Ella in Sri Lanka is a small laid-back town surrounded by the beautiful mountains and tea estates. Ella town belongs to the Badulla district of the Uva Province in Sri Lanka. Ella is a town full of many scenic attractions to see.
Adisham Bungalow
Adisham Bungalow, also known as Adisham Hall, is a country house which is located near Haputale in the Badulla district. In this day it houses the Adisham monastery of Saint Benedict. Construction of the building began in the year 1927 and was completed in the year 1931. Being a popular Catholic Church, it has a relic (a chip of a bone) of St. Sylvester.
Budugallena Forest Monastery
Budugallena Forest Monastery is an ancient monastery complex which is situated near Buttala in the Uva Province. In the past, it has been known as “Konketiya Viharaya”. The monastery complex consists of caves used for meditation of priests. It has been made by a son of Theraputtabaya, one of the generals of king Kavantissa (205–161 BC). Its history dates back to the pre-Christian era according to inscriptions found in the caves.
Buduruwagala Temple
Buduruwagala Temple is a Buddhist temple situated on Buduruwagala Road in Wellawaya. Buduruwagala archaeological site is famous for its beautiful 1000 years old rock-cut Buddha figures. Buduruwagala is the site of the tallest solid rock-carved, standing Buddha statue in Southern Asia. It is a 15 meters tall Buddha statue and is surrounded by smaller statues carved on to rock. The statues depicts tints of orange which shows that it was once painted in orange to depict the robe of the Buddhist monks.
Stone Church
Church of the Ascension also known as “Gal Palliya” or “Stone Church” is situated on the Bandarawela – Welimada Road in Bandarawela. It is situated on the Northwest side of the Bandarawela town. The beautiful stone church dates back to 1909 and was built by a British born priest, Rev. W.J.P. Waltham. The church was later extended in the years of 1936 and 1938. The tower of the church was added in the year 1952. The church is well-known for serving the community. There is a daycare centre which is run by the church to take care of the children of poor parents.
Dhowa Rock Temple
The Dhowa Rock Temple is a protected heritage site in Sri Lanka and is situated in a small and ancient village on the Badulla – Bandarawela main road. The temple is famous for its large and unfinished Buddha Statue which is carved into the rock face and is 38 feet in height. It dates back over 2000 years and is considered to be an example of Mahayana sculpture.
Mahamevnawa Monastery
Mahamevnawa Monastery is a Buddhist temple and monastery situated on Mahamevnawa Road in Ella. The monastery is home to more than 30 Theravada Buddhist monks. It is situated at the peak of the mountain which gives worshipers and visitors of the temple a spectacular view of the valleys and landscapes below. The monastery is visited by not only local worshipers but also foreign tourists and locals from various religious backgrounds.
Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya
Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient historical temple which is situated in Mahiyanganaya in the district of Badulla. The temple is historical and scared because it is believed to be the site of Lord Buddha’s first visit to the island. Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya belongs to the “Solosmasthana” which are the 16 sacred religious sites in the country. The temple has been named as an archaeological site by the Government of Sri Lanka.
Muthiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya
Muthiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple which is situated in Badulla. Buddhists consider this to be a sacred site which has been visited by Gautama Buddha. Hence, it belongs to the “Solosmasthana” which are the 16 sacred religious sites in the country. Muthiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya is also considered as one out of the 32 sacred sites where the saplings bred from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura have been planted. King Devanampiyatissa further developed the original stupa at this location and converted it into a temple complex. Thereafter, it has been renovated several times throughout history by King Jettha Tissa I, King Datusena, King Vijayabahu I and King Parakramabahu I.
Rakkhiththa Kanda Aranya Senasanaya
Rakkhiththa Kanda Aranya Senasanaya is a Buddhist temple situated in Wellawaya. It is a historic temple is situated at the top of a rock. Worshipers and visitors of the temple should climb up the rock to enter the temple and also to experience the spectacular views from up above.
St. Anthony’s Church
St. Anthony’s Church is a Roman Catholic Church situated in Bandarawela. It is a beautiful granite stone building situated in a calm and peaceful surrounding. It is a well-known place among the Roman Catholics and is also popular among people of other communities due to its natural and architectural beauty. The church is surrounded by a nice flower garden which adds to its beauty.
Ella Rock is a popular mountain for hiking and is situated on Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Highway in Ella. Hiking the Ella Rock offers stunning views from the peak of the mountain and is also the ideal place to watch the sunrise in Ella. The hike starts with walking on train tracks for around 20 to 30 minutes and then takes you up into a beautiful forest for about an hour before you reach the top at Ella Rock for some magnificent views. Hiking the Ella Rock is most noted for the sweeping views it provides.
Little Adam’s Peak
Little Adam’s Peak is a mountain situated on Passara Road in Ella. It is a very popular mountain for hiking among locals and foreigners. The mountain gets its name because of the similar shape to the holy mountain, Adam’s Peak. Little Adam’s Peak is 1141 meters high and is an easy climb with a clear pathway. The hike could take up to 2 to 3 hours to complete. Hiking Little Adam’s Peak is also a great way to experience the beautiful landscapes of Ella as it gives stunning views of the surrounding area.
Madulsima
Madulsima is a village situated in the Uva province of Sri Lanka. It is a picturesque village with mountains popular for hiking and camping. One such popular attraction is the Madulsima Mini World’s End which is a famous hiking spot of the area. Many adventurers also enjoy camping above the clouds during their hikes at Madulsima. Madlsima Mountain has an elevation of 383 m and stands approximately 700 – 1000 m above sea level. The highest part of the mountain belongs to Roeberry Estate. The Madulsima Mini World’s End which is also known as the Pitamaruwa Mini World’s End is located at the end of this estate. Madulsima is a heavenly location which stands high above in elevation and is mostly shrouded by the mist and feels as if one is travelling among the clouds. Kalugala, which is a popular hiking spot, is located on the northern point of the Madulsima mountain range.
Maragala Kanda
Maragala Kanda is a mountain that is situated in the Moneragala district. With a height of 111 m, it is known to be the tallest mountain in the Moneralaga district. Maragala Kanda Mountain belongs to the Maragala Kanda Forest Reserve. This mountain it one of the main water sources to this regions while being a main contributor to Kumbukkan Oya. Therefore, locals believe that it is a blessing to Moneragala which belongs to the dry zone. There is also a belief that the mountain has links with the legends of Ravana. Maragala Kanda is a mountain that is unheard of for most people who travel.
Namunukula Mountain Range
Namunukula Mountain Range is a mountain range situated in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka. The name “Namunukula” means nine peaks which depicts the peaks of this mountain range. The Namunukula Mountain Range consists of the tallest mountain peak in the Uva Province standing at 2,035 meters which is also the 12th tallest mountain in Sri Lanka.The Namunukula Mountain Range is a popular hiking spot in the Uva Province and is best hiked during the dry months as there is less rainfall resulting in lesser leeches. Leech protection is required in the form of anti-leech socks which is suitable since the anti-leech spray could easily wash off from skin from rain water.
Narangala
Narangala is a picturesque and magnificent mountain situated in the Badulla district of Uva province. The beautiful Narangala Mountain rises up to about 1527 meters and is the second highest mountain in the Uva province. The mountain is special in two ways. First is that it has two parts of one which is a rectangular shaped plateau and the other one being a triangular shaped peak. The other specialty is the location of the Narangala Mountain. It is located at the edge of Uva while pointing out towards a gap formed between the valleys of Uma oya, Badulu oya and Loggal oya. This gap opens up a wide view towards the Mahaweli flood plains which extends up to Trincomalee.
St. Catherine’s Seat
St. Catherine’s Seat is situated in the upper division of the Nayabedda tea estate on the Poonagala road in Haputale. It is also a popular hiking spot among tourists with a fairly easy trail and breathtaking views of Bandarawela, Diyathalawa and the surrounding mountains of the Uva province. From Poonagala, on the road to Koslanda, at the Pilkington Point one can experience fabulous views of Wellawaya and Moneragala.
Alakolagala Falls
Alakolagala Falls is situated in the Badulla district. It is 30 meters in height and is sourced by the Alakola Oya which is how the waterfall gets its name. The water from the falls flows on to the Kirindi Oya. The waterfall is surrounded by mountains and jungle where elephants roam around freely.
Marakkala Ella falls
Marakkala Ella falls are situated in the Ratnapura district. It stands at a height of 8 meters and is also called “Kaluwala Ella”. The waterfall has got its name because a youth of Marakkala (Moor) nationality came to fish in the pool and drowned because of his foolishness. According to villagers a whirlpool named “Kaluwala” continues to drown people up to this day.
Watawala Falls
Watawala Falls is situated in Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district. It is 40 meters high and formed by three different streams. Each of these streams begins at the Rambukkannde Mountain of the Uda Karavita Forest Reserve. The area surrounding the waterfalls is full of wildlife, many medicinal plants and herbs.
Visari Ella Falls
Visari Ella Falls is a waterfall which is situated in the Badulla district. The waterfalls stands at a height of 20 m and is also known as “Alikola Oya North Falls” or “Alkola Ella”. Visari Ella Falls is formed by the rivers namely, Punagala and Alikola while finally flowing in to the Kirindi Oya. Hiking this waterfall is quite easy and can be attempted by even beginner level hikers. The fall is surrounded by a jungle and is usually full of water other than in the dry season. It is the ideal location for a family day out or a picnic with friends because of the beautiful natural surroundings and a natural pool which is suitable for swimming.
Uran Wetuna Ella Falls
Uran Wetuna Ella Falls are situated in the Ratnapura district. It stands at a massive height of 108 meters. The fall gets its name because of the numerous wild boar which comes to drink water here and often gets swept away by the rushing water. The waterfall never dries up even in the worst of droughts.
Upper Diyaluma Falls
Upper Diyaluma Falls is a part of the Diyaluma Falls which is situated in Koslanda in the Badulla district. Trekking to the top of the Diyaluma Falls is an adventure in itself and is a challenge to be attempted by the adventurous. The trek up to the Upper Diyaluma Falls passes through quite a few waterfalls and natural pools giving an amazing view right at the top, which makes this challenging hike well worth every second. The hike requires passing through a rubber estate where hikers get to view the entire process of rubber collection and so forth.
Udagama Handhapan Ella Waterfall
Udagama Handhapan Ella Waterfall is situated in Udagama in the Ratnapura district, just 100 meters away from Udagama Duwili Ella Waterfall. It is 23 meters in height. The waterfall is hidden inside the jungle and could be difficult to find without the help of a guide. There is no proper access to this waterfall since a mini hydro project has diverted most of the the fall.
Ravana Falls
Ravana Falls are situated in Ella town on a tributary of Kirindi Oya. It stands at a height of 25 meters. Its elevation is 1050 m above sea level. The falls have been named after the famous King Ravana who appears in the Indian epic, the Ramayana. It’s one of the widest waterfalls of Sri Lanka.The Ravana Fall cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. The waterfall resembles an areca flower with withering petals during the wet season. However, the flow of water reduces dramatically during the dry season. The Ravana Falls forms part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary which is located about 6 km away from the local railway station at Ella.
Peessa Ella Waterfall
Peessa Ella Waterfall is situated in the Badulla district. It stands at a height of 45 meters. It cascades in to two falls and flows all year round, regardless of droughts. It begins from the peak of the Lunugala Mountain.
Pandioya Ella Falls
Pandioya Ella Falls lies on the Ratnapura – Wewalwatte route. The waterfall is 45 meters high and is enclosed by woodland. The source of the fall is the Pandi River which springs from the nearby Bathgurula Mountain located South-West of the Sri Pada Mountain.
Menik Ganga Dunhinda
Menik Ganga Dunhinda Falls is situated along Badalkumubura – Buttala Road in the Badalkumubura Divisional Secretariat in the Monaragala district. It stands at a height of 30 m and is located close to Pareiyan Ella Falls. The enchanting Menik Ganga Dunhinda Falls can be reached following a short trek through Pareiyan Ella Falls and Menik Ganga.
Meddekanda Waterfall
Meddekanda Waterfall is situated in the Ratnapura district. It is 18 meters high and 2 meters wide. The falls can be viewed from the Meddekanda Bazaar. The nearest town is Balangoda. Caution needs to be taken when bathing in its dangerous plunge pool.
Besama Waterfall
Besama Waterfall is situated in Passara in the Badulla district. Its height has not been recorded. It consists of a slow shutter lower fall and upper fall. The Besama Waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery which is due to the forest surrounding it in its remote location. The pool of the waterfall is suitable for swimming and bathing. Besama waterfall has got its name due to the shape of its pool representing a basin which in Sinhala is known as “Besama”.
Diyaluma Falls
Diyaluma Falls is situated in Koslanda in the Badulla district. It is the third highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and the 361st highest waterfall in the world, standing at a height of 171 meters. The falls are formed by a tributary of the Kirindi Oya. It is a very steep fall surrounded by wildlife, flora and fauna.
Diyawatanalla Waterfall
Diyawatanalla Waterfall is situated in the Alwathugoda village in the Badulla district. It is a fairly large waterfall with no specific height in records. The falls starts at Udamala Mountain and flows via Moragasdowa.
Kithal Ella Falls
Kithal Ella Falls are situated in Ella town. It stands at a height of 23 meters. It is a beautiful waterfall situated amidst a stunning backdrop and is best viewed during the rainy season. It is known to be as lovely as a snow queen during this period.
Dunhinda Falls
Dunhinda Falls is situated about 5 km away from Badulla town. It is 63 meters high and is considered to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka. The falls gets its name dew to the smoky dew drops spray and is also known as the “Bridal Fall” because the shape of the waterfall reflects a bridal veil.
Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory
Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory is a tea factory situated in Ella in the Uva Province. It is the largest tea factory in the Uva Province and is a popular tourist destination due to this reason. Visitors get a guided tour around the tea factory and can find out about the art of tea tasting and manufacturing of one of the finest Ceylon tea. Visitors can take part in a tea tasting session and purchase factory-fresh teas while gazing at the amazing panoramic views from the factory.
Demodara Railway Loop
The Demodara Railway Loop is a popular tourist attraction situated in Demodara in Ella. The Demodara Railway loop is a spiral rail line which passes under itself, going around the loop and emerging from a tunnel, which runs directly beneath the Demodara railway station. The loop is around 300 ft long and the tunnel is around 1050 ft in length. It is considered as the only railway loop in the world with a railway station situated right above a tunnel at spiral loop. According to local folklore one of the engineers was inspired after seeing a supervisor in a local tea estate undo his turban and re-tie it around his head.
Ella Gap
Ella Gap is a scenic location situated between the mountains of Ella. Its location gives amazing views of the valleys across Ella. It is a picturesque place very popular among tourists and locals, especially for photography. The misty mountain range makes it the perfect location for various video shootings and photography.
Finlays Newburgh Green Tea Factory
Finlays Newburgh Green Tea Factory is situated along the Ella – Passara Road in Ella. The estate and factory is dedicated to producing green tea for the health-conscious individuals. It also exports green tea to many countries around the world. Finlays Newburgh Green Tea Factory produces high-quality tea and has been awarded numerous awards throughout the years. A tour of this tea factory gives an idea of how green tea is produced and also gives visitors a chance to sip on a tasty cup of tea. The estate is located in a beautiful surrounding.
Fox Hill
Fox Hill is situated in Diyatalawa which belongs to the Badulla district. It is renowned for the Fox Hill track which is maintained by the Sri Lanka Military Academy and is located close to Fox Hill. The location is also used for training purposes by the Sri Lank Army. The Fox Hill Motorcross takes place in April every year and is attended by a large number of spectators. Back in the day, the British ruled many countries in South East Asia and South Asia. During the Boer War, between South Africa and Great Britain, the British transferred many of their prisoners to countries under their rule. On one such occasion, prisoners arrived in Sri Lanka in a ship named “HMS Fox”. The captain and crew of this ship visited Diyatalawa in 1913 and made the prisoners, who came along with them, to place white stones to depict a fox and to display “HMS Fox” and “1913” below it. This is how this place got the name “Fox Hill”.
Halaba Steel Bridge
Halaba Steel Bridge is situated in the village of Halaba in Badulla. This mysterious bridge is approximately 113 m long and is built across Uma Oya where no roads have ever existed. This has caused concern as to why the British, who ruled Ceylon back in the day, had built such a massive bridge at this location. It is believed to have been built in 1919.
Kinellan Tea Factory & Tea Centre
Kinellan Tea Factory & Tea Centre is situated on the Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Highway in Ella. Visitors can learn about the process of producing Ceylon tea from plucking and drying fresh leaves, to packing and shipping the finished tea product. Visitors also get a chance to taste a freshly brewed cup of tea and purchase gifts and souvenirs from the Tea Centre.
Dambethenna Tea Estate
Dambethenna Tea Estate is situated in Dambathenna, Haputale. Dambethenna Tea Factory is a popular tea factory which was built in 1890 by one of the most famous figures in the history of tea, Sir Thomas Lipton. Visitors get to tour the factory learning about the processes involved in the fermenting, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and grading of tea.
Badulla Botanical Garden
Badulla Botanical Garden is a botanical garden situated in River Side Road in Badulla. The garden is a popular attraction among the locals, especially people living in the surrounding areas. The botanical garden has a variety of flora and fauna with some being endemic to Sri Lanka and is a beautiful sight to see.
Cable car ride
Cable car ride can be experienced in Ella. It consists of a two-wire cable line that stretches across 400 m through Ella jungle. It is the only kind of experience found in Sri Lanka. The ride is used to reach the Ella Jungle Resort, so it comes free for guests of the resort.
Ella Spice Garden
Ella Spice Garden is a private household situated on Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Highway in Ella. Visitors can take a tour around the private garden in which Sri Lankan spices are cultivated. Spice plants include peppers, cloves, turmeric, and chili plants. Visitors also get to participate in a cooking class, learn how to prepare a traditional Sri Lankan meal and taste a delicious meal cooked using authentic Sri Lankan spices.
Thangamale Sanctuary
Thangamale Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary which is situated in Beragala close to Haputale. The bird sanctuary is situated in an off the beaten path in Thangamale, which is also known as the ‘Golden Mountain’, and is part of the Glennanore Tea Estate. Comprising of 131 hectares it was designated as a protected area in the year 1938. It is more of a highland forest consisting of a walking track and amazing views at the top.
