Ella (Sri Lanka) is a picturesque town located in the southern part of the island between two mountains. Ella is characterized by a rural lifestyle with small vegetable gardens, green valleys and tea plantations. Here you can enjoy the wonderful nature in all its glory-the city of Ella is full of forest trees, mountain plants and rare animal species.
How to get to Ella
Due to its mountainous location, no planes fly here. The nearest international airport is located in Colombo (the largest city and unofficial capital of Sri Lanka), it receives airlines from all over the world.
Not far from Ella there is another airport, which is designed for rare and charter flights. Ticket prices to the mountainous Nuwara Eliya are much higher, but this city is only a three-hour drive from your destination.
You can also get to Ella by several types of ground transport.
How to get there by train
Most tourists reach the city by train, since this method is the most convenient and inexpensive. Sri Lanka has a well-established railway connection, with new trains taking tourists to the area on the Colombo-Badulla route.
It is important to note that the road from Colombo to Ella takes as much as 9 hours. The climate of the island and sitting in transport can tire you out even before you reach the final stop, so it is better to divide the path into segments. For example, you can spend a few hours (before the next train arrives) walking around Nuwara Eliya, sacred Buddhist Kandy or Hatton-beautiful cities of the island, which are among its main attractions.
There are 4 trains on this route every day. Ticket prices depend on the class you want to travel and the distance you want to cover.
You can check the relevance of this information on the official website of the Sri Lanka Railway (eservices.railway.gov.lk)
Important: First class tickets are the most popular. It is better to take them the day before the trip. Second and third class seats are always available, even a few hours before departure.
Elle train station is located within walking distance from the city center.
Getting to Ella by bus
If you want to save money on the road, this method is the most suitable. Bus tickets are several times cheaper than train tickets, but you will have to travel 6-7 hours sitting (there are also standing places). Please also note that not all roads on the island are paved, so this method is not suitable for those who are seasick in transport.
Just note that there are a number of cities where it is more rational and cheaper (in total) to get by train. Among them: Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa. It is best to travel to Ella from Tangalla (direct flight), Nuwara Eliya (bus # 31-1) and Tissamaharama (#335-1).
Another direct flight runs from Matara twice a day. The journey takes approximately 6 hours, and there is only one stop-near a grocery store in the Sri Lankan wilderness. There is also a bus number 31 that leaves this city once every 45 minutes, passing by Ella.
There are no bus stations in the city, but the bus stop, where all the routes described above are located, is located in the heart of Ella, close to many hotels, cafes and restaurants. Plan your trip so that you can catch the bus before 19: 00 – if you are late, you can wait for your transport until the next day.
We overcome the path by car
Renting a personal vehicle is a wonderful, if slightly expensive, solution. You will not be tied to public transport schedules and will be able to explore all the attractions of Sri Lanka, saving money on excursions.
Among the difficulties of traveling by car – roads and route. Since the region is mountainous, the road can go up sharply or, conversely, down, so if you are driving recently, it is better not to try your luck. In addition, you can go through villages and small towns in Sri Lanka, where there are no paved roads at all, which is also very important for the driver.
Also remember that you are traveling in an unfamiliar area, so if the Internet and Yandex. Navigator crashes, you may find yourself in an awkward situation. Before traveling by private car, spend a few dollars on a map of the island – this will protect you from many problems.
The most convenient way to get to Ella is from Colombo or Maratha. The distance from the first city is only 200 km, but due to the difficult road, the trip can take 4-5 hours. The path leads through the picturesque villages of Sri Lanka, where you can stop and go to a cafe.
The journey from Matara to Ella takes about 5 hours. The road is quite convenient – first you can drive along the new highway, and then along the usual highway, where few cars go.
You will be interested: Lion’s Rock is a must-see place in Sri Lanka.
Attractions in Ella (Sri Lanka)
The island is known for its green spaces and beautiful nature, so the trip here will be very pleasant for lovers of beautiful landscapes and relaxing holidays. As in any city, there are places in Ella that every tourist should see.
Little Adam’s Peak
This is a mountain with tea plantations, if you go up there in the morning, you can meet girls who collect leaves of these plants. The ascent is not difficult, it does not take much effort – you can go here even with children. It takes 45-60 minutes to reach the top of the mountain from the city center. You can also get there by tuk-tuk.
The best time to climb to the top of the attraction is in the morning, a couple of hours after dawn. During this period, it is not too hot here (but in the heat – less people), you can see with your own eyes the process of collecting tea, take photos against the background of beautiful landscapes. Don’t go up the mountain in the fog. Be sure to bring a bottle of water with you.
Please note: there is another Adam’s Peak on the island — a higher mountain popular with pilgrims. More information about the attraction can be found on this page.
Ella rock (Sri Lanka)
A huge rock, planted with various plants, is included in the list of the most famous attractions in Sri Lanka. There is a waterfall, several cafes and houses of friendly locals, from whom you can ask for help or relax a little.
The climb to Ella Rock is more challenging than Adam’s Peak, but also more interesting. The first 2 km is through an abandoned railway, then you need to climb the tea plantations and go through the eucalyptus forest. You can climb on your own (maps of the area are sold everywhere) or hire a guide.
Be sure to bring warm clothes (there is a strong wind at the top of Ella Rock) and wear comfortable shoes, as the climb is particularly steep in some places. It is best to get up in the morning, after lunch there may be clouds that will block out your beautiful view. The climb to Ella Rock takes about 2 hours.
Demodara Nine Arch Bridge
An old railway 9-arch bridge connecting the cliff between two mountains. Trains run infrequently here, and the place has become a favorite platform for all tourist photographers. On the ascent there is a house of local residents, they are very friendly and always welcome guests.
The bridge is located near the Small Peak of Adam. For a walk to the sights, it is better to wear long pants and closed shoes, as there are a lot of crawling insects. You can visit the bridge in Ella at any time, but if you want to take a picture of a passing train, you need to get up in the morning or at night (you can check the exact schedule with one of the locals or guides).
Ella Spice Garden
The Spice Garden is one of the most popular types of attractions in Sri Lanka. Its visit is free, here you can see with your own eyes how cinnamon, curry, aloe and other spices are grown. At the attraction, you will be met by guides (you can refuse their services and walk through the garden alone) and sellers from whom you can buy not only the plants themselves, but also various cosmetics based on them.
Before you go to this garden and buy goods here, check if there are similar products in the usual markets of Ella. Often, prices in such places are too high, and the product is no different from what is sold in the city center. One visit is enough for 45-60 minutes.
Ravana Ella Falls
The most beautiful, though not the only waterfall of Ella. This is a great place to take photos and relax in Sri Lanka. Here you can wash your face with crystal clear water, look at monkeys, taste mangoes. If you are not confused by dozens of tourists, you can swim in the waterfall, but be extremely careful, as there are a lot of large and sharp stones at the bottom.
Getting to the natural attraction is easy – just take any bus that passes in the direction of Vellavia. The journey takes 15 minutes. It is better to arrive in the morning to avoid crowds.
What else to do in Ella?
As in all of Sri Lanka, there are several tea factories in this city. Do you want to know what real tea is and try it? Then you need to visit one of the following places.
Halpewatte Tea Factory
The largest tea factory in Ella. Every day in the city collect buses with tourists who are taken here on a tour. Guided guided tour of the entire factory area is available for a fee of Rs 1,000. The top floor offers panoramic views of the mountains and green valleys of Sri Lanka, where you can enjoy delicious Ceylon tea. The trip takes 3-4 hours. The factory sells green tea, but at a rather high price.
Kinellan Tea Factory
At this factory, you can also book a guided tour, which in English or Russian (they do not speak this language, but they were able to learn the text) will tell you everything about the local plants and technologies for growing/collecting tea leaves.
This place has its own special feature – here you can buy four types of delicious tea at a very low price. The factory is located near the road, and you can get there by bus or moped. If you want not only to walk around the plantations, but also to look inside – visit the attraction on a weekday.
The cost of the tour is 500 rupees. There is a small pastry shop on site, where you can enjoy delicious tea and pastries on the terrace.
Climate in Ella: when to go
Almost all year round, the weather in this city of Sri Lanka is favorable for tourists. Here, as in the tropical zone, there is no noticeable change of seasons, but the year can be divided into two periods:
- Rainy season. It lasts from late spring to mid-autumn. This time is considered unfavorable for visiting, so the prices of housing, goods and excursions during this period are rapidly falling. All summer long, plants and vegetables grow green in Ella, so food becomes more delicious and cheaper. The rains are warm, but widespread, so it is better not to visit Ella without rubber boots and an umbrella at this time.
- Dry season (November-March). If you decide to visit Ella during this period, you will need to book your accommodation several weeks in advance. In late autumn and winter, the city attracts many tourists.
All year round, the average temperature in Ella is 29 degrees Celsius, even in the coldest time, it does not fall below 15°C. It is worth taking warm clothes and closed shoes, even if the weather forecast shows +30°C, because in Ella, especially in the mountains, a strong, sometimes cool wind often rises.
Should I go to Ella with my children
Today, the city of Ella in Sri Lanka does not have a developed infrastructure for children, there are no cinemas, amusement parks and entertainment centers, but if your child loves nature, beautiful landscapes and walking in the fresh air – a trip to Ella will appeal to him.
It is also worth paying attention to the age and physical condition of the child before climbing plantations and mountains. Often all hikes of this kind turn for small travelers into difficult hour-long walks in 30-degree heat. But if your family has such entertainment – an integral part of recreation, then your child will be delighted.
Restaurants and cafes
Despite the small size of the city itself, there are dozens of cafes and restaurants in Ella. Here you can taste both local and European cuisine. There are much more establishments with national dishes here, in addition, their visit will cost you twice as much.
If you are used to cooking yourself and want to buy at the market, you will have to switch to rice and vegetables. Other products, including our usual pasta, sausages and cereals, are imported, so they are several times more expensive than in our country.
To taste the delicious national cuisine of Sri Lanka, it is worth visiting:
- Ella Village Inn. This cafe is located in the heart of Ella. There is a varied menu and a large selection – you can order delicious food for a large family. Also, the advantage of this cafe is the prices – even foreign dishes (like burgers) are quite cheap.
- Cafe Chill. For a couple of dollars, you can enjoy delicious juices and smoothies made from fresh vegetables and fruits. The drinks served in this cafe are not only cheap, but also healthy. There is a fast Wi-Fi connection.
The city of Ella (Sri Lanka) is a paradise with beautiful views and unusual landscapes. It is worth a visit to all lovers of active and beautiful recreation. Have a good trip!
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