Kandy to Ella private day tour: Tea plantations and waterfalls

Walk to waterfalls and wander tea fields on a private day from Kandy

A private day tour from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and Ella with an English-speaking driver and hotel pickup. You visit a working tea factory for a tour and complimentary tea, climb to Ramboda Falls, see the ancient Seetha Amman Temple and the 1894 post office in Nuwara Eliya, and end at Gregory Lake or the Nine Arch Bridge near Ella. The route is customizable, and one waterfall climb is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ramboda Falls1h · entry included
2. Gregory Lake1h

Tour of Nuwara Eliya and Ella highlights

• Drive from Kandy to tea factory
• Tour tea factory and drink tea
• Climb to Ramboda Falls
• Visit Seetha Amman Temple
• See Nuwara Eliya Post Office
• Visit Nine Arch Bridge
• Optional drop at Gregory Lake or hotel

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in Kandy and heads into the central highlands. Your first stop is a tea factory about 25 minutes away, where you walk through the production process and drink a complimentary cup of tea while looking out over the plantations. From there, the route climbs toward Ramboda Falls, a short walk to the top where the water is cold and the level can rise suddenly after rain. Swimming is possible if conditions allow. The drive back toward Nuwara Eliya takes around 40 minutes.

In Nuwara Eliya itself, you stop at the Seetha Amman Temple, an ancient Hindu shrine connected to the Ramayana epic, and the post office: a century-old Tudor mansion built in 1894 with orange roofs and red brick walls, originally constructed to handle mail for British colonials. The town sits high enough that the air and light feel different from the lowlands. Your driver speaks English throughout and can answer questions about what you're passing through.

The tour ends either at Gregory Lake, a scenic stop on the way back to Kandy, or continues to the Nine Arch Bridge near Ella if you choose that option. The bridge, built between 1919 and 1921 without steel support, spans 91 meters and sits surrounded by tea plantations and forest. It's one of Sri Lanka's most photographed landmarks. Hotel drop-off is included, and the whole day runs nine to twelve hours depending on which stops you pick and how long you linger. The itinerary is customizable, so you can swap stops or add destinations if something else interests you.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Kandy accommodation.
• private vehicle transport throughout the day.
• bottled water.
• English-speaking driver who can answer questions about the route and stops.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by JK Travels Lanka Pvt Ltd

Is this one for you?Your driver speaks English, so you can ask about what you're seeing and understand the context of each stop without needing a separate guide. This works well if you want flexibility to linger at places that interest you most or ask questions about the tea process, the temples, or the colonial architecture without a fixed script.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): 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.

What's involved in the tea factory visit?

The tea factory tour shows how Sri Lankan tea is made from start to finish, takes about half an hour, and includes a complimentary cup of tea you drink while looking over the plantation. You can buy souvenir tea to take home if you want.

How difficult is the climb to Ramboda Falls?

Ramboda Falls is a short climb to the top, though the itinerary notes one waterfall involves a 25-minute climb of steps and is optional. The water is cold and can rise suddenly, but swimming is possible if weather permits.

Can I customize the stops on this tour?

Yes, the tour can be customized as you wish, with different destinations added or swapped depending on your interests and how much time you want to spend at each place.

What is the Nine Arch Bridge and where is it?

The Nine Arch Bridge, also called the Bridge in the Sky, is a 91-meter stone structure built between 1919 and 1921 without steel support. It sits between Ella and Demodara railway stations surrounded by tea plantations and forest, and is one of Sri Lanka's most photographed landmarks.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kandy, transport by private vehicle, bottled water, and an English-speaking driver are included. Entrance fees to attractions, lunch, and other food and drinks are not included.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs nine to twelve hours depending on which stops you choose and how long you spend at each one. The drive from Kandy to the tea factory is about 25 minutes, and the return from the waterfall to the city or Gregory Lake is around 40 minutes.