Discover Serendib by Rail (8 Days)

About this experience

This eight-day tour links Sri Lanka's hill country and southern coast by a mix of scenic train journeys and private road transfers, starting in Colombo and finishing back at the airport. The rail legs between Kandy, Nanu Oya and Ella run through tea country and misty mountain scenery, while the later days cover a wildlife safari at Yala, beach time at Mirissa and Bentota, and a city tour of Colombo.

Travellers get a sampling of Sri Lanka's main draws: the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, colonial-era Nuwara Eliya, the hiking trails and viewpoints around Ella, a safari in Yala National Park, whale watching off Mirissa, and beach relaxation before a final look at Colombo's landmarks and shopping streets.

The tour runs with a private chauffeur guide from Lakpura throughout, who manages transfers, driving and logistics between the train stations, hotels and sights, leaving the itinerary free for sightseeing, walking and time on the water.

Your service advisor

Mewan Manager

Have questions about this service or want it arranged around your dates? Reach Mewan directly — replies usually within a few hours during Sri Lanka business hours.

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What’s included

Included

Transport in a Private Vehicle, Fuel, Parking & Highway tolls.
Service of English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide.
All prevailing taxes and service charges.

Not included

Hotel Accommodation and Meals.
Entrance fees to the respective sites.
Chauffeur Guide's Accommodation.
Expenses of personal nature.
Visa and Related Expenses.

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

Download itinerary (PDF)

1 Kandy

Day 1 — Airport → Colombo → Kandy

After arrival at Colombo airport, a chauffeur guide drives you to Colombo Fort to board the train to Kandy, where the day continues with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Colombo

Depending on time before the train, you may get a brief tour of Colombo before boarding at the Fort railway station.

Gihanud2001 · CC0

Kandy to Colombo train

The train ride from Colombo to Kandy takes approximately three to four hours with comfortable seating and good views.

Temple of the Tooth Relic

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the 16th century to house and protect Lord Buddha's sacred tooth, with painted halls, carved pillars and gilded statues.

A.Savin · FAL

Kandy Cultural Show

An optional hour-long show of traditional Sri Lankan dance, featuring fire dancers, sword dancers and Kandyan dancers performing to drumming.

Arian Zwegers · CC BY 2.0

2 Nanu Oya

Day 2 — Kandy → Nanu Oya

After checking out, you travel by train from Kandy to Nanu Oya through the hill country, then continue by road for a tour of Nuwara Eliya.

Kandy to Nanu Oya train

This scenic ride passes tea plantations, misty villages, mountains, woodlands and waterfalls on the way into the hill country.

Nuwara Eliya

A former British hill station with colonial cottages, villas and mansions, the old red-brick post office, Queen Victoria Park and Lake Gregory.

Abdul malik77 · CC BY-SA 4.0

3 Ella

Day 3 — Nanu Oya → Ella

The train continues from Nanu Oya towards Ella, a shorter but popular leg of the journey, followed by a look around the town and its surrounding sights.

Nanu Oya to Ella train

A short, often busy ride with panoramic views of mountains, waterfalls, tea fields and small misty towns.

Ella town

A small touristy town with restaurants and tea houses set in traditional huts and cottages.

Dan arndt · CC BY-SA 4.0

Little Adam's Peak

A viewpoint reached by walking through tea fields and rocky stretches on the way through Ella.

AI-generated image · not an actual photograph

Nine Arches Bridge

A historic railway bridge that can be walked across, with background on its construction.

Deitel55 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Demodara Railway Station

Known for its unique loop-over track design, this station marks the end of the Ella walking circuit.

A.Savin · FAL

4 Ella

Day 4 — Ella

A full day in Ella combining an early morning hike to Ella Rock with a visit to Ravana Falls.

Ella Rock

A three-hour morning hike with a packed breakfast up to one of the area's highest viewpoints, with views of the Namunukula Range, Little Adam's Peak, the Bandarawela Range, Poonagala Hills, Narangala, the Ella Gap and the Badulla train tracks.

Ravana Falls

One of Sri Lanka's widest waterfalls, around 25 metres high, cascading from an oval concave rock outcrop; its flow varies between the wet and dry seasons.

A.Savin · FAL

5 Yala

Day 5 — Ella → Yala

After checking out, you travel to Yala for an evening safari in the national park.

Yala National Park

A three-hour safari in Sri Lanka's second-largest national park, with chances to see leopards, wild water buffalo, sloth bears and elephants, along with other mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.

Ranmith Welikala · CC BY-SA 4.0

6 Mirissa

Day 6 — Yala → Mirissa

After checking out, you travel to Mirissa for a day of rest on the beach.

Mirissa Beach

A crescent-shaped beach at the eastern end of Weligama Bay, with smooth sands giving the feel of a secluded palm-covered island.

Ji-Elle · CC BY-SA 3.0

7 Bentota

Day 7 — Mirissa → Bentota

A morning whale watching tour in Mirissa is followed by the train to Bentota, where the rest of the day is spent on the beach.

Mirissa whale watching

A five-hour tour with a chance to see blue whales, sperm whales and fin whales, guided by a naturalist who explains how to identify the different species.

Ji-Elle · CC BY-SA 3.0

Mirissa to Bentota train

The onward train journey shows a change of scenery from the hill country seen earlier in the tour.

Bentota Beach

Known for its golden beaches and palms, with activities such as snorkelling, surfing, diving, swimming and jet-skiing available.

Vincent van Zeijst · CC BY-SA 3.0

8 Airport

Day 8 — Bentota → Colombo → Airport

The final day covers a city and shopping tour of Colombo before transfer to the airport for departure.

Colombo city tour

A tour of the capital's landmarks, including the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangaramaya Temple and the National Museum.

Gihanud2001 · CC0

Colombo shopping

Time for boutique shops and designer stores around Independence Square and the Race Course, with suggestions including lunch at the Gallery Café, Barefoot Gallery and Spa Ceylon.

Please note

Public transportation nearby
Infant seats available

Not wheelchair accessible
Not stroller accessible
Not suitable for pets
Infants must not sit on laps
Not recommended for people with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for people with heart conditions

Cancellation policy

More than 24 hours notice: full refund
Less than 24 hours notice: no refund

To cancel, reply to your booking confirmation email or message us on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The tour is private to your group: your own air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking chauffeur guide for all 8 days, with no other travellers joining.

Where does the tour start and end?

Day 1 starts at Colombo airport (CMB) and day 8 ends at Colombo airport (CMB). Every stop in between is reached by road in the same vehicle, so there is no other transport to arrange.

Are hotels included?

Hotels are not included in the price. Tell us the hotel class you would like in the booking notes and our team will arrange them for all 7 nights.

What vehicle will we travel in?

It depends on your group: a car for 1–2 guests, a van for 3–5, a large van for 6–8 and a bus for 9–15. Choose the number of guests in the booking box and the price updates to match.

Are entrance fees included?

Not in the base price. Set Tickets to Included in the booking box to add the entrance fees and safari jeeps for the sights on this itinerary; the booking box lists exactly which ones are covered.

Can we have a national guide?

Yes. A chauffeur guide is always included, and you can add a government-licensed national guide who travels with you for the whole tour. Choose it under Guide in the booking box; the vehicle is sized for the extra seat.

Can we change the itinerary or the dates?

Yes. Every tour is private, so it can start on any date you choose. To change stops, add nights or combine it with another tour, write to us in the booking notes or plan your own trip at lakpura.com/plan-your-trip.