Tea estates and factories
Walk through the plantations and see how Ceylon tea is withered, rolled and graded, with a tasting at the end.
Tea Country · Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya, cool air and endless tea.
High in the central mountains, Nuwara Eliya is surrounded by tea estates and still shows traces of its colonial hill-station past. Cool evenings, misty mornings and nearby Horton Plains make it a calm contrast to the coast.
What to see
The highlights of Nuwara Eliya.
Horton Plains and World's End
An early-morning walk across highland grassland to a sheer escarpment and Baker's Falls.
Gregory Lake and the town
Boating, a lakeside stroll and the old colonial buildings around the town centre.
The hill-country train
Nanu Oya station connects Nuwara Eliya to the scenic railway towards Ella and Kandy.
When to go
Best time to visit
Pleasant all year, with cool nights. The driest months are usually from January to April. Bring a warm layer for evenings and early starts.
How long
How many nights
One or two nights. Add a second night if you want to walk Horton Plains at dawn.
Getting there
Travel by private car
About two and a half hours by private car from Kandy, and around two hours from Ella.
Published Navigeto journeys
Private tours that include Nuwara Eliya.
Every route can be changed: the number of nights, hotels, pace and stops.
- Family Explorer · 3-Star Option6 days · 5 nights
- Family Explorer · 4-Star Option6 days · 5 nights
- Premium Coast & Highlands9 days · 8 nights
- Safari to Mirissa8 days · 7 nights
- Kandy to the Wild8 days · 7 nights
- Sigiriya to the Sea8 days · 7 nights
- Highlands to Coast Express5 days · 4 nights
- Sigiriya Highland Discovery6 days · 5 nights
- Kandy Tea Discovery4 days · 3 nights
- Eastern Shores & Ella9 days · 8 nights
- Sigiriya Island Panorama13 days · 12 nights
- Tea Country City Break4 days · 3 nights
Good to know
Nuwara Eliya questions, answered.
How cold is Nuwara Eliya?
Days are mild, but nights and early mornings can feel cold compared with the rest of Sri Lanka. A light jacket or fleece is enough for most travellers.
Can I visit Horton Plains from Nuwara Eliya?
Yes. Horton Plains National Park is a short drive away. Most guests leave before dawn to walk to World's End before the mist rolls in.
Should I take the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella?
Many travellers do. The train leaves from Nanu Oya, near Nuwara Eliya, and your chauffeur can meet you in Ella with your luggage.
Start planning
Add Nuwara Eliya to your Sri Lanka trip.
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A Sri Lanka specialist will suggest a route, hotels and a private car, with a clear quotation.
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