Little Adam's Peak
Located about a 45-minute drive from the town center, Little Adam's Peak is one of the most popular hiking routes around Ella. It takes about 2-3 hours to hike from the foot of the mountain to the summit (only 15 minutes by car). Along the hiking trail, you will pass through many lush tea plantations. At the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the rugged green mountains, winding mountain roads, and tea fields in the valleys.
Nine Arch Bridge
The quaintly shaped Nine Arch Bridge, located in a tea plantation about a 10-minute drive from the town, is one of the must-visit popular spots when traveling to Ella. The nearby hill offers a wide view, making it the best spot for viewing when a train passes over the bridge. When there are no trains, people pose for photos on the bridge.
Lipton’s Seat
The most magnificent tea plantation viewing platform in Sri Lanka, Lipton’s Seat, is located in the tea plantation town of Haputale, near Ella. It takes about an hour by train and less than half an hour by taxi to get there. From the train station, you can take a local tuk-tuk to reach the top of Lipton’s Seat. Yes, this viewing platform was built to commemorate the Scottish baron Sir Thomas Lipton. The surrounding tea plantations are the origin of Lipton tea—it is said that Baron Lipton often sat here in his leisure time, overlooking his tea empire.
Ravana Falls
Ravana Falls is one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Sri Lanka, with a height of about 25 meters. The water cascades down smooth, terraced rocks and forms a natural pool at the bottom. The waterfall is hidden within a nature reserve covered by the Ella jungle, about 6 kilometers from the train station. You can hike to the falls, enjoying the scenic views along the way, or take a bus heading to Wallawaya to reach the vicinity of the falls.
Located in the town of Ella, the spice garden offers cooking classes taught in English. The instructor will guide you through the garden to learn about various herbs and spice plants, and then you will enter the kitchen to learn how to make Sri Lankan cuisine. The cooking classes at the spice garden are very popular and are almost always fully booked, so early reservations are necessary.
