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    18 Enchanting Escapes in Ella

    A Honeymooners Guide to the Best Explorations
    Sri Lanka's highest village, Ella, is nestled in the central highlands of the Badulla District. A honeymoon favourite, this feature guide to exploring Ella presents its most magical explorations and the best 18 enchanting escapes in Ella. The cool climes of Ella make it a couple’s favourite retreat with its refreshing feel and scenic wonders. From cascades to viewpoints, train rides to thrill rides this charming hill station has many romantic escapes for your love to blossom.

    Reaching Ella

    Ella is easily accessible, with most couples choosing a beautiful train journey from Colombo or even Kandy to Ella, famous as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world.

    The journey from Colombo to Ella takes 5-6 hours by car and around 8-10 hours by train.

    From Kandy, the journey takes around 4 hours by car and around 7 hours by Train.

    Best Times to Visit

    Plan your visit to Ella between December and March for optimal weather conditions for enjoying and exploring. However, Ella is welcoming year-round, and if chasing waterfalls is on your agenda, the shoulder seasons, mixed with sunshine and rain, show the cascades at their majestic best.

    Hike to Ella Rock:

    Challenge yourself with a romantic hike up Ella Rock, an iconic cliff offering panoramic views of the Uva province. This 10 km round-trip hike starts from the Ella train station and takes around 5 hours. Magical views of endless peaks and valleys are your reward. The trek and the surrounding landscapes make it a haven for photography. Take a picnic and get lost in the beautiful, serene surroundings for an enjoyable day out.

    Discover Ravana Falls:

    A local waterfall shrouded in legend, Ravana Falls is easily accessed and viewed from the main road. A majestic site in any season, the fall is best viewed when the rains fill the feeding river, making for a magnificent show of force. For a different view of the surrounding landscapes, trek to the top of the waterfall and find rock pools and a host of secluded locations for refreshments and unwinding amidst the greenery with just the sound of the waterfall serenade.

    Scenic Train Journey to Kandy:

    Embark on the world-renowned Kandy to Ella train ride, hailed as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. Enjoy the gorgeous views while the train chugs merrily past lush tea plantations, cute local train stations, forests with emerald vegetation, rock tunnels, and bridges during the 6-8 hour journey. Remember to sit on the left side of the train for the best views.

    Trek to Little Adams Peak:

    A hike to Little Adams Peak is relatively easy through accessible pathways for stunning landscapes reaching 3700 feet above sea level. Named after its big brother Adam’s Peak, the island’s legendary trek, Little Adams Peak, gets its name from being the same shape and contour shape as Adams Peak. The roundtrip trek takes about 2-3 hours and features rolling emerald landscapes and fantastic viewpoints.

    Explore Nine Arches Bridge:

    Admire the marvel of stone bridge architecture at Nine Arches Bridge in Demodara. A gravity-defying railway loop combines with the arch bridge spectacle, making it a famous Instagram location with many stunning viewpoints to choose the best spot. The bridge and the gravity loop are yet another testament to the island’s rich colonial railway heritage.

    Lipton’s Seat:

    Journey to Lipton’s Seat, named after the legendary tea planter Sir Thomas Lipton, to explore his favourite viewpoint in the highlands. The view shows expansive tea plantations with panoramic views of Poonagala hills. It can easily be combined with a visit to the Dambatenna Tea factory and a tea plantation tour.

    Diyaluma Falls Adventure:

    trek to Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka’s second-highest waterfall, for an awe-inspiring natural spectacle. The top of the falls has refreshing rock pools for a dip for a memorable experience.

    Tea Factory and Plantation Tour for Two:

    Experience the essence of Sri Lanka’s tea culture with a tea plantation, factory and tasting tour. Learn about processing, blending and brewing the tea leaf to its final drinkable form. Options to explore include the Ceylon Tea Factory, Kinellan Tea Factory, or Dambatenna Factory, which also allows you to visit Liptons Seat nearby. Enjoy a tea-infused experience of the country’s rich tea heritage.

    Adventure at Ella’s Adventure Parks:

    Unleash your adventurous spirit with high-octane activities like ziplining, rappelling and quad/ATV biking. Ella has adventure parks for thrilling rides, exhilarating experiences and tests of skill and endurance.

    Bambarakanda Falls Exploration:

    Discover the towering beauty of Bambarakanda Falls, Sri Lanka’s tallest waterfall, nestled amidst beautiful pine forests. A day of exploration for couples, the surrounding area has many activities to enjoy, including scenic walks for spectacular views.

    Dine in the hills under the stars:

    Indulge in a romantic dinner in an intimate setting in Ella. The town has an eclectic mix of chic cafes, local village eateries, and luxury hotel fine dining under twinkling starry skies.

    Ravana Cave Expedition:

    Embark on an enthralling expedition to Ravana Cave, steeped in myth and history. Legend speaks of this being one of the many cave sites where King Ravana hid Queen Sita after abducting her from India. The cave is supposedly part of an extensive network of tunnels and passages that once connected to the Ravana Falls cave and Dhowa Temple.

    Village Cooking Class:

    This village experience teaches the complexities and nuances of the islands’ aromatic dishes. Learn to prepare authentic Sri Lankan village food with a cooking class at Ella Spice Garden. Gain an immersive glimpse at the skill of this culinary art and take back recipes and memories to practice back home.

    Pekoe Trail Adventure:

    Traverse a section of the Pekoe Trail. A scenic encounter that transverses peaks and valleys of the mountain landscape, the Pekoe Trail offers glimpses of the Central Highlands and diverse ecosystems. Go the distance of this 300-plus km or choose a section to taste the trail’s wonders.

    Dhowa Rock Temple Visit:

    A cultural icon of the area, the historic Dhowa Rock Temple is an architectural marvel that dates back to the first century B.C. and encounters ancient art and artefacts dating back to the early history of the Island.

    Relax at Cafe Chill:

    A popular stop with a laid-back atmosphere, Café Chill has become a must-stop for visitors to Ella to savour fresh pastries, refreshing beverages, and local cuisine surrounded by Ella’s romantic backdrop.

    Ellewala Waterfall Excursion:

    Cool off at Ellewala Waterfall, 28 km away from Ella and hidden within lush jungle surroundings. Enjoy a swim in the waterfall natural rock pool and admire the serene, calm surroundings.

    Horton Plains National Park Adventure:

    This enchanting park, home of Bakers Falls and the World End viewpoint, features a diverse array of rich highland fauna and flora.

    Travel Tips:

    Ensure safety with reliable shoes and common sense when trekking, visiting waterfalls, or hiking nature trails. Seeking local guides and advice is always a good idea.

    Make reservations before planning romance dining in Ella’s Hotels; dinner times get booked quickly.

    Conclusion

    This concise guide showcases the best experiences in Ella for couples seeking an intimate escape to this charming hill station.

    Speak to Our Concierge
    Telephone
    +94 76 757 8865
    whatsapp
    +94 76 757 8865
    Address
    2D,
    Inner Bagatalle Road,
    Colombo 03,
    Sri Lanka.

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