bigtravelbuzzElla brings together the best parts of Sri Lanka.
Beautiful jungle mountains, undulating tea plantations and spectacular waterfalls. As one of the largest tea producing regions, travelers can spend the day in the most lush surroundings and enjoy the views from hilltop homes and adventurous hikes her trails. Even the train ride to Ella traveling through bamboo forests and tropical fog aboard the legendary blue train is her one of the most amazing experiences of her life. Enjoy all the things to do in Ella with this complete guide.
Ella, activities in Sri Lanka
Ella is full of great activities, from hiking on green peaks to diving into refreshing waterfalls. The town itself has a lively atmosphere and is full of great cafes and restaurants to enjoy after a day out in nature. Here are things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka.
- Climb Little Adam’s Peak
Little His Adam’s Peak may be smaller than his big brother’s Adam’s Peak, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less impressive. The stunning ridge consists of three verdant peaks he towers over the valley below. Hike through incredible nature, past villages, tea plantations and long grasslands. The feeling you get when you reach the top is like no other. This is your chance to enjoy the impressive panoramic views and feel like you are on top of the world!
It takes about 45 minutes to walk from Ella Town to the foot of the mountain. It takes about 15 minutes from the base to the summit (30 minutes for the furthest of the three peaks).
After a beautiful hike, find the 98 Acre Resort on your return trip. The perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee or local tea while admiring the view. 2. Walk along the rails of Ella’s Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge is a symbol of Ella and is world-famous for its beauty. The impressive bridge is a mammoth 25 meters high and 91 meters long. Located just outside Ella Town, on the same route as Little Adam’s Peak, it is tucked away in a lush green hill among low-hanging clouds.
Stroll through beautiful bamboo forests to reach postcard-worthy locations and spend time admiring stone arches and waving to passers-by on a historic blue train. This is he one of the best places in Sri Lanka.
Tips:
You can also wait for the trains to pass here while you have a drink at one of the hilltop cafés. 3. Endless views of tea plantations at Lipton’s Seat
Her Lipton’s Seat in Haputale is perfect for a morning or afternoon excursion from Ella. Board the train to Haputale and take a tuk-tuk for breathtaking views of the Lipton Tea Plantation. This is where Thomas Lipton, a famous tea grower, sat and admired his beautiful tea plantations. It is also where the first seeds of Sri Lanka’s largest export were planted. Overlooking the endless green tea plantations, it’s easy to see why he chose this location. Tidy bushes and smiling, hard-working locals picking leaves.
Afterwards, arrange a tour of a nearby local tea factory. Here you can learn more about the history and production of tea, and of course you can taste it!
- Diyarma Falls, Sri Lanka’s second highest waterfall
Diyalma Falls is Ella’s number one attraction and his second tallest waterfall in all of Sri Lanka. A great opportunity to get away from nature and enjoy a hike to the top of the waterfall.
At the foot of the mountain, enjoy the roar of water falling on the rocks. Once at the top, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world as you explore three natural infinity pools that stretch along the edge of the cliffs. Swimming in these pools and looking down 220 meters is an experience like no other.
Diyarma is only an hour drive from Ella He. Once at the base, it’s a 30 minute drive for her to the top and a 45 minute hike for her along the trail to reach the pool. Without a tuk-tuk, the entire hike from bottom to top takes about two hours.
Five. Take a cooking class at Ella Spice Garden
Sri Lankan cuisine is among the best in the world (explosion of flavors!). You’ll want to carry the recipe with you and learn how to make these dishes at home. Join a cooking class at Ella Spice Garden and learn about local ingredients. It’s also a great opportunity to learn from locals and meet new people taking courses. If that’s not available, book this popular course online with Ella. Tips:
Ella Spice Garden fills up quickly, so book in advance.
- Refresh yourself with a natural shower at Ravana Falls
Although smaller than Diyarma, Ravana Waterfall is breathtakingly beautiful. The waterfall is a great place to swim as it has three tiers and the water cascades down between multiple rock pools. It’s a bliss to cool off from the heat of a tropical afternoon!
Climbing higher than the first step is not recommended (there are signs warning of danger). Also, bring proper footwear for easy entry and exit from the pool. How to get there:
Ravana Falls is just 10 minutes down a winding hill from Ella. You can catch a tuk-tuk or take a public bus from Ella Town.
- Flying Ravana Zipline
The Flying Ravana Zipline is he one of the best activities in Ella for adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers. The extraordinary zip line reaches over half a kilometer in length, 82 meters in height and a top speed of 80 kilometers. Soaring high above the treetops and looking down into the valleys below is the closest thing to flight. Best of all, it’s only a 10 minute drive from Ella town, making it perfect for afternoon activities in Ella. Entrance fees and opening hours:
Open daily from 9am to 5pm, tickets are $18. - Hike to the top of Ella Rock
Wherever you are in Ella, you can always feel the majestic presence of the towering Ella Rock. The beautiful green mountains are his one of the most popular hikes and his one of the best activities in Ella. What makes this hike unique is that the trails are incredibly natural and overgrown. This gives you a true sense of adventure.
The hike takes about two hours from the town of Ella to the summit, following railroad tracks through long grasslands and dense forests. Once you reach the summit, you will feel incredible as you hang your feet from the rocks and look down into the valley below. It is recommended to start the trek as early in the morning as possible to avoid the hot sun. Also, it gets cold early in the morning and even hotter on the descent, so don’t forget to dress in layers.
Tips:
The adventurous nature of this hike means it’s easy to get lost. Please check directions from the guest house manager or other travellers before leaving. Don’t forget to pack plenty of snacks and water for your trip!
- Explore Ellatown
The town of Ella is he one of the most scenic areas of Sri Lanka. Apart from the incredible nature that attracts travelers from all over the world, the city has a fun atmosphere with great cafes and restaurants. If you’re also looking for a lively nightlife, head to one of his bars on Main Street. For example, Cafe Chill offers delicious cocktails, smoothies, a variety of food, and music until the early hours.
If you are in Ella on Wednesday, the town has a small market in the morning. Passala Road (Ella Supermarket) is lined with small stalls selling clothing, fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits.
- Take a train from Kandy to Ella
Traveling itself is rarely one of the top activities, but Ella is an exception. Enjoy an iconic journey from Kandy to Ella on a colorful old-fashioned train. The door is open and the wind is in my hair. Travel through jungle, rolling tea hills and breathtaking viaducts before reaching beautiful Ella.
Tips:
At each station, local vendors will be on board selling a variety of delicious Sri Lankan snacks. This can be anything from spicy roti to sambal wrapped in banana leaves or newspaper.The snack is cheap, delicious (and super spicy) and a great way to support the local economy.
How to visit Ella, Sri Lanka
Reach Ella, Sri Lanka by taking a breathtaking train ride from Kandy. (Tickets available here) You can also go directly from Colombo to Ella by train. This is a beautiful journey through the highlands.
movement of gills
Once in Ella you can walk to everything. Alternatively, you can take a cheap tuk-tuk from the city to the main attractions.
Where to Stay in Ella
Ella has great accommodation options, from budget guesthouses to luxurious resorts with swimming pools and beautiful views. It’s a pleasure to stay in a hillside guest house outside the city, with great views and easy access to hiking trails. Tuk-tuks are everywhere and if you want to eat out at night the guest house can arrange for you to take you into town.
Best Time to Travel to Ella
With warm days and cool nights, the weather in Ella, Sri Lanka is always perfect. But this verdant region also means plenty of rain, though it doesn’t last long. The rainy season is from September to December, so the dry season from January to May is recommended. Ella is busy at this time of year and the waterfall has less water. But great for hiking!
Ella’s Best Cafes and Restaurants
Ella is a premier destination for travelers, with a wide variety of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. Ella has a nice locally run cafe if you want to try some nice local food. However, if you’ve been on the backpacking trail for a while, you can also find some Western favorites.
Cafe Chill
Jade Green Tea Center & Restaurant
Matey Hut
AK Ristoro
Rose Cabin Mexican Restaurant
Adam’s Breeze