3 day Ella Itinerary: What to do in Ella, Sri Lanka

Ella is Sri Lanka’s amazing mountain town, located between Kandy and the south coast. There are many great things to do in Ella, whether you love hiking, watching sunrises, eating delicious food or simply relaxing.

With 3 days in Ella, you will have plenty of time to visit the main sights whilst exploring at your own pace. Find out what to do in Ella in our 3 day Ella itinerary!

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Why should I visit Ella, Sri Lanka?

Ella is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka, surrounded by gorgeous jungle, tall mountains, powerful waterfalls and many tea plantations.

As Ella is in the mountains, the town has a cooler climate than the surrounding lowlands which makes you want to pack a jumper for the slightly cooler evenings. Don’t worry, it will still feel very hot during the day!

There are many great things to do in Ella which is why we created our 3 day Ella itinerary to help you plan your trip! We will show you the best spots for sunrise, the best places to eat and the best places to visit on your Ella trip. You won’t be wondering what to do in Ella anymore after reading our 3 day guide!

What to do in Ella Sri Lanka

Is this your first time in Sri Lanka? Check out our 20 Tips to Know Before Travelling to Sri Lanka guide!  

3 Day Ella Itinerary Sri Lanka

You may be arriving at Ella by train late in the day, so you can start your day 1 the following day or pick and choose your favourite activities in Ella! 3 days in Ella would be great to have as there are so many things to do and you’ll want to relax after a few early mornings if you can handle them!

Day 1 – Sunrise at Ella Rock & Waterfalls

Sunrise hike to Ella Rock

Hiking Ella Rock is a must-do on your 3 day Ella itinerary! It’s one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Sri Lanka and choosing to hike at sunrise will reward you with orange glows across the valley.

We’re not going to tell you it’s an easy hike, it can definitely be a challenge, but we managed to do it and we’re not the most athletic of people (haha). It can take anywhere between 3-5 hours, so make sure you pack a few snacks such as local bananas, fruit or energy bars.

We were actually very lucky on this hike as our accommodation was already on the hiking trail.

We stayed at New Farmers Paradise and our host wanted to hike with us for sunrise, he was an amazing guide who showed us the way and took us to two spots at the rock. We highly recommend staying at New Farmers Paradise for an amazing 3 days in Ella Sri Lanka.

How to hike Ella Rock without a guide?

If you want to start this hike from Ella town, the best thing to do is follow the train tracks from Ella station until you reach Kithalella train station. It should take around 20-30 minutes. After another 10 minutes of walking, following the tracks, you may see a yellow sign saying 15 km/h and this is the point you need to turn. It is in between the waymarkers 166 1/2 and 166 1/4 (signs).

You will then walk over a small bridge and reach a point where you have to choose left or right, take the left path into the tea bushes ascending uphill. Follow this trail through the grass and you’ll reach the main trail that’s wider and more walked on.

Follow this path and you’ll start to walk uphill and you can’t go wrong at this point! As long as you’re following the path uphill you should reach Ella Rock. There will be a small hut at the top and then the views of the mountains will take your breath away!

Remember – Sri Lanka can get very hot! So starting this hike early in the morning or late in the afternoon will help you when hiking uphill! (Also be careful not to get caught in the dark on the way down!)

We definitely recommend hiking Ella Rock for sunrise and you should be finished before the morning is over! Head back to your accommodation for some late breakfast and take a few moments to relax before starting the rest of your day. You’ve successfully done the first thing on your Sri Lanka Ella itinerary.

Visiting Colombo? Here’s our 1 Day in Colombo travel guide!

Ravana Falls

Once you’ve rested, eaten and have energy again, it’s time to visit some of Ella’s waterfalls! Ravana Falls is a very powerful and impressive waterfall close to Ella town. It’s popular with locals as it’s the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka.

The waterfall is right next to the road, so you really can’t miss it if you’re passing by! There are plenty of food stalls and snacks to grab whilst you’re there. It’s recommended not to swim here as the falls are very strong and therefore not considered safe.

There’s a chance you may catch the fresh spray from the falls if you stand close enough!

How to get to Ravana Falls?

The best way to get to Ravana Falls is by scooter, however, you don’t need a scooter to get anywhere in Ella. The alternative option is by public bus, which works out a lot cheaper!

Find the bus stop at the bottom of Ella junction and you’ll notice that a lot of buses pass through the main street. As a bus passes by the bus stop just shout Ravana Falls to the bus guy and he’ll tell you if it’s the right bus.

Jump on board and it shouldn’t cost more than Rs50. We took a bus to Walawaya for Rs85 and it passed by the waterfall. Here’s the location for – Ravana Falls (Rawana Falls).

Another option is to get a local tuk-tuk, driver or taxi to take you there which shouldn’t cost too much as it’s close to Ella town.

Secret Waterfall

If you’re already visiting Ravana Falls, then a visit to Secret Waterfall is a must as it’s 5 minutes down the road! Unlike Ravana Falls, it is possible to swim at the Secret Waterfall and it’s much quieter. It may not be a complete secret, as it’s on Google Maps, but it’s definitely not as well-known.

How to get to Secret Waterfall?

Find the exact location here – Secret Waterfall Location

If you’ve used a public bus to get to Ravana Falls, you can jump back on the next bus and ask to get off at Secret Waterfall, you may have to stay near the front of the bus so you can tell them when you want to get off.

If you’ve used a scooter, taxi or driver then just follow the road until you reach the destination on Google Maps. There will be no signs!

Park up next to a dirt patch near a fruit stand and walk down the steps until you find the waterfall. When walking down the steps it splits off into left and right. The left side is smaller and possible to bathe, and the right side is larger and more popular (Although you will probably be the only ones there)!

At this point, you’ve had an amazing day with a sunrise hike and visiting two beautiful waterfalls. If you have any energy left, the perfect way to end your day is with a browse in Ella’s main town. If you’re staying at a homestay it would be great to have dinner with them and join the local feel. We enjoyed many rice and curries at our homestay during our time in Ella Sri Lanka.

Evening in Ella’s main town

If you are on the hunt for dinner – Rainbow Cafe has a great menu with both Sri Lankan and Western cuisine. The prices are very affordable and it’s a lovely way to end your evening.

Ella’s main town is one road with lots of restaurants and unique shops. You will find sustainable clothes, classic travelling pants, coconuts, rotis, postcards and more! There are also many fruit stands to stock up for your next 2 days in Ella.

Make sure not to stay out too late if you want to wake up for another breathtaking sunrise!

Do you want to be a more sustainable traveller in Sri Lanka? Check out our 18 Great Eco Friendly Travel Products You Need to Swap guide!

Day 2 – Sunrise at Little Adams Peak, Trains & Relaxing

If you can handle waking up for another sunrise then we promise you, it will be worth it! If sunrises just aren’t your thing, you can hike Little Adams Peak later in the morning and still have enough time on your 3 day Ella itinerary.

Sunrise hike at Little Adams Peak

Another sunrise?! Yes! Hiking Little Adams Peak for sunrise is definitely more popular than the sunrise hike at Ella Rock. The main reason for this is that Little Adams Peak is a short hike and you’ll reach the top in 20 minutes and it’s not too hard.

Little Adams Peak was our favourite hike in Sri Lanka, so it definitely made it onto our 3 days in Ella itinerary as it’s one of the best things to do in Ella. If you have to choose between hiking Little Adams Peak or Ella Rock, we recommend you hike Little Adams Peak.

It’s shorter and the views are very similar to Ella Rock. However, if you have the time to do both, it’s very rewarding!

How to get to Little Adams Peak in Ella?

Make your way over to the trailhead near Ella Flower Garden Resort. If you’re walking or catching a ride from the main area in Ella you will be dropped off here. It’s a 10-minute walk to the official trailhead.

If you’re arriving by scooter you can also park here near Ella Flower Garden Resort (small parking fee) or you can continue up the path and park by the official Little Adams Peak trailhead, although the spaces here are limited.

Once you reach the Little Adams Peak trailhead, do not follow Google Maps as it’s not accurate. There will be a sign pointing you in the right direction and it will take you up to Flying Ravana Mega Zipline. From there it’s only a short walk to the main Little Adams Peak. You can also walk further to another peak for another impressive view of the mountains and the sunrise.

You can also find your way to the trailhead from the luxurious 98 acres resort.

After your sunrise hike at Little Adams Peak, you may want to head back to your accommodation for some deserved breakfast. If you want to have breakfast out there are plenty of restaurants in the area and you’ll already be in the perfect place to visit the Nine Arch Bridge.

Visit the Nine Arch Bridge

A visit to the Nine Arch Bridge is a must on any 3 day Ella Sri Lanka itinerary and another one of the best things to do in Ella. The viaduct bridge is an impressive 300 feet in length, 25 feet in width and 80-100 feet in height.

A visit to Nine Arch Bridge isn’t just to see the remarkable bridge but to take in the beautiful surroundings with scenes of rolling hills and vibrant jungle life. You can also refresh yourself with a coconut (Make sure to ask for no plastic straw).

One of our tips is that trains in Sri Lanka can often be delayed! You may have to wait a short while to see a train going over the tracks, but it’s actually really mesmerizing to watch if you do stick around. Check the train schedule in advance by asking the accommodation you’re staying at or the local train station in Ella.

Which side of Nine Arch Bridge is better?

Both sides are great viewing points to watch the famous train journey in Sri Lanka. Personally, we prefer the view on the southern side of the bridge (South looking on a map). We mention a few ways to get to Nine Arch Bridge below.

How to get to the Nine Arch Bridge?

There are many ways to see the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella. One amazing way to reach the bridge is to carefully follow the train tracks from Ella station. This will take you straight to the bridge.

Another way to reach the Nine Arch Bridge is from the pathway near Cafe Eden, it will be labelled on Google Maps as Nine Arches Bridge Path. It’s a walk downhill until you reach the viewing areas for the bridge, you can follow the path down to reach the bridge itself.

Finally, another alternative way to visit the Nine Arch Bridge is via Asanka Cafe. The view from the cafe also gives you a different perspective.

After your walk back up to the road, maybe it’s time for some lunch! Head over to Cafe Eden for a tasty Sri Lankan lunch or if you’re in the main town there’s Rainbow Cafe and more. As you’ve had a very busy morning and midday, it’s now time to take a break and relax. Always remember to relax whilst preparing your 3 day Sri Lanka Ella itinerary.

Take a dip in a luxury swimming pool

Have you ever walked past beautiful hotels with swimming pools that you’d love to take a dip in? Maybe you’ve thought to yourself “Woah I wish I could stay there”. Well, we think the same thing from time to time and decided to ask a hotel: Is it okay to use your swimming pool? and they said yes!

As we were staying at New Farmers Paradise, we walked past the luxurious hotel Mountain Heavens every day and their swimming pool faces out into the gorgeous mountains of Ella with an infinity view.

If you’re not staying at Mountain Heavens they do request a small charge to use their swimming pool, we think it’s around Rs550 per person, per hour. Although you may be able to stay longer or order a drink.

Find the location here: Mountain Heavens Location

End your night with dinner either at your homestay or in Ella main town, there are many restaurants to choose from! Don’t worry you won’t have to wake up for sunrise in the morning!

Day 3 – Tea Factory & Sri Lankan Cooking Class

Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory

Ella is surrounded by amazing tea plantations, you will definitely notice this when you arrive in the Sri Lankan mountains. One of the best things to do in Ella is to visit a tea factory and find out how the local tea is made. You also have the chance to try new tea flavours!

Did you know that Sri Lanka is one of the largest tea exporters in the world? (Right behind China, India and Kenya)

Uve Halpewatta Tea Factory is located very close to the main town and is a great activity if you’re wondering what to do in Ella. It costs around Rs540 per person to visit and have a tour of the factory and you can also watch the workers pick the tea leaves if they are on shift.

The tour guides are very passionate and knowledgeable about tea and will tell you anything you want to know about tea factories in Sri Lanka.

Tip: Make sure it’s a working day, otherwise you won’t see the people picking the tea leaves and sometimes the machines aren’t on.

How to get to Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory?

As it’s close to Ella town, you can either take a scooter there or ask a local taxi or tuk-tuk to take you and bring you back. It shouldn’t cost too much.

Take a Sri Lankan Cooking Class in Ella

After your morning at the tea factory, you can either choose whether to take this class for lunch or dinner. Maybe you’d like to relax for the afternoon, so you’re refreshed for your Sri Lankan cooking class!

Matey Hut Ella Sri Lanka is located at the northern end of the main street of Ella. If you’re interested in taking a cooking class with them it’s best to book it as soon as you arrive in Ella. They usually take up to 6 students at a time and we noticed a few bookings when we arrived. They offer cooking classes at both lunchtime and dinner time if it fits your 3 day Ella itinerary better to do this at lunch.

The cooking class is amazing value at Rs2700 per person and you get to eat all the food when you’re finished! Our evening class was 5pm – 7pm and we spent an hour afterwards eating and talking to the other students. A Sri Lankan cooking class is a great way to spend your time in Sri Lanka and an amazing idea to add to your 3 days in Ella.

The famous Kandy to Ella Train Journey

Of course, we can’t create a 3 days in Ella Itinerary without mentioning the famous Kandy to Ella train ride. You may have already taken this route to arrive at Ella from Kandy. It was beautiful right?! If you’re about to take the train from Ella to Kandy, you are in for one of the most gorgeous train rides in the world!

As these routes are very popular, they can often get booked up in advance. We travelled in January and we managed to get a seat on every train we went on. Once you know the day that you want to travel, book your train ticket as soon as you arrive in Ella. You can do this at Ella train station in the main town – here’s the location – Ella Railway Station.

How to book a ticket on the famous Kandy to Ella train ride in Sri Lanka?

At Kandy or Ella station, you’ll have the option to book a 2nd class reserved ticket / 3rd class reserved ticket or 2nd class unreserved ticket / 3rd class unreserved ticket. We travelled this famous train ride with a 3rd class reserved ticket – reserved means that we had an allocated seat.

The train station will always sell you a ticket for this train, once they run out of reserved seating, the only ticket you can buy is unreserved. Usually, Sri Lankan locals will purchase a 3rd class unreserved ticket and it’s also the cheapest ticket you can buy for this Kandy to Ella train ride.

We recommend purchasing a 2nd class reserved ticket (if it’s available) as the price difference is very small and this will be a comfortable yet local way to travel in Sri Lanka. Reserved seating is the best option as you know there will always be a seat for you, however, if the only option left is unreserved don’t worry too much.

You can hang out near the doors of the carriages or maybe there will be a seat for you anyway!

We’d love to share a video from Beer for Breakfast about this amazing train ride experience with unreserved 3rd class seats! – 3rd CLASS TRAIN FROM ELLA TO KANDY – What to Expect?

➤ Here’s our 3 Week Sri Lanka Itinerary!

More ways you can spend your time in Ella Sri Lanka

Liptons Seat – Location for Liptons Seat. The main reason you visit Lipstons Seat is for the views! The breathtaking views over the tea plantations and mountains will make the long journey from Ella worth it. As it’s quite far from Ella’s main town, it’s best to pair it up with Diyaluma Falls.

Diyaluma Falls – Location for Diyaluma Falls. Diyaluma Falls is an impressive 720 feet high waterfall and the second highest in the country! There’s a very popular spot here where you can bathe in a pool with views of the mountains. It feels like an infinity pool.

How to get to Ella Sri Lanka?

The best way to get to Ella is by train. Some of the world’s most beautiful train rides are surrounding Ella, so it’s an opportunity you can’t miss! It’s also very popular to hire drivers around Sri Lanka, you can choose to take the ride with your driver or simply meet him in Ella after taking the train.

You can also visit Ella on a day trip from Nuwara Eliya by using the train, your own vehicle or a local taxi. However, there is so much to do we definitely recommend staying longer than a day.

Where to stay in Ella Sri Lanka?

Ella is filled with amazing homestays and beautiful hotels. Ella is a small city and you can choose to stay close to the hustle or bustle or more in the hills with the views and the local restaurants.

The best homestay in Ella Sri Lanka

We highly recommend New Farmers Paradise in Ella if you’re wanting a relaxed few days with a local Sri Lankan family. They offer free breakfast and dinner is only Rs700 (£2.50). They will serve you a feast of food! The price to stay here is very affordable at around Rs2750 (£10) a night!

There are 3-4 rooms at Farmers Paradise, so you have the opportunity to meet other guests or spend your time relaxing in the hammock. They are a 15-minute hilly walk away from the main town or you can rent a scooter in the main town to get around Ella easily. You will wake up to the sounds of peacocks and the natural beauty of the mountains.

Find New Farmers Paradise on Booking.com or message them individually.

Luxury Hotels in Ella Sri Lanka

If you’re feeling like you want to stay somewhere luxurious whilst in Ella, then Mountain Heavens hotel is the place for you! The average price per night is Rs33000 (£120) and you get free breakfast, an amazing pool with a view and air conditioning! Rated one of the best Ella Sri Lanka Hotels!

Find Mountain Heavens on Booking.com!

Best restaurants in Ella

One of the best meals we had in Ella was actually at our accommodation – New Farmers Paradise.

Matey Hut – The best cooking class in Sri Lanka! Their restaurant also serves amazing vegan-friendly Sri Lankan food. Find them here: Matey Hut Location

Rainbow Cafe – Mostly vegan menu! You can find anything from vegan gnocchi to smoothie bowls and delicious Sri Lankan food. It’s right on the main street and has a very relaxing balcony area. Find them here: Rainbow Cafe Location

Cafe Eden – Serving delicious Sri Lankan and Western food. It’s in a perfect spot for visiting the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella. Find them here: Cafe Eden Location

As vegan travellers, we hunt for the best vegan restaurants when we’re travelling. However there aren’t many 100% plant-based restaurants in Sri Lanka, and luckily for us, Sri Lankan cuisine is incredibly vegan-friendly.

What to do after Ella?

There are a few options you can do after visiting Ella. It depends on what direction you are travelling in. Visiting Udawalawe National Park or Yala National Park could be your next visit if you’ve already travelled from Kandy. If you want to travel to Udawalawe you can get public buses or there are many local taxi’s.

We have a 10 day South Coast Sri Lanka Itinerary if that’s where you’re heading next! If you already came from the South, then Nuwara Eliya or Kandy would be your next best destination to visit. This is where you get to experience one of the best train journeys of your travels.

How many days in Ella?

We recommend spending at least 3 days in Ella to experience all of the activities we’ve mentioned. If you’re not into hiking, you can experience the bridge, an authentic cooking class, a visit to the tea factory and a lovely look at the waterfalls. Ella has a little bit of everything for everyone. If you only have 2 days in Ella, definitely choose the Little Adams Peak hike for sunrise!

Have a great 3 days in Ella and hopefully now you know what to do in Ella while you’re exploring Sri Lanka! Remember to look at our tips before travelling to Sri Lanka, they’re also helpful if you’re already in the country!

Sri Lanka Travel Posts:

• Here’s our 3 Week Sri Lanka Itinerary
• 20 Tips to Know Before Travelling to Sri Lanka
• Incredible 10 Day South Coast Sri Lanka Itinerary – (Best beaches in Sri Lanka!)
• How to get from Negombo to Sigiriya by bus
• Things to do in Colombo, Sri Lanka

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