Ella is a hillside town in Sri Lankas central highlands famous for its tea plantations dramatic mountain views and epic hiking trails.
Here is a guide to the places to visit in Ella and how to plan the world-famous Ella train trip:
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## Top Places to Visit
* Nine Arch Bridge: Located between Ella and Demodara stations this bridge was built from stone, brick and cement without steel. It is the spot to photograph trains passing through lush tea fields.
* Adam’s Peak: You can hike to Little Adam’s Peak in about 30 to 45 minutes through tea estates. The peak offers 360-degree views of the Ella Gap without being too hard.
Also
* Ella Rock: Ella Rock is a bit harder to climb. It is worth it. The hike takes about 3 to 4 hours. It takes you along railway tracks through high-grass forests and up to a cliffside with great valley views.
And
* Ravana Falls: Ella Ravana Falls is a 25-meter-high waterfall located right next to the main Ella-Wellawaya road. It is easy to get to and looks amazing.
* Demodara Loop: Demodara Loop is a piece of engineering where the railway track loops around a mountain and passes underneath itself through a tunnel.
As well as
* Flying Ravana Zipline: Flying Ravana Zipline is a fun attraction near Little Adam’s Peak. It has a kilometer-long zipline, ATV rides and abseiling.
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## The Train Trip
The train ride between Kandy and Ella is one of the scenic train journeys in the world.
## 1. Main Train Schedule (From Kandy to Ella)
The journey takes about 6 to 7.5 hours. If you take a morning train you can see the views during the day.
* 08:47 AM – The train leaves Kandy. Arrives in Ella at 03:39 PM.
* 09:40 AM – There is a luxury tourist train called Ella Odyssey that stops at nice places like the Nine Arch Bridge so you can take photos.
And
* 11:10 AM – The train leaves Kandy. Arrives in Ella at 05:00 PM.
You can also take a train from Colombo Fort at 05:55 AM. 08:30 AM every day.
## 2. Ticket. Bookings for Ella trip
| Class | Features | Booking Info
1st Class | This class has air conditioning. Is very comfortable. The seats are fixed. | You have to book this class up to 32 days in advance via the Sri Lanka Railways website. The windows and doors stay shut which can make it hard to take photos. |
2Nd Class (Reserved) | This class has fans and open windows and doors. The seats are fixed. | This is the popular choice for travelers. It is great for taking photos and getting some air. You need to book this class in advance. |
And
3Rd Class (Unreserved) | This class is very cheap. It is crowded and you have to share benches. | You do not need to book this class in advance. You can buy a ticket at the station on the day you travel.. It can be hard to find a seat. |
