Sample itinerary
Tea trails & temples
Route: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella
Hill country
The heart oftea country.
At around 1,900 metres, Nuwara Eliya is one of the highest towns in Sri Lanka, surrounded by tea estates that carpet the hillsides. It is a good base for tea-factory visits and early-morning trips to Horton Plains National Park.
Things to experience.
Tea estate visit
See how leaves become tea on a factory tour, with a tasting to finish.
Horton Plains and World’s End
A walking trail across high grassland to a dramatic escarpment. Start early before cloud builds.
The train to Ella
Board at nearby Nanu Oya for one of the most scenic stretches of the hill-country line.
Make room for the journey.
Add Nuwara Eliya to my trip- Suggested stay
- 1–2 nights
- Getting there
- About 3 hours by road from Kandy; trains stop at Nanu Oya nearby
- Good to know
- It can be genuinely cold at night — bring warm layers
Experiences around Nuwara Eliya
Sample trips
Continue the adventure.
Sample itineraries that include Nuwara Eliya. Combine it with other highlights for a journey that’s uniquely yours.
Frequently asked questions.
View all FAQsIs Nuwara Eliya worth visiting if I am going to Ella?
They feel quite different: Nuwara Eliya is higher, cooler and centred on tea estates and Horton Plains, while Ella is about viewpoints and short hikes. Many trips include both, linked by train.