Exploring Sri Lanka’s Most Scenic Train Journey

For anticlockwise tours

Getting train tickets at the normal rate is almost impossible as larger tour operators buy it in bulk and re-sell it at higher rates. What we recommend to do is getting the train the opposite direction. In order to do so, you need to do the tour in anti-clockwise direction.

1. Ella to Haputale

Landscape: Dramatic valleys and engineering marvels
Scenic Value: ★★★★★ (Very High)

Starting your journey from the charming mountain town of Ella, this section offers:

• The famous Nine Arches Bridge soon after departure
• The remarkable Demodara Loop (spiral railway)
• Spectacular valley views
• Lush mountain forests
• Small villages nestled in the hills

Engineering Marvel: Watch as the train navigates the Demodara Loop, where the track spirals beneath itself in an impressive feat of colonial engineering.

2. Haputale to Nanu Oya

Landscape: Mountain vistas and tea plantations
Scenic Value: ★★★★★ (Very High)

This section is considered one of the most beautiful stretches:

• Dramatic cliff-side views
• Endless tea plantations
• Morning mist creating ethereal landscapes
• Panoramic vistas of Sri Lanka’s hill country
• Views of Lipton’s Seat area

Highlight: Pass through Haputale, famous for Lipton’s Seat viewpoint where Sir Thomas Lipton surveyed his tea empire.

3. Nanu Oya to Hatton

Landscape: Classic tea country
Scenic Value: ★★★★☆ (High)

Leaving the Nuwara Eliya region, you’ll see:

• Extensive tea estates
• Waterfalls alongside the tracks
• Tea pluckers working in the fields
• Colonial-era tea factories
• Pine and eucalyptus forests

Note: Nanu Oya is the station for Nuwara Eliya, known as “Little England” for its colonial charm.

4. Hatton to Nawalapitiya

Landscape: Transitional scenery
Scenic Value: ★★★☆☆ (Moderate)

The landscape begins to change as you descend:

• Tea plantations become less frequent
• More varied agriculture appears
• River valleys come into view
• Small towns and villages increase
• First signs of urban development

Point of Interest: Hatton serves as the gateway to Adam’s Peak, a sacred mountain pilgrimage site.

5. Nawalapitiya to Kandy (Approximately 1.5 hours)

Landscape: Urban and residential areas
Scenic Value: ★☆☆☆☆ (Low)

The final stretch into Kandy features:

• Urban settlements
• Residential neighborhoods
• Small towns
• Some agricultural land
• City outskirts

Tip: This section is less scenic, and many photographers choose to end their journey earlier.

Expert Recommendation: The Must-See Sections

Focus on Ella to Nanu Oya or Hatton
This approach allows you to:

• Experience the most spectacular scenery first
• Photograph the best views in morning light
• Visit the Nine Arches Bridge and Demodara Loop
• See the best of the tea country
• Skip the less scenic final stretch

Practical Tips for the Journey

Photography Tips

• Left side seats offer the best views (when traveling from Ella to Kandy)
• Early morning departures provide magical misty scenes
• The first 3-4 hours offer the most photogenic views

Journey Planning

• Full journey takes approximately 6-7 hours
• Book tickets in advance, especially during peak season (December-March)
• First and second class offer reserved seating
• Consider ending your journey at Hatton or Nanu Oya

Best Times to Travel

• Early morning trains (6:40 AM from Ella) offer the best lighting
• Clearest views during December-April
• Misty conditions common in early mornings year-round

Conclusion

When traveling from Ella to Kandy, the first half of the journey delivers the most spectacular views that have made this train route world-famous. By starting in Ella, you’ll experience the most dramatic scenery while you’re fresh and energized, with the option to disembark at Hatton or Nanu Oya if you wish to skip the less scenic final stretch.

Pro tip: Book your tickets 30 days before the required date, that’s when it’s available on the official government website. Don’t forget to arrive at Ella station early to secure your preferred seat position!