Nuwara Eliya Day Trip: Waterfall, Tea Factory & Scenic Train

Tea plantations, a 108-meter waterfall, and one of the world's most scenic train rides in a single day

A full-day tour from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka's tea country, with private transportation and an English-speaking guide. You visit Ramboda Falls (a triple waterfall with a swimming pool at its base), tour the Pedro Tea Factory to learn the tea-making process and taste the region's finest blends, relax on Gregory Lake with a boat ride, and return to Kandy on the famous mountain train through tea plantations and misty peaks. Lunch and all fees are included. The 13-hour itinerary departs from your hotel and ends back in Kandy by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ramboda Falls3h · entry included
2. Gregory Lake1h 30m · entry included

Explore Nuwara Eliya and train to Kandy

• Pick up from hotel
• Visit Ramboda waterfall
• Tour Pedro Tea Factory and sample tea
• Have lunch at unique location
• Relax and boat ride at Gregory Lake
• Scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy

The experience

Start from your hotel in Kandy with a private driver and guide who speaks English. The route climbs into the central highlands toward Nuwara Eliya, passing through the landscape that makes this region famous. Your first stop is Ramboda Falls, a triple waterfall that drops 108 meters into a large pool where you can swim if you want. The rocky area around the base is good for a picnic or just sitting while you watch the water fall. If you're interested in birds, the walk to the falls gives you chances to spot rare species in the surrounding forest.

From there you head to the Pedro Tea Factory, where the guide walks you through how tea is made in this part of Sri Lanka, from the leaf to the cup. You'll taste some of the finest tea produced here, surrounded by the rolling hills of tea plantations. After lunch at a location the operator has chosen, you make your way to Gregory Lake, built by the British governor Gregory in 1874 and now one of Nuwara Eliya's main attractions. You'll have time to relax on the water with a boat ride, or just walk the shore if you prefer.

In the afternoon, you board the train from Nuwara Eliya back to Kandy: one of the world's most famous scenic train routes. The journey passes through tea estates, misty mountains, and dense forest, with views that change at every turn. The train is the centerpiece of the day: it's slow enough to see the landscape clearly, and the route itself is the reason many travelers choose this tour. You arrive back in Kandy by evening.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• an English-speaking driver and guide for the full day.
• entry to Ramboda Falls and the Pedro Tea Factory with tea tasting.
• lunch at a location chosen by the operator.
• a boat ride on Gregory Lake.
• the train ticket from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• and all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ForeverVacation Sri Lanka

Is this one for you?At 13 hours, this tour fills most of a day and leaves little room for other activities in Kandy, so book it when you have a full day free or when you're arriving early enough to start by mid-morning. The train journey back to Kandy in the afternoon is what anchors the schedule. It's the centerpiece of the day, not an add-on, so the timing is built around it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is Ramboda Falls like, and can I swim there?

Ramboda Falls is a triple waterfall with a total height of 108 meters, the most visited waterfall near Nuwara Eliya. There's a large swimming pool at the foot of the upper waterfall where you can swim, and a rocky area for picnicking or sunbathing.

What happens at the Pedro Tea Factory?

You learn about the tea-making process from leaf to cup and taste some of the finest tea produced in the region, all while surrounded by the rolling hills of tea plantations.

How much time do I spend on Gregory Lake?

The itinerary includes a boat ride on Gregory Lake, where you can relax on the water or walk the shore. The exact duration is built into the afternoon schedule before you board the train back to Kandy.

Is the train ride included, and what's the route like?

Yes, the train from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy is included. The route passes through tea plantations, misty mountains, and lush forests. It's one of the world's most scenic train journeys and takes up the afternoon portion of your day.

What's included in the price, and do I need to tip the guide?

Private transportation, bottled water, an English-speaking driver and guide, lunch, and all fees and taxes are included. Tips for the guide are optional and paid separately at checkout if you choose to add them.