Lakpura
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Highlights of Sri Lanka by Train (12)

Explore Sri Lanka over 12 days by scenic train, private vehicle, and guided city tours in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Colombo.

Highlights of Sri Lanka by Train (12) Highlights of Sri Lanka by Train (12) Highlights of Sri Lanka by Train (12) Highlights of Sri Lanka by Train (12) Highlights of Sri Lanka by Train (12) Highlights of Sri Lanka by Train (12)

About this experience

Over 12 days, you travel Sri Lanka's most scenic rail corridors — from the misty Hill Country to the coastal lowlands — with an English-speaking chauffeur guide alongside you throughout. Lakpura arranges all train tickets for the included rail journeys, and a private vehicle covers every transfer in between, with fuel, parking, and highway tolls all taken care of. City tours in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Colombo are built into the itinerary, so the key highlights are already mapped out for you.

The tour is private, minimum age five, and operates in English. Hotel accommodation, meals, flights, and personal expenses are not included, giving you full flexibility to choose where you stay and eat each night. Pack light, keep your camera ready as the train winds through tea estates and mountain passes, and let your guide handle the logistics.

Duration12 days
LanguagesEnglish
Group typePrivate — your party only
Min age5 years
Mewan
Your tour planner

Mewan Manager

Have questions or want to customise this itinerary? Reach Mewan directly — replies usually within a few hours during Sri Lanka business hours.

What’s included

Included

  • City tours in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Colombo.
  • Service of an English-Speaking Chauffer Guide throughout the tour.
  • Transport in a Private Vehicle, inclusive of all chauffer accommodation, cost of fuel, parking & highway tolls.
  • Train Tickets for the mentioned Train rides

Not included

  • Any expenses of personal nature.
  • International / Domestic Airfare
  • Hotel Accomodation & Meals
  • Tips & Portages.

Tour route

Day-by-day waypoints across Sri Lanka. Each marker is where you spend the night; lines trace the daily drive.

Day-by-day itinerary

1

Day 1 — Airport > Negambo

After your arrival to Bandaranayake International Airport (CMB) you will be Welcomed by Lakpura Travels representative. He will take you to a comfortable vehicle and drive you to Negombo.

 Negombo more affectionately known as the “Little Rome” of Sri Lanka is a romantic little coastal town in close proximity to the Bandaranaike International Airport. Home to some of the oldest churches in Sri Lan ka, fresh see food and untouched beaches, Negombo is the perfect location for a beach holiday just before you set off to explore the rest of Sri Lanka.

2

Day 2 — Negambo > Colombo > Nuwara Eliya

After early breakfast proceed Fort Railway Station and join “Udarata Menike” Express Train to Nuwara Eliya. Picnic lunch on the Train. At about 2.53p.m. you will be picked up at the Nanu oya Railway Station and transfer to Hotel in, Nuwara Eliya. In the evening go for a walk to the City. Visit the Market and Victoria Park close by and walk back to the hotel. 

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

3

Day 3 — Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast go for a short trek to the jungle area behind the hotel with the resident Naturalist. See the bird life in the mountain area, trees & plants found in the cooler areas, reptiles, Monkeys and beautiful flowering plants.

Afternoon go for a City tour in Nuwara Eliya

Visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens

4

Day 4 — Nuwara Eliya > Kandy

  • Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.
  • On the way visit Labukele Tea Factory to see the processing of Tea and see Tea Pluckers
  • Afternoon visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, other sites in the city and in the evening go for a Kandyan Dance performance. (Optional – At 1.15 p.m. be at the Nanu-oya Railway Station and join the Train to Kandy, The vehicle will pick you up at the Peradeniya Station and will take you for a City tour). Dinner & overnight stay at the selected hotel in, Kandy.
5

Day 5 — Kandy > Anuradhapura

Leave for Pothuhera Station via Rambukkana. Join the Train to Anuradhapura. The vehicle will pick you up at the Anuradhapura Station and transfer you the Hotel. Afternoon visit Sri Maha Bo Tree, Ruvanweliseya, Thuparamaya and other monuments,Evening return to Hotel. Dinner & overnight stay at the selected hotel in, Anuradhapura

6

Day 6 — Anuradhapura > Giritale

  • Visit Mihintale
  • Afternoon see the monuments in the Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa. Evening visit the Polonnaruwa Museum - one of the best Museums in the country. Proceed to Giritale for the night. Dinner & overnight stay at the selected hotel, Giritale.
7

Day 7 — Giritale > Dambulla

Early morning leave for Kavudulla National Park. Go up to the entrance by vehicle, get in to a Jeep and enter the National Park to see Wild Elephants, other animals and large number of aquatic birds found in the large lake. Then leave for Sigiriya via Habarana

Afternoon climb Sigiriya to see the remains of the fortress dating to 5th C.A.D. Dinner & overnight stay at the selected hotel in, Dambulla.

8

Day 8 — Dambulla > Colombo

After breakfast leave for Dambulla. See the paintings and statues in the 5 cave temples and then leave for Kekirawa Railway Station. Take a train from Kekirawa to Colombo. The vehicle will be at the Fort Railway Station in Colombo to pick up and transfer to Hotel. (Optional; you have the option of returning to Colombo by vehicle instead of the Train jour

Dinner & overnight stay at the Selected hotel in Colombo

9

Day 9 — Colombo > Galle

Morning leave for Galle by Train in the “Ruhunu Kumari” Express Train from Colombo Fort Station. You will be picked up at the Galle Station and transfer to Lighthouse Hotel. Afternoon visit the Dutch fort of Galle- a “World Heritage Site”. Walk in the narrow streets, visit the private museum and several of the Bastions out of 15 bastions. Evening drive up to Unawatuna Beach and back to the Hotel. Dinner & overnight stay at the Selected hotel in Galle.

10

Day 10 — Galle > Matara

After breakfast leave for Matara by Train from Galle and from there by vehicle to Hambantota. Check-in at the Oasis Hotel. Afternoon visit Udawalawe National Park by Jeep to see Wild Elephants and other animals. Return to Hotel in the evening.

11

Day 11 — Matara > Colombo

Leave for Colombo via Embilipitiya, Ratnapura and Avissawella. At Ratnapura visit a Gem pit to see the method of mining for Gemstones. Visit a Gem Museum to see different types of Gemstones found in Sri Lanka. Evening arrive in Colombo. Dinner & overnight stay at the Selected hotel in Colombo.

12

Day 12 — Colombo > BIA

Free day in Colombo for shopping and/or relaxation. Dinner & overnight at the Selected hotel in Colombo.

Please note

  • Infant seats available
  • Public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Not recommended for people with back problems
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • A maximum of 6 people per booking
  • (1) Your hotel in Colombo. (2) Your hotel in Negombo.

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