Where to stay in Ella: the town, Passara Road, Demodara and Haputale

Die besten Sehenswürdigkeiten in Ella

1. 1

   Nine Arch Bridge

   A curved railway viaduct of nine arches in the jungle near Demodara, built in the colonial era and still used by trains. Visitors watch from the paths beside the bridge or from the hillside above, and early morning is the quietest time. Stay off the track, because trains can appear around the bend with little warning.

2. 2

   Little Adam's Peak

   An easy climb through tea fields to a grassy summit, taking an hour or so from the edge of town. The view takes in the gap, the tea estates and the ridges beyond, and it works well at sunrise or in the late afternoon. The path is well worn, so it suits most walkers.

3. 3

   Ella Rock

   A longer and harder hike that follows the railway line and then climbs steeply through villages and tea fields to a rocky summit with the best views in the area. Allow a good half-day. The route is easy to lose, so a local guide is a sensible choice, and it is best avoided after heavy rain.

4. 4

   Ravana Falls

   A broad waterfall of about 25 metres beside the road south of town, most impressive during or just after rain. The rocks are slippery and the pools can carry strong currents, so enjoy it from the viewing areas rather than going in.

5. 5

   Ravana Cave

   A cave in the hillside above the road to the falls, linked by local tradition to the Ramayana story in which the demon king Ravana held Sita captive. The approach is by steps and a steep path, and langur monkeys often watch from the roadside.

6. 6

   Newburgh Green Tea Factory

   A small tea factory a short way along Passara Road, where visitors can see how fresh leaf is turned into finished tea and taste several kinds. It makes an easy half-hour stop on the way to or from the walking trails.

Wo Sie in Ella übernachten können

• Ella town centre

  The main road is packed with cafés, bars, shops and guesthouses, and it is noisy after dark. It is handy for restaurants, tuk-tuks and the railway station, but rooms a street or two back, or higher on the hillsides, are far quieter and often have better views.

• Passara Road

  This road runs east from the centre past the start of the Little Adam's Peak path, the tea estates and the trail to the Nine Arch Bridge. Guesthouses along it are quieter than the main road and well placed for walkers, though you will want a tuk-tuk in the evening.

• Demodara

  A small village a few kilometres from town, close to the Nine Arch Bridge and a railway loop that doubles back over itself. It suits travellers who want a rural homestay, early views of the bridge and fewer visitors around.

• Haputale

  A cooler tea town on a ridge to the west, with long views over the southern plains and quiet streets. It suits hikers who prefer a calm base with fewer bars, near the tea estates and the Lipton's Seat viewpoint.

Beste Reisezeit für Ella

The clearest weather is usually from January to March and again from July to September, when views are sharpest and hikes are at their easiest. Rain can fall in the afternoon at any time of year, but it is heaviest from October to December, and in December trails turn to mud and leeches appear on the paths and in the tea fields. Mornings are generally the best part of the day for views, before cloud builds. Evenings are cool, so bring a light jacket, especially if you stay higher on the hillsides.

Mobilität in Ella

Ella is compact: the main road, the railway station and most cafés are within walking distance, although the hillside guesthouses involve steep slopes. Tuk-tuks are everywhere and are the usual way to reach the Nine Arch Bridge, trailheads and waterfalls, and most guesthouses can arrange a driver for the day. Scooters are widely hired out, but the roads are steep, wet and busy with buses, so ride carefully and wear a helmet. Buses run along the main road towards Wellawaya and Badulla, and there are plenty of taxis for longer journeys.

Essen und Trinken in Ella

Home cooking in guesthouses is often the best food in town: a spread of rice and curry with dhal, vegetables, sambols and poppadoms, usually made to order. Look for kottu roti, chopped flatbread stir-fried on a hot griddle with vegetables, egg or meat, as well as hoppers, bowl-shaped pancakes eaten at breakfast or dinner, and string hoppers. Fresh fruit, king coconut water and a pot of Ceylon tea made from local leaves round things off. The main road has many cafés aimed at visitors, but small roadside eateries serve simpler, more local plates.

Fragen zum Besuch in Ella