Hill Country
Kandy
The last royal capital, home to the Temple of the Tooth and a lakeside town ringed by hills.
Sample itinerary
Sri Lanka Train Journey Tour
The railway through Sri Lanka's hill country is one of the world's great train journeys. Since Cyclone Ditwah, only part of the line is running, so this sample itinerary rides the open section between Nanu Oya and Ella and covers the rest by road with your private driver, who carries the luggage and meets you at each station. We update the plan as more of the line reopens.
- 5 days
- Private vehicle & driver
- Sample itinerary
This is a suggested sample itinerary. We confirm the route, hotels and price in a personal quote.
Rail update (checked 18 October 2026): Cyclone Ditwah damaged the hill-country railway in November 2025. Trains currently run between Colombo Fort and Peradeniya, and between Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla, but not yet into Kandy station or between Kandy and Nanu Oya. We drive the closed sections and plan train rides where the line is running. Please confirm with Sri Lanka Railways before you travel. Getting around Sri Lanka
Tour at a glance
- Length
- 5 days
- Type
- Sample itinerary, fully adjustable
- Starts from
- The airport or your hotel
- Places
- Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Horton Plains & World's End
- Transport
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Price
- Personal quote based on dates, group size and hotels
Who it suits
- Rail enthusiasts and photographers
- Travellers who want the hill country at a slower pace
- Anyone combining train travel with a private driver
Day by day Sample
- 1
- 2
- 3
Into the tea country
Drive through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya while the Kandy–Nanu Oya rail section is closed; ride this stretch by train once it reopens.
- 4
Train from Nanu Oya to Ella
Board at Nanu Oya and ride the open section through tea estates and forest to Ella.
- 5
The hill-country railway today
The railway from Kandy into the hill country is one of the world's great train journeys, through tea estates, cloud forest and tunnels. Cyclone Ditwah damaged the line in November 2025. As of our latest check, trains run between Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla, but not between Kandy and Nanu Oya.
This tour is built around that reality. We drive the closed sections and put you on the train for the open, scenic stretch.
Getting train seats
Reserved seats on the scenic trains are in high demand in busy months, and booking rules change from time to time. We'll help you plan which train to take. If reserved seats are not available, the driver can meet you at each station or drive the whole way.
How private touring with us works
You travel in our own air-conditioned vehicle with one driver for the whole trip, so there is no sharing with strangers and no fixed schedule. Your driver collects you from the airport or your hotel, takes you between places, waits while you visit and helps with local advice along the way.
Before you travel, we agree the route and the hotels with you, and confirm what is included in writing. During the trip, small changes such as an extra stop, a slower morning or a different restaurant are easy to make.
What's usually included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver
- Route planning around your dates and interests
- Fuel, parking and highway tolls
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
Not included
- Train tickets (we can advise on booking)
- International flights and Sri Lanka ETA / visa
- Entrance fees, activity fees and safari jeep hire
- Accommodation and meals, unless agreed in your quote
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Final inclusions are confirmed in writing with your quote.
Getting there
Travel times and transport options for this trip:
Places on this route
Hill Country
Nuwara Eliya
Cool highland air, emerald tea estates and colonial-era bungalows high in the hills.
Hill Country
Ella
A small hill-country town of tea slopes, short hikes and the famous Nine Arch Bridge.
Hill Country
Horton Plains & World's End
A high plateau of grassland and cloud forest ending at the dramatic World's End escarpment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book train seats in advance?
Reserved seats on popular hill-country trains can sell out in busy months, so plan early. Unreserved carriages are another option but can be crowded.
Is the whole hill-country line open?
Not at present. After Cyclone Ditwah, trains run between Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla, but the Kandy–Nanu Oya section is closed for repairs. Your driver covers closed sections by road.
What if we can't get train seats?
Your driver can take you by road, and you can ride a shorter section of the line instead.
Which side of the train has the best views?
Views are good on both sides along much of the route. Ask your driver for tips on the day.
What is included?
Usually: private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver; route planning around your dates and interests; fuel, parking and highway tolls; airport pick-up and drop-off. Not included: train tickets (we can advise on booking); international flights and Sri Lanka ETA / visa; entrance fees, activity fees and safari jeep hire; accommodation and meals, unless agreed in your quote; travel insurance and personal expenses. Final inclusions are confirmed in writing with your quote.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It's just you and your travel companions with your own vehicle and driver, so timings and stops can be adjusted to suit you.
How much does this tour cost?
It depends on your dates, group size, vehicle and the hotels you choose. Send us an enquiry and we'll reply with a written quote.
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Let's Plan Your Sri Lanka Journey
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