Ella
Situated at 1050 meters 198 kilometers from
Colombo with a towering rock, mysterious cave,
national park and grandiose waterfalls, is Ella
a newly developing tourist attracting town on
the north east of Bandarawela. There are so
many attractive places in Sri Lanka’s
mountain heartland that provide the perfect
antidote to those travelers temporarily weary
of beautiful beaches, awesome national parks,
and magnificent archaeological ruins. Ella is
one of them. Like all archetypal mountain abodes,
Ella has the obligatory towering rock, mysterious
cave, and delightful waterfall.
Surrounded by lush green jungle, tea plantations
and rocky mountain ridges, Ella is a small town
with a unperturbed atmosphere away from the
busy and noisy lifestyle. It is a perfect place
to enjoy the great outdoors adventures long
walk with the mountain breeze gently toughing
the face in the cold misty air. As you gaze
through Ella Gap from the all angles you will
never miss to notice the panoramic view one
of the best the country offers. Ella Rock transpires
majestically on one side, while the crest of
rock and jungle on the other drop deep down
into the valley below.
This is a town where you are sure to find activities
in abundance. The Ravana Caves , Ravana Falls,
Bambaragama Falls, and a view of sunset in the
Little Adam’s Peak through a brisk walk
through the long stretched fields are the must
sees in the location.
Tough the climate is cool do not miss a swim
in the many falls that at the end form natural
pools with bubbling water. The bath under the
waterfalls not only rejuvenates but also gives
a natural good body massage to take away the
muscles tired from the climb whilst you can
dry yourself in the soothing sunray that streak
through thick jungle. If you did not pack a
picnic you need not worry as there are plenty
of roadside vendors for quick snacks!
A visit to the mysterious Ravana Caves will
take you two kilometers to the Ravana temple
built by the great King Valagamba of the 2nd
century who also built the great caves of Dambulla.
The Ravana temple in which lies a recumbent
Buddha is adorned with elephants, dragons and
people carved into the rock in colours of bright
red, orange and blue and quick way down the
steps will take you to the Little Adam’s
Peak. The Cave of Ravana also known as Rattaran
Guhava – the Golden Cave, is located up
a steep track. It is prominent due to its association
with the great epic The Ramanya which foretells
the romantic legend of Rama and Sita and the
King Ravana of Sri Lanka mystified by the beauty
of the princess abducts the beautiful Princess
Sita and holds her a prisoner in these caves.
More over this cave is also noted for the archaeologists
discovered 10 skeletons of the cannibalistic
Balangoda Man, homo sapiens balangodenis. But
it is recommended that those fit for climbing
take a guide with necessary equipments to see
the entire beauty of these caves.
The little Adam’s Peak is called so because
its similarity in shape with the revered Adam’s
Peak. A 45-minute walk from the base takes you
to the top where you will be able to see a breathtaking
panoramic view of everything in the vicinity
of Ella. It is best seen just before, or during,
sunset, when it is also a little cooler for
the medium-difficulty climb. Don’t forget
to take water.
The walk to Ella Rock is quite tough but rewarding
as it takes about two to three hours each way
past Little Ravana Falls but offers terrific
views. Ambiente (Tel:![]()
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(055) 223 1666), a guesthouse high above
Ella, has copies of a hand-drawn map of footpaths
in the area done by a past visitor, including
the directions to Ella Rock. Outlining landmarks
and sights along the paths and showing steepness
it is a useful companion. You may also be able
to find walking maps in the few travel offices
available in the town, or ask at your guesthouse.
So, after all this adventure and activity, you
will be thinking about food and rest! There
are few restaurants in Ella, though the two
either side of the junction (one is called the
Curd & Honey Shop, the other has no name!)
offer good rice and curry for lunch at decent
prices. In the evening you can get roti, appas,
and kottu. Most of the guesthouses also offer
food.
For somewhere to stay, The Grand Ella Motel
(Tel: +94 (057) 22 2636) is the biggest and
priciest establishment in town with a good view
of Ella Gap. It has a beautiful, sizeable lawn
surrounded by roses, a garden restaurant and
rooms under the shadow of the reverent bo tree.
For the best view at a good price I recommend
Ambiente. It has a panoramic restaurant and
balcony and is quiet save for the toot-toot
of approaching trains that you can see chugging
slowly along the mountain’s edge. Forest
Paradise Guesthouse (Tel:![]()
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(057) 222 3507) at the edge of an aromatic
pine forest teeming with bird life, and close
to the centre of town, is also a good option.
As a break from the beach or from busy city
life Ella is perfect. Close to other mountain
towns such as Bandarawela (12km), Badulla (20km)
and Nuwara Eliya, Ella is at the heart of the
Sri Lankan tea country. Train connections are
good from the little station in Ella to surrounding
towns and to major cities such as Colombo. Try
to book ahead for the observation car at the
back of the train to get the best views and
a picturesque experience that you will never
forget.
Ella, situated at 1,050 metres, is famous for
the view from its mountain gap, its towering
rock, and mysterious cave. Although Sri Lanka
has many scenic delights, there are few places
to equal Ella. The view from the front garden
of the rest house is particularly awe-inspiring.
The terrain falls away precipitously down a
ravine and then over miles of jungle to the
shimmering expanse of the sea in the far distance,
a scene enhanced by the looming Ella Rock on
the right and a jungly ridge on the left.
Ella Rock is remarkable for the cave popularly
known as the Cave of Ravana, because legend
has it that it was here that Ravana, the demon
villain of the Ramayana, hid his captive, the
beautiful Sita. Properly known as Rattaran Guhava,
it was in this cave that the Sri Lankan paleontologist,
Dr Paul Deraniyagala, discovered ten skeletons
of the cannibalistic Balangoda Man, Homo sapiens
balangodensis. A visit to the cave requires
a rope or rope ladder for entry as the floor
is below the mouth. The cave has not been
explored beyond the lake that fills it only
a short way from the entrance.
Ravana Ella Falls, about 5 km from Ella, are
also associated with the Ramayana. Ravana The
stream plunges with a foaming spray over a series
of ledges into the valley close to the road.
Wide but not very high (9m) this waterfall has
been described as the wildest looking in Sri
Lanka. It is certainly one of the most beautiful.
Nestled in a valley at an elevation of 1,041
metres above sea-level, Ella is a quiet, quaint
town in the Hill Country, famous for its spectacular
views, Sri Lanka’s wildest looking waterfall,
ancient caves and wonderful walking opportunities.
From the famed Ella Gap, you can see between
the green steep mountain-sides and down nearly
1,000 metres to the coastal plain below, and
out towards the Indian Ocean.
