Little Adam Peak
Adam's peak, about a 45-minute drive from the town center, is one of the most popular hiking trails around Ella. It takes about 2-3 hours to hike to the top from the base of the mountain (only a 15-minute drive by car). Along the hiking trail, you will pass through many lush tea gardens. At the summit, you can enjoy magnificent views of the steep green mountains, winding mountain roads, and tea fields in the valleys below.
Nine-Arch Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge, with its antique style, is located in the tea gardens about 10 minutes' drive from the town and is one of the must-visit hotspots for travelers to Ella. The nearby hill provides a panoramic view and the bridge becomes the best spot to observe the passing trains. When there is no train, people pose stylishly on the bridge.
Lipton's Seat
Lipton's Seat, the most majestic tea plantation viewing platform in Sri Lanka, is located in the small town of Haputale in the Ellapangala tea plantation. It is about one hour away by train and less than half an hour by taxi. After getting off the train station, you can take a local tuk-tuk to reach the Lipton's Seat on the mountain top. Yes, this viewing platform was built in memory of the Scottish Baron Sir Thomas Lipton. The surrounding tea plantations are the birthplace of Lipton black tea. It is said that Baron Lipton used to sit here during his spare 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 of water rushing down from the smooth, tiered rocks and forming a natural pool at the bottom. The falls are hidden within a natural reserve covered by the Ella jungle, about 6 kilometers from the train station. You can hike there and enjoy the scenic views along the way, or take a bus to Wallawaya that stops near the falls.
The Spice Garden in Elle Town offers cooking classes taught in English. The instructor will introduce you to the various herbs and spices in the garden, 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 almost every day is fully booked, so early reservations are required.
