Ella is a small village in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country; in fact, the town center consists of only one main street. Ella used to be a quiet and peaceful village, but due to the recent boom in Sri Lankan tourism, that one main street is now filled with touristic coffee and souvenir shops, as well as having too many other travelers in sight. So at first, I was puzzled by the popularity of this town among travelers. However, I soon found out that the magic of this town lies in the surroundings, which are filled with waterfalls, tea plantations, and excellent walking paths. The sudden increase in tourism has also skyrocketed the attraction entrance fees for foreigners in the country but in Ella, the nature itself is so beautiful that there is no need to pay for additional tourist attractions.
Sleep outside the town centre
As said, the town center Ella is not much of an attraction, so it is worth staying closer to nature, and paying the few extra rupees (less than 5 USD) for the tuk tuk drive to the grocery store. There are plenty of accommodation options available from hotels to home stays, and most of them are in scenic locations. Thus, instead of walking to a viewpoint, you can read a good book, have a cup of tea, and enjoy the view of endless rolling hills and tea plantations. You can see the tuk tuks and buses going up and down the winding roads, but all you can hear is the sound of the wind and waterfalls.
Take a long walk in the clouds
Ella is located 1,041 m (3415 ft) above sea level, which means that you literally have your head in the clouds. It is an experience in itself to walk inside one, when you can only see a few meters ahead of you. What makes the nature exceptionally beautiful here are the colors of all the tropical flowers, and so many different shades of green. It is also worth waking up very early in the morning, just to see the misty mountains clearing up when the sun begins to warm the air. If you are lucky, you will see goats or even a flock of white doves flying across the valley - who knows where they are carrying their messages. And if you miss these animals, most likely you will come across a group of adorably cute school kids! One happy way to start your day.
Hop in the train to another Hill Country destination
When you feel revitalized and ready to move on, hop on the train towards Kandy. It is said that the train ride from Ella to Kandy is one of the most beautiful ones in the world. Not having done all the train rides in the world, that is hard to judge but the scenery along this ride was indeed beautiful. It takes about 6 to7 hours from Ella to Kandy, but once again, you are not in a hurry in the Hill Country. In the train, you can choose between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class - take your pick depending on whether you want to mingle with the locals or other tourists. In the third class, you are at least guaranteed to have interesting conversations with the locals! Alternatively, you can pick a spot on the open doorway and enjoy the best views. And finally, don’t forget to taste the delicious lentil cakes and spicy samosas (puff pastry with spiced potato fillings) that are sold on the train!
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Slow travel
It is very common that travelers rush through places attempting to gain as many experiences as possible, but the surroundings of Ella are so beautiful that one cannot help but to stop and simply enjoy their surroundings. This is, indeed, what you should be doing in Ella - having a cup of tea and letting your mind be free.
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