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The Podi Menike ("The Little Maiden") is one of the world's iconic train rides, taking you 180 miles from the capital of Sri Lanka across the central mountains to Badulla. Along the way you will pass sacred mountains such as Adam's Peak and Batalegala ("Bible Rock"), the old British colonial resort town of Nuwara Eliya, and some of the finest tea plantations in the world.
The Podi Menike train leaves daily from either Fort Train Station in Colombo or from Badulla, and takes approximately 10 hours to complete its journey. From Colombo and the coastal jungle, after the first couple of hours the train begins its slow climb into the mountains eventually reaching its highest point at Pattipola Station (6210').
There are 1st (assigned seats, air conditioned), 2nd, and 3rd class seating available. The 2nd class cars provide the best views, as there are large windows that can be opened and the doorways are excellent places to sit and watch the scenery.
As the train stops at various stations, sellers of water, fruits, and snacks will climb on and off.
Hatton is an excellent stop for climbing Adam's Peak. The former British colonial resort town of Nuwara Eliya is an excellent point of departure for Horton Plains National Park, and Kandy is a small but popular tourist village with easy access to tours of tea plantations which can be reached by switching trains at the Peradeniya Junction.
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