Best Dec–Apr7.29°N 80.63°E
Kandy
The hill capital and home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — the cultural heart of Sri Lanka.
ExploreExperience
Scenic Train Journeys
The Kandy to Ella line through the tea hills — one of the world’s great train rides.
The hill-country railway climbs from Kandy through tea estates, forests and tunnels before dropping into Ella. It is slow, but that is the point. Many travellers combine the train for this section with a private car for the rest of the trip — your driver can meet you at the other end with your luggage.
When to go
Best time: Dec–Apr
- January: good time to visit
- February: good time to visit
- March: good time to visit
- April: good time to visit
- May: off season
- June: off season
- July: off season
- August: off season
- September: off season
- October: off season
- November: off season
- December: good time to visit
Where to go
Best Dec–Apr6.97°N 80.78°E
Nuwara Eliya
Cool, misty tea country with colonial-era bungalows and walks to World’s End on Horton Plains.
Explore
Best Dec–Apr6.87°N 81.05°E
Ella
A laid-back hill village of viewpoints, tea and the Nine Arch Bridge — and the end of the famous train ride.
ExploreTours to match
CMBSIGGAL
Classic Sri Lanka in 7 Days
The essential first-timer’s route: ancient cities, the hill-country train and the south coast.
Via Dambulla · Polonnaruwa · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya …
CultureTea countryBeach
07days
Price on request
CMBSIGGAL
Culture, Tea & Coast in 10 Days
The classic route at a gentler pace, with a leopard safari in Yala and beach days on the south coast.
Via Dambulla · Polonnaruwa · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya …
CultureTea countryWildlife
10days
Price on request
CMBNEGCOL
The Whole Island in 14 Days
Two weeks for ancient capitals, tea country, two safaris and proper beach time.
Via Anuradhapura · Sigiriya · Polonnaruwa · Dambulla …
CultureTea countryWildlife
14days
Price on request
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book train tickets in advance?
Reserved seats on the hill-country line are limited and sell out, especially in peak season. Book ahead or let us arrange tickets for you.
