Ella is a charming town located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, known for its stunning natural beauty, tea plantations, and hiking trails. Here are some of the top things to do in Ella and the best time to visit.
Things to do in Ella:
Hike to Little Adam’s Peak: Little Adam’s Peak is one of the most popular hikes in Ella, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and tea plantations. It’s a relatively easy hike that takes about 30-40 minutes to reach the summit.
Visit the Nine Arch Bridge: The Nine Arch Bridge is a beautiful railway bridge located in the heart of Ella. It’s a great spot to take photos and watch the trains pass by.
Explore Ella Rock: Ella Rock is a challenging hike that takes about 2-3 hours to reach the summit. The trail offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and tea plantations.
Visit Ravana Falls: Ravana Falls is a stunning waterfall located about 5 km from Ella town. It’s a great spot to take a refreshing dip and cool off on a hot day.
Visit a Tea Plantation: Ella is surrounded by tea plantations, and a visit to one of them is a must-do activity. You can take a guided tour to learn about the tea-making process and enjoy a cup of fresh, locally grown tea.
The best time to visit Ella is from December to March when the weather is dry and sunny. The temperature during this time ranges from 20-30°C, making it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and exploring.
However, if you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to visit Ella during the shoulder season (April to May and September to November), when the weather is still good, but there are fewer tourists around.
In conclusion, Ella is a beautiful town in Sri Lanka with plenty of activities for travellers to enjoy. Whether you’re a nature lover, hiker, or simply want to relax in a beautiful setting, Ella has something for everyone. So, why not plan your trip today and experience the beauty of this charming town?
The outstanding Yala National Park takes pride of place as the best known and most renowned national park in Sri Lanka. It is particularly famed for its population of leopards which prowl through the expanses of the park. However, Yala’s attractions do not end there as you will also find plenty of other interesting creatures like peacocks, elephants and many other denizens of the wild. You will find that this natural sanctuary stretches from the sea coast to areas of jungle further inland. Yala consists of a number of sectors, of which two may be visited by the public.
This interesting national park is situated in proximity to Anuradhapura, a historically significant city in Sri Lanka. This park is renowned for the numerous tanks, or reservoirs that collect rainwater, which can be found in its environs. These tanks make it possible for the various kinds of birds that can be found at Wilpattu to survive. Wilpattu is a very popular safari destination, with many visitors from abroad visiting it to experience its attractive flora and fauna including leopards, deer, bears and elephants. It is also possible to stay here overnight within a tented accommodation.
This remarkable natural sanctuary has the distinction of being the Sri Lankan national park to be situated at the greatest altitude. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 2,000 m and presents stunning scenery for the visitor. You will find that this area offers an excellent environment for hiking and trekking. In fact, the trek that will take you to World’s End, a steep drop-off offering panoramic views, is ranked amongst the most unforgettable treks in Sri Lanka.
Minneriya National Park has acquired international renown for the amazing sight known as ‘The Gathering’ where herds of elephants congregate at a water tank in the park. In fact, this event is considered to feature the greatest number of elephants to be found at one location in the entirety of Asia. The nearest city to this natural sanctuary is Polonnaruwa, another ancient capital of Sri Lanka. When it comes to 
Sri Lanka is brimming with unique wonders courtesy of its rich legacy and beautifully variegated topography, and in order to best enjoy this captivating island,
The gentle roller-coaster that is a rustic Lankan train ride doesn’t get better than the one from Kandy to Ella, steeped in the sloping verdant vistas of tea plantations and hills that rise up in graceful majesty all around you. After a few days spent lounging on the pristine beaches and surfing the glassy-turquoise waves, you will feel transported to quite another world! The colonial town of Nuwara Eliya, for instance, is crowned by hills with filigreed waterfalls glistening in the distance and even a gracious castle that fits seamlessly in with the nickname of “Little England.” There is plenty to do in the Highlands, such as forest hikes that yield dazzling views and gorgeous waterfalls, such as the Diyaluma Falls, in which to bathe. Another must-visit site is the Horton Plains, a UNESCO-listed terrain uplifted by misty peaks and hosting a plethora of natural gems. Your mountain treks will be amply rewarded by delicious eateries in the picturesque towns.
Sri Lanka’s divergence of terrains and stunning coastlines are home to countless exotic species of fauna, from the mighty blue whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine creatures, to the inhabitants of its dusky mangrove forests and well-preserved UNESCO-approved wildlife sanctuaries. In addition to this, you can also find animal rehabilitation centres which enable you to get up close and personal with baby turtles, gentle elephants, and even tropical snakes!
If you’d fancy a time portal into history, visit the storybook towns of Galle and Kandy. The former is a seaside fortress of quaint cobbled streets, a potpourri of colonial architecture and contemporary art, affording close proximity to the deliciously wild Southern beach havens. The latter, also known as Lanka’s Hill Capital, consists of gardens where royal courts once trod, and mountain passes intermingled with tea estates, giving you an exclusive whiff of kingdoms and colonies.
This eclectic metropolitan hub is great for spending a couple of days before heading on to the iconic retreats, Colombo city is ideal for shopping, cafe-hopping, and MICE tourism. Some must-visit places include the Old Dutch Hospital now an avant-garde space for upmarket boutiques, Spa Ceylon and Barefoot for authentic Sri Lankan gifts, and the Good Market for locally-sourced organic produce.
