Ella - Sri Lanka
Located in the vast tea plantations of Sri Lanka’s cultural center, Ella is one of the most popular places to visit in Sri Lanka. It is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka and it is situated at an elevation of 1,041 metres (3,415 ft) above sea level. The area is rich in bio-diversity with numerous varieties of flora and fauna.
Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The town has a cooler climate than surrounding lowlands, due to its elevation. The Ella Gap allows views across the southern plains of Sri Lanka.
Ella features something special for every nature enthusiast, hiker, trekker and the modern traveller. From zip lining to hiking, Ella adventures offer you the best outdoor experiences. Listed below are some of the main attractions in Ella.
THE NINE ARCH BRIDGE
The Nine Arch Bridge, also called the Bridge in the Sky, is one of the most famous attractions in Ella. Surrounded by lush greenery and tea fields, it is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka and one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. It is located in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations. The surrounding area has seen a steady increase of tourism due to the bridge's architectural ingenuity and the profuse greenery in the nearby hillsides.
The bridge can be accessed from the Ella station and is a short trek along the railway tracks. This ancient construction is 91 meters long and 24 meters high and never fails to leave tourists spellbound by its beauty. A trek down the railway track to the bridge is a popular activity, especially around the time the train arrives. Make sure to inquire about the train timings to arrive there on time. There are many viewpoints that offer magnificent views of the train travelling along the Nine Arch Bridge.
TRAIN JOURNEY FROM KANDY TO ELLA
The train journey between Kandy and Ella in Sri Lanka is considered one of the most breathtaking in the world. The distance between Kandy and Ella is about 140 km (87 miles) and the journey takes between 6 to 7 hours. It is a picturesque train ride through winding, misty forests, tea plantations, gushing waterfalls and charming towns. The train stops at hilltop towns like Haputale and Nuwara Eliya, and tourists can explore the tea plantations there.
HIKE TO LITTLE ADAM’S PEAK
Little Adam's Peak, a 1,141 m (3,743 ft) pyramidal-shaped hill is located to the southeast of the town. It is named after the larger Adam's Peak.
Hiking to the top of Little Adam’s Peak from Ella takes around an hour. Once you are at the top, you can walk the ridgeline and explore. There are three peaks on Little Adam’s Peak and it takes around 30 minutes to reach the furthest one. Little Adams Peak is the most accessible hike in Ella and well worth checking out for its amazing views.
DHOWA ROCK TEMPLE AND CAVE
Dhowa Temple is a 2,000-year-old rock temple located on the Badulla-Bandarawela Road. Declared a protected heritage site and an archaeological protected monument in Sri Lanka in 1996, Dhowa Temple is famed for its incomplete 38 feet Buddha Statue, carved out of a granite boulder. The temple is amalgamated with the cave that is adorned with vibrant and striking murals.
Dhowa Rock Temple (Dowa Rajamaha Viharaya) is believed to have been built by King Walagamba in first century BC, when he sought refuge in the Uva Province during his exile from Anuradhapura, following an Indian invasion.
Dhowa Rock Temple is situated approximately 7 kilometres from Ella, on the Badulla – Bandarawella main road.
RAVANA ELLA FALLS
Ravana Falls is a popular sightseeing attraction in Uva province of Sri Lanka and it currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country. The waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where the flow of water reduces dramatically. Ravana Falls form part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary and is located 6 km (3.7 mi) away from the Ella railway station.
The falls have been named after the legendary King Ravana, who is connected to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana.
RAVANA CAVE
The Ravana Cave is located 2 kilometres outside of Ella town and lies 1,370 m (4,490 ft) above sea level on the foundation of a cliff. It is one of the most important tourist attractions with a historical value in Ella. Excavations undertaken in the cave uncovered evidence of human habitation dating back to 25,000 years.
According to legend, it is said that Ravana (who was the king of Sri Lanka at the time) had kidnapped Princess Sita and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, now simply known as the Ravana Ella Cave. At the time, the cave was surrounded by thick forests in the midst of the wilderness.
HIKE TO ELLA ROCK
The Ella Rock, with its breathtaking views over mountains and tea plantations, offers a challenging hiking experience. Although the trail has similar views to Little Adam’s Peak, it does take you much higher up for a more panoramic view.
The trail to the top and back takes around 4 hours from Ella and is 8 km long.
DIYALUMA FALLS
Diyaluma Falls is 220 m (720 ft) high and it is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is situated 6 km (3.7 mi) away from Koslanda in Badulla District on Colombo-Badulla highway. From Ella, it is over an hour’s drive to the foot of the falls. It has a series of natural pools at the top where you can swim and jump from one pool to another. This area is called Diyaluma upper falls.
It offers an astonishing view of the Sri Lankan highlands and is a perfect spot for a full day adventure. Best time to visit this area is between January and May. Swimming in the falls during the rainy season should be avoided.
FLYING RAVANA MEGA ZIP LINE
Flying Ravana is Sri Lanka’s first ever mega dual zip line, located amidst the luscious green estates of Ella. The two-wire zip line stretches for more than half a kilometre, slides at a maximum speed of 80 kmph and offers a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful hills of the island. The zip line is located at the bottom of Little Adam’s Peak and is a great activity for adventurous travellers. Flying Ravana showcases Ella in its full splendor offering breathtaking views.
LIPTON’S SEAT
Lipton’s Seat is a stunning viewpoint named after the pioneer of tea in Sri Lanka, Thomas Lipton. The viewpoint overlooks the vast tea fields he once owned and no trip to Sri Lanka would be complete without a visit to Lipton’s Seat in Haputale. It is about 1.5 hours’ drive from Ella via Bandarawela-Badulla Road/Beragala-Hali Ela. The distance from Ella to Lipton’s seat is about 26.7 km and is most commonly visited for sunrise.
Lipton’s Seat is a popular vantage point, from where Thomas Lipton would sit with a cup of tea in hand and proudly look over his estate. Today, you can still have one of the best views from the lookout, and there is even a life-sized statue of Lipton on a bench to take pictures with!
One can explore the many tea plantations or just enjoy a tea break at the Lipton’s Seat restaurant. Visit the Dambatenne Tea Factory which is located 7 km from Lipton’s Seat on your way back to Ella. The factory was built by Thomas Lipton in 1890 when he began his tea empire, and this is the factory that manufactures his famous Lipton Ceylonta black tea.
RAVANA POOL CLUB
The Ravana Pool Club is the first ever international pool club in Sri Lanka overlooking the most popular mountains in Ella, Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock. The poolside offers stunning views of the evergreen mountains, an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. It is located 2.5 km from Ella city.
The club features a massive restaurant, private VIP pools, a heated Jacuzzi and a pool bar. With in-house DJs, delectable fusion cuisine and stunning views, Ravana Pool Club promises a captivating experience amidst the picturesque hills of Ella.
