About this experience
Board your private, air-conditioned vehicle in Panadura for the drive south to Ratnapura — Sri Lanka's gem capital. Over seven hours, your English-speaking chauffeur guide takes you into the heart of the country's gemstone industry, where alluvial mining has been practised for centuries. Step into active gem mines and watch workers sift gravel by hand in search of rough stones hidden beneath the earth.
At the Gem Museum in Ratnapura, browse displays of sapphires, rubies, and amethysts alongside the cutting tools and techniques that transform raw crystals into polished gems. Your guide explains the grading and trade processes throughout. Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, and a water bottle per person are included. Entrance fees, meals, and gratuities are not covered. Minimum age for this tour is 11 years.
