This is the second episode of my 3-part Sri Lanka video series, covering days 6-8 of our 14-day adventure with Karl Watson. If you want to read about the full itinerary and my overall experience, check out my 14-Day Sri Lanka Itinerary: Knuckles, Ella, and South Coast.
This episode takes us from the cultural heart of Kandy through one of the world’s most scenic train rides to the adventure hub of Ella. From cooking authentic Sri Lankan curry to zip-lining at 80 km/h over valleys, these days brought the perfect mix of culture, stunning scenery, and adrenaline.
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Exploring Kandy: We spent a day wandering through Kandy‘s vibrant markets and streets, soaking up the local atmosphere. We were hiking up to a small viewpoint overlooking downtown Kandy – the panoramic views of the city were worth every step. After working up a thirst, we took a tuk-tuk back down to grab ice-cold beers at a nearby pub.
Sri Lankan Cooking Class: One of the most memorable experiences of the entire trip. We learned how to cook an authentic Sri Lankan meal with local hosts who introduced us to traditional kitchen techniques. While we kept our contributions pretty basic, the result was absolutely delicious – possibly the best dinner we had during the entire 14 days.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic: We visited Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, one of the most important temples in Buddhist history. It holds Buddha’s left canine tooth, one of Buddhism’s most sacred relics. For hundreds of years, whoever protected this relic was considered the true ruler of Sri Lanka – connecting religious faith with political power. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was a fascinating glimpse into Sri Lankan culture and history.
Damro Tea Factory: On our drive from Kandy to Nanu-Oya train station, we stopped at this tea factory nestled in the mountains. A quick but interesting look at how Sri Lankan tea is processed.
The scenic train from Kandy to Ella: This was one of the experiences I’d been most excited about. The train was completely packed – we had to stand for quite a while. But honestly, I loved every minute of it. Exploring the train, watching the stunning views roll past, and interacting with locals made it an incredible experience. The journey took about 4 hours with delays, passing through changing landscapes and countless small stations.
Biking Through Ella’s Hills: Day 7 in Ella started with what was supposed to be a mostly downhill 8 km bike ride. Reality check – it was mostly uphill.
Mini Adams Peak: Still exhausted from the bike ride, we hiked up to Mini Adams Peak. The views from the top were stunning – you can see the valleys and mountains stretching out in every direction. A perfect reward after the climb.
Flying Ravana Zipline: This was serious adrenaline. The zipline reaches speeds of 80 km/h as you fly over the valleys. I have to apologize for the shaky footage – turns out keeping a camera stable while swinging through the air at high speed is harder than it looks.
Ravana Pool Club: After the zipline, we cooled off at this pool club with views over the surrounding hills. The perfect place to relax and recover.
Karl Watson and the Red Dress Swing: This deserves its own mention. We bought Karl a red dress so he could go on the giant swing, and it became one of the most entertaining moments of the trip. More and more people lined up to watch as even the organizer couldn’t believe he’d actually do it. Spoiler: he did.
Pahanthudawa Falls: Our last day in Ella took us on another hike to these beautiful waterfalls. We scrambled over rocks and through forest to reach two pools. The water was a refreshing 24°C, though the rocks around the pools were steaming hot in the sun.
Exploring Small Towns: On our way back to Ella, we stopped in small towns along the route, buying snacks and getting glimpses of local life away from the tourist areas.
Ella Nightlife: We spent our final evening exploring Ella town with the group, enjoying beers and soaking up the atmosphere of this famous backpacker hub. It was the perfect way to recharge before the final leg of our journey.
Why Kandy and Ella exceeded expectations
The contrast between these destinations was perfect. Kandy gave us cultural depth – from that incredible cooking class to the sacred Tooth Relic Temple.
Then came that train ride. I’d seen photos, but experiencing it packed in with locals, standing for hours, watching tea plantations and mountains roll past – it was everything I’d hoped for. The journey itself became one of the highlights.
Ella delivered on the adventure front. Every day brought something physical – biking uphill through tea country, hiking to peaks, flying down ziplines at 80 km/h. But it wasn’t just about the activities. The landscapes around Ella are stunning, and the relaxed backpacker vibe of the town made it easy to enjoy the downtime between adventures.
What’s coming next?
Check out the video above to see it all come to life. Episode 3 will cover the final part of our journey – the south coast with its beaches, more safaris, and our last adventures in paradise. Stay tuned.
