She is one of the three important destinations within the Highlands of Sri Lanka. We already knew Haputale, which we loved, so it was time to meet the other ... meet her. Nuwara Eliya, the third in discord, will remain for the future.
| She
She is a small town about 1,000 meters high surrounded by tea plantations and mountains. It is really just a street full of restaurants for tourists, the occasional little store, a bank, the train stations and little else. Let's say you have managed to transform yourself to be a meeting place for backpackers who are looking for the cool mountain climate, a handful of interesting excursions and, above all, relax.
| Train from Kandy to Ella
As beautiful or more than she herself is the journey to arrive. They claim to be one of the most beautiful train routes in the world, we cannot disagree. This was our second time that we made the Highlands journey by train from Kandy and we enjoyed it as much as the first time, although this last one we did in our seat, without having to fight for a piece of soil where to seat our ass ... See Life going at cruising speed from the window of this train is one of the things we take from this wonderful country.
| Excursions
In itself in the town there is nothing to visit, but in the surroundings. It is time to put on your boots (or sneakers if you are not one of those who carry the Chiruca) and kick! There are three places that you cannot miss in Her:
1. Little Adams Peak.
The names that put the places to attract tourists ... like the Diablo Pools or the Niagara Falls (both in New Zealand) are famous. In this case, the "Little Adams Peak", for those who do not know, the Adams Peak is a mountain revered by locals, who go on pilgrimage to the top at least once in their life. And it must be death!
Well, the Little Adams Peak (or Little Sri Pada) is a mountain near Ella from where there are beautiful views. The climb is not complicated, first you have to take the turn to the left in Ella Junction, following the market street. Walk about 1 km down the road and take a turn to the right. You take a dirt road that crosses tea plantations for another 500 meters to a new turn to the right. From here it starts to climb a little more. The last part is the most complicated, with a path on the hillside that leads to the top. In total there are about 45 minutes of walking.
But they are completely worth it, although the tea plantations that are crossed are not as spectacular as those of Haputale, the views from there are spectacular. If the clouds allow it, you will see the imposing Ella Rock, and under the Rawana Falls. One last!
2. Ella Rock
If Little Adams Peak can be considered the entree, Ella Rock is the main course. To finish your ascent you have to go a little more prepared and mentalized. I suffered in my own flesh ... I tell you in more detail in the article "Sucumbo before Ella Rock". Needless to say, I DID NOT get to the top ... but almost!
Calculate about 4 hours of walking and leave early!
3. Rawana falls
The Rawana waterfalls are quite impressive, but nothing to do with the Bambaracanda in Haputale, where you can bathe, picnic nearby, and even attend a concert of local youths making bottles. Rawana Falls can only be seen from the road, take a few photos and little else. Well, you can always stop to buy a souvenir or snacks at the market that they have set up for the occasion. They are on Ella's route to Wellawaya. To get there you have two options (or three ... but just walk!), Take a bus from the Ella Junction that goes in that direction and stop there, it has no loss, you will see them from the window on the right side, or In Tuctuc, we pay 600 rupees from the crossing of Little Adams Peak to the waterfalls and return to the village.
| USEFUL INFO
- How to get to Ella from Kandy by train: This route is the most tourist of all and they say one of the most beautiful in the world! It may be true, the train travels high steps, between mountain villages and tea plantations. Very pretty! You can find the schedules here. We booked two days in advance in third class and it cost us 400 rupees per person. It takes 6 hours and a half. Basically these are the schedules and prices:
- Departure times from Kandy to Badulla: 08:47 and 11:10
- Prices: first class: 1,250 RS / second class: 600 RS / third class: 400 RS
- Where to sleep in Ella: We did it at the Summer Villa for $ 15 a night in a private room with a bathroom. It is in the village, near the police station and is highly recommended, especially for the attention of the boy and his mother. It is a new accommodation and maybe the price will rise somewhat in the future. I hope they do very well!
- Where to eat in Ella: There are many places like western food and local curries. We tried the Jade Green Tea Center and Restaurant and we didn't want to try more! Although it takes a little while to serve the food is simply delicious! Of course, if you choose pasta ask not to put pepper!
