Tour Overview
Sri Lanka’s railways were built by the British to carry tea, and they remain the best way to see the island. This itinerary puts the train at its heart: the full Kandy–Ella journey, a sunrise at Lipton’s Seat, and a final coastal ride south to Galle.
Where you spend the nights
| Area / base | Nights |
|---|---|
| Colombo | 1 |
| Kandy | 1 |
| Ella | 3 |
| Galle | 1 |
| Galle / Unawatuna | 1 |
| Total nights | 7 |
Trip at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Tour type | Hill Country |
| Group size | Private tour: 1–15 guests |
| Difficulty | Easy – Moderate |
| Best season | All year |
| Approx. road distance | ~755 km |
| Guide languages | English, German and Hindi (others on request) |
| Departure dates | Any date – private tour, all year |
Tour summary – arrival to drop-off
| Day | Route (arrival → drop-off) | Night stay | Destination & main points | Distance | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airport (CMB) → Colombo | Colombo | Arrival in Colombo | ~35 km | Dinner |
| 2 | Colombo → Kandy | Kandy | Colombo to Kandy – Temple of the Tooth | ~120 km | Breakfast, Dinner |
| 3 | Kandy → Ella | Ella | Scenic Train Ride from Kandy to Ella | ~175 km | Breakfast, Dinner |
| 4 | Stay in Ella | Ella | Ella – Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge & Ravana Falls | ~20 km | Breakfast, Dinner |
| 5 | Stay in Ella | Ella | Day Trip to Haputale – Lipton’s Seat | ~30 km | Breakfast, Dinner |
| 6 | Ella → Galle | Galle | Ella to Galle via the South Coast | ~200 km | Breakfast, Dinner |
| 7 | Galle → Galle / Unawatuna | Galle / Unawatuna | Galle Fort – Walking Tour & Unawatuna | ~25 km | Breakfast, Dinner |
| 8 | Galle / Unawatuna → Airport (CMB) | — (departure) | Departure from the South Coast | ~150 km | Breakfast |
Highlights
- Full Kandy–Ella train journey
- Temple of the Tooth
- Lipton's Seat & Dambatenne factory
- Nine Arch Bridge
- Galle Fort
- Colombo city tour