Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka by Train: Beaches, Tea & Temples

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Compact and gloriously varied, Sri Lanka packs beaches, hill-country tea and ancient temples into one easy loop.

The arc

Colombo on the coast, the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, the tea trails and Nine Arch Bridge around Ella, and the ramparts of Galle Fort.

The ride to book

The Kandy–Ella train — misty tea slopes from an open doorway — is one of the world's great rail journeys. Reserve a seat ahead.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Colombo

Sun, 6 Sept

Seaside capital

Chennai → Colombo

Chennai (MAA) → Colombo (CMB)

6 Sept, 7:00 am

Gangaramaya Temple Colombo

buddhist temple

61 Sri Jinarathana Rd, Colombo 00200, Sri Lanka

Galle Face Green

city park

Colombo, Sri Lanka

The Kandy-to-Ella train is one of the world’s prettiest rides — book a reserved seat in advance.

Day 2

Kandy

Mon, 7 Sept

Hill-country heart

Sri Dalada Maligawa

buddhist temple

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy Lake

lake

Kandy Lake, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya

botanical garden

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kandy - Colombo Rd, Kandy 20400, Sri Lanka

Day 3

Ella

Tue, 8 Sept

Tea-country trails

Nine Arch Bridge

bridge

Akasa road, Demodara, Sri Lanka

Little Adam's Peak Trailhead

hiking area

Ella, Sri Lanka

Day 4

Galle

Wed, 9 Sept

Colonial coast

Heritage Villa, Galle Fort

Galle Dutch Fort

9 Sept, 8:30 am

Galle Dutch Fort

historical landmark

Galle 80000, Sri Lanka

Unawatuna Beach

public bath

265V+8QG, Galle, Sri Lanka

Island & rail

Light cottons
A layer for the hill country
Reef-safe sunscreen
Modest wear for temples

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