The train journey from Kandy to Ella through Sri Lanka’s central highlands is consistently ranked among the world’s most beautiful rail routes, a six-hour passage through a landscape of immense loveliness: emerald tea plantations rolling to the horizon, waterfalls tumbling from misty escarpments, and old colonial viaducts and tunnels carving through forested hillsides. Travelling by train in Sri Lanka is one of the most authentic ways to experience the island, sharing carriages with locals, watching the scenery change from lowland to highland and back again, and allowing the rhythm of the rails to set the tempo of the day. We incorporate scenic train journeys into our round tour itineraries wherever possible, selecting routes and timings that offer the best light, the most rewarding landscapes, and the most memorable slow-travel experiences.