Speak to one of our experts now about this offer
Ella Holidays
Forests, waterfalls and rice paddies fill Ella’s corner of Sri Lanka's highlands.
Ella’s misty mountain village is as good for sights as it is for the soul. An outdoor swim under dewy skies is as meditative as it is magical. A hike to Ella’s Rock sees you almost touching the clouds. The romantic sip tea that’s been grown almost at their feet and the adventurous soak under plummeting waterfalls and fly Ravana’s dual-wire zipline.
Visit Buddhist monks at Mahamevnawa monastery and bohemian cafes on the main strip. Pause for a while taking in the enormity of Ella’s ancient peaks then carry on to the impossibly striking Nine Arch Bridge, now a household name among the Instagram crowd, but actually one that has been captivating visitors with its breathtaking arcs since 1921.
Ella Hotels
Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Ella
Holidays in Ella
- Ella
A magnificent hotel, mind-bogglingly built on a 60-degree slope in the Ella Gap.
- Ella
- 4 Star
This award-winning boutique mountain resort has a beautiful tranquil setting on a historic tea plantation.
- Ella
Nine Skies has a knack of leaving you spellbound. This is go-slow territory where one day rolls dreamily into another as you swim with glorious views and discover the tonic to urban life.
- Ella
- 3 Star
A railway-themed retreat that was made for nature lovers and adventurous souls.
- Ella
- 5 Star
Pull the curtains, step outside, and catch glimpses of the Nine Arch Bridge as mist lifts off the hills.
- Ella
- 3 Star
Hapu Tales is a very good place to linger. Tea in the garden. A swim in the sun. The sort of cooking that deserves a second night. The view is magnificent. Obviously. And the personal touch is wonderfully literal.
- Ella
- 3 Star
Sri Lanka does beach clubs and butlers beautifully. Idal Villa does something harder: a three-bedroom mountain home that quietly becomes the place you remember most.
You may also like
Scenic Train Journey - Nuwara Eliya to Ella
The rail journey between Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya station) and Ella is arguably the most beautiful stretch of the Kandy-to-Hill-Country journey. For a few hours, the iconic train winds its way up through tea plantations and fruit farms on the way into the beautiful town of Ella.
• Duration: half day
• Time: 3.45pm to 6.30pm
• Daily departures
• Operates year-round
• Group experience
Good to know
The train journey is based on tickets in the best available class, air-conditioned carriage, where available. It includes lunch or high tea depending on journey time (after the rail journey at a local restaurant), taxes and service charges.
Ultimate Ella
Embark on a full day excursion visiting the highlights of Ella. Rise early in the morning and get your hiking boots on for a trek up Adam's Peak, one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful natural landmarks. The hiking level ranges from moderate to hard, but by no means are you expected to complete it if you feel like you don’t want to.
This will be followed by a visit to the iconic Nine Arches Bridge; be sure to have your camera at the ready in case you see a train passing over this famous bridge. Then, you'll head to the stunning Ravana Falls and see the Dhowa Temple, before taking a ride on the Flying Ravana Zip Line. This double wire zip line, stretching over half a kilometre, means you can ride in pairs and have a bird's-eye view of the breathtaking landscapes. After this adrenaline-pumping activity, you'll end the day with your feet up poolside with a cocktail in hand at the Ravana Pool Club. Get your dose of fun and serenity with the Ibiza vibes of this pool club, which perfectly overlooks the mountain views of Ella. After 3 hours soaking up the unique surroundings, you'll then be driven back to your hotel.
• Duration: Full Day
Good to know
You'll need comfortable shoes, and wear trousers or shorts for the zipline, and swimwear/sunscreen and shades for the pool club.
Horton Plains Trekking
Escape into the misty highlands of Horton Plains, where rolling grasslands, ancient forests and dramatic mountain views come together as one. Follow the scenic trails through this wonderfully wild landscape, keeping an eye out for Sambar deer, colourful birdlife and the park’s unique flora along the way. The big draw here is World’s End, where the landscape drops dramatically away to reveal sweeping views across the valleys and mountains below. Beautiful Baker’s Falls is tucked away among the forest, while Horton Plains is perfectly peaceful and remote, letting you breathe in that invigorating mountain air and experience a completely different side of Sri Lanka.
• Duration: 3.5 hours
Good to know
The main pathway that leads from the starting point of the trek is not suitable for those with compromised health. In most places, the condition of the pathway is extremely arduous and slippery, with the added danger of potentially loose rocks. Expect large mud pools and typically challenging terrain. Trekking boots or trainers and raincoats/macs are essential.
_w=24_h=25.webp?v=39e4bf01be219f50bf8dc63fc019cc6154137482)
_w=24_h=25.webp?v=39e4bf01be219f50bf8dc63fc019cc6154137482)
_w=24_h=25.webp?v=39e4bf01be219f50bf8dc63fc019cc6154137482)