This was one of our favourite ever train journeys because of the incredible views across the southern Sri Lankan hill country as the train passes in and out of numerous mountain tunnels through tea plantations, eucalyptus forests and nearby villages. The low lying clouds add to the beautiful scenery.

The closest train station to Nuwara Eliya is Nanu Oya, around 8km away from Nuwara Eliya.

The distance from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is only around 60 kilometres, but the journey itself takes around 3-4 hours because it has to cross many mountain ranges.

We arrived early in the day to get our tickets in 3rd class. We paid 60 rupees each for our 3rd class tickets (around 30p / $0.45) instead of the pricier 1st class seats costing 1,000 rupees (around £5 / $8). There is no 2nd class on this train.

The train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is small with only two carriages: 1st and 3rd class. The front carriage is the ‘observation deck’ 1st class with guaranteed seats and air conditioning. The back carriage is the cheaper 3rd class with no air con.