Rail Tour in Sri Lanka

Experience Sri Lanka on another exciting and adventurous travel option, explore the natural beauty of the country by train on the most beautiful routes. By opting for a rail tour in Sri Lanka you can plan your holiday by means of a very affordable mode of transport for exploring the country. State and private rail connections of the luxury class and the middle class are available for popular holiday destinations in Sri Lanka.

At a Glance

Trip Length

8 Days

Price

When to go

Any time of the year

Transfers

Airport/Hotel – Tour Attractions – Airport/Hotel

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Not to miss in this tour

Experience the pure beauty of Sri Lanka on the different train journeys

Getting to know other locals during your train journeys in Sri Lanka

Enjoy beautiful panoramas in the hill country and along the coast

Go on an exciting sightseeing tour in Sri Lankas capital city Colombo

Kandy (By Van)

On the way to Kandy, you can visit the Kadugannawa Viewpoints in the morning hours you have from here you have a fantastic view of the mountain panorama.

Next, you can visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, which is just a few kms from Kandy. Here you will find a wide range of flora including orchids, spices, medicinal plants, palms and much much more. This is an enjoyable picnic spot for many locals and foreigners alike.

A Kandy city tour is a must, including a visit to the Kandy Tooth Temple, Kandy Lake and other important sites in Kandy. In the evening, you can enjoy a cultural show with traditional Kandyan dancers to entertain you. We will then take you to Cinnamon Citadel for your overnight stay in Kandy.

Kandy to Nanu Oya (By Train)

Next morning you will depart to the central highlands. From Kandy railway station for your first train ride in this rail tour in Sri Lanka. Your destination from Kandy by train will be bring you to Nanu Oya. This is a ride during which you must do nothing but sit back, relax, and enjoy the most breathtaking scenery on the planet ever!

From Nanu Oya, a Van will drive you to Heritance Tea Factory hotel in Nuwara Eliya. On the way we have scheduled a tea factory visit where you can learn about the manufacturing process of tea and partake in an exciting tea plucking experience. Later you will pass Nuwara Eliya town, where you can enjoy Little England, Gregory Lake and the Market.

Nanu Oya to Ella (By Train)

At the Nanu Oya train station, you will take your next train ride to Ella. This is another journey during which indulging in the beauty outside is a must. In Ella, you will stay at a luxury hotel known as the 98 Acres Resort and Spa.

In Ella you can visit Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Gap view point and stroll through the small and idyllic town of Ella, before you return to your luxury hotel for the night.

Ella to Yala (By Van)

In Ella, it is advisable to begin your day at the crack of dawn if you want to hike to Little Adam’s Peak and get the best view at the Ella Gap. From Ella, you will be driven to the southern province of Yala and on your way you can spend some time at the beautiful Rawana and Diyaluma waterfall (Sri Lankas second highest waterfall). Cinnamon Wild Yala is the hotel we have selected for your accommodation.

Yala Nationalpark to Tangalle (By Van)

Early next morning the jeep safari at the Yala National Park awaits you, which is a must. Some animals of the wild that you can expect to see are elephants, leopards, sloth bear, water buffalo, crocodiles, and many bird varieties.

Moving further towards the southern coast, Tangalle is a popular natural beach destination in Sri Lanka. Here you can spend plenty of time enjoying the exotic beach. Buckingham Palace is where you will spend a night in Tangalle.

Tangalle to Galle (By Train)

Moving further towards the southern coast by train. On this ride, you will see completely different scenery to what you saw in the hill country.

Enjoy an adventurous river boat safari experience in Koggala and then head towards for your next train ride to Galle. While in Galle, you can also tour the Galle old city and visit the Dutch Fort. The Dutch Fort in Galle is one of the best preserved sea forts in all of South Asia.

Your overnight stay will be at Amari in Galle.

Galle to Colombo (By Train)

At the Galle train station, you can get into any train going towards Colombo and get off at the Colombo Fort. Walk around the fort area and the Pettah trading market and shop for anything that you like. Then explore the Gangarama Temple to learn about Buddhist culture in Sri Lanka.

You can also visit the Manning Market in Colombo for some tropical fresh fruits and vegetables. After an exciting and eventful sightseeing tour in Colombo, you move for your last night at the Cinnamon Red Hotel.

Airport (By Van)

Next day your personal Passion-Tours guide will dive you towards the airport at a suitable time, depending on the time of your departure flight.

This brings us to the end of an exciting and memorablethe Rail Tour in Sri Lanka.We hope that this Rail Tour itinerary will meet your needs (rail focused journeys to only the hill country or northern part of Sri lanka until the city of Jaffna are also possible). If you want to make further changes, please contact us. We will then tailor-made the itinerary for you. Our Passion-Tours team is looking forward to hearing from you!

The Sri Lankan Railway System

Initially built in 1864 by the British, rail tours Sri Lanka were mostly used for transporting tea and coffee from the hill country to Colombo for export purposes. Today, this network has expanded, connecting several major cities in Sri Lanka. Detailed information on trains, timetables and ticket prices are available on the website of the Sri Lanka Government Railways.

Train Carriages

(a) 1st Class Sleeper: with sleeping berths, available on some overnight train journeys.

(b) 1st Class Observation: popular among tourists; available on day time trains on the Main Line.

(d) 1st Class Air-condition: these seats are occasionally available on inter-city express trains.

(e) 2nd Class: available on all inter-city trains as either reserved or unreserved.

(f) 3rd Class: most common type of seats available on most trains and this carriage can get very crowded during peak hours.

Places you will stay

Cinnamon Citadel in Kandy

Among the best Kandy hotels in terms of facilities and services, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy is the best destination to unwind and relax in the misty mountains.
Heritance Tea Factory in Nuwara Eliya

Located 2.5 hours away from the hill capital, Kandy, Heritance Tea Factory Offers you the ultimate colonial- style stay experience enhanced by the tea plantation and the misty mountains.
98 Acres Resort & Spa in Ella

Set amidst stunning mountains, 98 Acres Resort & Spa is one of the most distinct Ella hotels offering a charming getaway full of romance & adventure.
Cinnamon Wild in Yala

Only a 5-minute drive from the famous Yala National Park is Cinnamon Wild Yala. It features chalets with private balconies and free Wi-Fi. It features an outdoor pool and a restaurant.
BUCKINGHAM PLACE

Somewhere on the fringes of Tangalle (Sri Lanka) and hidden in the heart of a nature sanctuary, discover Buckingham Place. This unique, intimate beachside property is more than just a boutique hotel in Sri Lanka.
Amari Galle

Discover our tropical resort Amari Galle Sri Lanka through pictures of our rooms and overlooking views of the ocean and the beach. Located close to Galle Fort, Amari Galle has 172 guest rooms and a rooftop bar.
Cinnamon Red Colombo

Stay at the heart of Colombo and move around in the city center, this is one of the most reasonable hotels in the city. The infinity pool looks out at the beautiful sea of endless opportunities.