Things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka
Ella is a mountain town in the Central Highland of Sri Lanka, about 1000 meters above sea level. Ella in Sri Lanka is a small laid-back town surrounded by the beautiful greens of tea. There are a lot of things to do in Ella. You will most likely end up staying longer than you had planned to. Ella has a comfortable climate where the nights are cool and the daytime is around 28 degrees. With its warm days and cool nights, the weather in Ella, Sri Lanka is quite perfect. Of course, it can’t be that green without rain, therefore the best time to visit Ella is from January until May.
The train ride from Kandy to Ella is one of the most memorable in the world and it’s the best way to get there. Although it does not comprise of extensive land, there is plenty to do in Ella, from hiking trails to waterfalls and so much more.
It is the perfect mix of locals and intrepid travelers and currently sits in that sweet spot where the balance is even.
There are a variety of activities and excursions available to make your journey exciting and worth-while; Climb up Little Adam’s peak. Most visitors arrive to Ella for the hiking trails. The most known being the hikes to Little Adam’s Peak and to Ella Rock. It’s best to do the treks early in the morning as it is common for the rain to pour down in the afternoon. Both hiking destinations will give you beautiful sprawling views of the Sri Lankan country side. Both these hikes start at the town and can be done without a guide. It’s an easy walk from downtown Ella in a lush picturesque setting. The mountain’s name comes from the comparison with its similarly shaped but much larger counterpart, the massive Adam’s Peak in central Sri Lanka. Enjoy the easy going, 45-minute trek to the summit, admiring views of prolific tea plantations along the way. When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the rolling green hills and valleys below.
You can even walk along the rails on the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella; this world-famous bridge is located just outside the Ella Town. Just a 30-minute walk through the woods, you will reach a piece of beautiful architecture hidden between lush green tea fields. This is one of the things you must do in Sri Lanka!
Let’s not forget the magnificent Nine Arch Bridge. This masterpiece is between Ella and Demodara station and it is one of the engineering marvels in the early 20th century.
This bridge, which is almost 100 years old, has been built with blocks of stone and cement without any strengthening iron or concrete. The giant arches take the bridge on a curved path that links it to the mountains. The Bridge was commissioned in 1921 under the British Government. Access to this area is not a challenge. The best time to be there is when the train is passing. So familiarise yourself with the train schedule before you go! Be vigilant when standing on the sides of the bridge as the trains go across the bridge.
The Lipton’s Seat lookout is one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive viewpoints. The Scottish tea baron Sir Thomas Lipton used to survey his burgeoning empire from here, and today it’s said that you can see across emerald hills and tea estates to no fewer than seven different provinces. Once you reach the station, get a tuk-tuk which takes you up to the top where, back in 1890, Mister Lipton, planted the first seeds of what is now Sri Lanka’s biggest export product, Lipton Tea.
Ready to escape the heat of the afternoon? A quick 10-minute drive from town is the Ravana Fall. It is located next to the main road so you can easily take a dip. Much easier than Diyaluma Falls. Ravana Falls has become a very popular site amongst locals and foreigners stopping by to enjoy this piece of nature and a cool down in the water.
Looking for some fun things to do in Ella for your next trip to Sri Lanka? Known as Sri Lanka’s “Hill Country” peaceful and picturesque Ella is one of the most charming towns in Sri Lanka and is well worth a few days of your trip – even if your plan is to simply relax, drink tea and take in the jungle views!
Photo by Yves Alarie on Unsplash