The Kandy to Ella Train Journey

Widely regarded as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, the 7-hour rail route from Kandy to Ella winds through the heart of Sri Lanka’s central highlands at elevations reaching 1,868 metres. Opened by the British in 1867 to service the tea trade, the line passes through cloud forests, over vertiginous viaducts, through tea estates where Tamil pluckers work in vivid green rows, and around dramatic mountain curves where waterfalls tumble directly beside the tracks.

The Observation Saloon carriages (Class 1 Expo Rail) offer panoramic windows and are bookable in advance — Ceylon Trails handles reservations on behalf of all guests. However, many travellers prefer to travel in the standard carriages and hang from the open doorways — a chaotic, joyful, quintessentially Sri Lankan experience.

The Nine Arch Bridge, Ella

Ella’s most photographed landmark is the Nine Arch Bridge (also called the Bridge in the Sky), a remarkable colonial-era viaduct built entirely of brick and stone, without a gram of steel. Constructed between 1919 and 1921 by local workers under British engineer Harold Cooray, the nine arches span a jungle-filled valley between two tunnels on the Demodara loop.

The best time to photograph the bridge is when a train passes — trains cross approximately every 2 hours in each direction. The most popular vantage point is accessible via a 15-minute walk from Ella town. For a more dramatic angle, the viewing platform at “98 Acres Resort” on the hillside above provides a bird’s-eye perspective. Do not walk on the bridge when a train is approaching — the tunnels offer no visibility and trains provide no warning.

Hiking in Ella: Little Adam’s Peak & Ella Rock

Ella is surrounded by outstanding hiking terrain. Little Adam’s Peak is a 2-hour round-trip hike through tea estates to a breezy summit with panoramic views over the Ella Gap and towards the southern coast. It is accessible for all fitness levels and best walked at dawn for the clearest skies. Ella Rock is a more challenging 4-hour return hike following the railway line and jungle paths to a higher summit — the reward is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the entire hill country.

Nuwara Eliya: “Little England” and the Tea Capital

Nuwara Eliya (pronounced “Nurelia”) sits at 1,868 metres above sea level and was the preferred hill station of the British colonial administration. Half-timbered country houses, an 18-hole golf course, manicured rose gardens and horse-racing track give the town its nickname of “Little England” — though this colonial veneer now sits alongside a vibrant Tamil tea-estate culture of entirely different character.

The town is the heart of Ceylon high-grown tea country — at these altitudes, the slow growth of the Camellia sinensis bush in cool, misty air produces the world’s most prized “high-grown” teas, characterised by delicate floral and brisk flavours. A factory tour and cupping session at a heritage estate — arranged by Ceylon Trails with direct-access estates not typically open to the public — is a highlight of any hill-country itinerary.

Horton Plains National Park & World’s End

Horton Plains is Sri Lanka’s highest national park, a hauntingly beautiful plateau at 2,100 metres carpeted in montane grassland and cloud forest. The dramatic highlight is World’s End — a sheer precipice with a 870-metre drop to the plains below, the view stretching on clear days all the way to the southern coast. The 9-kilometre circular hiking trail passes both World’s End and Baker’s Falls, a stunning 20-metre cascade. Arrive before 9:30 AM — cloud rolls in by mid-morning obscuring the view.

Frequently Asked Questions — Ella & Nuwara Eliya