Ella is one of the Sri Lanka’s most admired places to visit in the tea country. This little town is located in Badulla District of Uva Province and placed at an elevation of 1,041 meters above sea level. Today, Ella has become a must visit destination among tourists across the world for its spectacular views and bundle of joy it offers! Getting into Ella is more convenient with a beautiful train ride. Here I have listed four time slots which will lead you to your most awaited destination. Since most of the travelers start their journey from Colombo , all below trains which I have mentioned are operating from Colombo Fort Railway Station.
The train ride would be approximately a 9 hours journey. However if you think the long hour travelling might be exhausting what should you do? On my journey to ella , I stopped by at Nanuoya station to spend my first day in beautiful Nuwaraeliya or famous known as ‘little england’. The climate and the greenery will surely make you feel relaxed and peaceful. And then on the following day you can take the special train which runs from Kandy to Ella (Your Departing station is Nanuoya). Tickets could be reserved by local mobile service provides or from Kandy, Nanuoya and Ella railway station. Make sure to book your tickets at your earliest to grab a seat. This train is one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Here are the most amazing things you shouldn’t miss during your holiday in beautiful Ella.
01.Scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella
The train which runs through the Kandy to Ella track is something you shouldn’t miss in Sri Lanka. You will love to feel the cold breeze while enjoying the most fantastic views of the tea plantations, tall pine trees, and those natural tiny waterfalls cascading down the mountains. Also you can lean out of the doors to capture an insta worthy picture!
02.Climbing Ella Rock
If you’re a person who loves greenery Ella rock will surely please you with the breathtaking views from the top. This trek would take you around 4 hours to climb up and down. Start your trek at your earliest to avoid the midday sun as it will be extremely strong and burning. Also remember to wear hiking shoes and appropriate cloths for your convenience. The easiest way to start the trek is walking through the Ella railway station. Once you reach the station turn to your left, step into the railway tracks and walk along the tracks until you see the Kithal ella railway station. After about 5 to 10 minutes there will be rock with a blue marking which directs to ella rock. Turn left from this ‘hair clip’ shaped junction and walk along the pathway. However this blue marking could be faded or covered overtime so note that you should take the left turn which falls between the way-marker 166 ½ and 166 ¼. Just after few minutes along this path you will get to cross a bridge which will lead you to a fork in the road. Take the left turn and walk further through the tea plantations. And then you will see a path with long grass on both sides, keep going! This road will lead you to an interim viewing point and from here it’s a clear yet steep path to the rocking ella rock! Please be a responsible traveler to protect this natural beauty. Carry trash bags to bring back the plastics and other materials, specifically any non-biodegradable material you use without leaving them to destroy the greenery.
Tips :
· Leave early as possible
· Wear hiking shoes and convenient cloths
· Carry drinking water
· Salt or lime to rub if leeches hang on your body
· Be aware of touts who will try to mislead you
03.Flying Ravana mega zip line
Flying Ravana Zip line is one of the best things to do in Ella for all the adrenaline junkies. It is the first ever two wire zip line in Sri lanka which stretches for more than half a kilometer. This will cost around USD 20 per foreigner (approx. Rs.3600.00) and Rs. 2500.00 per local. Getting to this adventurous zip line is not hard at all.
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to enjoy a bird’s eye view of green valleys surrounded with tea hills and misty mountains of beautiful Ella.
. 04.Nine arch bridge
No matter if you are a local traveler or a foreigner who plan to visit Sri Lanka, the Nine Arch bridge is surely one of the top things you should make notably if you love to capture the ancient creations of Sri Lanka. It has become popular among the tourists since it offers picture perfect sceneries from below the nine arches and also on the bridge. If you’re planning to visit the Nine arch, check the train time table for trains which pass the bridge so you could enjoy such a beautiful moment.
How to get here?
This wonderful creation is located between the Ella and Demodara Railway stations.You can easily reach the bridge by hiring a tuk tuk. They are very friendly and will take you there at a reasonable charge. You can reach any of the two ends of the bridge. On my journey to ella, I started my day from flying ravana adventure. I hired a tuk from there and had to walk a few meters down the way and got into the railway tracks and walked along. If you want to avoid spending time for a walk, make sure to inform the driver that you need to get off right at the bridge.
Did I say an Ancient Creation?
Yes that’s what I meant! The nine arch bridge is viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka which was built during the British colonial era. The construction of the bridge is attributed to a Ceylonese constructer, P.K Appuhami in consultation with British Engineers. What made this more unique was this bridge was built with Stone bricks and cement without the inclusion of any steel or concrete since the steel which were allocated to this purpose had to be re-allocate for the Great war between empires of Europe. No wonder this gigantic man made structure is said to be a marvelous creation of the Ceylonese having said there were no steel involved in it.
05. Ravana Falls
Sri Lanka is a tropical paradise which is popular for waterfall hunting as it owns a number of breathtaking waterfalls in the whole world. If you’re an adventurer with the thirst to explore water falls, then you surely need to bucket list the amazing Ravana Falls. It is currently recognized as one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka cascading down with a height of 82ft from an oval shaped concave rock.
Interesting facts :
The Ravana falls unfolds the historical story of ‘Ramayana’, an Indian epic composed sometime in the 5th Century BCE. The falls have been named after the legendary character Ravana who was the king of Sri Lanka at that time kidnapped Princess Sita and had kept her hidden in the ravana cave behind the waterfall. It is also believed that the natural rock pools of this waterfall had been used by the princess for her bathing purposes.
Getting into this beauty is not hard at all. It is located just 6KM away from Ella town and there will be ample ways for you to get there easily. If you’re in Ella town you can conveniently get in to a bus which is heading to wellawaya or hire a tuk which will be a bit costly (yet reasonable) if you’re a budget traveller. Don’t forget to enjoy the view on your way as it’s mind refreshing and just stunning in all ways!
Ravana falls is a three tiered waterfall however a majority of the visitors explore only the first level of the waterfall which is just next to the main road. The locals do not recommend climbing any higher set of the fall as the rocks are slippery and the path is hazardous. Having said that, I couldn’t forgo my opportunity because I simply love waterfall hunting! Please do make sure that you’re fit and bold enough to climb up the steep rocks to get up to the highest point of the fall. it’s worth the effort and you will be surprisingly amazed to see the way she flowing down with pride.
Tips :
Hiking boots
Leech repellent
Do not leave any trash up above! Nature is saved all upon how well we act responsibly.
06.Ravana Cave
The Ravana’s cave is placed on top of a cliff at an elevation of 1370 meters above sea level. As I have already disclosed the legendary Ravana’s Cave has become famous among the tourists knowing the historic story behind it. It is believed that King Ravana has had a closer association with Ella to utilize natural creations for the best advantage. This place is somewhere you shouldn’t miss especially if you’re interested in exploring the oldest creations of mother nature and the architectural brilliance of our ancient people too!
How can we get here?
The best thing about visiting Ella is there are enormous places to visit and do which you would really love just few minutes away from the main town. And finding transport to reach most of those destinations is so convenient! So why not trying them out?
The Ravana cave is about 500 meters away from Ella town. Direct towards the Ravana Ella Temple and from there take the steep path which is heading towards the cave. The path is a bit uneasy having about 650 steps and in some places you get only steep rocks to climb. However once you make it inside the cave you will feel like you have been taken back to many moons ago!
07.Mini Adam’s Peak
If you want to be amazed by the spectacular views of the hill country, the lush greenery, the valleys, the misty mountains, tea plantations Mini Adam’s Peak is the easiest climb that you surely need to do! The mountain is also known as Little Adam’s Peak and Punchi Sri Padha by the locals. It has got this name from the World famous sacred Adam’s Peak for the similarity of the two mountains.
The mountain is located at an elevation of 1141 meters above sea level however if you’re almost in Ella, then it’s just a few meters trek to the summit. The best time to do the trek will be early morning for the sunrise or late evening for the sunset. Both the time slots has distinctive views so do it in your way! I made it for the sunrise since I’m an early bird. I do not recommend any of you to trek during the day time because it will be very hot and tiring.
The best part about this trek is it will take no longer than an hour to reach the top if you take the path right next to the Ella Flower garden resort. However there’s another entry point to the trek if you prefer walking through the tea plantations and doing a timely trek. This entrance is located at the 98 Acres resorts and spa marked by a white statue of Buddha.
I took the path which starts right next to the Ella Flower Garden Resort which is the easiest to find and the quickest way! This entry point can be easily found since it is just by the main road. If you’re in Ella railway station walk towards the Passara road for about 1.6KM until you find the Ella Flower Garden Resort to your right. Also you can get into a bus or tuk to save time. Once you reach the entry point it’s a convenient hike and the path is well kept and marked by signs so you won’t be lost anywhere!
Don’t forget to picture frame the moments and phenomenal sceneries on your way up to the top which are just worth watching for hours. There are few points you shouldn’t miss to capture. Once you hit the top of Mini Adam’s Peak you will be amazed by its 360 degree panoramic views and it’s simply unbelievable! So bucket list Mini Adam’s Peak and tick it off at your earliest.
Note to all : Do not leave any trash here and there throughout your journey. Pack them all and dispose in an appropriate place to contribute towards minimizing pollution. Be the change to save our mother nature.
08.Night walk in Ella
Yes Ella is an absolutely romantic town at night! You might not have heard before that a walk along the streets when they become less busy and in the coolest climate is the best remedy to refresh your soul. And what more?
Most of us travel and explore the world to escape the work life stress of us. We know how travelling help us to feel much relieved and energetic. So this is one of the best things you should try out to add good therapy for you!
Ella is at its best climate at night. The roads might seem less crowded, calm and quiet. You will love the atmosphere the little town tends to reveal at night. Also it’s amazing to see when the sun goes down setting darkness, how the valley is lit up with lights made by man from up above. Not only it’s mind refreshing, you can click some pictures for the gram!
I never forget to enjoy the sleeping town while having hot street food at fairly low prices whenever I visit the astonishingly beautiful Ella.