How long is the Sri Lanka Hill Country by Train: Colombo to Ella route?

This route takes 10 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Colombo to Ella in Central Highlands, Sri Lanka.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is December to March, July to August.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with no car (this is a drive-free route).

What budget do I need for this route?

Budget-friendly — this route is well-suited to travellers keeping costs low.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Culture, Drive-free.

Sri Lanka Hill Country by Train: Colombo to Ella

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The route · 6 stops

Colombo

1 night

The coastal capital and start of the climb. One night near Colombo Fort station sets up an early hill country train. Walk Galle Face Green at dusk, visit the Gangaramaya Temple and browse the old Pettah bazaar before the line turns inland.The coastal capital and start of the climb. One night near Colombo Fort station sets up an early hill country train. Walk Galle Face Green at dusk, visit the Gangaramaya Temple and browse the old Pettah bazaar before the line turns inland.

Recommendations

1h 43m · 123 km drive to Kandy

Kandy

2 nights

Sri Lanka's last royal capital and cultural heart, set around a lake in a bowl of hills. Two nights cover the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya and an evening of Kandyan drumming and dance. It is the main junction onto the upcountry line.Sri Lanka's last royal capital and cultural heart, set around a lake in a bowl of hills. Two nights cover the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya and an evening of Kandyan drumming and dance. It is the main junction onto the upcountry line.

Recommendations

48m · 58 km drive to Hatton

Hatton

1 night

The upcountry tea capital and railhead for Adam's Peak (Sri Pada). Use one night to attempt the pre-dawn pilgrim climb of roughly 5,500 steps for sunrise above the clouds, then ride on through the estates. A tea factory visit fills a quieter afternoon.The upcountry tea capital and railhead for Adam's Peak (Sri Pada). Use one night to attempt the pre-dawn pilgrim climb of roughly 5,500 steps for sunrise above the clouds, then ride on through the estates. A tea factory visit fills a quieter afternoon.

Recommendations

24m · 29 km drive to Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya

2 nights

Sri Lanka's cool colonial hill station, often called Little England, reached by a short tuk-tuk from Nanu-Oya station. Two nights allow a working tea factory tour, a stroll around Lake Gregory and a day trip to Horton Plains for the World's End escarpment and Baker's Falls.Sri Lanka's cool colonial hill station, often called Little England, reached by a short tuk-tuk from Nanu-Oya station. Two nights allow a working tea factory tour, a stroll around Lake Gregory and a day trip to Horton Plains for the World's End escarpment and Baker's Falls.

Recommendations

29m · 35 km drive to Haputale

Haputale

1 night

A ridge town wrapped in tea estates and cloud forest, with long views on clear mornings. One night is enough for Lipton's Seat, the viewpoint above the Dambatenne factory once loved by Sir Thomas Lipton, and a short stretch of the Pekoe Trail.A ridge town wrapped in tea estates and cloud forest, with long views on clear mornings. One night is enough for Lipton's Seat, the viewpoint above the Dambatenne factory once loved by Sir Thomas Lipton, and a short stretch of the Pekoe Trail.

Recommendations

17m · 20 km drive to Ella

Ella

3 nights

The relaxed hill country finish, ringed by tea slopes and waterfalls. Three days cover the Nine Arch Bridge, the gentle Little Adam's Peak walk, tougher Ella Rock and Ravana Falls. A laid-back cafe scene makes it the social end of the line.The relaxed hill country finish, ringed by tea slopes and waterfalls. Three days cover the Nine Arch Bridge, the gentle Little Adam's Peak walk, tougher Ella Rock and Ravana Falls. A laid-back cafe scene makes it the social end of the line.

Recommendations

Sri Lanka Hill Country by Train: Colombo to Ella