Ella

Ella is a beautiful place in Sri Lanka that is quite far away in the misty hills of Sri Lanka’s Uva Province.

As of now, what used to be a quiet mountain town has become one of the country’s most stunning tourist spots.

At 1,041 meters above sea level, Ella really shows off what Sri Lanka’s hill country is all about. In fact, in here, you’ve got beautiful tea plantations, waterfalls, and stunning mountain views to look at.

Anyway, what makes Ella special isn’t just how beautiful it looks. It’s also about the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and peace that you can find there.

To get a better idea of it, we picked five locations because they really represent what makes Ella great.

Each one helps to explain why so many people consider Ella a must-visit place in Sri Lanka.

Therefore, you’ll find everything from impressive engineering to natural wonders. That shows you all the different experiences that you can have in this place.

Nine Arch Bridge

The Nine Arch Bridge really shows you how good engineers were at their job.

This is because it connects Ella and Demodara, which goes right over a deep valley. 

They built it back in 1921 when the British were in charge. And here’s something interesting – they didn’t use any steel at all.

It’s just brick, rock, and cement. That’s why locals started calling it “The Bridge in the Sky.”

Speaking of which, the bridge has nine beautiful arches and stretches 91 meters across a green valley. 

Due to this reason, it has become one of the most popular spots for photos in Sri Lanka.

Anyway, to get the best shot in here, there is a specific time you should visit. Which is around early in the morning, between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM. 

There is a special reason for it, this is because usually you can see some mist around then that makes the bridge look really special. 

On the other hand, late afternoon works great too as the sunlight makes the whole bridge glow. 

Other highlight is the train. Whereas it cross about six times each day, and if you’re into photography, try to catch the 9:30 AM or 3:30 PM crossings.

When it comes to reaching out the location, that is quite easy to follow.

The most reliable way is to take a tuk-tuk from Ella town that is about a 15-minute ride to the bridge entrance. 

Then just follow the path through the tea plantations. 

Meanwhile, you can view the bridge from several spots, but most people agree the best view is from the hill on the other side. 

Note: Just make sure that you get there at least 30 minutes before the train comes if you want a good spot.

Little Adam’s Peak

They named this one after the bigger Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka. However, the good news is that it’s much easier to climb. 

In here, most people take about 45 minutes to reach the top, and it’s not too difficult. 

Moving on, the trail starts near the 98 Acres Resort and takes you through tea plantations before you reach three different peaks.

Anyway, it’s best to start your hike at 6:00 AM. 

The reason for that is, you’ll get to see the sunrise at that time, and you won’t have to deal with the heat that is around. 

When it comes to spots, the first part of the trail is pretty flat where you need to walk through the tea estates. 

On the other hand, there are some stairs at the end, but most people can handle them just fine.

What’s interesting is that, each time you stop at a viewpoint, you’ll see something different. 

Speaking of which, from the first one, you can look out at Ella Rock and the valley. 

In addition to that, the second and third peaks give you some great views of all the mountains and tea plantations that are around you.

Ravana Falls

Ravana falls is a place that many tourists wouldn’t miss to visit.

Speaking of which, there is an interesting history behind this fall. They say that this is where King Ravana kept Princess Sita hidden after taking her from India. 

Actually, you can read about it in the Ramayana story. 

Trust us, this story has been so much popular among Sri Lankans. 

Anyway, the waterfall drops 25 meters, and it’s really impressive during monsoon season when there’s lots of water.

When it comes to reaching out to this place, you won’t have trouble finding the falls since it’s just 6 kilometers from Ella town on the Wellawaya-Ella road. 

For instance, let’s say that you came during the dry season (March to September). In that case, you can climb up to the higher levels if you are strong enough to push yourself.

On the other hand, during the dry season, you can swim in the pool at the bottom as well. 

Tip: Don’t try swimming when it’s rainy as the water gets too strong.  

Ella Rock 

This is a more challenging hike, but the views make it worth it. 

Speaking of which, you’ll need 3-4 hours to do the whole hiking thing as it is about 8 kilometers in total. 

Moreover, the trail isn’t as clear as the one to Little Adam’s Peak, which makes it more exciting for serious hikers.

As for the time, you must start your adventure much more early.

In fact, you should leave by 6:00 AM to avoid getting too much of sun’s heat. 

After scheduling that, start your hike at Ella railway station and follow the train tracks for about 1.5 kilometers. 

Then, after you pass the Buddhist temple, look for a small path on the left. 

That’s where a lot of people get lost.

Finally, the last part is pretty steep and tough, but when you get to the top, the view is incredible. 

Note: On clear days, you can even see all the way to the coast. 

Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory

At the Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory, you can learn all about Sri Lanka’s tea industry. 

It’s about 6 kilometers from Ella town, and it’s a working factory. This means that they process thousands of kilograms of tea leaves every day by using both old and new methods.

As for the time, the tour takes about an hour, and they show you everything about making tea, from drying the leaves to sorting them. 

What’s interesting is that it’s quite amazing to see the old rolling machines still working just like they did years ago. 

On the bright side, tours run all day, but morning is best if you want to see everything as the operations are starting from a break.

Roughly, you can see all these places comfortably in three or four days. 

Anyway, we recommend that you spend your time effectively in order to visit each and every place by seeking for adventure.