Kandy & the hill country
Inbound Sri Lanka

Kandy & the hill country

Tea estates, the Temple of the Tooth and the Ella train through the gap.

See tours 11
Best time to go
January to April for clear hill views; the Kandy Esala Perahera is in July or August.
Getting there
About 3 hours from Colombo by road; Ella is a further 6 hours by train.
Great for
Culture Train Tea
Overview

Why go to Kandy & the hill country

Kandy, the last royal capital, is the gateway to Sri Lanka's cool, green interior. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic sits beside the lake at its centre, and the evening puja fills the town with drums.

Beyond it the road climbs into tea country: the estates and colonial bungalows of Nuwara Eliya, then the famous train ride through misty hills to Ella, where the Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam's Peak wait at the end of the line.

Highlights

What not to miss

  1. 01

    Temple of the Tooth

    Sri Lanka's most revered shrine, best visited for the evening puja.

  2. 02

    Kandy to Ella by train

    One of the world's great rail journeys, through tea estates and cloud forest.

  3. 03

    A working tea estate

    Walk the plantations and taste fresh leaf at a factory near Nuwara Eliya.

  4. 04

    Nine Arch Bridge & Little Adam's Peak

    Ella's two classic sights, an easy morning's walk apart.

Tours

Tours through Kandy & the hill country

Ready-made itineraries that run through Kandy & the hill country. Every one can be adjusted.

All packages
Pilgrimage Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Colombo

04 Days 03 Nights Sri Lanka Tour

A compact Ramayana and cultural journey through Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Colombo, featuring sacred temples, scenic hill country, tea plantations, waterfalls and the highlights of Sri Lanka's capital. Ideal for travellers looking to experience important Ramayana sites and Sri Lankan culture within a short stay.

4 days 2+ pax
Itinerary
Pilgrimage Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Bentota · Colombo

06 Days 05 Nights Sri Lanka Tour

A six day Ramayana and cultural journey combining Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota and Colombo. Explore ancient temples, important Ramayana sites, tea country, waterfalls, cultural attractions and Sri Lanka's beautiful southern coast before finishing with a Colombo city tour.

6 days 2+ pax
Itinerary
Culture & heritage Sigiriya · Trincomalee · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Bentota · Colombo

07 Days 06 Nights Sri Lanka Tour - Trincomalee

Explore Sri Lanka on this 7-day, 6-night tour through Sigiriya, Trincomalee, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota, and Colombo. Discover ancient temples, stunning beaches, scenic tea plantations, beautiful waterfalls, and rich cultural heritage. Experience an unforgettable journey combining history, nature, relaxation, and the beauty of Sri Lanka.

7 days
Itinerary
Culture & heritage Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Bentota · Colombo

04 Nights 05 Days 04 Sri Lanka Tour

Explore Sri Lanka on this 5-day, 4-night tour through Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota, and Colombo. Discover sacred temples, scenic tea plantations, beautiful waterfalls, golden beaches, and vibrant city attractions. Enjoy a memorable journey filled with culture, natural beauty, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences, with comfortable accommodation and daily breakfast and dinner.

5 days
Itinerary
Culture & heritage Anuradhapura · Jaffna · Kandy

05 Days 04 Nights Sri Lanka Tour

Explore Sri Lanka on this 5-day, 4-night tour through Anuradhapura, Jaffna, and Kandy. Discover ancient Buddhist temples, sacred religious sites, historic landmarks, and vibrant cultural attractions. Enjoy a memorable journey through Sri Lanka's rich heritage with comfortable accommodation, private transportation, and daily breakfast and dinner.

5 days
Itinerary
Culture & heritage Dambulla · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Katharagama · Mirissa · Bentota

Sri Lanka 08 Days 07 Nights Tour

Discover Sri Lanka on this 8-day, 7-night tour through Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Kataragama, Mirissa, and Bentota. Explore ancient temples, UNESCO heritage sites, scenic tea plantations, stunning waterfalls, wildlife attractions, and golden beaches. Enjoy an unforgettable journey filled with culture, history, nature, and relaxation.

8 days
Itinerary
Pilgrimage Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Bentota · Colombo

06 Days 05 Nights Sri Lanka Tour - Breakfast Only

Explore Sri Lanka on this 6-day, 5-night tour through Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota, and Colombo. Discover ancient temples, sacred Ramayana sites, scenic tea plantations, stunning waterfalls, and beautiful beaches. Enjoy a memorable journey filled with culture, nature, and relaxation, including comfortable accommodation, private transportation, and daily breakfast.

6 days
Itinerary
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Kandy & the hill country
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