Why The Kandy to Ella Train will steal your heart
Some journeys are simply about getting from A to B. This isn't one of them. The train ride through Sri Lanka's hill country is regularly named among the most scenic rail journeys in the world, and once you've leaned out of the open doorway as the train curves through a valley of tea, you'll understand why.
The railway line was built by the British in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to carry tea from the highlands to the port in Colombo. Engineers faced enormous challenges, cutting the line into steep mountainsides, building bridges across ravines and boring tunnels through rock. The result is a masterpiece of engineering that winds and climbs through some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth.
The journey from Kandy to Ella takes around seven hours, but many travellers join at Nanu Oya, near Nuwara Eliya, for the most spectacular stretch. The train climbs past tea estates where pickers wave from the slopes, through pine and eucalyptus forest, past waterfalls and tiny villages, and over Pattipola, the highest station on the line. Clouds drift through the carriages, and the views change with every bend.
The trains are refreshingly local. Vendors walk the aisles selling spicy snacks, fresh corn and cups of tea, families chat, and children wave from the trackside. The open doors and windows are the best seats in the house. Many passengers take turns standing in the doorway to feel the cool mountain air and watch the scenery rush past.
The line ends at Badulla, but most travellers get off at Ella, a lovely hill village perfect for a few relaxing days. We book reserved seats well in advance, as they sell out quickly, and your chauffeur guide drives your luggage ahead, so you can simply enjoy the ride. Your guide will be waiting for you at the station.
