Places to Visit in Ella

Awe-inspiring vistas, moving mountains, luscious green tea plantations, and magnificent reservoirs. breathtaking train rides through the highlands, as well as spectacular sunrises and sunsets on peaks.

The most pristine water, unpolluted wind, and biological variety you've ever seen. Ella, Sri Lanka, is nothing short of spectacular. This hilly tiny town is full with spectacular natural, historical, and cultural attractions. Ella has it everything, from spiritual Buddhist monasteries and temples to adventurous and excellent destinations like trekking and hiking, ziplining, and mountain riding.

If you visit these stunning locations in Ella, Sri Lanka, you will find it tough to leave. We will take you to the most magnificent experiences in Sri Lanka, including breathtaking locations and prominent sites.

Nine Arch Bridge

The Nine Arches Bridge also called the Bridge in the Sky, is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country.
It is located in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations. The surrounding area has seen a steady increase of tourism due to the bridge's architectural ingenuity and the profuse greenery in the nearby hillsides.
The construction of the bridge is generally attributed to a local Ceylonese builder, P. K. Appuhami, in consultation with British engineers.

Hiking on Little Adam's Peak

A 1,141 m (3,743 ft) pyramidal-shaped hill, located to the south-east of the town. Named after the larger Adam's Peak.

Nildiya Pokuna

Nildiya Pokuna, located 13.3 kilometers from Ella, is an excellent location for an exciting adventure. According to legend, King Rawana took Sita from India and housed her in a very pleasant and safe environment. Many people think the location is now a wrecked underground palace complex filled with blue water. This is a dangerous journey, but it is definitely worth it. You, too, may have this experience as soon as possible, but please do not desecrate the location.
According to legend, King Rawana kidnapped Goddess Sita and hid her in this cave. It is reported that there were multiple tunnels running for kilometers beneath this rock. Tunnels from the Ravana Ella cave to the chilly light of Nuwara Eliya may still be seen today at the Bogoda Rajamaha Viharaya and the Dowa Rajamaha Viharaya. It is also a memory bearing witness. Furthermore, it is thought that the tunnel was intended to reach numerous other sites hundreds of feet below the surface.
According to rumors, it contains a throne and a crown. However, no further action was taken since the tunnels were sealed down by the Police Special Task Force. After another 3 kilometers on the Wellawaya road, take off at the Karandagolla 10th mile marker to Bandarawela. We can discover the tunnel with the aid of the villagers by taking an alternate route around 3 kilometers down the road and traveling through a grove below the road.

Ella Rock - Hike

If you love living green, then Ella is obviously a place to visit. Ella Rock is one of the place which proves it. Trekkers would love the place. It's bit tiring to do the hiking. But it is definitely worth it. Once you got to the summit you will realize why we said so. The panoramic views it provides with mist and cloud covering the area, especially in the early mornings and the late evenings are something you should witness and that would suffice enough to say that you visited Ella. Total time for climbing up and down is 4 hours. But the way up there is with full of diversity. If you are starting form Ella train station, you would enjoy the rail walk, and soon as you started climbing up, you will be passing a waterfall, the rubber tree forest and tea plantations.

Ravana's Cave

The Ravana Ella Cave lies 1,370 m (4,490 ft) above sea level on the foundation of a cliff. The cave is a popular local tourist attraction, located 11 km (7 mi) away from Bandarawela. Excavations undertaken in the cave uncovered evidence of human habitation dating back to 25,000 years.

Ravana Falls

This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where the flow of water reduces dramatically. The falls form part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, and is located 6 km (3.7 mi) away from the local railway station at Ella.

Kombukara natural pool and Secret waterfall

Little Adam's Peak and Ella Rock may be seen around 3 kilometers from Ella town to the Namunukula-Passara route. And, around 10 kilometers from Ella, there is a well-known tiny town named Ballaketuwa. This unusual Kombukara Nature Pool and Secret Waterfall is around 3 kilometers distant from Ballaketuwa town. It's also known as the "Balleketuwa Waterfall," the "Balleketuwa Nature Pool and Secret Waterfall," and the "Balleketuwa Komukan Oya." Many of Ella's most magnificent vistas may be seen in the Ballaketuwa neighborhood.
The Kombukara Natural Pool and Secret Waterfall is famous for its exceptionally cold water, with a natural pool and a secret waterfall for open bathing. The travel time to this location is around 33 minutes (about 12 km from the town of Ella).

Kandahena Ella Falls

The Kandahena Ella is located on the Kandahena Estate, which is accessible via the Namunukula-Ranugalla road. There is a road from Miyanakandura to the estate, and this waterfall is about 2 kilometers down the estate road. After passing Kandahena Tamil School No. 2, seek for a sign that says Kandahena Tea Nursery. There are a few line homes there. To get to this fall, take the footpath next to the line homes.
There are six separate cascades above the bridge on the road, with many more below. The topmost falls resemble Wee Oya Falls on the Yatiyanthota-Seepoth Road.

Habaraththawa Ella Falls - Dewathura

Habaraththawa Ella is a tiny but lovely waterfall located on the Namunukula-Rangolla Road in Dewathura. Dewathura is roughly 10 kilometers from Ranugalla and 5 kilometers from Namunukula.
There is a little road to the left that begins near the Co-Op building in Dewathura. This road will take you to a little foot trail that will take you to the top of the stunning Habaraththawa Falls. To see this waterfall, descend a little from the left side.

Tonocombe View point

GPS - 6°51'03.9"N 81°07'24.1"E

Tonocombe View Point is located near the Tonocombe Tea Factory (which is temporarily closed). This vantage point provides an excellent perspective of Sri Lanka's south. A serene setting with little human intervention. It is a very clean, natural environment that is ideal for vacation and photography. It is one of the greatest sites in the Namunukula Range to observe the gorgeous dawn.

Demodara Railway Station & Railway Loop

The Demodara Railway Station is 276.8 kilometers (172 miles) from Colombo on the mainline railway track and has an elevation of 911.61 meters (2990 feet). It is the 76th main line railway station. An exceptional example of a Colonial Era work that exhibits the remarkable British technological technology that is still in use today. The first train came in 1921, when the superb railway line was built.
The station is most famous for its spiral train route, called the 'Demodara Loop.' The rail line goes beneath itself, around the loop, and emerges from a tunnel exactly beneath the Demodara railway station. This train loop is about 900 meters (3,000 feet) long, and the tunnel is around 320 meters (1,050 feet) long. It is said to be the world's only loop with a railway station located directly above a tunnel at the end of a spiral loop. To have this fantastic experience, you should include Demodara to your next vacation schedule.

Lipton's Seat

Sir Thomas Lipton, the famous Scottish lord and tea magnate (in planting), used this as his perch to view his empire in a period long gone but not forgotten. This high viewing point is located atop Poonagala Hill, the town's namesake, and is also close to the Dambatenne Tea Factory. The point known as Lipton's Seat is reached by rising for approximately 7 kilometers through tranquil green tea farms and the odd colorful tea plucker. There are two paths accessible; one from the Nayabedda estate in Bandarawela, and the second through the Dambatenna estate in Haputale.
Visible from the hill top are 7 provinces along with sights such as Handapanagala Lake, Chandrika Lake, Udawalawe Lake, Wedihitikanda Mountains, and even the Hambanthota harbor from the Southern coast.

Horton Plains National Park

In the central highlands of Sri Lanka that was designated in 1988. It is located at an elevation of 2,100-2,300 m (6,900-7,500 ft) and encompasses montane grassland and cloud forest. It is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. It is also a popular tourist destination and is situated 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Ohiya, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the world-famous Ohiya Gap/Dondra Watch and 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Nuwara Eliya.

Dhowa Rock Temple

On the Badulla-Bandarawela road lies a 2,000-year-old rock temple. Sri Lanka is well-known for its tranquil and beautiful spiritual sites, and one of the most well-known Ella attractions is the Dhowa Rock Temple. This temple is well-known for its unfinished 39-foot-tall Buddha figure carved into the surrounding rock. This temple's rock art and paintings are amazing. You could run into several monks who are eager to give you stories about the temple. The luxuriant foliage around the shrine sweeps visitors into a tranquil reverie.

Kithal Ella Falls

Kithal Ella Falls is located around 2.4 kilometers from Ella, a town famed for its rich foliage, high mountains, and solitude. This little waterfall cascades down from a height of 23 meters, passing between rock fissures. However, the lovely waterfall is regularly viewed during the Ella Rock trek. This little-known treasure is a fifteen-minute walk along the railway lines, past the Kithal Ella train station and through the jungle. During the hard climb, take a quick dip in the falls.

Halpe Pattini Devalaya

Halpe Pattini Devalaya is an ancient Devalaya, situated in Ella Divisional Secretariat, Sri Lanka. It located on Badulla - Bandarawela major route, roughly 3 kilometres (1.86 mi) away from the Ella town. The shrine is dedicated to the Sinhala goddess Pattini, who is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus. The devalaya has been formally designated as an archaeological protected monument by the government.
Traditional Perahera (procession) in every year is held in honor of Goddess Pattini to bring blessings to the village. Traditionally, the jewels of Pattini are brought to devalaya via perahera ceremony from the nearby Buddhist temple, Yahalamadiththa Raja Maha Vihara. The shrine is only open during the festival season.

Yahalamadiththa (Temple)
Rajamaha Viharaya

Located in Ella, Yalamadiththa Temple and Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery which is an organization of Buddhist monasteries of Sri Lanka origin established to benefit the spiritual development of human beings using the techniques of the Gauthama Buddha. Travelers can study a lot about Buddhism by visiting these religious places to experience or study the beliefs and religious practices of Buddhism.

St. Anthony's Church

Built in the 18th- century, this Magnificent Roman Catholic Church still retains its old world charm. with beautiful paintings, murals, and stained glass windows. It has a huge garden where one can spend peaceful time listening to the hymns. The service(english) starts at 8:15 on a Sunday morning. They have a home for the elders and a day care centre for children. A must visit place if you travel to Ella.

Porawagala View Point

Porawagala is a viewpoint in the Uva Province of Bandarawela. It is well-known for providing a stunning view over the picturesque town of Bandarawela, which is the second biggest in the Badulla area. It is located 3 kilometers from Bandarawela town. The lovely hilltop offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and lush foliage.
There are tales about this rock that suggest this village inhabitants believed there was a golden axe concealed in this rock, one of the most renowned being that they believed there was a golden axe hidden in this rock. Another thing is that from a distance, this rock appears to be an axe. The axe is called "Porawa" in Sinhala, while the stone is called "Gala." variations on these two terms It's known as "Porawagala." In any case, many local and foreign tourists come here to have fun while learning new things.
On many days, a dense mist will blanket this location, and a little breeze will blow over it. It will make you feel cool and amazing. From where you stand on this rock, you can see numerous renowned mountains in Sri Lanka. Such include Piduruthalagala, Sri Lanka's tallest peak; Namunukula, Haggala, and Fox Hill. You may also view the Bomburu Ella waterfall from a distance. Another notable feature is the visibility of three railway stations (Bandarawela, Kinigama, and HeelOya) through a single railway tunnel. The railway line ran across the paddy fields.
You will have a better experience if you come here early in the morning and late in the evening. In addition, the best time to visit the Bandarawela region is from January to May

St Benedict's Monastery
Adisham Hall

Adisham Hall, also known as Adisham Bungalow, is a country home in the Badulla District of Sri Lanka, near Haputale. It now houses the Adisham Monastery, a St. Sylvester congregation.
Sir Thomas Villiers, an English nobleman and planter who was the previous Chairman of George Steuart Co, a commercial and estate firm located in Colombo, erected the mansion in 1931. Sir Thomas was Lord John Russell's grandson and a descendant of the Dukes of Bedford. R. Booth and F. Webster constructed it on 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land in the Tudor and Jacobean styles. Adisham Hall hosted many famous colonial figures until Sir Thomas retired, after which it was sold to Sedawatte Mills.
It was bought by the Roman Catholic Church in 1961 and afterwards transformed into a monastery. The home, together with its period fixtures and furniture, has been properly kept and is available to tourists. Sir Thomas Villiers died on December 21, 1959, after leading a healthy and active life. The funeral ceremony was performed at St. Paul's Knights Bridge, and the cremation took place in Pulury Vale. Lady Villiers died in 1964 in London at the age of 60. Adisham Bungalow is a majestic stone home erected in 1931 by English landowner Sir Thomas Lister Villiers.

Dambethenne Tea Factory

This Tea Factory was built by Thomas Lipton in 1890 when he began his tea empire, and this is the factory that manufactures his famous Lipton Ceylonta black tea. Lipton made the tea industry what it is today; with workers harvesting the tea, he sold his tea all around the world, quickly making Lipton a household name. The facility has a reputation among visitors and tourists as a site to visit to learn about the tea-making process. The ideal destination is about 11 kilometers away from Haputale. It encompasses a large valley surrounded by rugged Sierras.
The Dambetena estate has 2500 acres and houses a population of 4600 people. Approximately 1300 of them are now employed. Sir Thomas Lipton developed this long white factory. It is situated in a lovely tea region near the Dambetenna Tea plant.
There are several tea estates in the Haputale region. However, only a few factories are permitted to accompany the tourists. Dambetenna Tea Factory has been a Lipton's Tea Ltd. manufacturer and distributor for many years. Dambetenna is simply a tea processing facility for them.