Hill Country & Tea
The hill country train
The Kandy to Ella line, climbing through tea estates and cloud forest — widely called one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world.
- Time needed
- About 7 hours
- Where
- Kandy, Nanu Oya, Ella
- When
- January, February, March, April, August, September
The line was built by the British to move tea, and it still runs on much of the original alignment: tunnels, viaducts and switchbacks through some of the steepest country on the island.
The Kandy–Nanu Oya–Ella stretch is the famous part. Second-class reserved gives you a seat and open windows; first-class observation is enclosed and air-conditioned, which most people regret.
Reserved seats sell out weeks ahead in high season. We book yours as soon as the itinerary is confirmed, and your driver meets you at the far end with the luggage — so you ride the train without carrying anything.