Fans of the outdoors and of walking will be enchanted by Sri Lanka which has one of the biggest diversities in the world in terms of preserved natural spaces. From the top of a mountain peak reaching over 2000 metres high to the wild plains covered in jungle, go off to explore in the heart of the country's national parks.

Sri Lanka’s Natural Paradise

Ella is one of the most charming mountain stopovers in Sri Lanka. Not so much the village itself as its surroundings. Ella has one main road where you find most of the village's activities. In less than 10 minutes you are in the heart of Sri Lanka's mountains, surrounded by nature and in the middle of the tea plantations.

Ella’s Tea Plantations

Whether you are passionate about history or nature you can't help but be charmed by Sigiriya and its surroundings. You'll climb back into time and history as you climb the steps of the Lion Rock. At the end of the day, enjoy the sunset over the magnificent countryside of the plains.

Sigiriya’s Lion Rock

A lots less busy than the beaches in the south, the east coast of Sri Lanka guarantees you a stay off the beaten path. Long beaches that are almost empty most of the year, and an island where you can swim with sharks.

Golden Sand Paradise: Uppuveli and Nilaveli

Sigiriya

Anuradhapura

Yala National Park

Haputale

The favourite place of backpackers in Sri Lanka: Ella.

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During a <a href="/sri-lanka/">tour of Sri Lanka</a>, &lt; spend a couple of days in Ella. This little village in the mountains will be liked by fans of hiking, and is worth the detour, even if you don't ascend Little Adam's Peak. I found a marvellous view of the tea plantations, the growers on the terraces and the geological fault of Ella Gap. It was such a clear day that I could even make out the glimmer of a lighthouse on the coast as night fell, 70km to the south. I really appreciated the calm in this region: the singing of the birds and the calls of the frogs. I also liked to walk round the magnificent waterfalls that are scattered around in different places.

There's no denying it: there really isn't much to do in Ella. This village-like town, with the beaches of Sri Lanka's south, the tea plantations around Nuwara Eliya, and Horton Plains National Park lying close by around it serves mainly as a place to go to spend a short stay in the mountains.It's a popular place with hikers, with the main attraction around Ella being the ascension of Little Adam’s Peak, which can be seen from Ella as the town lies facing it.What I personally liked was the peace and calm that reigns in the streets here, and the cool freshness of the green mountains. It's very relaxing. It turned out to be quite a short stay, perhaps because of the aforementioned peace and calm: I was worried I might get too used to it.The main reason I went to Ella was to take the train to Nuwara Eliya. This train journey is one of the things you really must experience when visiting Sri Lanka in my opinion. It provides a chance to mingle with the locals, with this mode of transport preferable to a bus journey along winding, sinuous roads. But above all, it provides the opportunity to admire the superb scenery between Ella and Nanu Oya railway station, a trip that takes you through the mountains, forests and tea plantations of Central Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

Ella is a sleepy little town lying lost amongst the mountains. It serves mainly as the starting point for the ascension of Little Adam's Peak, which is located close by.

Ella Vacations

Ella: How to get there?

Ella: When to go?

Ella: For how long?

Ella: What to see in the surroundings?

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