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Hidden among the mountains and valleys in Sri Lanka's countryside is Ambuluwawa Tower, one of the country's most unique landmarks. This spiral tower offers incredible panoramic views of the surrounding nature and towns; but first you have to climb the narrow, winding staircase, which is a crazy experience!
If you’re planning a trip to Ambuluwawa Tower in Sri Lanka, this guide covers how to get there, ticket prices, what to expect and essential tips to make the most of your visit.
Where is Ambuluwawa Tower?
Ambuluwawa Tower is located in the countryside near Gampola, a town in Sri Lanka’s Central Province. It's roughly an hour south of Kandy and sit's on top of Ambuluwawa Mountain, 3,560 meters above sea level.
The tower stands 48 meters tall and from the top, you'll have breathtaking views of lush valleys, winding rivers and distant mountain ranges.
The tower is part of the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex, a multi-religious site that features Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian places of worship.
How to get to Ambuluwawa Tower from Kandy?
There are a couple of ways to reach Ambuluwawa Tower from Kandy, all depending on your preferred mode of transport. You can travel via bus, car, tuk-tuk or train.
By Car or Tuk-Tuk
We decided to organise a private tuk-tuk to take us from Kandy Train Station straight to Ambuluwawa Tower, as it was the easiest and most convenient option for us, as we were visiting Kandy on a day trip. This is the most direct way to reach the tower and takes roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic
We booked our tuk-tuk driver before arriving in Kandy, so when we arrived he was waiting for us! This meant we could negotiate a price beforehand and not have to worry about it when we arrived. You can also hire a private driver for a car, but this will cost more and won't get you all the way as a car can't reach the top of the hill the tower is located on.
We paid around 6500 LKR for our driver to take us there, wait for us and take us back to Kandy, which at the time was around £15. We didn't haggle much, so you can probably get this a bit cheaper if you're prepared to ask around!
Keep in mind that the ticket office is located at the bottom of the hill, about 2 km from the tower itself. The road up is steep and winding, so it’s best to have your tuk-tuk driver take you all the way to the tower entrance, unless you’re up for a challenging hike!
By Train
You can also catch a train from Kandy to Gampola, the nearest train station to Ambuluwawa. This takes around 30 minutes and usually costs around 2000 LKR. Once in Gampola, you'll have to get a tuk-tuk to the tower, which is roughly 20 minutes from Gampola Station, and you can expect to pay 1000 - 2000 LKR for a round trip.
If you're choosing this option, you can pre-book your tickets online (this is only a reservation), and visit the ticket offices at Kandy Train Station to get your tickets.
By Bus
Buses are the cheapest option to get from Kandy to Gampola, costing only 100 to 200 LKR (50p / $0.67). They run frequently and the journey takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Again, once you reach Gampola bus station, you’ll need to take a tuk-tuk to the tower.
If you choose to take the bus, head to the Kandy Bus Stand where you should be able to find the #718 bus which travels to and from Gampola.
Private Tour
If you love to have everything organised for you, then consider doing a full day trip to Ambuluwawa Tower and other Kandy attractions with a private tour!
Ticket prices and opening hours for Ambuluwawa Tower
Ticket Prices
The entrance fee for Ambuluwawa Tower depends on whether you are a local or a tourist.
- Foreigners (Adult): 2000 LKR per adult & 1000 LKR per child
- Locals: 100 LKR per adult & 30 LKR per child.
You'll also have to pay an additional fee if you're in a vehicle. For tuk-tuk's its an extra 150 LKR (This is to get to the tower, as the ticket offfice is 2km at the bottom of the hill). Make sure to bring cash, as card payments are not accepted at the ticket counter.
Opening Hours
Ambuluwawa Tower is open daily from 8:30am - 6pm, although always check beforehand as opening times can sometimes change due to weather conditions or maintenance.
The Climb & What to Expect
To climb the spiral stairase, you enter at the base of the tower and climb a set of stairs indoors, roughly half the height of the tower. You'll then reach a viewing platform where you can admire the impressive views, you can also stop here if you wish!
This is where the spiral staircase begins, wrapping around the outside of the structure. The steps get narrower as you ascend and at certain points, the climb can feel quite exposed with only a short railing separating you from the drop. If you have a fear of heights, this might be a challenging experience!
As the tower get's narrower towards the top, it becomes difficult to pass anyone coming up or down. This was a little scary, as we had to lean against the railings to let people squeeze past, and it was a very tight squeeze! There's even small cave like openings in the tower that we had to squeeze into to let people pass.
Once you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views of Sri Lanka’s mountains, valleys and distant towns. However, you might not want to look down at this point!
We highly recommend visiting as soon as it opens at 8:30 am as it'll be quiet and you can get up and down without having to squeeze past people. When we arrived at 10:30 am, it was already fairly busy on the way up. By the time we started our descent around 11:10 am, the narrow staircase had become even more congested and it was nearly impossible to squeeze past people.
Important Tips for Climbing Ambuluwawa Tower
- Wear comfortable shoes with good grip.
- Avoid visiting during strong winds or rain, as the staircase can become slippery.
- Go early or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds, as the narrow stairs can get congested.
- If you can, avoid taking a backpack or big bag, we had to take ours off and pass them down to people while squeezing past!
- Although it's not physically demanding, be prepared for lots of stairs.
Is Ambuluwawa Tower safe to climb?
Yes, but the climb can feel a bit intimidating becasue of the narrow, exposed staircase, especially near the top. There are railings for support, but the gaps are quite big so you should be cautious. We did see children on the tower, but we wouldn't reccomend bringing them as it seems too easy to fall through the gaps! The steps can also get slippery in wet weather, so it’s best to visit on a dry day and wear grippy shoes.
What is the best time to visit Ambuluwawa Tower?
The best time to visit is early in the morning, right when it opens at 8:30 am, so you can avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful climb. Late afternoons can also be a good option, but avoid midday when it gets hot and busy. For the best views, visit on a clear day when visibility is high.
How long does it take to climb Ambuluwawa Tower?
The climb itself takes around 10-15 minutes if you go straight up without stopping. However, it's more likely to take 20-30 minutes with a queue and stops along the way for photos.
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