Kandy
Popular Cities
Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella
Ideal Duration
2 – 4 Days
Best Time to Visit
Year-round (Dec–Apr for Kandy)
About the Destination
Kandy, the hill country, and Ella form the most scenically dramatic section of any Sri Lanka itinerary. The famous blue train ride from Kandy through the tea estates to Ella is consistently voted one of the world's most beautiful train journeys.
Why Visit Kandy and the Hill Country:
• Temple of the Tooth Relic — UNESCO-listed, Sri Lanka's most sacred site
• Nuwara Eliya tea estates — discover the story behind Ceylon tea
• Ella's Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam's Peak — iconic highland landscapes
• Famous blue train through tea country — one of the world's great rail journeys
The hill country features in our 5-Day Classic, 9-Day Adventure, 12-Day Complete, and 14-Day Grand Tour — with optional Ella zipline and Diyaluma Falls experiences available.
Why visit this destination
Sri Lanka's spiritual capital — temples, tea, and mountain mist.
Kandy is Sri Lanka's last royal capital and home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. The city sits in a lush bowl of green hills surrounding a central lake, and its annual Esala Perahera procession is one of Asia's most spectacular cultural events. Kandy marks the gateway between the ancient lowland kingdoms and the cool highland interior.
From Kandy, the journey rises into tea country — emerald hillsides of the world's finest Ceylon tea, colonial-era estates, and cool mountain air in Nuwara Eliya. Continuing south brings you to Ella, Sri Lanka's most beloved highland village, home to the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, Ravana Falls, and a thriving cafe culture that draws travellers from across the globe.
