Train travel is something that I always fascinated with. When I am traveling, I will look for any opportunity to take a train ride even knowing that the journey will be longer and slower. I really enjoy getting from places to places in a more nostalgic way, also it allows me to meet the local people and admire the landscape scenery as the train runs across the country.
So far the most beautiful and scenic train journey that I have came across was the journey running through the hill country of Sri Lanka from Ella to Kandy. The train ride took around 7 hours long but I felt like only 2 to 3 hours short; most probably because of the spectacular views along the way and also the comfort seats that I got in the observation deck.
My train journey started off at Ella Railway Station because I stayed around Ella. You might like to start from the first station at Badulla if you wish to experience the train running pass Demodara Railway Loop and the Nine Arch Bridge.
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| Ella Railway Station |
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| Railway Platform |
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| Train Arriving from Badulla |
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| Walking along the railway track |
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| Wide Window Screen in the Observation Deck |
Below are some of the beautiful things that you might see along the way as the train runs from Ella to Kandy.
Across the Hill, Vegetation, Village and Tea Plantation
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| Spectacular View as the train runs across the Hill Country |
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| Train across the Bridge and into the Tunnel |
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| The Farmer's Cow |
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| Train curves around the Hill |
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| Looking out of the Windows |
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| Train across the road |
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| Walking on the Railway Track |
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| Me enjoying the train ride |
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| a view from the train ride |
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| Picture of the Tea Plantation |
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| Railway Track on top of the Hill |
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| Beautiful view of the Tea Plantation |
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| Tea Plantation on the Slope |
Misty Weather
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| Misty Weather |
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| Me enjoying the Train ride even more |
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| Train running in the Mist |
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| Tea Plantation in the Mist |
From Radella to Great Western
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| Radella Railway Station |
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| the Farm Houses |
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| Street Vendor selling Sri Lankan Short Eats at the Railway Station |
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| Vada, my favourite Short Eat in Sri Lanka |
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| the Tea Plantation Worker in Rain Coat |
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| Beautiful Landscape of Hill Country |
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| Tea Plantation with Running Stream |
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| Great Western Railway Station |
Heading toward Kandy
When you are traveling in Sri Lanka, one of the places you must go is the Hill Country and one of the activities you must do is to take this scenic train ride. The train journey will definitely enhance your travel experience in this beautiful country.
Journey: from Ella to Kandy
Distance: approx 150km
Duration: 7 hours
Year visited: 2013 (September)
Written by: Q.J.
Photography by: Q.J.