Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda worth booking?
Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda is a 12-hour experience in Kalutara, Sri Lanka, from $245 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 4 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (4)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $245 per person
Ella Train Trip and Udawalawe Elephant Orphanage with nine arch Bridge Day Trip is organized by DIMTOURS SRILANKA for the tourists who stay at Induruwa , Bentota , Aluthgama, Beruwala , Kalutara, Wadduwa, Kosgoda , Ahungalla, Balapitiya, Hikkaduwa, Galle areas. If anyone is looking to do famous train trip From badulla to ella and visit Udawalawe Elephant orphanage . This is one of the popular day excursions for the travelers who stay at Bentota and surroundings. Attractions & Activities – • Train Trip from Badulla to Ella • Nine Arch bridge in Ella • Udawalawe Elephant orphanage Key Points • Tour Starts at 4.00 am from the pick-up point • Pick up from anywhere in Bentota,Induruwa,Kosgoda, Ahungalla, Aluthgama , Beruwala
What you get
About this experience
Ella Train Trip and Udawalawe Elephant Orphanage with nine arch Bridge Day Trip is organized by DIMTOURS SRILANKA for the tourists who stay at Induruwa , Bentota , Aluthgama, Beruwala , Kalutara, Wadduwa, Kosgoda , Ahungalla, Balapitiya, Hikkaduwa, Galle areas. If anyone is looking to do famous train trip From badulla to ella and visit Udawalawe Elephant orphanage . This is one of the popular day excursions for the travelers who stay at Bentota and surroundings. Attractions & Activities – • Train Trip from Badulla to Ella • Nine Arch bridge in Ella • Udawalawe Elephant orphanage Key Points • Tour Starts at 4.00 am from the pick-up point • Pick up from anywhere in Bentota,Induruwa,Kosgoda, Ahungalla, Aluthgama , Beruwala
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- On-board WiFi
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Bottled water
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Transport by Private Air condition Luxury Car
- Udawalawe Orphanage
- Train Tickets ( Reserved seats )
- Surcharges on fuel
Not included
- Breakfast ,Lunch ,Dinner
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Badulla
Best for spectacular views Start – Badulla End -Kandy The trip from Colombo to Kandy is just a warm-up for Sri Lanka’s most beautiful train ride: the British-era Main Line, built as a conduit for Sri Lanka’s most famous export: tea. The journey from Kandy to Badulla takes seven to eight hours and carves through Sri Lanka’s tea country, passing swirling, curling plantations that appear hollowed into the hilly green landscape like the enormous fingerprints of a giant. Tidy fringes of lemongrass and canna bushes provide an ornamental trim around the edges, while tea pickers in rainbow saris create vivid flashes of color amongst the emerald sea. To make the most of the views, take your turn sitting in one of the open train doorways, with your feet dangling above the track. The final stage from Ella to Badulla is perhaps the most dramatic section of the journey, with some spectacular feats of 19th-century engineering carrying the train across valleys and ravines and around problem outcrops.
60 minutes here
Udawalawa Elephant Orphanage
Sri Lankan elephants (Elephas maximus maximus) are an endangered species and their survival in their natural habitats is threatened due to human activities. Elephants in the wild are constantly being killed, and many elephant calves become orphaned. In order to support these orphaned elephants, the Department of Wildlife Conservation set up the Elephant Transit Home within Udawalawe National Park with help from the Born Free Foundation. The facility was established under the 29th Amendment to the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance Part II As of 8 February 2009, 39 orphaned elephant calves were being looked after. The elephant calves are released to the jungle after they become strong enough to survive in their natural habitats. As of 2008, sixty-five elephants had been released to the jungle.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Nine Arches Bridge
The Nine Arches Bridge also called the Bridge in the Sky,is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. It is located in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations. The construction of the bridge is generally attributed to a local Ceylonese builder, P. K. Appuhami, in consultation with British engineers.The chief designer and project manager of the 'upcountry railway line of Ceylon' project was D. J. Wimalasurendra, a distinguished Ceylonese engineer and inventor. The designer of the viaduct was Harold Cuthbert Marwood of Railway Construction Department of Ceylon Government Railway. The 1923 report titled "Construction of a Concrete Railway Viaduct in Ceylon" published by the Engineering Association of Ceylon has details of all the records including the plans and drawings. As a result, the work came to a standstill, leading the locals to build the bridge with stone bricks and cement, but without steel
45 minutes here · Admission included
Rawana Falls
Ravana Falls (Ravana Ella) is one of Sri Lanka's widest and most famous waterfalls, plunging roughly 82 feet down a concave rock outcrop just a short drive from Ella. Steeped in legend from the Ramayana epic—where King Ravana is said to have hidden Princess Sita in the nearby cave—this easily accessible roadside cascade remains a top sightseeing stop in the country's hill country.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Ella Nine Arch Spice Garden
Ayurveda Herbal and Spices
45 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Bentota/Aluthgama/Beruwala
Pickup included
Kosgoda/Ahungalla/Balapitiya
Pickup included
Hikkaduwa/Galle/Unawatuna
Pickup included
Kaluthara/Wadduwa
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Dimtours Srilanka
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Russian, German, French, Italy, Arabic, Tamil & Hindi speaking guides can be arranged at extra cost.
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Family trip to beautiful Sri Lanka
We had the most amazing holiday in Sri Lanka. Family of four including two children aged 11 and 9. We arranged our own accommodation but Dim was our driver throughout and often suggested better alternatives! He is so well networked and could arrange any trip or hotel and was very patient with us!!! He was a pleasure to spend time with- always courteous, spoke good English and took us only where we wanted to go. We could not recommend him more - his kindness shone through when it was our daughter’s 9th birthday and he surprised her with a cake and filled his car with balloons!!
Response from the operator: Dear Sir,Madam Thank you very much for choosing us and 5* Review.we are happy you enjoyed our services..Hope to see you again in Sri Lanka. Thank you Dimuthu
via Tripadvisor
Tours in Sri Lanka
FABULOUS!!!! Dim always has a smile and is an excellent driver! His knowledge, kindness and patience is outstanding and his English is excellent! We had four days on various trips With Dim and I can honestly say he has made our first trip to Sri Lanka very memorable and special. Thank you Dim - you are the best!! 😀
Response from the operator: Dear Sir,Madam Thank you very much for choosing us and 5* Review.we are happy you enjoyed our services..Hope to see you again in Sri Lanka. Thank you Dimuthu
via Tripadvisor
Amazing trip to Ella
Really good trip , beautiful scenic train journey , and Ella is a lovely little village , also view as train went over 9 arch bridge . Whilst in Ella there had been a landslide blocking our route but Dim went out of his way to find an alternative route and somehow still managed to get us to Udawalawe to see the wild elephants feeding on time . Definitely book your tour with Dim, he goes above and beyond every time , thoroughly recommend
Response from the operator: Dear Sir,Madam Thank you very much for choosing us and 5* Review.we are happy you enjoyed our services..Hope to see you again in Sri Lanka. Thank you Dimuthu
via Tripadvisor
Any time
We booked the day tour with train ride to Badulla/Ella from Germany with Dim! The contact beforehand was great, friendly, uncomplicated and Dim always responded quickly. He picked us up from the hotel right on time at the agreed time. The day tour was well managed and we really had a lot of fun with Dim! I would book with him again at any time!
Response from the operator: Dear Sir,Madam Thank you very much for choosing us and for your Review.we are happy you enjoyed our services..Hope to see you again in Sri Lanka. Thank you Dimuthu
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $245 to $360
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Dimtours Srilanka, who run 14 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 56.8.
See everything Dimtours Srilanka runsWhy this scores 51
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kalutara.
How much does Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda cost?
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Prices start at $245 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kalutara usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda take?
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Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kalutara is not rushed.
Is Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Kalutara, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kalutara can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kalutara and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kalutara within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kalutara?
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On Outty we rank every Kalutara experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Multi days private round tour in Srilanka, Airport Transfer Service (Private) to Kalutara/Wadduwa, 7 Day Sri Lanka Private Tour with 4 Star Accommodation and Safari. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kalutara?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kalutara?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda?
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Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; On-board WiFi; GST (Goods and Services Tax); Bottled water; and All taxes, fees and handling charges. Not included: Breakfast ,Lunch ,Dinner; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 24 listed pickup locations in and around Kalutara. Be ready about 5 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; Specialized infant seats are available; and Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Kalutara. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda?
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Across 4 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, organization, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Ella Train Trip & Udawalawa Private Day Tour Bentota/Kosgoda?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including Bentota/Aluthgama/Beruwala, Kosgoda/Ahungalla/Balapitiya, Hikkaduwa/Galle/Unawatuna, Kaluthara/Wadduwa. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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