The cosy mountain village of Ella is almost everyone's favourite in the Sri Lankan highlands.
The reasons for this are obvious: it is beautifully situated at an altitude of 1041 meters in the mountain landscape, surrounded by lush green tea plantations and a good starting point for excursions and hikes in the surrounding area.
With mostly warm days and cool nights, the climate in Ella is also very pleasant, even if it does tend to rain from time to time, as is usual in the highlands of the island.
The atmosphere in the town is relaxed and laid-back, but there are plenty of tourists around, especially in high season - Ella has not been an insider tip for a long time.
The selection of guesthouses, restaurants and cafés where you can relax after your exploration tours is correspondingly high.
In addition to typical Sri Lankan delicacies, you will also find plenty of Western dishes.
You can either travel to Ella by train from Kandy or take the train to Kandy from here.
The railroad line between Kandy and Ella through the central highlands offers impressive views and is one of the most beautiful in the world.
From Ella, you can reach several viewpoints, waterfalls and other sights on foot. We present the best-known and most popular ones here.
Little Adam's Peak
Apart from the name, Little Adam's Peak in Ella has nothing in common with its big brother, the popular pilgrimage destination Adam's Peak near Hatton.
The name supposedly comes from the fact that it looks like a smaller version of Adam's Peak.
From Ella, you can reach Little Adam's Peak after a 45-minute hike. As soon as you leave the town center, the path soon winds its way through the tea plantations and offers beautiful views.
The last 20 minutes are a little steeper uphill. Once you reach the top, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the mountain landscape and Ella Rock. You can walk along the ridge of Little Adam's Peak for a good half hour.
In total, the mountain consists of three "peaks", of which only the path to the last one is very narrow and first leads steeply downhill and then just as steeply uphill again.
Otherwise, it is a relatively easy hike that anyone can manage. Although we got lost on Little Adam's Peak in flip-flops, we hadn't actually planned to go there that day. However, we definitely recommend sturdy footwear.
Ella Rock
You don't need to be a professional mountaineer to hike up Ella Rock, the striking rock at the start of the village, but it is definitely more challenging than the hike up Little Adam's Peak.
The view from both peaks is similar, although Ella Rock is a good deal higher and therefore offers a wider panoramic view.
You should plan a good four hours for the 8-kilometre hike.
The first part runs over the railroad tracks before the path then leads through the forest up to the top.
The signposting and route guidance leave a lot to be desired here, so it is relatively easy to get lost.
Many people therefore choose to climb Ella Rock together with a guide who knows the area.
Nine Arch Bridge - THE bridge in Ella Sri Lanka
The Nine Arch Bridge is one of Ella's, if not Sri Lanka's, most famous landmarks. The stone arch bridge is a popular photo motif, especially on social media.
The railroad bridge is located between the two railroad stations of Ella and Demodora. From the center of Ella, it is just under 2 kilometers on foot (about 20 minutes) to the bridge.
Many people coordinate their visit to the Nine Arch Bridge with the train times, as it is a particularly idyllic scene when one of the typical blue trains is crossing the old bridge.
You have great viewpoints from both ends of the bridge.
A visit in the early morning at sunrise is also worthwhile. Firstly, the light is particularly beautiful then and you share the bridge with far fewer people. In addition, two trains cross the bridge at short intervals in the morning (around 6:15 and 6:40, but be sure to check the exact times on site).
Once you've had your fill of the bridge, it's a real "Sri Lankan experience" to walk a little in either direction across the railroad tracks.
You can reach the train station in Ella in around 45-60 minutes.
Take a look at our article on this.
Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge for those in a hurry Here are the most important facts and information about the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella, Sri Lanka, that you should know at a glance: Location: The bridge is located in Ella, in the
Waterfalls in Ella and the surrounding area
There are several waterfalls around Ella that are well worth a visit.
The most famous is probably the Ravana waterfall, which is officially called Bambaragama.
It is located directly on the main road between Wellawaya and Ella, so if you are traveling from the south, you may be able to see it from the bus.
You can easily get to the waterfall from Ella, either by bus or tuk tuk. Once there, you can walk a little way up from the bottom to the top of the waterfall.
The lower pools are very popular for swimming.
The Kithal Ella waterfall (which is actually the Ravana waterfall) is located on the way to Ella Rock.
You can reach it on foot after about 2.5 kilometers. However, you should refrain from swimming here, as there is always a strong current, which has already claimed the lives of over thirty people.
You can reach Ellawala Waterfall by taking the main road to Wellawaya a little further south after Ravana Fall. However, it is not located directly on the main road and is therefore somewhat quieter. It is a rather small, but very relaxed waterfall without large crowds of visitors.
However, getting there is a little more complicated than to other waterfalls and is easiest with your own car. Otherwise, you can take a bus for the first part and then a tuk tuk.
Ellawala Waterfall is also relatively safe to swim in on rain-free days - a natural pool in the middle of the jungle.
The Kombukarawala waterfall, also known as Secret Falls or Dragonfly Falls, is 12 kilometers from Ella, but very worthwhile.
You take a bus from Ella to Balleketuwa and from there it is another 2 kilometer long, very beautiful hike through tea plantations.
When you are at the Kombukarawala waterfall, you have to try the old lady's roti with jackfruit curry in her "Saliya Rotti Hut", located right at the foot of the waterfall. It's worth the trip for that alone!
Ravana Cave
The Ravana Cave is close to the Kithal Ella Waterfall, so it makes sense to combine the two.
To get to the cave, however, you will unfortunately have to climb over 600 steps of varying heights. The cave was built by humans and, according to legend, served as a network of tunnels for the former King Ravana, an architectural masterpiece. Such tunnels can be found in many places in the highlands of Sri Lanka and were used for fast travel in the mountains and as secret passages.
According to the legend "Ramayama", King Ravana hid Princess Sita, the wife of Ravana's opponent Rama, in this cave until Rama was able to free her together with the monkey king Hanuman. There is a small temple in Ravana's honor outside the cave.
Ravana Pool Club
The Ravana Pool Club - quite honestly, it just doesn't fit in with Ella. At the top of the slope, overlooking the lush tea plantations, self-absorbed wannabe influencers loll around on fancy loungers, spraying themselves with expensive champagne and posing for the perfect Instagram photo. It's all just for show, with no real connection to the surroundings or the people who live here.
While the tea pickers downstairs toil under the hot sun and work hard for every penny, the champagne flows freely upstairs. This stark contrast could not show more clearly how out of place this club is. Instead of enjoying the peace and beauty of Ella, an artificial bubble is created here that has absolutely nothing to do with real life in Sri Lanka.
The Ravana Pool Club looks like a foreign body in this idyllic landscape. Instead of being part of the place, it feels like it's just a nuisance. If you're coming to Ella to experience the real nature, culture and people, don't bother with this club. There is so much more in Ella that is authentic and just so much more relaxed.
Flying Ravana Mega Zipline
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush that will take your breath away and at the same time offers one of the most beautiful views in Sri Lanka, then you should not miss the zip line in Ella. It is not only one of the longest zip lines in Sri Lanka, but also one of the most spectacular. But let me tell you why this experience is so special.
You float in the air, with nothing but a rope above you, and race over the green tea plantations that gently stretch across the hills of Ella. The wind whistles in your ears, your heart beats faster and the view is simply breathtaking. The lush green of the plantations spreads out below you, and in the distance you can see the ridges of the central highlands. It's a moment of pure freedom and excitement that completely captivates you.
The zip line in Ella is almost 500 meters long and bridges a distance in a rapid flight. You can reach speeds that make you feel like you are really flying - and all this in the middle of one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful landscapes. This is an absolute must for adventure seekers.
But it's not just about the adrenaline rush. The zip line also offers you a unique perspective of the landscape that you won't get anywhere else. As you soar over the treetops and tea plantations, you can experience Ella from a completely new perspective. You will see how the plantations cover the hills like a carpet and recognize the vastness and beauty of the surroundings in a way that would otherwise remain hidden from you.
But don't worry, safety is of course the top priority. The zip line is supervised by professional guides who ensure that you are well secured and can enjoy the experience without risk. Before you set off, you will receive a briefing and your equipment will be thoroughly checked - so you can concentrate fully on having fun.
A little tip: If you want to experience the zip line, plan your visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Then the light is particularly beautiful and you avoid the biggest crowds. It can also be a little chilly up here in the mountains - so a light jacket won't hurt.
By train to Ella
You can either travel to Ella by train from Kandy or take the train from here to Kandy.
Travelling by train is not only the cheapest way to get around Sri Lanka, but also an attraction in itself: the train route between Kandy and Ella through the central highlands in particular offers impressive views and is one of the most beautiful in the world.
The entire journey takes around 7 hours and leads through tea plantations, along steep mountain slopes and past numerous waterfalls and small villages.
You shouldn't miss sitting in the open doors for a while every now and then and enjoying the landscape as it rushes by. There are numerous tea and snack vendors at each stop, so you don't need to bring your own provisions, but can stock up on fresh mango, samosas, fried chickpeas and milk tea.
If 7 hours in one go on a somewhat bumpy train is too long for you, you can also split the journey in two and make a stop in Nanu Oya, the next station to Nuwara Eliya.
You can buy tickets for the train at the station immediately before departure. During the high season or at weekends, however, it can make sense to buy or reserve tickets in advance, as the trains can then be very full.
The train from Kandy to Ella always tends to be a little fuller than from Ella to Kandy, as most tourists travel from Colombo to Ella via Kandy. You can get reserved tickets between 30 and 10 days before departure at any train station in Sri Lanka or online via 12asia.go.
You can choose between second and third class and, on some trains, first class with A/C. However, you cannot open the windows in first class and therefore cannot take typical pictures out of the window.
Third class is the class most used by locals, but it is often the most crowded.
The price difference to second class, which has fans, is small, so most tourists use it.
You can check the current train departure times here: www.eservices.railway.gov.lk
Our insider tips for Ella in Sri Lanka
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Hello,
Thank you very much for this good article, I never thought Sri Lanka could be so great. I definitely want to visit this country now after reading this article.
Best regards
Marvin
Hey,
Thank you very much for publishing your travel experiences in Sri Lanka.
I was actually looking for something about an Ayurveda cure in Sri Lanka, came across this blog and got stuck. Everything is entertaining and vividly told and it's great that you also give critical feedback on the destination.
Feel free to browse here a bit more.
Many thanks for that.
Best rice greetings
Heike