For those tourists who have explored Colombo, Kandy, Sigiriya and Galle, it is time to discover Ella. This small town village is a new wonder of Sri Lanka, quickly rising in popularity amongst travelers. Located in the central highlands, this tiny, yet picturesque village is the ideal place for tourists in search of an offbeat holiday in Sri Lanka. Many would identify it as the place where life transforms onto ‘slow mode’ – to pause and notice floating clouds, rustlings of the nearby forests, colorful butterflies, and the steam coming off a slow train.
If you are an impromptu traveler – with no to-do lists, no itineraries and no vacation goals, Ella is perfect for you because once you come here, you will probably fall in love with the place and not want to return to the other side of the world.
Not fascinated enough by this description of Ella? Let’s talk about what awaits you once you get there!
- The Nine Arches Bridge – Demodara
Addressed as an engineering marvel, the Nine Arches Bridge in Demodara, Ella, is over a century old. Giving you a Harry Potter sort of feel, a train ride over this bridge is listed as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. According to legends, the locals built this bridge out of rocks and stone bricks only. No other iron or metal was used since these were supplies that were not available during the First World War.
This is why Ella should be on your travel bucket list!
- Ravana Waterfall
While Sri Lanka has many waterfalls across the island, Ravana Falls in Ella is one of the widest, and of course, entirely picturesque. For those who don’t mind a dip in the cool water along with the chilly climate of Ella, this waterfall is ideal for a peaceful shower and swim. For the best experience, visit during the monsoons. Also, just behind the falls is a cave that dates back to the Ramayana epic – a location where Ravana confined in Sita.
This is why Ella should be on your travel bucket list!
- Dunhinda Falls
Another favorite for those water babies, is the Dunhinda Falls at a stunning height of 63m, making it one of the tallest in the country. Although this attraction is about 30kms from Ella, it entails a gorgeous drive and once you get there, it surely is worth it! In Sinhalese, ‘Dun’ translates to ‘smoke’. Keeping that in mind, imagine the spectacular view of this waterfall and the mist that surrounds it!
This is why Ella should be on your travel bucket list!
- Lipton’s Seat
Sitting at approximately 1970m above sea level, Lipton’s seat in Ella (off Haputale) is another one of the best viewpoints in Sri Lanka. Seekers of vantage points and photographers are bound to spend plenty of time at this spot, observing uninterrupted views of several surrounding provinces, lakes, and magnificent mountains. This is the point where Sir Thomas Lipton liked to sit and contemplate over a bird’s eye view of his tea plantations.
This is why Ella should be on your travel bucket list!
- And More…
Apart from these, there is the Adisham Bungalow in Ella, the Dowa Rock Temple, Dambatenna Tea Factory and the Demodara Loop – everything that is absolutely tourist friendly. also, if you want to skip the routine attractions in Ella, you could opt for a railway trek, short hikes, spend time at the famous shopping street, visit some popular eateries, tea plantations and not to forget – the gorgeous views from Ella Gap.
Now you are definitely convinced enough to add Ella to your travel bucket list!