Ella

Rich in biological richness, the region is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. Hills covered in cloud forests and tea plantations encircle Ella. Due to its elevation, the town experiences a colder climate than the lowlands around. Views across Sri Lanka’s southern plains are possible from the Ella Gap. Even the light from the lighthouses along the southern coast can be seen on a beautiful morning.

Via rail. Ella is at the terminus of the railroad line that winds through the Hill Country, a few stops from Badulla. From here, trains travel to Kandy and Colombo. The vistas are breathtaking, and the prices for second and third class are absurdly low. Since the trains from Badulla are normally rather full until they reach Nanu Oya, finding a seat in second or third class when traveling to Colombo or Kandy is rarely a problem. Going up to Ella, on the other hand, is the opposite, and it may get pretty packed up until the last two or three hours of the trip. Ella’s train station is charmingly little. Train travel is a popular way for visitors to reach ella.

Buses travel along the road through Ella Gap to Wellawaya, where they can be changed for a number of locations in the island’s south.

Most of the year, the weather is typical of the high Hill Country, with a hot sun by noon and a comfortable air temperature. In the late afternoon, it frequently rains, but briefly. At night, a sweater or lightweight jacket is required. It can rain a lot in December.

In Ella itself, there are only a few tiny stores and bars/restaurants, so there isn’t much to do. In essence, it serves as a comfortable home base from which to explore the region nearby.