What to do and Where to stay in
Kandy & The Hill Country

Sri Lanka’s highest town, Nuwara Eliya, is an old British hill station, nicknamed ‘Little England’ for its colonial architecture and colourful gardens. Ella is equally famous for its pretty setting and panoramic views but there are also many rural villages nestled in the countryside which make a good base from which to explore this beautiful region.

The Hill Country is a superb place for hiking and there are some wonderful trails through the tea plantations, past estate workers picking tea leaves to stunning viewpoints and majestic waterfalls. Horton Plains National Park, which sits in the shadows of Sri Lanka’s 2 highest peaks, has some excellent treks, the most popular of which takes in World’s End – a sheer drop to the plains below!  For more thrills, Kitulgala, on the lower hills, is earning itself a reputation as the Hill Country’s adventure playground with white-water rafting the main attraction.

A stay in the Hill Country would not be complete without a visit to a tea plantation. Tea production was introduced to Sri Lanka with the arrival of the British in the 19th Century and a factory visit not only offers the chance to see the tea-making process in action and sample some wonderful varieties but to also learn more about the history of the region under British rule.

The mountain city of Kandy was the last capital of the ancient kings’ era and showcases some exceptional historical sites such as The Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. It is also known for the Kandy Esala Perahera, an important religious festival which takes place each July-August. If your stay coincides with this event we can pre-book seats to ensure you have a great view of the lively parade!

One of the best ways to reach Sri Lanka’s Hill Country is by train from Kandy, and this is perhaps one of the most scenic rail journeys in world. Sit back, relax and enjoy the views as the train winds its way up the hillside.