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Private Tour · 3★ & 2★ hotels 5 Days Sri Lanka Tour: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Ella HillsFive days in the cool central hills: Pinnawala and Kandy, a tea-country drive, two nights in Nuwara Eliya, then Ella and its famous railway viaduct. Private Tour · 3★ & 2★ hotelsEasy intensityEnglish-speaking guide Tour priceFromUSD 384per person A 5 day Sri Lanka tour through Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella trades the coast for the cool, green middle of the island. There is no safari and no beach time, only terraced hillsides, mist in the valleys, waterfalls and a railway line that bends through the jungle. It is a short trip for couples, small families and friends who care more about views than about ticking off sights, and who do not mind spending part of each day in the car when the window is the attraction. Who the 5 day Sri Lanka tour through Kandy, Nuwara Eliya suitsThe pace is steady rather than busy. Most days hold two or three planned stops and a drive of a few hours, and nothing requires fitness beyond short walks on uneven paths and a few flights of temple steps. Children who cope with winding roads usually enjoy it, especially the elephants on the first day. Because you climb from the lowlands to well above a thousand metres, the weather changes as the days go by, so pack for warm mornings in Kandy and cold nights higher up. The route and your four nightsYou spend one night in Kandy, two nights in Nuwara Eliya and one in Ella. Day one runs from the airport to Kandy by way of the Pinnawala elephant orphanage and a spice garden, and ends with a Kandyan dance show. Day two begins at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, continues past a gem gallery and a working tea estate, and climbs to the hill station. The third day stays in and around Nuwara Eliya, so you can unpack once and slow down. On day four you cross to Ella, stopping at the Nine Arch Bridge and Ravana Falls. The fifth morning is the journey to Colombo. Moments that stay with youPinnawala is the first. The herd is led down to the Maha Oya river for a wash twice a day, and watching a line of elephants of all sizes wade in is hard to forget. Kandy follows with its temple, where drumming, flowers and incense surround a relic revered across the Buddhist world. The tea estate gives you the other half of Sri Lanka's story: leaves picked on the slope behind the factory become a cup of Ceylon tea within a day. In Nuwara Eliya the slow wander through the market, lakeside lawns and the Hakgala gardens feels like stepping into another climate. Ella then offers the arches of the old viaduct, which look best when a train crosses them. Comfort, meals and your driver-guideA private air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking driver-guide stay with you from the arrivals hall to the final drop-off, so you can stop for photographs, a toilet break or a cup of tea whenever the road offers something. Hotels are chosen for comfort and location, and the plan is bed-and-breakfast, so breakfast is included each morning and you choose where to have lunch and dinner; your driver-guide is happy to suggest good local restaurants after long days of driving. Entrance fees at the sights are paid separately on the day, and your guide explains what each place is before you walk in. The best time for a hill country tourThe central hills are driest roughly from December to March, and April is often pleasant too. These months bring the clearest views from Nuwara Eliya and Ella. In wetter months the waterfalls run fuller and the hillsides are greener, but cloud can hide the scenery by afternoon. Whatever the season, evenings in Nuwara Eliya are cold, so bring a fleece or a jumper and a light rain jacket. Make the trip your ownEvery Volata Travels itinerary can be adjusted. If you would like to ride the scenic train between Kandy, Nanu Oya and Ella instead of driving, we can arrange it. An early visit to Horton Plains and World's End, an extra night in Ella for walking, or a Colombo hotel near the airport are all easy to add. Send us your dates and wishes, and we will shape the programme around them. Tour highlights
Day-by-day itinerary Your Volata Travels driver-guide meets you in the arrivals hall, and the car turns inland for the three-hour run to Kandy. The first break comes at Pinnawala, and the rest of the day is easy: a spice garden, a late check-in and an evening show. The elephant orphanage began in 1975 as a project of the Wildlife Department, on a 25-acre coconut estate beside the Maha Oya river. It was set up to look after young elephants found orphaned or hurt in the forests of the island. The aim is to keep life as close to natural as possible, though a few routines are human-managed. Twice a day the herd is walked to the river for a bath, which is the most entertaining time to be there, and calves under three years old are still fed from bottles by keepers and volunteers. Bring a hat and sun cream, as there is little shade along the riverbank. After Pinnawala you continue towards Kandy and call at a spice garden. Guides lead you through rows of pepper vines, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg trees, curry-leaf bushes and cardamom, a relative of ginger that grows in the shade of taller trees and can be picked only by hand. Local growers belong to a cooperative that helps them get fair prices, so if you want to take home spices or oils, you can buy them here, without any pressure. You reach your hotel in Kandy with time to rest. In the late afternoon, from about five o'clock for an hour, you watch a cultural dance show in town, with drummers, dancers in heavy beaded costumes and fire performers. Afterwards you can eat in the hotel restaurant or at a place your driver-guide recommends. Accommodation Devon Hotel, Kandy or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After breakfast you spend the first part of the morning in Kandy, then begin the climb to the hill country. Allow three to four hours of driving over the day, spread across several stops. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is Sri Lanka's most treasured shrine. According to tradition, the Buddha's tooth reached the island in the fourth century, carried from Orissa in the hair of a princess so that nobody could seize it. Over the centuries its reputation grew, and today pilgrims come with lotus flowers and offerings, while drummers mark the rituals. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and expect to leave your shoes outside. Back in the city, a gem gallery explains how Sri Lanka's stones are found in the ground and judged for quality. There is a reconstructed mine, a short film on cutting and mounting stones in gold, silver or platinum, and a showroom you are free to ignore. The road then rises into tea country. The British saw that these slopes suited the crop and turned large stretches of the central province into plantations. The first tea bush came from China and was planted at the botanical gardens in Peradeniya, and from there the industry spread to areas such as Hatton and Bandarawela. Tea still earns more for the country than any other farm product. At the estate factory you follow the leaf from picking to processing and sit down to taste a fresh cup. Further up, at Ramboda, the Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple sits on a mountain summit about 30 km before Nuwara Eliya. It was built by the Chinmaya Mission and holds an 18-foot statue of Hanuman, the tallest in Sri Lanka, and it is a stop for many Ramayana trails. Ramboda Falls is just nearby. You arrive in Nuwara Eliya in the late afternoon. Pack a warm layer in your day bag, because the temperature drops quickly. Meals Breakfast Accommodation London Eye Hotel Nuwara Eliya or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today you stay put in the hills, with no luggage to repack and no long transfer. The mood is a slow walk around a town built by homesick colonials, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket. You begin in the centre of Nuwara Eliya, with a visit to the market, where stalls sell fresh produce from the surrounding hill farms. Your driver-guide then takes you on a loop of the town's sights, including Gregory Lake and Victoria Park. Colonial-style bungalows, rose gardens and tidy lawns explain why people call it Little England. At roughly 1,900 metres above sea level, the air is crisp even at midday. The main outing is the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, on the slope below a steep rock face. The gardens are laid out in a natural style, with beds of roses, tree ferns and flowering shrubs, and shaded paths where monkeys are often seen. Keep an eye out for the blue magpie among the trees. Allow an hour or so to wander without hurrying. Not far away is the Seetha Amman Temple, a colourful Hindu shrine whose carved and painted figures make a vivid contrast to the quiet gardens. It is linked to the Ramayana epic, which pairs well with yesterday's visit to the Hanuman temple. Ask your guide to explain the story before you go in, and remember to remove your shoes. If you would rather start earlier, you can swap part of the programme for an optional dawn visit to Horton Plains, where a loop walk leads to the cliff at World's End. Tell us before the trip so the early start can be organised. The afternoon is yours. Many guests rest at the hotel with a pot of local tea, then eat there or ask your driver-guide to suggest a restaurant in town. Meals Breakfast Accommodation London Eye Hotel Nuwara Eliya or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After a leisurely breakfast you leave the highest town in the programme and descend towards Ella. By road the transfer takes about three hours without stops, but with the two main sights it fills most of the day. The first stop is the Nine Arch Bridge, a viaduct that swings in a gentle curve between two hillsides. It was commissioned in 1921 during British rule and is built from stone blocks and cement, with no steel reinforcement inside. The arches are tall and elegant, and the setting of dense green forest and tea bushes explains why it is one of the most photographed spots in the highlands. Trains pass at set times, and your driver-guide will suggest when to arrive so you can watch one cross. Wear shoes with a good grip, because the approach path can be slippery after rain. Ravana Falls comes next, a wide cascade on the edge of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary. The water slides about 82 feet over an oval hollow in the rock. In the rainy season the shape resembles a drooping areca flower, while in dry weather the flow thins considerably. Local legend links the falls with King Ravana from the Ramayana. Stay on the marked areas, because the rocks near the edge are wet and slippery. By late afternoon you reach your hotel in Ella. The village sits in a gap between the hills, with cafes and small shops along its main street and long views down the valley. If you still have energy, you can walk up Little Adam's Peak, an easy climb of about an hour through tea fields, or simply sit with a drink and watch the clouds roll in. For dinner, the hotel restaurant is the easy option, and the village has plenty of small cafes if you prefer to wander. If you would like to take the scenic train between Nanu Oya and Ella instead of the road, mention it when you book, and we can plan the day around it. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Ivory Canopy Resort - Ella or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After a last breakfast in the hills, your driver-guide takes you down from the mountains and onto the expressway towards Colombo. Plan on spending most of the day on the journey, with short breaks for coffee and the toilet. Coming off the highway, you reach the capital, where the tour ends with a drop-off at the address you choose. If your flight leaves later, your driver can continue to the airport, which takes around an hour from the city centre. Ask us in advance if you want a hotel for an extra night in Colombo, or a quiet beach stay before you fly home. Meals Breakfast Included Activities
Landmarks
Route mapWhere you'll stayThese are the hotels we plan to use. If one of them is full on your dates, we book another hotel of the same standard (“or similar”) and tell you its name before you travel. Devon Hotel, Kandy or similarKandy 1 night · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel London Eye Hotel Nuwara Eliya or similarNuwara Eliya 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel Ivory Canopy Resort - Ella or similarElla 1 night · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel What's included
What's not included
Pickup & drop-offPickup: Your Volata Travels driver-guide meets you in the arrivals hall at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Katunayake, with a name board. Pick-up from a hotel in Colombo or Negombo can also be arranged. Drop-off: Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) for your departure flight, with the timing planned around your flight. Important informationItinerary order and overnight stops can be adjusted to fit your dates and pace — this is a private tour built around you, not a fixed departure. Cancellation policyAll cancellations must be received in writing by your Volata Tour Consultant. 19.1 Unless otherwise specified in your quotation, the following cancellation terms will apply to your booking: 19.1.1 Cancellations received between the date of booking and 61 days prior to departure will result in the loss of the deposit. 19.1.2 Cancellations received 60 – 46 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 25% of the tour price. 19.1.3 Cancellations received 45 – 29 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 50% of the tour price. 19.1.4 Cancellations received 28 – 15 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 75% of the tour price. 19.1.5 Cancellations received 14 days or less prior to departure will be subject to a forfeiture of the entire tour price. 19.2 Cancellation of airline tickets will be subject to the refund policy of each individual airline and may be greater than the percentages above particularly when low cost/net-based fares are used. 19.3 The purchase of special event tickets is subject to the refund policy of each individual event. Please refer to the specific event policy for details. 19.4 Volata reserve the right to charge for financial penalties, fees and losses incurred in excess of your cancellation fee as a result of cancellation.... What travellers say4.8 average from 5 customer reviews LF Lucia Fernández, Argentina A wonderful three-day experience. We enjoyed the cultural visits and the peaceful atmosphere in the hills. MC Mason Clarke, Australia Such a scenic tour. Our guide was helpful, and the hill-country stops were unforgettable. JH Jia Hui Tan, Singapore Everything was organized clearly, and the guide was attentive. Ella was a wonderful highlight. SA Sara Al-Mansoori, United Arab Emirates We had a comfortable experience with all the arrangements. The airport transfer, hotels, and daily transportation were coordinated properly. NL Nadia Laurent, France A very enjoyable experience with beautiful scenery. I’d recommend it to anyone wanting a quick hill-country visit. You might also like      Ready to plan your Sri Lanka trip?Tell us your dates and interests — we'll put together a private itinerary within a day. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 5 days enough for Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella?
It is enough to enjoy the central hills at a calm pace, with one night in Kandy, two in Nuwara Eliya and one in Ella. The first and last days involve a lot of driving, so you will not see everything on offer. If walking around Ella is a priority, ask us to add a night there or extend the tour by a day.
How long is the drive from Nuwara Eliya to Ella?
Allow roughly three hours by road without stops. With the Nine Arch Bridge and Ravana Falls on the way, plus a cup of tea somewhere, the transfer fills much of the day without feeling rushed. The road twists through tea estates and villages, so anyone prone to car sickness should sit near the front.
Can we ride the scenic train instead of driving?
Yes, we can arrange it on request. The train from Kandy to Nanu Oya, the station for Nuwara Eliya, takes about four to five hours, and Nanu Oya to Ella takes roughly three to four. Tickets must be reserved in advance, and your driver meets you at the destination station with the luggage.
What should I pack for Nuwara Eliya?
Pack layers. Days can be mild, but evenings and early mornings are properly cold at around 1,900 metres, so a fleece, long trousers and socks are worth carrying. A light rain jacket is useful in every season. Comfortable walking shoes with grip help at the Nine Arch Bridge and in the gardens.
Can we visit Horton Plains from Nuwara Eliya?
Yes, as an optional early start on your free day in Nuwara Eliya. The loop walk on the plateau leads to World's End, where the ground drops away roughly 870 metres. Views are best at dawn, before mist moves in by mid-morning. Park fees are paid separately, and warm clothing is important.
How much walking is involved on this tour?
Not much. Most walks are short and on gentle ground: the temple in Kandy, paths at the spice garden and Hakgala gardens, and the track to the Nine Arch Bridge. The only longer option is the optional climb up Little Adam's Peak, which takes about an hour and is not steep. You can skip any walk.
Is this tour suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes, with a little planning. Elephants, tea factories and the viaduct tend to delight children, and the hotels are comfortable. The main challenge is the amount of time in the car and the winding mountain roads. Tell us the ages and any mobility needs in advance and we will adjust the stops and pace.
When is the best time of year for this route?
The central hills are driest roughly from December to March, and April is often good as well, so views are usually clearest then and the roads are easiest. Wetter months bring fuller waterfalls and greener slopes but more cloud. Nights in Nuwara Eliya are cold throughout the year, so warm layers are always useful, whenever you travel.
What's included in the 5-day tour price?
Meet and greet at Bandaranaike International Airport; 4 nights in 3-star and 2-star hotels (or similar), double or twin room sharing; a single room if you travel alone; Daily breakfast at your hotels (bed and breakfast); All transfers and sightseeing in a private air-conditioned vehicle; English-speaking driver-guide throughout the tour; Fuel, parking, driver accommodation and highway fees. The tour costs USD 384 per person when two adults share a room, or USD 724 for one traveller in a single room, for 4 nights / 5 days. These prices are valid for travel from 8 October 2026 to 30 November 2027.
What's not included?
International flights and the Sri Lanka ETA visa fee; Lunches, dinners and drinks (breakfast is included); Entrance fees and activity fees (Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and cultural show, Hakgala Botanical Gardens); Optional tours and optional activities; Train tickets (if you choose the scenic train); Hotel supplements when you travel on 24 December and 31 December (New Year), and the Christmas supplement on 24 December; Tips, porterage and personal expenses; Early check-in and late check-out at hotels; Travel insurance and bank charges.
Is the price the same on 24 and 31 December?
Not quite. Hotels charge a compulsory supplement for the nights of 24 December (Christmas Eve) and 31 December (New Year's Eve), and these supplements are not included in the tour price. If your dates include either night, tell us when you enquire and we will confirm the supplement for the hotels on your route before you book.
Can I customize this tour?
Yes. The order of stops, the number of nights in each place, the hotels and the activities can all be adjusted to your dates, pace and budget — this is a private tour built around you, not a fixed group departure. Tell us what you would like to change and we will send a revised quote.
What is the cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be received in writing by your Volata Tour Consultant. Cancellations received up to 61 days before departure result in the loss of the deposit. Between 60 and 46 days before departure a charge of 25% of the tour price applies; between 45 and 29 days, 50%; between 28 and 15 days, 75%; and 14 days or less before departure the entire tour price is forfeited. Airline tickets follow the refund policy of each airline, and special event tickets follow the policy of each event. The full Terms & Conditions are at www.volatatravels.com/terms-and-conditions.