ELLA TOURISM | TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT & TRAVEL GUIDE TO ELLA
Hill Station
About Ella
#8 of 10 Places to visit in Sri Lanka
Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days
Nearest City to Ella: Colombo (224 Kms)
Best Time to Visit Ella: January to May
Peak Season: February to March
At a distance of 22 km from Badulla, 53 km from Nuwara Eliya, 129 km from Kandy, 166 km from Polonnaruwa, 171 km from Dambulla, 182 km from Sigiriya, 221 km from Galle, 224 km from Colombo, 235 km from Anuradhapura, 272 km from Trincomalee, and 415 km from Jaffna, Ella is a quaint little hill town located in the Badulla district of the Uva Province in Sri Lanka. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful places to visit on the island as part of Sri Lanka Tour Packages.
Situated at an altitude of 3,415 feet, Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The area has a rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. The town also offers stunning mountain hikes and lovely waterfalls. With picture-perfect environs, a pleasant climate, and super-friendly people, it is an ideal destination for people trying to break the routine of the warm and humid climate of coastal Sri Lanka. The town is most famous for its iconic nine arches railway bridge which is a fine example of colonial-era construction in Sri Lanka.
The hill town of Ella is connected to the Hindu epic, Ramayana, a historic tale that covers over India and Sri Lanka. The locals believed that the town of Ella is the place where goddess Sita was held captive in a cave near Ravana Falls. The story goes that King Ravana kidnapped Princess Sita from India and hid her in the caves behind the waterfall. It is also said the Sita bathed in a pool of water that was collected with the water that fell from the fall. The caves behind the fall are known as the Ravana Ella Caves.
Enclosed by the lush green tea plantations, Ella in Sri Lanka is a beautiful paradise that offers stunning mountain hikes, lovely waterfalls, and pleasant climate. It makes an ideal base for people who want to explore the magnificent green valleys of Sri Lanka. Climb up Little Adam's Peak or walk along the railroads on the Nine Arch Bridge, enjoy the endless tea plantations or get a shower under the Ravana waterfall or hike up the trail leading to the Ella Rock to enjoy the awe-inspiring view of the endless valleys, Ella has something for every kind of a traveler.
No trip to Ella would be complete without taking a ride on the famous 7-hour route between Kandy and Ella. And, it is also the most famous train journey anywhere in the country. The tracks wind through the hills and mountains of central Sri Lanka and provide stunning views of tea plantations. One needs to book in advance if you want a seat as they fill up fast! Otherwise, you can book the day of, an hour before the train departs for an unreserved seat - but you risk standing for the entire ride.
Wildly known as a backpackers' paradise, Ella offers a variety of accommodation options to fit every travelers' needs. There are few options to choose from such as guesthouses, hostels, and nice resorts and hotels. This town has a nice laid-back feel to it and offers a good variety of local restaurants and activities.
The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is the nearest airport which is about 230 km from Ella. It has well flight connectivity with India and other parts of Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and the United States. Ella Railway Station ha well connectivity with Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Galle, and Badulla. One of the best ways to reach Ella is by train and the ride from Kandy to Ella is known to be one of the most beautiful in the world! There are a number of public and private buses that travel from Colombo to Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla and Galle on a daily basis. From there, one can hire a cab or bus for Ella. The best way to get around Ella is on foot, tuk-tuks, or renting bikes.
The town has a cooler climate than surrounding lowlands, due to its elevation. Although, the temperature during June, July, and August is comparatively hotter. However, one can visit the alluring town from January till May, as the weather is significantly warm in the morning and afternoon and one can witness chilly nights.
None