Highland Express is a curated 6-day mountain circuit designed for travelers who want to experience Sri Lanka’s cool hill country, royal history, and iconic landscapes without spending long weeks on the road.
Starting directly from Colombo Airport, ascend into the cultural capital of Kandy to witness sacred evening rituals at the Temple of the Tooth and observe bathing elephant herds in Pinnawala. Journey higher into the misty valleys of Nuwara Eliya (“Little England”) to tour working Ceylon tea plantations and hike across cloud forest trails to the dramatic World’s End precipice at Horton Plains. Board the world-famous mountain train ride to Ella, take in valley vistas at Little Adam’s Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge, and wrap up with city leisure in Colombo before your flight home
Highland Express is a curated 6-day mountain circuit designed for travelers who want to experience Sri Lanka’s cool hill country, royal history, and iconic landscapes without spending long weeks on the road.
Starting directly from Colombo Airport, ascend into the cultural capital of Kandy to witness sacred evening rituals at the Temple of the Tooth and observe bathing elephant herds in Pinnawala. Journey higher into the misty valleys of Nuwara Eliya ("Little England") to tour working Ceylon tea plantations and hike across cloud forest trails to the dramatic World's End precipice at Horton Plains. Board the world-famous mountain train ride to Ella, take in valley vistas at Little Adam’s Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge, and wrap up with city leisure in Colombo before your flight home
Pick up from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) or your hotel.
Drive through scenic countryside toward Kandy, Sri Lanka's last royal kingdom.
Evening: Stroll around Kandy Lake and visit the sacred Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) for the evening puja ceremony.
Overnight: Kandy
Morning drive to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to observe herds feeding and bathing along the Ma Oya River.
Return to Kandy via the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, famous for its grand orchid house and palm avenues.
Evening: Enjoy a traditional Kandyan Cultural Dance & Drumming Show.
Overnight: Kandy
Scenic drive up into the central highlands, passing lush tea gardens and Ramboda Falls.
Visit a working Ceylon Tea Factory & Estate to learn about tea harvesting, processing, and tasting.
Afternoon: Explore "Little England"—walk along Gregory Lake, Victoria Park, and admire colonial British architecture.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
Early morning departure for Horton Plains National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage nature reserve).
Take a scenic 9 km circular trek across cloud forests and grasslands to World’s End (an 880-meter drop) and Baker’s Falls.
Return to Nuwara Eliya for a relaxed afternoon with high tea at a heritage colonial hotel.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
Board the world-famous hill country train from Nanu Oya Station to Ella, taking in views of misty valleys and tea estates.
Arrive in Ella and hike up Little Adam’s Peak for panoramic valley vistas.
Visit the famous Nine Arch Bridge to watch the mountain train cross the stone viaduct.
Overnight: Ella
Morning stop at cascading Ravana Waterfalls for photos.
Scenic drive down through mountain passes toward the commercial capital, Colombo.
Afternoon city tour & shopping at Independence Square, One Galle Face, or Dutch Hospital Precinct before your final transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
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