Things to do in
Central Province, Sri Lanka

Our most recommended things to do in Central Province, Sri Lanka

From Colombo: Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip and Safari

From Colombo: Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip and Safari

Depart Colombo and travel by a shared vehicle, in a small group, to the city of Sigiriya, and head directly to Sigiriya Rock on arrival. Gaze in awe at the massive column of rock that, according to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle The Culavamsa, was selected by King Kassyapa as the site of his new capital. Admire numerous paintings of historic queens, princesses, and maids inside the rock fortress before getting a break for lunch at your own expense. Then, explore some of the traditional crafts of the region, such as wood carving and batik textiles, with time to purchase souvenirs before departing. Start the journey back towards Colombo via Dambulla to explore the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Discover the magnificent Buddha images and rock paintings of vivid colors and different shapes, painted from around the 2nd century B.C. up to the 18th-century Kandyan era. Optionally Can be done the Wild Life Safari at Eco Park or Kaudulla National Park or Minneriya National park charges for National Park very on Pax Count ( For solo Passengers $ 100 & $ 60 )

From Ella: Kandy Train Tickets with 2nd Class Reserved Seats

From Ella: Kandy Train Tickets with 2nd Class Reserved Seats

From Ella to Kandy Train Tickets - (2nd Class Reserved Seats) Experience a Scenic Train Journey Through Sri Lanka's Highland Countryside Travel in comfort with second-class reserved train tickets from Ella to Kandy. This iconic journey through Sri Lanka's picturesque highlands is regarded as one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Relax in your reserved seat and witness the beautiful countryside unfold through your window. Highlights: # Reserved Seating: Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a reserved second-class seat. # Scenic Views: Marvel at the misty mountains, green tea plantations, picturesque villages, and magnificent waterfalls. # Cultural Immersion: Experience the authentic charm of Sri Lanka as you travel through its heartland. # Convenient Ticketing: Avoid the hassle of last-minute ticket purchases. Have your tickets bought in advance and delivered to you. Details: # Departure: Ella Railway Station # Arrival: Kandy Railway Station # Class: Second-Class Reserved Seats # Duration: Approximately 7-10 hours Important Notice: # Non-Refundable and Non-Cancellable: Once booked, tickets cannot be cancelled or refunded. # After booking, you will receive an email with an e-ticket. This e-ticket cannot be used to board the train. # To secure your original train ticket, please contact our office via WhatsApp at or email at ellaexcursionstours@gmail.com. Send a copy of your passport to finalize the purchase. # Remember, this train departs from Ella Station and you can alight at Kandy Station. Booking Includes: # Reserved second-class seat from Ella to Kandy # Delivery of your train ticket to the railway station or your hotel Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture of Sri Lanka with this unforgettable train journey. Book your tickets now and travel the authentic way!

Ella: Transfer to Mirissa/Galle/Hikkaduwa & Yala Safari Tour

Ella: Transfer to Mirissa/Galle/Hikkaduwa & Yala Safari Tour

Combine a transfer from Ella, Haputale, or Bandarawela to Matara, Mirissa, Weligama, Unawatuna, Galle or Hikkaduwa area with a thrilling day trip to Yala National Park. Experience the immense biodiversity of this park on this Sri Lankan animal safari. Be picked up from your accommodation in Ella, Haputale, or Bandarawela. Relax and take in the local scenery on the drive to Yala National Park. Board an open-topped safari jeep to get the best views and photo angles. See the animals during the day when they are the most active. Watch for leopards, sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, water buffalos, and a large variety of bird species. Get some great shots of these magnificent creatures. Hear about wildlife and get photography tips from your local guide. Let your guide show you the spots where the animals are likely to congregate. Then, head back to your air-conditioned car for the ride to your accommodation in Matara, Mirissa, Weligama, Unawatuna, Galle or Hikkaduwa.

From Kandy: Sigiraya Day Tour

From Kandy: Sigiraya Day Tour

* Pickup @7.45am In Kandy Pickup ➡️ Matale Hindu Temple ➡️ Wood Carving Center ➡️ Sigiriya Lion Rock ➡️Cave Temple ➡️ Spice & Herbs Garden ➡️ Drop-off (Your hotel in kandy) • Sigiriya Village Safari (Optional) • Gems Museum (Optional) Get picked up directly from your accommodation and travel by tuk-tuk to the city of Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress. Marvel at the 200-meter-tall Sigiriya Rock, which, according to an ancient Sri Lankan chronicle, was selected by King Kasyapa as the site of his new capital. Then, see some of the traditional crafts of the region such as wood carving and batik textiles, a dyeing technique developed in ancient times. Take a piece of traditional craft home with you as a souvenir. Afterward, journey to Dambulla and explore the largest and most well-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Discover the magnificent Buddha images and vividly colored rock paintings, painted between the 2nd century BC and the 18th-century Kandyan era before returning to Kandy.

Ella: First-Class Scenic Train Ticket To/From Kandy

Ella: First-Class Scenic Train Ticket To/From Kandy

Board your train in Kandy or Ella and begin your magical journey through rugged mountains, lush greenery, and pristine lakes. Find your seats in the first-class section of the train and settle in. As you ride to Kandy, the train will first pass through a narrow ridge and misty green forests before reaching Ella Rock and several rushing waterfalls. Continue through Haputale to reach the tea villages and plantations in Nanu-Oya. Continue through luscious fields of tea to cross into Horton Plains, keeping an eye out for deer and rhododendrons. As enter your final stretch, enjoy the views of green rolling hills before pulling into Kandy/Ella (Based on direction of your journey), a bustling city.

From Ella: 3rd-Class Reserved Train Seat Tickets to Kandy

From Ella: 3rd-Class Reserved Train Seat Tickets to Kandy

From Ella to Kandy Train Tickets - (3rd Class Reserved Seats) Experience a Scenic Train Journey Through Sri Lanka's Highland Countryside Travel affordably with third-class reserved train tickets from Ella to Kandy. This iconic journey through Sri Lanka's picturesque highlands is regarded as one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Settle into your reserved seat and witness the beautiful countryside unfold through your window. Highlights: # Reserved Seating: Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a reserved third-class seat. # Scenic Views: Marvel at the misty mountains, green tea plantations, picturesque villages, and magnificent waterfalls. # Cultural Immersion: Experience the authentic charm of Sri Lanka as you travel through its heartland. # Convenient Ticketing: Avoid the hassle of last-minute ticket purchases. Have your tickets bought in advance and delivered to you. Details: # Departure: Ella Railway Station # Arrival: Kandy Railway Station # Class: Third-Class Reserved Seats # Duration: Approximately 7- 10 hours Important Notice: # After booking, you will receive an email with an e-ticket. This e-ticket cannot be used to board the train. # To secure your original train ticket, please contact the activity provider via WhatsApp. Send a copy of your passport to finalize the purchase. # Remember, this train departs from Ella Station and you can alight at Kandy Station. Booking Includes: # Reserved third-class seat from Ella to Kandy # Delivery of your train ticket to the railway station or your hotel Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture of Sri Lanka with this unforgettable train journey. Book your tickets now and travel the authentic way!

From Kandy: Pinnawala Day Tour

From Kandy: Pinnawala Day Tour

🟢Start @8.45 in Kandy ➾ (18km) Kadugannawa View Point ➾ (22km) Pinnawala ➾ (17km) Ceylon Tea Factory ➾ (8km) Royal Botanical Garden ➾ (2km) Wood Carving Family House ➾ (4km) Big Buddha Statue ➾(1km) Asgiriya Stupa ➾ (2km) Ceylon Gems Museum ➾ (100m) Kandy City View Point ➾ (600m) Kandyan Culture Dancing ➾ (1km) Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic ➾ (1km) Drop-off Your Hotel 🔚 🛑 Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage , is a captive breeding and conservation institute for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village, 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of Kegalle town in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2023, there were 71 elephants, including 30 males and 41 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala. The orphanage was founded to care and protect the many orphaned unweaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC). On 31 August 2021, a 25 year old elephant named Surangi gave birth to twin male baby elephants at the orphanage. It also marked the first instance of the birth of twin elephants in Sri Lanka after a gap of 80 years since 1941.

Kandy: Private Guided Tour of the City by Tuk-Tuk

Kandy: Private Guided Tour of the City by Tuk-Tuk

Explore the most iconic sites of Kandy as you get to know your guide and their hometown. Contact the guide before the tour begins to customize the tour and choose the sites you would most like to see. Visit the Sacred Temple of the Tooth, situated in the Royal Palace Complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy. Drive to the Queen's Bathing Pavilion and the National Museum of Kandy. Head to the Buddhist Temple which sits at the top of a hill with a breathtaking view. Stop here to take photos and admire the views of the city and surrounding areas. On the way to a tea plantation, pass along the banks of the river Mahawali. Hopefully, you will get to see monkeys during the tour and possibly spot a jaguar in the distance along the river. Take a break to grab some food at a local restaurant with the guide’s recommendation. Discuss the rest of your plans for the day while asking for tips on places to visit during your stay.

From Ella: First-Class Reserved Train Ticket to Kandy

From Ella: First-Class Reserved Train Ticket to Kandy

From Ella to Kandy Train Tickets - (1st Class Reserved Seats) Experience a Scenic Train Journey Through Sri Lanka's Highland Countryside Travel in comfort and luxury with first-class train tickets from Ella to Kandy. This iconic journey through Sri Lanka's picturesque highlands is regarded as one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Relax in your reserved seat and witness the beautiful countryside unfold through your window. Highlights: # Reserved Seating: Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a reserved first-class seat. # Scenic Views: Marvel at the misty mountains, green tea plantations, picturesque villages, and magnificent waterfalls. # Cultural Immersion: Experience the authentic charm of Sri Lanka as you travel through its heartland. # Convenient Ticketing: Avoid the hassle of last-minute ticket purchases. Have your tickets bought in advance and delivered to you. Details: # Departure: Ella Railway Station # Arrival: Kandy Railway Station # Class: First-Class Reserved Seats # Duration: Approximately 7-10 hours Important Notice: # Non-Refundable and Non-Cancellable: Once booked, tickets cannot be cancelled or refunded. # After booking, you will receive an email with an e-ticket. This e-ticket cannot be used to board the train. # To secure your original train ticket, please contact our office via WhatsApp at or email at ellaexcursionstours@gmail.com. Send a copy of your passport to finalize the purchase. # Remember, this train departs from Ella Station and you can alight at Kandy Station. Booking Includes: # Reserved first-class seat from Ella to Kandy # Delivery of your train ticket to the railway station or your hotel Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture of Sri Lanka with this unforgettable train journey. Book your tickets now and travel the authentic way!

Kandy: Scenic Train Tickets to Ella

Kandy: Scenic Train Tickets to Ella

Simplify your trip from Kandy to Ella with this train ticket. Avoid the stress of booking on the day with this online booking service. Head to the station in Kandy on the day and hop on board a comfortable train. Wind your way through lush green landscapes, for a scenic experience like to other. As the train departs from Kandy station, it gradually picks up speed, chugging through the picturesque countryside. Pass small villages along the route, adding a warm touch to the journey. Peer out of the windows, soaking in the scenic beauty of verdant tea plantations, mist-covered mountains, and cascading waterfalls. Listen to the rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks as the train negotiates numerous bends and curves, providing panoramic vistas at every turn. Cherish every moment of this enchanting train ride through the heart of Sri Lanka's scenic beauty before arriving safely at the train station in Ella.

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What people are saying about Central Province, Sri Lanka

Overall rating

4.5
(182 reviews)

Saana is a great guide . It’s good to do a hike with a person with a positive disposition. Pleasing nature , good vibe. Especially if you haven’t been much of a hiker like me. It’s a little adventure of sorts to do Ella rock in the morning hours and having someone along makes the whole hike faster and smoother. There’s a lot to catch up with in Ella. If you want to squeeze in more , would recommend doing this hike in the morning.

The trip was incredible :) Rumma was great, very punctual and very patient. Tim was very responsive and always taking into consideration everything we wanted to do. The only feedback I have is about the car, just a bit too small room for the legs for such a long drive. Thanks Tim for the fantastic experience.

The trip was great and I really reccomend booking a tour with Wicky! He knows English very well and is such a nice person. He showed us many places and added more things to our itinerary, made stops when we wanted to take photos and told us many amazing stories. I couln't be happier about the trip!

Danushka was my driver and I had a blast with him. I was able to go on the pace I wanted and the locations that I wanted without hassel.

I had the best time! It was a really fun, informative and accommodating guide!