Immersive Religious Experience

Don white cotton clothes that cover your shoulders and knees and enter Kelaniya temple, where the Buddha himself is said to have preached.

The temple, ornately carved, is famous for its brightly colored frescos depicting key scenes from Buddha's life. During your tour, you'll receive a special blessing from the temple's monks and have the rare opportunity to make an offering. Head next to a nearby Hindu temple for a moment of quiet reflection, with a chance to make another offering of flowers and incense sticks. On your drive back to the port, your local guide's route will take you past some of Colombo's most famous landmarks.

Sustainable Tours

This tour operator has received third-party certification based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.

Shore Thing Highlights

See how Colombo's history as an epicenter of trade brought together communities of all faiths
Take the unique opportunity to light incense and give a flower offering at Kelaniya Buddhist temple
Gaze up at the riotous color and intricacy of the shikhara, or "mountain peak," of a Hindu temple (the tower above the temple's sanctuary)

Need to know

Sailors in wheelchairs or with limited mobility should not select this Shore Thing
Sailors should expect to walk over cobblestones, uneven pavement, and/or narrow streets
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
The order of sites visited may vary
This Shore Thing operator has received third-party certification based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria
Daytime temperatures can be very hot and humid — please prepare accordingly
A visa is required for this port. Please see your voyage documentation for details
No photos are allowed in front of the Lord Buddha statue
Shoes must be removed at the temple entrance; Sailors should bring a spare pair of socks, as the pavement will be hot
Please keep in mind that cancellations made within 72 hours or less are subject to a 100% cancellation penalty
Sailors are requested to wear white-colored cotton clothes that cover their shoulders and knees
Approximately 1-hour panoramic drive to the pier

Experience shores the Virgin way

Local & Immersive Tours
Authentic experiences curated with local operators
A Sustainable Cause
Select tour bookings to help social charities
Peace of Mind
Modify/cancel up to 48hrs before where applicable
Priority Debark in Port
Be first ashore in all our ports of call
Safe and Insured
Our partners are licensed and insured
Transparent Pricing
No hidden costs, all-inclusive Shore Thing prices
Expert Travel Support
Pre-voyage to onboard assistance, always there
Stress-Free Returns
Ship will wait for you in the event of a delay
Convenient Collection
Convenience of one location to shop for your calls

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Browse All Shore Things

Shore Things are fully refundable to the original form of payment. However, please note that Shore Things are only fully refundable if they are canceled within 48 hours prior to the booked Shore Thing taking place, unless stated otherwise in a specific Shore Thing 'Need to Know' section. If you fail to either (a) cancel within 48 hours of the booked Shore Thing (or alternative time period as may be stated in a specific Shore Thing 'Need to Know' section), or (b) show up for a booked Shore Thing, you will be charged for 100% of the Shore Thing price.

If you make a cancellation prior to the first day of your voyage and within 48 hours (unless otherwise stated in the tour details) of your Shore Thing, you will be refunded to the original form of payment after midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the day of cancellation.

If you make another purchase prior to midnight EST, after canceling a booking eligible for a refund, the credit from the canceled booking will be applied to your new booking. Therefore, you’ll only be charged for the price difference between the canceled and new experience. If you have remaining temporary credit left on your account after you’ve made another experience purchase, the remaining credit will be refunded to your original form of payment after midnight EST.

If you cancel a Shore Thing during your voyage and are eligible for a refund, a credit will be applied to your folio and not to your original form of payment.

Shore Things departure times and/or meeting locations are subject to change. We will make every effort to notify Sailors in advance via the Sailor App of any tour departure and/or meeting changes.

Immersive Religious Experience

Don white cotton clothes that cover your shoulders and knees and enter Kelaniya temple, where the Buddha himself is said to have preached.

Shore Thing Highlights

Need to know