The Hikes
As I mentioned before, Ella promises stunning views at every turn, and what better way to experience the best the hill country has to offer than a scenic hike? Truth be told, Ella has quite a few hiking trails to choose from, but we recommend Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock for magnificent views that will make you feel as though you are at the top of the world.
Little Adam’s Peak
A leisurely stroll along the well-trodden path to Little Adam’s Peak will take you through a landscape of tea plantations and jade forests, all the while offering breathtaking vistas of the misty peaks, emerald valleys, and rural settlements that are tucked away in the greenery. Not only is this the perfect opportunity for a digital detox, but you can also look forward to rebuilding your relationship with the natural world.
Although many tourists choose this hiking trail for its views, Little Adam’s Peak actually gets its name and its fame from its larger and sacred counterpart—Adam’s Peak. However, despite its smaller size, Little Adam’s Peak towers over the hill country at a height of 1141 metres above sea level. Better yet, its summit promises a scenery of cloud forests as a reward that easily rivals the views seen from the top of its larger twin.
A walk past the tea plantations marks the start of this scenic trail, and it is followed by glimpses of tea pickers at work. You will soon find yourself on a paved path at a higher elevation, which becomes noticeably rougher as you approach the summit. This adds an element of adventure to the ascent, making it one of the most popular things to do in Ella among families.
We recommend setting off on this excursion in the early hours of the morning or the late afternoon, as these times will guarantee mild sunlight and cool temperatures during the hike. That said, this low-effort hike may take up to 2 or 3 hours to complete, and most beginners will be able to finish it with ease.
If you wish to get to the starting point of this trail, you may either walk down the path that borders the 98 Acres Resort or have a tuk-tuk drop you off. Since the trail is signposted, you will not experience any difficulty in reaching the summit, and you will definitely see plenty of other travellers along the way.
Ella Rock
Leafy forests, babbling brooks, and lush tea plantations merge into one stunning backdrop that stretches across the central highlands, forming the scenic yet challenging route to Ella Rock. With the promise of bird’s-eye views at the summit, this hike appeals to the adventurous, and it provides travellers with an opportunity to conquer a part of the hill country.
Although Ella Rock is one of the best hiking trails in the region, its steep path and considerable difficulty make it a road less travelled by locals and tourists alike. However, I speak from experience when I say that nothing compares to the sense of accomplishment that is felt at the peak, which is also when the strenuous journey can be forgotten in favour of admiring the scenery.
The duration of this hike is 4 hours; in fact, the ascent and the descent require 2 hours each, which is why most travellers set off on this excursion in the morning. Any later than midday is not recommended since the path is not well signposted, so your chances of getting lost are high. To avoid this, it is best that you hire a local guide, whose knowledge of the terrain and weather will come in handy and take you to the top in the shortest possible time.
Truth be told, there are two ways of getting to the starting point of this hike: the first is to get there by tuk-tuk, which will lessen your chances of getting tired before the hike, but the second method is much more fun. It involves walking for 2 kilometres along the train tracks of the Ella Railway Station until you get to the Kithal Ella Station. As you continue down this path, you will soon come across a sign that reads “Ella Rock”, and you must continue onward from there.
The Activities
While it is true that Ella gets its fame from its incredible views, it would be wrong to assume that the scenery is all it has to offer. As I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of things to do in Ella. So, whether you are on the lookout for extreme sports to get your blood pumping, or you simply want to sit back and de-stress with something as simple as a cooking lesson, just know that this town has something for everyone!
Flying Ravana Adventure Park
Nestled in the greenery at the base of Little Adam’s Peak is the famed Flying Ravana Adventure Park, where adrenaline junkies gather to experience a thrill like no other. While the park is best known for its mega zipline, it has plenty of other extreme sports to choose from, and this gives travellers an opportunity to embark on daring pursuits under the guidance of professionals.
In all honesty, the mega zipline is the crowd-puller, and this is because it is South Asia’s second longest zipline as well as the first of its kind on the isle. The zipline itself stretches across the terrain for 550 meters, allowing travellers to whizz past the region and admire the scenery at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour.
Alternatively, you can take a leap of faith from the top of a 40-foot tower with the Mega Jump, scale a wall for fun and be rewarded with fantastic views once you are done, or improve your marksmanship by air rifling. Better yet, you can ride a four-wheeler over dirt tracks or experience an adrenaline rush as you rappel down a steep tower.
It is worth noting that every traveller must meet the height, weight and age requirements for their preferred activity before they receive safety training. That said, Flying Ravana’s activities are physically demanding, so they are not recommended for families with infants.
Since the adventure park is open daily from 9AM to 5PM, it is easy to stop by after completing your hike to Little Adam’s Peak. However, the last entries for the day are accepted at 4PM, so it is best to plan your schedule accordingly to make sure that you get there on time.
Visit a Tea Factory
You may have heard of Ceylon tea in passing, and with winding tea trails and plantations at every turn in Ella, it is no surprise that the region is home to factories that specialize in the production of tea. While there are several that can be visited in and around Ella, Travellers Isle recommends the Dambathenna Tea Factory for an informative tour that touches on the island’s colonial past.
Built by Sir Thomas Lipton in 1890, this quaint factory doubles as a museum which stands as a testament to Sri Lanka’s resilience under the rule of the British. This makes it one of the oldest factories on the island, and it is also one of the very few that continues to use its centuries-old equipment for the production of premium Ceylon tea.
Travellers will be guided through the factory during this 20-minute tour, and they will be provided with a detailed explanation of each process at the same time. This includes live demonstrations of how tea leaves are fermented, cut, and ground before they are packed into each tea bag. However, as photography is not allowed in certain parts of the factory, it is best to take notes and ask questions as you go along, especially since these tours are offered in English.
If I am to be honest, the tea plantations in Ella pale in comparison with those of Nuwara Eliya, but they are still very picturesque and definitely worth visiting during your stay. Feel free to stop by this factory between 9AM and 6PM, but please keep in mind that tea leaves are not processed on Sundays and full moon poya days.
Take a Cooking Lesson
Would you believe me if I said that a cooking lesson brings you one step closer to learning about the local community? It is said that food transcends language, and this rings true for Sri Lanka, where the guidance of a local instructor and some common ingredients are all you will need to turn a simple cooking lesson into an unforgettable memory.
The average cooking lesson in Ella takes a hands-on approach, allowing you to commit each action to memory while taking notes. As you slice and chop your vegetables, toss in the necessary herbs and spices, and savour the aroma of each curry, you are guaranteed to gain a newfound appreciation for the culinary arts.
Frankly speaking, many of these classes are family-run businesses that the residents of Ella have taken up as a side hustle. So, you can seize this opportunity to bond with your instructor and their family. You can also ask them any questions you may have about the cooking process as well as the hill country.
The duration of each lesson depends; at most, this activity may take up to two hours of your time. Once your lesson ends, you will be rewarded with a piping hot meal of rice and curry, a sense of accomplishment, and a couple of recipes that you can cook back home.
Visit the Nine Arch Bridge
No trip to Ella is complete without a visit to the famed Nine Arch Bridge, which has withstood the test of time to become one of the region’s most iconic landmarks. Whether you are on the lookout for a location to snap an Instagram-worthy photo or you simply wish to admire your surroundings, just know that a leisurely stroll on this bridge will be well worth your while.
Made of cement and stone, this bridge doubles as an architectural wonder that has fascinated tourists and locals alike for a very long time. As you may have guessed, the bridge gets its name from its nine arches, which have become a defining part of its structure. That said, magnificent views are not all that this attraction has to offer, as the tale behind its construction is a surprisingly meaningful one which highlights the resourcefulness of the locals.
Historical records have revealed that the bridge was originally conceived during the colonial rule of the British in the early 20th century. Although British engineers intended to use steel for its construction, they were unable to proceed as the materials they needed were reallocated for war efforts during World War I. The project was then abandoned for quite some time until a local builder by the name of Appuhami took over its construction in 1913.
With the help of the locals, Appuhami was able to build the bridge out of cement and stone in a year. Today, as it carries multiple trains back and forth each day, the bridge stands as a testament to the insight and effort of one man, who was able to construct this architectural marvel with the little resources he had.
Travellers Isle recommends visiting the Nine Arch Bridge during an early morning walk. However, due to the possibility of encountering a train during that time, we ask that all travellers check the train schedule from the Ella Railway Station before setting off.
The Nightlife
To say that Ella has a vibrant nightlife would be an understatement. Although your first impression of the town might be of its laid-back atmosphere by day, once you wander around its streets and explore what it has to offer, you will soon realize that Ella comes alive by nightfall.
If you ask me, the ambience in Ella resembles that of a carnival by dusk. Cafes, bars, and restaurants light up the town, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere. People can set aside their worries for the night and kick back and relax with live music, dance, and delicious food. This makes Ella the perfect stopover for a couple of nights before you move on to the next stop on your itinerary.
Since many of Ella’s restaurants and cafes offer a variety of local, international, and fusion cuisine, you can tantalize your taste buds with all kinds of flavors during your stay. Whether you want to savor the spices in Sri Lanka’s signature koththu or stay in your comfort zone with a piping hot pizza, you will definitely experience all kinds of culinary delights and taste the best of both worlds here!
For those who choose to dine in, you can enjoy some live music as local musicians take to the stage and perform renditions of English and Sinhala songs. While their acoustic ballads set the tone for a relaxing meal, the latter hours of the night are defined by upbeat songs that invite travellers of all ages to make their way to the dance floor and boogie.
Apart from Ella’s hipster hideaways and quaint cafes, the town also has several souvenir shops which offer a decent selection of local goods. Frankly speaking, you will find more variety in other parts of the country, but you can definitely stop by to purchase a souvenir from Ella for your bookshelf, or a little keychain to carry around with you wherever you go.