Ella day trip from Colombo: Train ride, tea factory & waterfalls

Ride the rails through Sri Lanka's tea country, then walk to summits and waterfalls on foot.

A full-day private tour from Colombo to Ella in Sri Lanka's hill country, combining a scenic train journey with visits to Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adams Peak, Ravana Waterfall and a working tea factory. Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, all entry fees and pre-reserved train tickets are included. The tour runs 10 to 12 hours with an English-speaking driver-guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ella and Hill Country

• Visit Rawana Waterfall
• Climb Little Adam’s Peak
• Walk Nine Arch Bridge
• Take train from Demodara station
• Enjoy scenic hill country train ride
• Tour tea factory and plantation

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in Colombo or nearby areas, then heads inland toward Ella. You'll stop first at Ravana Waterfall, one of the country's widest, named after the demon king of local folklore. From there, the route climbs to Little Adams Peak: a 20 to 30 minute walk that gains you views of tea plantations and valleys from the 1,141-meter summit, then descends to the Nine Arch Bridge, a colonial-era railway structure from 1921 built by local engineer P. K. Appuhami under British supervision. The bridge sits between Ella and Demodara stations, and walking it means moving through rolling hills and dense jungle.

The train ride itself is the centerpiece. You board at Demodara Railway Station and travel roughly 60 minutes to Haputale, passing through the Demodara Loop: a spiral section where the track loops beneath itself and emerges from a tunnel directly under the station. This stretch is counted among the world's most scenic train journeys. The route threads through mountain scenery. Even on grey days, the views hold their weight. Lunch is included and happens during the day, though the timing depends on your pickup location and the train schedule.

After the train, you visit a working tea factory with a guide who walks you through Ceylon tea production and the manufacturing process. You'll see how the leaves move from plantation to cup, and you can buy factory-fresh tea to take home. The return journey to your hotel follows the same route with your driver, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening depending on your starting point.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Colombo or nearby areas.
• private return transportation with an English-speaking driver-guide.
• entry fees to all four attractions.
• pre-reserved train tickets for the scenic 60-minute journey.
• lunch.
• bottled water.
• all taxes and handling charges.

Options for this experience

14 options

From Dickwella/Tangalle/RannaGuide in English · 04:00Pickup and drop-off are included in the Dikwella, Hiriketiya, Tangalle and Ranna areas. Starting points are Dikwella, Ranna and Tangalle in Sri Lanka.

From Hambantota/WeerawilaGuide in English · 04:00Pickup and drop-off are included in the Hambantota, Ambalantota and Weerawila areas. The starting point is Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

From Tissamaharama/YalaGuide in English · 04:00Pickup and drop-off are included in the Tissamaharama, Kataragama, Kirinda and Yala areas. The starting point is Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka.

See 11 more options

Pickup from UdawalaweGuide in English · 04:30Pickup and drop-off are included in the Udawalawe areas. The starting point is Udawalawa, Sri Lanka.

Pickup from Arugam BayGuide in English · 04:00Pickup and drop-off are included in Arugam Bay and nearby areas. The starting point is Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka.

Starting from Nuwara Eliya or RambodaGuide in English · 06:00Pickup and drop-off are included in the Nuwara Eliya and Ramboda areas. Starting points are Nuwara Eliya and Ramboda, Sri Lanka.

Pickup from KandyGuide in English · 05:00Pickup and drop-off are included in Kandy and nearby areas. The starting point is Kandy, Sri Lanka.

31 DecGuide in English · Available from 31 DecPickup is included

From Bentota/Beruwala/AhungallaGuide in English · 04:00Pickup and drop-off are included in the Bentota, Beruwala, Kosgoda, Ahungalla, Balapitiya and Ambalangoda areas. Starting points are Ahungalla, Bentota, Beruwala and Kosgoda, Sri Lanka.

From Hikkaduwa/Galle/UnawatunaGuide in English · 04:00Pickup and drop-off are included in the Hikkaduwa, Rathgama, Galle, Unawatuna and Talpe areas. Starting points are Galle, Talpe and Unawatuna, Sri Lanka.

From Ahangama/KoggalaGuide in English · 04:00Pickup and drop-off are included in the Ahangama, Koggala and Habarduwa areas. Starting points are Ahangama and Koggala, Sri Lanka.

From Weligama/Mirissa/MataraGuide in English · 04:00Pickup and drop-off are included in the Weligama, Midigama, Mirissa and Matara areas. Starting points are Mirissa and Weligama, Sri Lanka.

Pickup from Wadduwa or KalutaraGuide in English · 04:00Pickup and drop-off are included in the Wadduwa, Waskaduwa, Kalutara and Maggona areas. Starting points are Kalutara and Wadduwa, Sri Lanka.

From Colombo/NegomboGuide in English · 04:00Pickup and drop-off are included in the Colombo, Mt Lavinia, Negombo and Katunayake areas. Starting points are Colombo and Negombo, Sri Lanka.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:00, 04:30, 05:00 and 06:00

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Bentota Travel Mart

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a private vehicle to pause at each waterfall and peak at your own pace, then join the scheduled train journey. The pre-booked ticket ensures you won't miss the departure time.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the train ride on this Ella day trip?

The scenic train journey from Demodara to Haputale takes approximately 60 minutes, passing through the famous Demodara Loop and mountain scenery.

What is Little Adams Peak and how hard is it to reach?

Little Adams Peak is Ella's main attraction, a 1,141-meter summit reached by a brief 20 to 30 minute climb that opens onto views of tea plantations and valleys.

Does the tour include lunch and entry fees?

Yes, lunch, all entry fees for the attractions, and pre-reserved train tickets are included in the tour price.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying in Kandy or other areas outside Colombo?

Pickup is available from multiple locations across Sri Lanka, including Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ramboda, and towns along the southern coast like Mirissa, Galle and Hikkaduwa. You choose your pickup area when booking.

What is the Nine Arch Bridge and why is it called the Bridge in the Sky?

The Nine Arch Bridge, or "Ahas Namaye Palama" in Sinhala, is a 1921 railway bridge between Ella and Demodara stations. The name comes from the visual effect of its nine arches when viewed from certain angles, and it stands as a landmark of early 20th-century colonial engineering.

Is there a guide on the train, or just the driver-guide for the rest of the day?

Your English-speaking driver-guide leads the full day, including the stops before and after the train. A separate guide at the tea factory walks you through the production process.