Short tour

5-Day Sri Lanka Hill Country & Tea Trails Tour: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Ella

Sri Lanka

Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Tour type
Scenic & Nature
Location
Sri Lanka

Overview

Cool mountain air, rolling tea estates and some of Asia’s most photographed railway views: this 5-day Sri Lanka hill country tour takes you into the green heart of the island. Begin in the sacred city of Kandy, climb through waterfall-lined roads to Nuwara Eliya, known as “Little England”, then settle into the laid-back hill town of Ella.

You will tour a working tea factory, walk to World’s End in Horton Plains National Park, cross the Nine Arches Bridge and finish with an early-morning jeep safari to see wild elephants in Udawalawe National Park. Choose the optional scenic train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella for one of the world’s great rail journeys. Perfect for couples, friends and solo travellers who want mountains, wildlife and local culture in one short holiday.

Highlights

  • Temple of the Tooth
  • Tea factory and plantation visit
  • Horton Plains and World's End
  • Scenic hill country train (optional)
  • Nine Arches Bridge
  • Little Adam's Peak
  • Udawalawe elephant safari

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Colombo Airport (Negombo) to Kandy

    Your driver meets you on arrival and takes you inland to Kandy (about 3.5 to 4 hours). Stop at a spice garden or roadside fruit stall on the way. After checking in, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and walk around Kandy Lake. Overnight in Kandy.

  2. Day 2

    Kandy to Nuwara Eliya through Tea Country

    Drive up into the hills past Ramboda Falls and endless tea terraces (about 3.5 to 4 hours). Visit a tea factory to see how leaves become Ceylon tea, with a tasting at the end. Spend the afternoon at Gregory Lake and in the colonial-era streets of Nuwara Eliya. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya, where evenings are cool, so pack a jacket.

  3. Day 3

    Horton Plains, then on to Ella

    Rise early for Horton Plains National Park, where a 9 km loop leads to World's End and Baker's Falls. Views are clearest in the early morning. Continue to Ella (about 2.5 to 3 hours by road), or ride the scenic train from Nanu Oya as an optional extra. Overnight in Ella.

  4. Day 4

    Ella Sightseeing and Drive to Udawalawe

    Walk up Little Adam's Peak for easy views over the Ella Gap, then visit the Nine Arches Bridge to see a train cross the viaduct. Stop at Ravana Falls on your way out of the hills. In the afternoon, drive to Udawalawe (about 2 hours) and relax before the safari. Overnight near Udawalawe.

  5. Day 5

    Udawalawe Safari and Departure

    Join a jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park, one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants, along with water buffalo, crocodiles and many birds. After breakfast, drive via the Southern Expressway to Colombo Airport (about 4 hours) for your flight.

Good to Know

The hill country is cooler and wetter than the coast. Book the Nanu Oya to Ella train seats well in advance.