5 days exploring the paradise of Sri Lanka with the world's best train ride

Itinerary

Day 1: Negombo - Kandy

Stop At: Temple of the Tooth, Sri Dalada Maligawa, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The temple of tooth relic is located in the royal palace complex of the ancient kingdom of Kandy, this magnificent temple houses the canine tooth which was recovered from the funeral pyre after the Buddha was cremated. Temple of tooth relic is one the most sacred sites of worship, visited by countless numbers of Buddhist devotees and people from all corners of the island and worldwide.


Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Bahirawakanda Temple (බහිරවකන්ද පන්සල), Bahirawakanda Rd, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
The Bahirawakanda vihara Buddha statue in the Bahirawakanda temple lies within few meters from Peradeniya which is believed to be a huge concrete religious monument. It is one of the numerous things to be toured and experienced in Kandy. It will take about 20 minutes to reach the statue from the Police station of Peradeniya. Travelers enjoy the Buddha statue which is 88 feet in height with the amusement created by the statute. Visitors may have to climb few stairs to this calm and peaceful spot arranged by the Buddhist monks of Sri lanka. Even though you can see the white colored Buddha statue made on the hill at a distance from the Peradeniya city. Certainly, it can be seen from almost anywhere in Kandy city.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kandy Lake Club - Cultural Dance Show, 7 Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The Kandy Cultural Show is a celebration of Kandyan dance, an energetic series of man-oeuvres, all performed to various forms of mesmerizing percussion. The performers wear a colourful display of elaborate costumes in the form of beads, tassels, and sparkles, gyrating to the rhythmic sounds of traditional Sri Lankan drumming. The beat comes from the Geta Beraya, a drum only used in Kandyan dance, which appears to warrant its overuse. The outfits are topped off with gravity-defying headgear which can only be worn by males. It’s all pulled together as fit Kandyans perform vigorous hand movements and impressive backflips over the course of the next hour.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Kandy

Day 2: World's most beautiful train ride from Kandy to Ella

Stop At: Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, Gotuwala, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
The Demodara nine arch railway bridge is located between Demodara and Ella railway stations. The importance of this bridge is that, it’s constructed only with stones, bricks and cement. Demodara Nine Arches Bridge is the most the popular Sri Lankan railway bridge among photographers. They can get amazing views of this bridge from different angles. Tourists who come to the Badulla/ Bandarawela area, include this nine arch bridge as a must visit attraction. Some used to visit this place when train is scheduled to passing by, so they can see the training coming through the tunnel and moving over the bridge.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ravana Ella Falls, Ella-Wellawaya Road, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
Ravana ella is related to the famous Indian epic Ramayana. According to the story king Ravana captured the princess Seetha and kept her hidden in a cave which is located behind the Ravana falls. During the dry season the water level reduces drastically and Ravana falls becomes very skinny, but again becomes majestic during the up stream rainy seasons.
Duration: 20 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Ella

Day 3: Ella - Udawalawa - Mirissa

Stop At: Ella Rock, Ella Main Street NECS-Nature Exploration and Conservation Society Sri Lanka, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
The track up to the peak is quite clear. Once you reach it, you will be hiking up the slopes of Ella Rock. Some of the things to see on the way would be the tea plantations with the pluckers heading to work and the beautiful countryside. Ensure that you take sufficient drinking water and some salt or lime, as leeches are quite proliferous in the area.Once you reach the peak you will be greeted by a steep drop that affords you with breathtaking views. With the sun rising higher, the distant hills and rolling green valleys below will be especially beautiful. So don’t forget to bring your camera. After spending some time up on the top of Ella Rock, you will be hiking back to Ella Town. The entire hike, up to the peak and back down, will take you approximately 3 hours.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Uda Walawe National Park Sri Lanka
Udawalawe National Park Being located on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka. It is quite possibly the best place in Sri Lanka to see elephants throughout the year as there are a few hundred elephants within the park. It is known that about 400 elephants in total are sustaining here while about 250 of them are considered as permanently resident. Udawalawe reservoir is now considered as the main attraction for the elephants at the Udawalawe National Park. Established in the dry zone of the country, the sanctuary gets an annual rain fall of approximately 1,525 mm and the average temperature remains around 29.5C0. For the visitors, driving through the park in a 4WD safari jeep is the only permitted way of observing the Udawalawe national park.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Mirissa

Day 4: Mirissa - Bentota

Stop At: Mirissa Whale Watching, AH 43, Sri Lanka
Whale watching in Sri Lanka is one of the most unique and interesting water related activities you can do during your holiday tour in Mirissa Sri Lanka. The warm Indian Ocean of the southern Sri Lanka is the best place to spot a wide variety of whales & dolphins. There are believed to be around 26 different species of whales traversing this region. The south tip of Sri Lanka is the easiest place to see blue whales in a very short time. And especially Mirissa & Weligama areas are the well known spotting places of the blue whales in the entire world.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Kande Viharaya Temple, 22 Marikkar St, Dharga Town 12080 Sri Lanka
This temple got its name "Kande Viharaya" ( temple on the hill), because it is located at a top of a hill. Kande Viharaya Temple was established in year 1734 and became the regional Buddhist center. The Samadhi Buddha statue was constructed in the recent past and can be visible from a long distance. New Image House is located under this statue and depicts many Jathaka stories and incidents related to the life of Load Buddha.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Bentota Beach, Bentota 80500 Sri Lanka
Bentota is famed as the prime beach of the south-western and southern coastal belts of Sri Lanka. South of the city of Colombo, the city of Kalutara with its fine beach is the gateway to south western and southern bay beaches. Kalutara is the next popular beach after Bentota. The Beruwala Bay Beach that is found just before reaching Aluthgama at the Bentota Bridge and Bentota Bay Beach just over the bridge are the most popular twin beaches along the coast. The coast towards the further South too is replete with lovely topical beaches making it ideal for a perfect beach holiday with the sun and sand.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Bentota

Day 5: Bentota - Negombo

Stop At: Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, 13A Galle Road, Kosgoda 80570 Sri Lanka
Here you will find lots of information about Sri Lanka's pioneering sea turtle conservation project - why Sri Lanka (and the village of Kosgoda in particular) is a prime turtle nesting site, why the conservation project is needed and how the project is operated by local people with the help of international volunteers.
Duration: 40 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: No accommodation provided in this day