All about travelling in Sri Lanka
Rail Tours in Sri Lanka
14 Nights/15 Days
Rail tours – one of the most scenic ways to travel around the island – whether winding your way up to the medieval kingdom of Kandy, along the southern coast, or traveling through the emerald tea country, you are sure to be impressed.
Train travel is one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to see the country. You get to enjoy the most spectacular scenery while still having the opportunity to grab some food, talk to locals and meet fellow travelers. You can also get off at any station you like and get as adventures as possible.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country that’s ideal for train trips. The route from Ella to Kandy is considered the most picturesque in the whole country so if you want to enjoy some train travel – this is the perfect way to do it. It is quite a tourist attraction so be prepared to make lots of new friends along the way.
The British built the Railway System in Sri Lanka back in 1864 for coffee and tea transportation between Colombo and Hill Country. Railway connects the biggest cities in Sri Lanka and offers several classes for all kinds of travelers: 3rd class seats are pretty crowdy and are available in all trains; 2nd class seats can be found on inter-city trains; 1st class air-con seats are available on some inner-city routes; 1st class observation car can be fund mostly on the Main Line; 1st class sleeper can be found in overnight trains.
- Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Colombo
- Overnight Colombo
- Today you will do a city tour of the Capital city Colombo, covering interesting places like the railway museum. You can do some shopping leisurely
- Return to your hotel and relax
- Overnight Colombo
- Take a packed breakfast from the hotel and proceed to Colombo fort Railway station for your departing train to Anuradhapura. Upon arrival at the Railway station you will be picked up by your chauffeur and proceed to visit the ruins of the ancient Anuradhapura Kingdoms, established in 437 BC is the largest of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities of the cultural triangle.
- Visit the Aukana Buddha statue which was carved out of living rock in the 5th century BC. Followed by a visit to the Kalawewa Tank built in 400 AD. Here you will witness ruins of temples, dagobas and Buddha statutes.
- You will also visit “The Sri Maha Bodi” a giant Bo tree a which was a sapling from the Bo tree underneath which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is the most frequented Buddhist site of Anuradhapura. The fame of Anuradhapura spread as far as the ancient Hellenistic world and established diplomatic links with China. It was the royal seat to 25 Buddhist and Hindu kings and the preeminent city of the island for 1400 years. If there is sufficient time you will also visit Mihintale which is known to be the cradle of Buddhism. Then you will spend the rest of the night at your hotel.
- Overnight: Anuradhapura
- Today you will proceed to experience a local train ride from Anuradhapura to Maho.
- Collect your packed breakfast from the hotel and proceed to the Anuradhapura railway station for your early morning train.
- Upon arrival at Maho station you will be picked up by your chauffeur to precede to Polonnaruwa, yet another ancient city of the cultural triangle. It was made capital after the fall of Anuradhapura in 993 BC. Here you will witness the famed monumental ruins of the famous garden city created by King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century and also the Brahmanic monuments build during the Chola invasion. The most significant being the Library Monastery, The Citadel and the palace complex and the Vatadage.
- Concluding your visit leave for Dambulla for your overnight stay. Check-in to your hotel and relax.
- Overnight – Dambulla
- After breakfast at the hotel you will be taken to Dambulla to see the Golden Cave Temple complex of Dambulla which is known to be one of the largest cave temples of south Asia. Here you will witness ancient rock paintings of Lord Buddha.
- Upon Conclusion of your visit, return to your hotel to relax.
- In the evening visit UNESCO site, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress a massive rock fortress which rises 600 feet from the green scrub jungle to accentuate the lucid blue of the sky. Built in the 5th century BC, it is one of the best architectural feats of the ancient world. Its key features being the frescos and its landscaped garden which is known to be Asia’s oldest surviving landscaped garden to experience the panoramic view and beautiful sunset at the peak.
- Overnight – Dambulla
- Today you will journey to the misty hill country of Kandy. Depending on your preference you will be able to indulge in some shopping of items ranging from arts and crafts, gems or clothing.
- If time permit you will be taken to the most beautiful botanical garden in the island, the Peradenaiya botanical gardens. It is renowned for its collection of a variety of orchids. The garden consists of more than 4000 species of plants, including of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees.
- Visit the Temple of Tooth relic. It was built within the royal palace complex which houses the one of the two surviving relic of the tooth of Buddha, an object of veneration for Buddhists.
- In the evening you will be taken to witness a beautiful cultural show.
- You will then be transferred to your hotel for the overnight stay.
- Overnight – Kandy
- Today you will leave for Nuwara-Eliya, which is considered to be the most important location for tea production in the island.
- After breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to Kandy railway station for your train to Nanuoya (the Nuwara Eliya Station).
- Upon arrival you will be picked up by your driver and transferred to your overnight hotel.
- Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
- After breakfast you can visit either Hortain plains or Moon plains.
- Visit the famous Gregory Lake.
- Return to your hotel and relax.
- Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
- After breakfast at hotel, visit a tea plantation and Tea Factory .
- Transfer to Nanuoya Rail way station. Enjoy a scenic train ride from Nanuoya to Ella
- Pick up by the driver at the Ella station and proceed to check in at your hotel.
- Overnight – Ella
- Today you will enjoy a hiking at the Little Adams peak. “Punchi Sri Pada” is another name for this peak. It is 1141 m in height. Little Adam’s Peak attracts many travelers who come to Sri Lanka. Gradually with an easy hike up to the mountain of Little Adams Peak you can consummation a worth panoramic view.
- Concluding this you will head to the Famous Ravana Falls, which is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Sri Lanka. This popular falls has its roots connected to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana.
- Return to your hotel.
- Overnight – Ella
- Today you will proceed to Yala, where you will visit the national park and do an afternoon safari, Lanka’s best known national park is popular for Elephants, Leopards, Bears, Crocodiles and Wild Boar.
- Check in at your hotel and relax.
- Overnight – Yala
- Today you depart for the magical coastal city of Galle.
- The area still retains much of its old world charm of the colonial period. The coast is lined with lovely boutique hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes. The Galle fort is the absolute treat of Galle.
- Check into your hotel and relax.
- Overnight – Galle
- Today you spend the day at leisure by the beach or pool at the hotel.
- Overnight – Galle
- Today you leave for the capital city of Colombo by the local train.
- Upon arrival at the busy Colombo station you will be guided by your driver to your hotel for the rest of the day. The evening will be spent at leisure at the hotel.
- You will be transferred to the Colombo airport for your departure flight.