Places to Visit in Ella: A Complete Insight of Ella

Introduction

Best Time to Visit

How to Reach

By Air:

The nearest airport is the Colombo airport which has flights from major cities of India. Ella is 323 kilometres from the Bandaranaike Airport you can easily take a can and 87 kilometres from the Rajapaksa International Airport. From the airport, you can easily take a car to reach your destination.

By Train:

One of the best ways to travel to Ella is by train. The train ride from Ella to Kandy is the most beautiful ever, with lush green tea plantations on either side of the tracks. The train from Colombo takes about 11 hours. 

By Road:

The distance from Bandaranaike Airport to Ella is about 323 kilometres. From the airport, you can easily take a taxi or bus to reach your destination. Road trips are great as you can halt mid-way to explore places to visit in Ella. 

Places to Visit in Ella

Nine Arch Bridge

The main attraction of the bridge is the picturesque landscape as you cross the bridge. The bridge is best viewed from below or from the tunnel.

Ravana Falls

There are some great waterfalls in Sri Lanka of which, The Ravana Falls is the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka and is located on the city’s outskirts. It is believed that the demon King Ravana hid goddess Sita in the cave behind the fall on his way back to Lanka.

The Ravana Falls is a 10-minute drive from the Ella main road and is one the most spectacular places to visit in Ella. The best time to visit this waterfall is during the monsoon as the waterfall swells up and gives a magnificent view.

Little Adam’s Peak

It is advisable to trek to the top before sunset as it can get harder to climb when it gets dark. The view from the top can be a prop for some great photography so don’t forget to add it to your “Places to Visit in Ella” list.

Ella Rock

The Ella Rock of Sri Lanka is a must out of all places to visit in Ella. The whole hike will take about 4 hours but it is worth every struggle. 

As you hike your way up, you will walk past tea estates, railway lines and eucalyptus forest. From the top, you can get a panoramic view of Ella Gap and Little Adam Peak. You can capture the best view from the rock during sunrise as the whole sky turns pink.

Lipton’s Seat

The Lipton Seat got its name after the founder of Lipton Tea – Sir Thomas Lipton. Sir Lipton was often seen walking around in these tea estates. As you enter the Lipton Seat you will be greeted by a giant statue of Sir Lipton. 

Diyaluma Falls

An hour from Ella, the Diyaluma Falls is the second-largest waterfall in Sri Lanka. The upper part of the Diyaluma Falls has deep pools while the lower part has a dramatic fall. The waterfall is a sight to behold. You can also trek your way to the Upper Diyaluma Falls from the Makaldenya Junction to have the best experience. 

Day Trip to Udawalawe National Park

Kinellan Tea Factory 

Tea from Sri Lanka is great to taste. The Kinellan Tea Factory is known for producing the world-famous Ceylon tea. You can opt for it. 30-minute guided tour of the factory and witness the whole process of tea production from tea leaf picking to packaging. You also get the opportunity to do the testing during the tour.  

Yala National Park

Pocket Pinch: ₹5000 to ₹10000

Bambarakanda Falls

The Bambarakanda Falls is a must out of all places to visit in Ella, it is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka and has the most spectacular view during the monsoon season. Hike your way up to experience the best view of the landscape. 

Dhowa Rock Temple

Timing: 8 am to 5 pm

Pocket Pinch: Free

Ella Spice Garden

The Ella Spice Garden is a private household in the highland of the village that offers cooking classes to learn about authentic Sri Lankan food. You can also take a tour of the premises to see the spice cultivation. 

Mahamevnawa Monastery

Timings: 8 am to 9 pm

Pocket Pinch: Free

Fun Activities

• Join Sri Lankan Cooking Class

The best way to learn about Sri Lankan Cuisine and its flavours is by cooking them. Join traditional Sri Lankan cooking classes to learn in detail about their flavours, ingredients and evolution with time. 

• Flying Ravana Mega Zipline

Just a 10-minute drive from Ella, this 82 metres zipline is perfect for adventure junkies. The speed of zipline can go up to 80 kilometres per hour and is a must-place to visit in Ella. 

• Train Tours

The train tours in Sri Lanka are really cheap and highly recommended. The train journey has great scenery, they are cheap, and you get the opportunity to hang out on those old trains and click some amazing pictures. It’s an experience that you can never forget so when discovering Paro don’t forget to include it in bucket list. 

• Kandy Ella Train Ride

The train from Kandy to Ella offers the most scenic train journey in the world. The train passes through multiple tunnels as it emerges from those tunnels, you will be mesmerised by the beautiful view of the surroundings. The travel isn’t that comfortable but it’s worth every penny. 

Conclusion