KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA: WHAT ARE THE 4 BEST PLACES TO STOP?

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From Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, 4 bes places to visit are Hanuman Temple, Tea factory and Tea plantation, Ramboda Falls and Royal Botanical garden. One day trip to nuwara eliya from kandy not only attracts a large number of foreign travellers but a large number of local travellers are also glued to it. The Sri Lanka trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is one of the best itineraries to enjoy Sri Lanka’s natural beauty.

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WHAT ARE THE KEY ATTRACTIONS OF KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA?

The trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is one of the most popular in Sri Lanka. Not only does it draw a significant number of foreign visitors, but it also captivates a significant number of local travellers. A Sri Lanka trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is one of the best itineraries to enjoy Sri Lanka’s natural beauty. Travellers can look forward to having breathtaking scenery right from the beginning to the end of the trip. Green-capped mountains, valleys, tea gardens, vegetable plots, waterfalls, streams, rivers, and patches of forest are the key attractions on this route. The natural beauty of the region is the biggest draw for this hilly country trip, and travellers are well on their way to enjoying the awe-inspiringly beautiful scenery along this route.

DISCOVERY OF NUWARA ELIYA

Until the beginning of the 18th century, Nuwara Eliya was incredibly difficult to get to due to the unavailability of proper access roads from Kandy and other major cities until the beginning of British rule in Sri Lanka. However, with the expansion of tea and coffee plantations in the mountains, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, and other mountain resorts started to get the attention of colonial rulers because Ceylon tea was a major income earner for the British administration, and they encouraged the British planters to venture into the lucrative tea business.

Infrastructure had been a leading obstacle that kept wealthy planters away from investing in the tea industry. However, the British government tackled the problem while improving accessibility from Kandy to Nuwara. They built a road between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya while extending the rail from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. With the improved access to Nuwara Eliya from Kandy and other places of Sri Lanka, there had been a boost in the tea industry, which invariably increased the income of the British administration.

CAR ROUTE FROM KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA

kandy to nuwara eliya map
Kandy-Nuwara Eliya main road via Peradeniya, Ramboda, Pusellawa, and Tawalantenna

NUWARA ELIYA

Nuwara Eliya is a small hamlet that sits in a valley next to the highest point of the island, known as Pidiurutalagala. It is 2520 meters above sea level. A network of craggy mountains and tea plantations encircles Nuwara Eliya. There are three access roads to the city, and a rail network runs through Nuwara Eliya amid crumbling rock faces. Nuwara Eliya has access points installed in its south, east, and northern directions. However, the British government initially built only the access road from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, and other roads came into being in the latter period. The immense natural beauty is the biggest draw to Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is part of most Sri Lanka tour packages such as 10 days Sri Lanka tour itinerary and the 7-day tour.

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Ramboda Plateau is a scenic area located between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Ramboda is popular for its scenic view and Ramboda waterfall. The travellers need to take a downhill walk to take a closer look at the beautiful Rmboda waterfall.

NUWARA ELIYA FOR BREATHTAKING SCENERY

Nuwara Eliya is now important for both its booming tea and tourism industries. The city attracts millions of tourists every year, and the breathtaking mountains, valleys, and cascading waterfalls amidst the healing climate are a superb mixture for a soothing holiday. A large number of travellers venture from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya every day via the Kandy-Nuwara Eliya highway, which is the most popular and convenient road for people who start their journey from west coast cities, such as Colombo.

Nuwara Eliya is a cosy, beautiful, yet small city. The population in the city of Nuwara Eliya does not exceed 50,000. However, Nuwara Eliya is a busy town, and there are many people in the city at any given time of the year. The town’s popularity is primarily because of the consistent tourist traffic it attracts year-round. Enchanted, beautiful scenery is the main tourist attraction here. The area’s eye-appealing scenery includes cascading waterfalls, green-capped mountains, and large tea plantations interspersed with patches of forests.

SCENIC CITY OF KANDY

Kandy is set at merely 500 metres above sea level, which is a low altitude compared to Nuwara Eliya (1800 metres above sea level); therefore, the road from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is very steep, and there are a large number of sharp curves along the way.

Even though there is a very good road from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, it takes to drive 75 kilometres between the two cities is between 2 and 3 hours. Keeping a moderate speed is critical on this track due to the sharp bends.

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Sri Lanka 3-day tour with Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla golden temple Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO FROM KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA?

April is considered the best month of the year to travel to Nuwara Eliya from Kandy. Most flowering plants produce flowers in April; therefore, the gardens at Nuwara Eliya become colourful and attractive. The dry season from November to April is the best time to go to the hilly country of Sri Lankan cities like Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. During the rainy season (from April to October), the mountains come under heavy rain, making it cool and damp everywhere. During the rainy season, outdoor activities are limited, making visitors stay at the hotel.

Nuwara Eliya is attracting a large number of local tourists in April, May, and June, when the flowering plants start to bloom. Rows of trees and plants change colour, creating the bright, colourful scenery that makes up the landscape. This is the flowering season in Nuwara Eliya, and most flowering plants show up with their beautiful flowers. During the rest of the year, it is still possible to see many beautiful flowers, but not as many as during the flowering season.

Nuwara Eliya is the most popular holiday destination in the mountains, it is very popular as a family holiday destination among the local families, and it can be crowded during the school holidays. You will encounter hordes of Sri Lankan tourists heading from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. The healing climate and breathtaking scenery help the city stand out from the mountain holiday resorts such as Bandarawela, Haputale, and Ella.

2 Days Kandy-Nuwara Eliya Train Tour

Visiting Kandy and Nuwara Eliya on a 1 day Sri Lanka trip can be a daunting task due to the long journey. If you start the trip from Colombo, this tour is available as a 2-day tour (Sri Lanka 2-day tour Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya) due to the distance to cover from Colombo to Kandy. If you limit your trip to a single day from Colombo, the lengthy travel may leave insufficient time for exploring tourist attractions. Most Kandy trips with Nuwara Eliya are 2-day Sri Lanka trips, which is a perfect programme to visit important tourist places in the mountains, such as the Tooth Relic temple, Peradeniya botanical garden, tea plantations, etc.

Most Sri Lanka tour packages typically include Nuwara Eliya and Kandy, two of the island’s major tourist attractions. Kandy is a cultural city with major tourist attractions like the Tooth Relic Temple and many other historical places. On the other hand, Nuwara Eliya is a leading eco-holiday destination with many natural tourist attractions such as Gregory Lake, patches of forests, tea plantations, Horton Plains, waterfalls, and many other attractions. Nuwara Eliya is strikingly different from Kandy.

Nuwara Eliya is a year-round holiday destination, but there can be heavy rains during the southwest monsoon, especially in July, August, September, and October, while the rainfall during the rest of the year is comparatively low.

Nuwara Eliya, in Sri Lanka’s wet zone, gets over 5000 mm of rain yearly, one of the highest amounts on the island. As you step into Nuwara Eliya, you can see the endless green cover over the mountains and valleys, while well-maintained tea plantations look like a green carpet from a distance.

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Simply Sri Lanka 8 Days Private Tour with Luxury Accommodation- This eight-day private tour takes you to the most important tourist places on the island such as Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla golden temple, and the tooth relic temple of Kandy, the national park of Udawalawe. Towards the end of the trip, you will be anchoring on the empty beaches of Mirissa.

WHAT TO SEE WHILE IN NUWARA ELIYA

A road trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya lasts about 2 hours if you do it without any stops; however, it is very difficult to make it without any stops due to the enchanting beauty of the mountains, valleys, tea gardens, and cascading waterfalls.

Whether you are a local or foreign traveller, it will not be possible to take your eyes away from the beautiful scenery; you are tempted to make frequent stops upon encountering beautiful landscapes on the drive and take some photos. All-natural beauty is the main reason most travellers make trips to Nuwara Eliya. If you don’t like natural beauty, skip Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is not a place for people who enjoy the rich culture and heritage of their holiday destination, nor is it a place with vibrant city life.

WHAT ARE THE 4 MAJOR STOPS ON THE TOUR FROM KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA?

  1. Hanuman Temple
  2. Tea factory and Tea plantation
  3. Ramboda falls
  4. Royal Botanical garden
Hanuman temple, from kandy to nuwara eliya
Hanuman Temple is a popular temple among Hindu travellers. It is included in most Ramayan trips, such as the 5 Days Sri Lanka trip with Ramayan places.

VISITING HANUMAN TEMPLE

Hanuman Temple is one of the important stops on the trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. Hanuman temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Hanuman, and the temple is one of the most popular religious sites for Hindu pilgrims.

The temple is very popular among travellers from India who take part in Ramayana tours. The temple’s history spans several millennia and bears a close connection to the Ramayana story. The Hanuman statue found in the temple is the biggest stone sculpture of Hanuman on the island; it is 6 meters in height. The statue originated in Mahabalipuram, India, and was later brought to Sri Lanka.

Shivagilingam, who is the caretaker of Hanuman temple, representing the Chinmaya mission, said, “This temple is about 20 years old. According to legend, this is the place where Hanuman landed when he arrived from India. Ravana kidnapped Seetha, the wife of Rama, so Hanuman travelled to Sri Lanka in search of her. According to Shivagilingam Chinmaya’s mission, he carries out many programs that benefit people in the region, such as educating them on their religions, customs, and traditions.

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This nature tour includes rainforest trekking, white water rafting, safari, hiking, and trekking. This adventure tour also includes whale watching based in southern Sri Lanka. If you

TREK TO RAMBODA FALLS

Ramboda Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island, and it is conveniently located near the Kandy-Nuwara Eliya main road. Apart from Ramboda Falls, there are a dozen other waterfalls in the area, and Ramboda is considered one of the best places to see waterfalls on the island. The waterfalls are visible throughout the year, and they make spectacular scenery, especially during the rainy season. The perennial waterways rising in the catchment areas high in the mountains feed these waterfalls.

The Ramboda waterfall can be best viewed from the Ramboda Hotel. The visitors need to walk through the Ramboda Hotel to witness the lowest parts of the waterfall, which are the most beautiful. Mountains, tea plantations, and lush green vegetation all surround the waterfall. The waterfall starts from the highest mountain (Pidurutalagala) on the island and joins the Kotmale reservoir. The waterfall’s height is 109 meters.

After 30 minutes of hiking, you can reach the upper part of the Ramboda Falls, which is hidden from the lower part. There is a bathing pond near the upper part of the waterfall; however, it is said that the water level of the pond can go up abruptly. Therefore, it is necessary to be vigilant while bathing here.

KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA BY ROAD

Mainly, there are two options to plan a trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. You can travel to Nuwara Eliay Road or by train. Both options have advantages as well as disadvantages; however, the rail journey is considered the most rewarding. The scenery you see through the window is simply breathtaking because the train slowly moves through mountains, valleys, tea gardens, and patches of forests, giving you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty.

KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA TRAIN TRIP

Sri Lanka hill-country tour on the rail track from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya connects the two most scenic mountain resorts, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. This route is the most scenic and popular trail track on the island. The world ranks the rail trip through the hill country of Sri Lanka as the 4th most scenic train trip. During the train ride, passengers reach high-altitude areas of Sri Lanka and travel up to 1888 meters above sea level. Pattipla is the highest railway station on this route, and it is 1891 meters above sea level. Pattopila is the 66th railway station on this route from Colombo and is 225 km away from Colombo.

The train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is considered one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, and travellers love it. The train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya takes about 4 hours, which is a major shortcoming of the trip. On the other hand, the journey by car or bus would take around 2 hours from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya; however, it would not be as attractive as the train journey due to a lack of access to the beautiful scenery. However, the railway track does not end at either end. The railway track further runs up deep into the mountain from Nuwara Eliya. From Kandy to Colombo, the railway track continues westward.

The “Hill Country Train Trip,” better known as the “Hill Country Blue Train Journey,” is very popular among foreign travellers. The Hill Country Blue Train operates several times daily from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and vice versa. The Hill Country Express train is significantly faster than the slow train, but it only stops at specific train stations. When planning your train trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, be careful to choose a train that stops at your desired station.

The upcountry rail journey is one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy the stunning scenery of Sri Lanka’s mountains. Travelling northward from Colombo, a 4- to 5-hour rail journey covers dozens of tunnels and many bridges as it rolls passing the green-capped mountains and valleys of high-altitude areas of Sri Lanka.

The train passes beautiful waterfalls, mountain meadows, pristine mountain lakes, and picture-perfect, laid-back villages. The highlights of the journey include picturesque tea plantations.

Starting from Kandy, the upcountry train travels southward through the fertile fields. After passing through Gampola, the upcountry train ascends into the mountains, traversing numerous lengthy tunnels. Passing through the magnificent green-capped mountains at Ambewela Farm, the upcountry train continues its journey through Sri Lanka’s cloud forests. Finally, it reaches its destination at 1800 meters above sea level.

Due to the time taken for the train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, what most travellers do is reduce the time spent on the train by curtailing the train journey while choosing the most scenic part of the train journey, and the rest of the journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is carried out by a car.

HOW TO BOOK SEATS ON KANDY NUWARA ELIYA TRAIN?

The Hill Country Train is one of the most crowded trains on the island, due to the large number of local travellers and foreign tourists. The train offers seats in three categories: first-class seats (observation compartment), second-class seats, and third-class seats. You can reserve first-class and second-class seats through advanced booking, ensuring a seat is always available. Due to the high demand, the seats are sold out well in advance on this route, and it is necessary to pre-book seats to guarantee that you have a seat and a hassle-free, comfortable journey.

The Sri Lanka Railway Department started a new luxury train service from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and Ella on March 5, 2022, due to the ever-increasing demand for train trips through the hill country. Foreign travellers who enjoy train trips through hill country were the target audience for the special train launch. The new train will operate daily, leaving Kandy at 7 a.m. and reaching Demodara at 2.20 p.m., leaving Demodara at 3.40 p.m. and reaching Kandy at 9.45 p.m.

The train comes with a class S14 powerset and has 176 AC first-class seats and 144 second-class seats. The speciality of this service is that it will stop at 12 stations, including nine tourist attractions such as St Clair Falls, Great Western Railway Station, Algin Waterfall, Pattipola, Idalgashinna, and Demodara Nine Arch Bridge. The train stops at the above-mentioned places for a few minutes for tourists to enjoy the scenery and capture photos and videos.

Serendipity Tours organises daily trips from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya and from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. You can book these trips through our online booking system or send us an email at admin@seerendipitytours.com. We also help travellers book train tickets.

WHEN SHOULD I RESERVE A SEAT ON THE KANDY-NUWARA ELIYA TRAIN?

The simple answer is to do so as soon as possible. The demand for seats along the route is very high, and a large number of foreign and local passengers use the train daily. Therefore, it would not be possible to book seats at the last moment. You should book seats as soon as possible to ensure availability from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and vice versa. However, you can only book the seats one month in advance of the scheduled date.