A Trip Through Ella, Sri Lanka
- thepresentexplorer
- Apr 3, 2020
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 4, 2020
When visiting the beautiful country of Sri Lanka, Ella is one of the top destinations that should be on your travel itinerary! Located southeast of Kandy, (which is the central city of the island) Ella has the most rich green landscapes I have ever come across. Mountainous, full of tea plantations, waterfalls, incredible hikes, and jaw dropping sight seeing is what you will encounter during your visit to the village of Ella.
What to do in Ella:
Experience the most scenic train ride in the world.
The absolute top thing I can recommend for you to do is take the train from Kandy to Ella or you can also take the train from Ella to Kandy depending on where you are going. This trip will take you 7 hours, which may seem super long for most but this will be one of the highlights of your trip. You will view the most gorgeous sights, watch as you pass through tea fields, small villages, and be greeted by children on the tracks at each stop. You can also plan for your trip to view the sunrise or sunset on the train which is quite spectacular.
At the ends of the train cars the doors are open so you are able to sit and admire the beauty, peak your head out or take the famous train ride photo. (If you plan to do this PLEASE be smart and careful, it is very dangerous. The train goes through tunnels and drives very close to other objects and walls. You will also need to be in second class.) My favorite part of this ride was being able to sit at the foot of the open doors for hours on end and just watch the rich green sights and the sky as it changed from rolling fog, to rain, to clear and sunny, to a vibrant sunset. I found this ride to be powerful and incredibly emotional and it will forever be a time that will never be forgotten.
When purchasing train tickets I recommend purchasing second or first class to be sure you have a physical seat and a view! (First class is air conditioned so windows do not open, whereas second class the windows and doors will be open)
Also, there are people who come on the train that sell food and fresh fruit in case you will need something to eat, otherwise I recommend packing snacks for your journey.
Watch the sunrise at Little Adams Peak
Little Adams Peak is one of the most beautiful places to view a sunrise in Sri Lanka. This is a fairly easy hike that will have other hikers on it, being it is a popular place to visit. It takes about an hour up to the top an hour back down (2-3 hours total). If you plan to watch the sunset, I recommend getting there while it is still dark so you can watch the sunrise once you reach the top. I arrived to the base of the mountain at 4:30 AM and the sunrise was at 6 which gave me enough time to be at the top for it to start.
What to pack for your hike:
1. Water. Be sure to bring lots of water, it's a fairly easy hike but it is steep and you will be gone for around 3 hours total.
2. A flashlight. If you are going for sunrise, you may be hiking in the dark and a flashlight is necessary to see.
3. Snacks. You definitely work up an appetite during your hike so I recommend having some snacks on hand.
4. Appropriate shoes. This is a hike so be sure to wear closed toe comfortable shoes!
5. A camera. This is a sight you will absolutely want to capture! The sunrise is gorgeous but once it rises you will be amazed by the views you have!
Diyaluma Falls
Diyaluma Falls is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It's a little bit of a hidden location so you most likely won't be able to find this spot on your own. You can ask a tuktuk driver to take you to the foot of it and it will be about a 40 minute ride from Ella. Once you arrive at the base it will be another 40 minute or so trek to the falls making your journey an adventure in itself. This is a beautiful spot to hangout for a good amount of the day. The falls are made up of numerous pools making it an excellent spot to swim and enjoy the view.
Nine Arch Bridge
A must see attraction of Sri Lanka is the Nine Arch Bridge. Surrounded by tea plantations, this beautiful bridge is a great place to spend some time exploring. Feel free to walk along the bridge, walk through the tea fields, wait around to watch the train pass, and check out the cafes around in the hills (they have awesome views).
Ravana Falls
During your tuktuk ride to Diyaluma Falls you will pass Ravana Falls. This a very pretty waterfall right off the road so if you let your driver know you want to view it, they will be sure to pull over so you can check it out!
Recommended Food & Stay
Cafe UFO
A great place to have lunch or dinner! Cafe UFO has such a unique and creative layout and design. They offer proper seating and bar downstairs and bean bag chairs upstairs for a more laid back feel. This is a fun place to spend your evening!
Cafe Chill
Another great place for lunch and dinner! Cafe Chill offers a super chill atmosphere, with it's treehouse-like design and bean bag chairs it makes for a comfortable and delicious meal.
Starbeans Cafe
Starbeans Cafe is a lovely little cafe in Ella. I recommend having breakfast here at least once, they make the best coffees and waffles - yum!
Hangover Hostel
Anyone looking for a hostel to stay in during their visit to Ella should check out Hangover Hostel. It has a fun rain forest vibe to it and really cool decor! They offer a great hangout area to meet people and play games, rooftop yoga, and meals! This hostel is very clean and a great place to stay!
If you are looking for a non-touristy, BEAUTIFUL, small village, that's away from tourism, Haputale is the perfect town to check out. It is located about an hour away from Ella and is a very small village in the mountains, an amazing place for a little getaway.
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