realising you can walk them. This trip does, and because the trailhead is twenty minutes from the city it is the easiest serious walk available from Kandy.
The route climbs through the Hanthana tea estate onto the ridge, where the view opens both ways at once: Kandy and its lake to the north, the hill country running south towards Nuwara Eliya. On a clear morning the Knuckles range stands up across the valley.
Katusukonda is the outcrop at the far end, and the walk out to it crosses grassland and pockets of remnant forest with caves in the rock below the ridge line. There are few people out here — this is where Kandy residents walk, not where tour groups go.
The waterfall at the end is the reward: a pool cold enough to be a genuine shock after a hot walk, and shallow enough to sit in. Most groups stop for an hour before heading down.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Pickup in Kandy
A short drive to the Hanthana trailhead.
The climb
Up through the tea estate onto the ridge.
Katusukonda
The ridge walk out to the outcrop and the caves.
The waterfall
A stop and a swim.
Walk down
The descent through the estate.
Kandy
Drop-off at your hotel.
Detailed Itinerary
[{"time": "07:00", "title": "Hotel pickup", "description": "Hanthana is 20 minutes from central Kandy."}, {"time": "07:30", "title": "Ascent", "description": "The climb onto the ridge is the steepest part and comes first, while it is still cool."}, {"time": "09:30", "title": "The ridge", "description": "Exposed with no shade. The view back over Kandy is the best of the walk."}, {"time": "11:30", "title": "Waterfall", "description": "Cold and shallow. Bring swimwear you can walk back in."}, {"time": "14:00", "title": "Kandy", "description": "Drop-off at your hotel."}]
Includes
- Transport from Kandy to the trailhead and back, an English-speaking hiking guide, the guided walk, drinking water.
Excludes
- Meals, gratuities, personal hiking equipment, personal expenses.
Important information
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in Kandy; the exact address and time are confirmed after booking.
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts