Sri Lanka Scenic Hill Country
Six days through the cool, green heart of Sri Lanka — the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, rolling tea country and colonial charm in Nuwara Eliya, and the waterfalls, viewpoints and iconic rail bridge of Ella — with your transfers, hotels and guided sightseeing handled from arrival to departure.
Sri Lanka's cool highlands, at an easy pace
Leave the heat of the coast behind and climb into Sri Lanka's central highlands — a region of temple bells, tea bushes and waterfalls that feels like a different country from the lowlands most visitors see first. This six-day route uses Colombo as your arrival hub and threads together the three towns that define the hill country: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella.
You'll stand before the golden shrine of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, ride through terraced tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya — the colonial-era hill station the British once called "Little England" — and finish in Ella, where a short hike to Little Adam's Peak and a walk to the Nine Arch Bridge sum up why this stretch of Sri Lanka has become one of Asia's most photographed train journeys.
Airport transfers, centrally located accommodation, daily breakfast and guided sightseeing are arranged for you. Prefer it fully private, extended by a day in the tea country, or reshaped around a longer Ella stay? Every element here can be tailored — this itinerary is the starting point, not the ceiling.
What you'll actually see
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
A UNESCO World Heritage site in the heart of Kandy, holding the relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha inside a gilded inner shrine. The temple sits on the edge of Kandy Lake, within the grounds of the former royal palace, and remains the spiritual centre of Sri Lankan Buddhism.
Ceylon tea country in Nuwara Eliya
Sri Lanka's highest town, perched at close to 1,900m, was built by the British as a hill retreat and remains the heart of the country's tea industry today. Rolling estates, a working tea factory, colonial architecture and a noticeably cooler climate make it feel like a different country entirely.
Waterfalls & viewpoints of the hill country
The two-tiered Ramboda Falls drop 109 metres beside the main hill-country road, while Ella's Little Adam's Peak — an easy hour's walk — opens onto sweeping views over the Ella Gap and the valley below.
The Nine Arch Bridge, Ella
A stone-and-brick railway viaduct built without a single piece of steel, spanning 91 metres across a jungle-and-tea-plantation valley. It's one of the most photographed spots on the island, especially when a train curves across it.
Your 6-day itinerary
A gentle climb from Colombo into the hills and back down again, with breakfast daily and all listed transfers included.
You're met on arrival and driven inland to Kandy, Sri Lanka's cultural capital, set around a tranquil lake in the central highlands. The drive takes you out of the coastal lowlands and into greener, hillier country. Settle into your hotel, then take an easy evening stroll along the Kandy Lake esplanade before dinner.
After breakfast, a guided visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — Kandy's spiritual heart, built within the grounds of the former royal palace. Continue around Kandy Lake and through the town's colonial-era streets, with time for the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya if you'd like to extend the day. In the evening, an optional cultural show of traditional Kandyan dance and drumming.
The drive up to Nuwara Eliya is one of the highlights in itself, winding through mountain passes and mile after mile of tea plantations. You'll stop at Ramboda Falls — a dramatic, two-tiered waterfall dropping over 100 metres beside the road — and call in at a working tea factory for a tour and tasting before continuing to your hill-station hotel.
A relaxed day exploring Sri Lanka's highest town. Walk or cycle around Gregory Lake, wander the manicured lawns of Victoria Park, and take in the Tudor-style architecture, golf course and racecourse left over from the colonial era. The cool climate — noticeably fresher than anywhere else on the island — is part of the appeal.
Continue to Ella, either by road or aboard a stretch of Sri Lanka's celebrated hill-country railway, curving through tea estates and eucalyptus forest. Once settled, an easy hour's walk up Little Adam's Peak rewards you with panoramic views over the Ella Gap, followed by a walk through tea fields to the iconic Nine Arch Bridge — best timed for when a train crosses.
Enjoy a final breakfast with the hill country's cool morning air, then begin the transfer back down to Colombo for your onward flight. If you'd like to extend, we can add nights in Ella, link this trip to the ancient cities of the Cultural Triangle, or continue on to the south coast beaches.
Indicative itinerary. The exact order of activities, sightseeing and transfer times is confirmed at the time of booking and may adapt to train schedules, weather and local conditions. Where the hill-country train is included, seats are subject to availability and a road transfer is used as a fallback.
What's included — and what's not
Clear from the start, so there are no surprises when you travel.
Included
- Accommodation for 5 nights
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Intercity transfers where applicable
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary
- Selected entrance fees
- Local assistance throughout
Not included
- International flights (unless stated)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Optional activities & hotel upgrades
- Tips & gratuities
Before you go
Best time to visit
The hill country is pleasant most of the year, though the wettest spell in this region generally falls from around April to June. Evenings in Nuwara Eliya and Ella are noticeably cool year-round — pack accordingly. We'll advise on timing for your dates when you enquire.
Currency
The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Cards are widely accepted in hotels and larger shops in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya; carry some cash for tea-estate stalls, tuk-tuks and small vendors, especially in Ella.
Pack for cooler weather
Nuwara Eliya sits close to 1,900m and Ella isn't far behind — evenings and early mornings can feel genuinely cold after the tropical coast. A light jacket or fleece is essential, alongside your usual warm-weather layers for the lower stops.
Temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees and remove footwear before entering the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and other religious sites. Modest, breathable clothing works well for the rest of the trip too.
The hill-country train
The stretch of railway through this region is one of the world's most scenic rides, but seats — especially in the observation carriages — sell out well ahead. Where a train segment is included, we'll confirm and book it as early as possible; a comfortable road transfer is the fallback if seats aren't available.
Visas & documents
Most nationalities need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka, arranged online before you travel. Requirements change and vary by passport, so please verify based on your own nationality — we're happy to point you to the right official source.
The hill country, temple to tea to trail
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Good to have answered
Is the US$699 price per person? What does it cover?
Yes — that's a starting price, per person, for the 6-day itinerary based on twin-share accommodation. It covers your hotels, daily breakfast, airport and listed transfers, the sightseeing in the itinerary, selected entrance fees and local assistance. The final figure depends on your travel dates, hotel choice, group size and whether you'd like it private, so we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Is the famous hill-country train included?
We can build a train segment into your itinerary where seats are available — this route is one of the most sought-after in Sri Lanka, so tickets are best booked well ahead. Tell us if riding the train is a priority when you enquire and we'll prioritise securing it; otherwise a comfortable private transfer covers the same ground.
How much walking is involved?
It's a comfortable, moderate trip. Kandy and Nuwara Eliya involve easy strolling around the lake and town, while Little Adam's Peak in Ella is a short, well-maintained hike of about an hour round trip. There's no technical climbing anywhere on this itinerary, and it suits most fitness levels.
Are international flights included?
No — international flights aren't included unless we've specifically stated so in your quote. Most travellers fly into Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport; we arrange your airport transfer to match your flight times.
Can this itinerary be customised or run privately?
Absolutely — this is a template, not a fixed package. Run it fully private, add an extra night in Ella or Nuwara Eliya, upgrade the hotels, or link it to the Cultural Triangle or a south-coast beach extension. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll shape it around you.
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Most nationalities require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), applied for online ahead of travel. Requirements vary by passport, so please verify based on your own nationality before you fly — we're glad to point you to the right official source.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send us an enquiry with your rough dates and traveller numbers and we'll come back with a tailored quote and next steps. There's no obligation, and no payment needed to get a proposal.
Let's plan your hill country escape
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll send back a tailored itinerary and a clear, all-in quote — with the flexibility to make it exactly the trip you want.