Traveling in train in Sri Lanka is a must do. Why ? Because of the incredible landscapes you would not be able to admire from the road and the so friendly atmosphere you will experience with locals. The journey between Ella and Kandy is reknown as one of the most scenic of the country, especially between Nanu Oya and Kandy. Landscapes change along the journey, from tea plantations to more tropical images throug sometimes alpins atmosphere with rivers, torrents and pine trees ! Come with me....
The journey from Ella to Kandy can take more than 6 hours depending on the adventures that come by surprise on the way (tree in the middle of railways, train breakdown, etc...). To avoid such a long journey and make the pleasure lasting longer, we decided to split it in two parts. First journey from Ella to Nuwara Elyia lasts around 3 hours and is very pleasant with lots of tea plantations to admire. Have a look to this previous post for more information and pics on this part of the journey. I am also explaining there how to book and which classes. The trip from Nanu Oya, which is Nuwara Eliya closest train station, to Kandy is even more breathtaking and offers incredible scenic points of view.
The journey starts at Nanu Oya Train stations, 10 min drive from Nuwara Eliaya. We went for the 9am train which is quite a reasonable time compared to the 6.40am one in Ella (this is actually the same train). Trains have the reputation to be always late in Sri Lanka, but for the third time, our train was almost on time at departure (even though it arrived always late at destination !). This is why you will have to make sure to be on time.
From Nanu Oya to Kandy, best option to admire the most scenic views as possible is to seat on the left of the train. The journey begins thourgh tea plantations and woods, a diving into unforgetable green landscapes.
We did not manage to book pre seated tickets as the reserved seats were fully booked. Therefore, we decided to book a 2nd class ticket with no garanteed seats. Second class is really more confortable than the 3rd one and price difference is only 1 or 2 euros. We managed to get seated times to times, when locals lended us their seats while smoking at the door and when we sat down on the stairs of the train, legs outside, nice feeling... (but be careful not to be hurted by something, which happened to me). The atmosphere of the wagon was really entertaining, with locals singing, playing guitare, clapping and other hawkers trying to sell food to travelers.
The train runs through small villages with colorful houses from where you can observe local scenes from everyday life.
The train also stops at various colorful train stations. Have a look to our friend who shared its seat with us !
Welcome now in Kandy !
The train also stops at various colorful train stations. Have a look to our friend who shared its seat with us !
What I really enjoyed in this journey was the evolution of the landscapes, starting with tea plantations, woods and ending by tropical landscapes through alpins ones. How come can we see so much diversity in only 4 hours ? Only Sri Lanka offers you this :)
Welcome now in Kandy !
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