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Discover Serendib By Rail

Scenic Train Ride

HomeToursDiscover Serendib By Rail

Discover Serendib By Rail

8 Day tour of Sri Lanka

Spend eight days in paradise with your entire family while enjoying the scenic train rides. Sink into the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka during your tour of Kandy. Enjoy the cool green tea fields and colonial architecture in the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya. Hike through deep forest trails and get a chance to see the awe striking views of Ella. Get an up close and personal view of elephants and other wildlife in Yala. Go whale watching in Mirissa for a chance at a glimpse of the giants of the sea. Finish off with a relaxing day spent on the famous golden beaches of Bentota. With a host of fun-filled activities in safe and friendly environments, this is undoubtedly a tour of immense charm.

Highlights

  • Adrenaline Rush – Scenic Train Rides.
  • World Class – UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Into the Wild – Yala National Park.
  • Little England – Cold, Scenic Peaks and Cozy Little Towns of Ella & Nuwara Eliya.
  • Misty Mountains – See the nature’s creations at Ella.
  • Titans of the Sea – Whale Watching in Mirissa.
  • On the Shores – Explore the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka.

Itinerary

Kandy - 1 Night

Day 01

Arrive at Colombo International Airport at TBA hrs. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffer guide from Lakpura Travels.
Things to Remember:

– You will spend approximately 1 hour getting through the immigration cue and baggage collection.
– Your Chauffer will be page your name at the Airport Arrivals Lounge.

After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air-conditioned Vehicle and drive you to Colombo. At the large railway station in Fort, you will all be boarding a train to Kandy. While waiting for the train you may get a brief tour of Colombo, depending on the time restrictions. Once you board the train, you will find that your seating is quite comfortable with a good view. It will take you approximately 3-4 hours to get to Kandy.
Your chauffeur will pick up you at the Peradeniya Station and visit Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Temple of the Tooth Relic

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Upon completion return to the hotel and relax.

Optional Activities:

Experience the glorious Sri Lankan Cultural Dance show.

The Kandy Cultural Show

The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Oakray Regency
Standard Option (4 Star) – Earl’s Regent
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Earl’s Regency

Nuwara Eliya - 1 Night

Day 02

After breakfast check out from the hotel and head to Peradeniya Station to Catch the train to Nanu Oya.

Scenic Train Ride from Kandy to Nanu Oya

The Kandy to Nanu Oya train journey takes you on scenic ride through some of the most beautiful highland countryside areas in Sri Lanka. Watch the brilliant greens carpets of the tea plantations. See the picturesque villages with misty mountain backdrops pass by. Peer through drizzle and mist to look at the magical landscapes of Hill Country. Enjoy the amazing sights of intimidating mountains, deep and dark woodlands, and magnificent waterfalls as they go by your windows.

Your chauffeur will pick up you at the Nanu Oya Station and take you a city tour around Nuwara Eliya.

Misty City of Nuwara Eliya

Visit the highland city that was the premium holiday resort town of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy walking through the streets with their pretty little cottages, quaint villas and beautiful mansions. Make a memory in the old red-bricked post office as you purchase an inexpensive and colorful postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.

On completion of the day return back to the hotel and relax.

On completion return to the hotel

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Summer Hill Breeze
Standard Option (4 Star) – Jetwing St.Andrews
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Heritance Tea Factory

Ella - 2 Nights

Day 03

After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Nanu Oya Station. You will be taking the train to Ella. While this leg of the journey is comparatively short, it may be quite congested as the location very popular among st holiday goers.

Scenic Train Ride From Nanu Oya to Ella

Enjoy panoramic views as you take a train ride from Nano Oya to Haputale. Watch the scenic mountains, beautiful waterfalls and bright green fields of tea. See the little misty villages and towns filled with bright lively locals pass you by. Relax to views of dark forests or enjoy the thrill of heart-stopping drops right at your feet. A leisurely ride that reveals Sri Lanka’s beauty.

Once you get to Ella you will be checking into your hotel and going to see the little touristy town, with its little restaurants and tea houses housed in traditional huts and cute little cottages.

Explore Ella

Explore Ella’s most interesting places. Pass through bright green tea fields, and tough stretches of rock, and get to see the magical views of Little Adam’s Peak. Walk over the history seeped Nine Arches Bridge and listen to the story of its construction. End your hike at the Demodara Railway station with its unique loop-over track design. This tour gives you the chance to see the best sights of Sri Lanka.

Day 04

With packed breakfast, approx 06.00 am go on a lovely morning hike to Ella Rock.

Ella Rock

This picturesque a three-hour hike takes you up to Ella Rock, which is one of the highest viewpoints in the area. Watch the distant Namunukula Range and Little Adam’s Peak along the way. Get to see some stupendous early morning views of the landscape from the top of the rock. Some of the identifiable landmarks that can be seen are the Bandarawala Range, Poonagala Hills, Narangala, the Ella Gap and the Badulla train tracks.

Thereafter witness the marvelous of Ravana Ella.

Ravana Falls

Ravana Falls is another must visit in Ella. Hill country of Sri Lanka is quite popular for beautiful waterfalls and Ravana Falls is right at the top.It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country. This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in high and cascade from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where the flow of water reduces dramatically.

On completion of the day return back to the hotel and relax.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – 9 Arch
Standard Option (4 Star) – Ella Jungle Resort
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – 98 Acres Resort

Yala - 1 Night

Day 05

After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Yala and go on a lovely Evening safari in Yala National Park. (Travel Time: 2 to 3 Hrs)

Yala National Park

This amazing three-hour Safari offers the opportunity to visit Yala National Park, the second largest in the island based off the Southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Get a chance to see the famous Sri Lankan leopards, indigenous wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. The park is also home to many other species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

On completion of the safari check into the hotel and relax

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Chaarya Resort & Spa
Standard Option (4 Star) – Kithala Resort
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Jetwing Yala

Mirissa - 1 Night

Day 06

After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Mirissa and check to the hotel for relaxation. (Travel Time: 3 to 4 Hrs)

Spend the day leisurely at the Beach.

Mirissa Beach

Mirissa is a crescent shaped beach and when laying on the smooth sands you see the beach curving outwards on either side, giving the impression that you are laying on a far away, deserted palm covered island. Mirissa is quietly ensconced in the far eastern end of Weligama Bay. These beaches, now famous the world over once formed part of undiscovered natural treasures on the island of Sri Lanka.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Palace Mirissa
Standard Option (4 Star) – Mandara Resort
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Casa Mirissa

Bentota - 1 Night

Day 07

With packed breakfast go on a lovely whale watching tour in Mirissa.

Whale Watching Tour

This five-hour tour gives you an opportunity to see the biggest mammals on earth, the whales, in their natural habitat. Get a chance to see blue whales, sperm whales and fin whales as they swim in the waters to the south of Sri Lanka. Gain more knowledge about the whales as a species from a qualified naturalist and learn to identify them. This tour gives you a responsible whale watching experience with a minimal imprint on nature.

On completion of the tour, check out from the hotel and head to Mirissa Station to get the train to Bentota. On this ride, you will see completely different scenery to what you saw in the hill country.

Pristine Bentota

As the final full day of the tour, this is your day of rest and relaxation. Bentota is famed for its golden beaches, shady palms, and marine activities. You will get to do some good tanning, as well as take part in fun activities such as snorkelling, surfing, diving, swimming, jetskiing, etc. There are often parties happening here, and you can relax and let go. After a day filled with lots of sunshine, you will spend your night at an excellent hotel in Bentota.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Earl’s Reef
Standard Option (4 Star) – The Surf
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Cinnamon Bey

Departure

Day 08

After breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Colombo and go on City and Shopping tour in Commercial City of Sri Lanka. (Travel Time: 2 to 2 ½ hrs)

Colombo City Tour

Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.

Must Try:

  • Lunch @ Gallery Café in Colombo.
  • Barefoot Gallery (Books and Handlooms).
  • Spa Ceylon.

After city tour proceed to Airport for your departure flight after spending a memorable time on the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Price Starting From:

USD 1395 Per Person

When to go on this trip?

The best time of the year you can enjoy this trip is from December to May. Calm south coast beaches, cool and sunny climate and green sceneries that blend perfectly with the locations you are traveling to.

When to book

We recommend that you book this tour at least 6 months ahead.

What add-ons are available for this trip?

We can arrange for just about any add-on’s on this trip. Have a chat with one of our Tour Consultants to help you decide.

Our Experts are ready to help

For more information or to book this wonderful tour please email our travel experts.

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    Hotel Timing

    Standard Check in time : 1400 hrs.
    Standard Check out time : 1200 hrs.
    The above may differ from hotel to hotel. Speak to your travel expert for more details.
    We are able to arrange early check-in and late check-outs depending on the hotels you choose. However, you may be subject to additional charges.

    Booking Process

    After deciding on which trip you want to go, send us an inquiry with the requested details. If you want to further customize this trip, our travel experts would be glad to help perfect the tour itinerary for you. Once all planning is final, the next step is starting the booking process. We request for a 20% deposit to confirm the booking. On receipt of the deposit, our team will start booking your hotels and the vehicles that were agreed upon. The balance 80% payment can be made 30 to 45 days prior to the date of arrival. For cancellation and refund policies please take a look at the terms & conditions.

    Price

    The price quoted is valid till April 2018. Will be subject to seasonal supplements. Speak to your travel expert to learn more details.

    Packing Essentials

    When packing for Sri Lanka, you only need to remember that this is a tropical country. Sunny weather & warm water. Hence, packing thin cotton clothing is essential. However, if your stay includes places like Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Ella, we recommend that you pack a few sweaters just in case. You must not forget the following:

    • Effective mosquito repellent.
    • A good sunscreen.
    • (Ladies) Tampons – Nearly impossible to find outside Colombo.
    • Universal power adapter.

    Travel Insurance

    We recommend that you purchase travel insurance before you travel.

    VISA

    Visa can be obtained online via www.eta.gov.lk. You can obtain Visa on arrival as well, however, this option is not available for some countries. Do read more on this topic here.

    Travel Information

    Sri Lanka is a developing nation. Yet, there are many things you must look out for during your travel. For example; when visiting religious sites, it is important that you dress to cover. All key information you need to know before traveling is right here.