Central Province · hill capital
Kandy
The last royal capital of Sri Lanka, set around a lake and home to the country's most sacred Buddhist temple.
3 days · 2 nights
3-Day Hill Country Escape
A short private tour through Sri Lanka's tea country, linking the hill capital to Ella with time for estates, waterfalls and the train country in between.
- Duration
- 3 days · 2 nights
- Route
- Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Ella
- Vehicle
- SUV
Highlights
What this tour covers
- Tea factory visit and tasting in the hill estates
- Ramboda and other waterfall stops
- Free time in Ella for the Nine Arch Bridge
- Same chauffeur and vehicle for all three days
Key experiences
- Tea estate walk and factory tasting
- Waterfall stops on the climb into the hills
- Ella viewpoints and the Nine Arch Bridge
- Door-to-door travel with no repacking between stops
Day by day
3 days · 2 nights itinerary
A planned route with realistic driving times. Days can be reordered, extended or shortened when we build your version.
Day 1
Kandy · Ramboda · Nuwara Eliya
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Leave Kandy in the morning and climb into tea country. The road rises through Ramboda and the plantation belt, with waterfalls and estate viewpoints on the way. Stop for a factory tour and tasting, then continue to Nuwara Eliya for the afternoon — a walk around Gregory Lake and the old town before dinner.
Approx. 2–2.5 hrs of driving plus stops.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
Day 2
Nuwara Eliya · Haputale · Ella
Nuwara Eliya to Ella
A scenic morning across the estates toward Haputale, with the landscape changing from open plateau to forested ridges. Break for coffee or a short walk, then descend into Ella by mid-afternoon. If you want the train for part of this leg, tell us in advance and we will arrange for your chauffeur to meet you in Ella with the luggage.
Approx. 2–2.5 hrs of driving plus stops.
Overnight: Ella
Day 3
Ella · Nine Arch Bridge · departure
Ella morning and onward transfer
Start early with Little Adam's Peak or the Nine Arch Bridge before the day-trippers arrive. After lunch, we drive you onward — back toward Colombo Airport, down to the south coast, or wherever your next booking is.
Morning sightseeing, then your chosen onward transfer.
Overnight: Onward destination
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for your group only
- Professional chauffeur for all three days
- Fuel, tolls and the driver's costs
- Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off as agreed
- Planned route with confirmed stops
- Bottled water in the vehicle
Not included
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Entrance tickets to sites and gardens
- Train tickets
- Safari jeep and park fees
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
Optional experiences
- Train ride for part of the Kandy–Ella line (seats booked separately)
- Additional tea factory or estate walk
- Cooking or spice experience in the hills
- Extended Ella day trip to Diyaluma Falls
Travel notes
- Hill-country nights are cool; bring a warm layer.
- Day 1 and Day 2 are driving days with stops — pack a small bag for the day.
- Train seats sell out weeks ahead in peak season; ask us early if that matters to you.
- This tour can start from Colombo Airport instead of Kandy if you prefer.
Vehicle
1–4 passengers
A higher, roomier vehicle suited to hill-country roads, longer driving days and travellers who prefer more space for passengers and bags.
All vehicles →Pricing
Quoted for your dates
The price depends on the vehicle, travellers, hotels and dates. We send a written quote for the whole trip — per vehicle, not per person — before you confirm anything.
Pricing questions →Places on this route
Where you will spend your time
Central Province · tea country
Nuwara Eliya
Sri Lanka's tea heartland at about 1,900 m — cool, green and often misty, with colonial-era architecture and endless estates.
Uva Province · hill country
Ella
A small hill-town of tea estates, waterfall walks and long valley views — the easiest place in Sri Lanka to slow down for a few days.
FAQ
Questions about this tour
Can this tour start from Colombo Airport instead of Kandy?
Yes. Starting from the airport adds roughly half a day of driving, so we usually recommend four days for that version — we will tell you honestly what fits.
Are hotels included in the 3-day tour price?
No. The price covers the private vehicle, chauffeur and planning. We can recommend places to stay on your budget and book them separately if you want help.
Is the Kandy–Ella train included?
Train tickets are not included because they are issued and priced by Sri Lanka Railways. We can advise on routes and timings, and your car can carry the luggage while you ride.
Interested in this tour?
Ask about the 3-Day Hill Country Escape.
Send us your dates and group size and we will come back with availability, the day-by-day plan and a price.