In Sri Lanka, the Ella Odyssey train will be launched to connect the country’s capital with one of the main tourist areas.
Ella is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations, but many businesses, about 75 percent according to locals, have been left virtually without a livelihood due to a sharp decline in the number of tourists arriving here. To facilitate the travel of foreigners and locals to Ella, the railway department has launched a luxury intercity train “Ella Odyssey” between Colombo and Badulla. The train will run every weekend.
Traveling by train through what is considered one of the most scenic areas in the world is expected to help revive tourism in Ella.
Ella Odyssey leaves Colombo at 05.30 every Saturday and should arrive in Badulla at 15.55. Every Sunday, the train runs in the opposite direction, leaving Badulla at 09.50 and arriving in Colombo at 19.20.
The train stops at the railway stations of Gampaha, Weyangoda, Polgahavela, Rambukkana, Peradeniya, Kandy, Navalapitiya, Nanu Oya, Haputale, Diyathalava, Bandarawela, Ella and Badulla.
During the journey, the train must stop at points of interest including St. Clair Falls, Great Western Railway Station, Elgin Falls, Pattipola Summit, Idalgashinna Railway Station, Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, and Demodara Bridge and Tunnel.