Sri Lanka
Iconic sights and great food
Your first day is dedicated to the most famous sights in Ella. From the iconic Nine Arch Bridge to a scenic train ride, get ready for a day full of exploration!
Start your day with a mesmerizing sunrise hike to Little Adam’s Peak
Kickstart your Ella adventure with a breathtaking sunrise hike to Little Adam’s Peak. This pretty straightforward hike will reward you with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. What makes all of this even better is that you will see the colors change over the valley around you as the sun comes up. This was actually one of the most surreal sunrises we’ve seen during our time in Sri Lanka. And, unlike its larger counterpart Adam’s Peak, this hike is more manageable, which makes it ideal for travelers seeking awe-inspiring vistas with minimal effort. Yes, we’re talking about ourselves! ;-)
Hop on your scooter for a 15-minute ride to your second stop of the day.
Marvel at the architectural wonder of Nine Arch Bridge
Next on your itinerary is a visit to the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, an architectural wonder surrounded by lush greenery. We’ll tell you right away: you have to arrive early to avoid the crowds. We spent a little too long admiring Little Adam’s Peak and arrived around 7 AM, and the place was already packed. Luckily there are countless beautiful photo spots here, and “waiting times” for when a spot opens up are very acceptable. The fun part about Nine Arch Bridge, apart from taking amazing photos, is that you have to walk on some muddy paths and do a little trackwalking to get here. So cool! Expect to spend at least one hour here, even longer if you want to have a complete photoshoot or if you’re waiting for a train to pass by ;-)
Only 10 minutes until breakfast!
Time for a delicious breakfast at Café Chill
After a morning of exploration, treat yourself to a scrumptious breakfast at Café Chill. This popular eatery is known for its diverse menu and relaxed ambiance, although the quality is top notch, too. The best part about coming here for breakfast is that you won’t have to make a reservation - the opposite is true if you want to come here for dinner. The people here are so friendly and helpful, and the menu is really great. Our favorite breakfast dish (after coming here multiple times) is definitely the Sri Lankan twist on shakshuka, so full of flavor! You also can’t go wrong with a pot of tea ;-)
Time to head to the train station, only 2 minutes away!
Hop on a scenic train ride to Demodara
Experience the charm of Sri Lanka's railway system with a picturesque train journey from Ella to Demodara. Every one that’s planning on visiting Sri Lanka has dreamed about this moment, and now your time has come! Marvel at the landscapes and lush rice fields passing by as you relax aboard the train. This route is less crowded than the “usual suspects”, so you won’t have a problem finding a seat for you to sit, or a doorway free for you to hang out of. Don't forget to have your camera ready, as the train traverses Ella’s most iconic spot. Check the secret tip to see what we are talking about ;-)
Get a tuktuk ride from Demodara Railway Station to your last destination. For reference, we paid 1500 LKR (€ 4,50) to get there ;-)
Dinner at The Barn by Starbeans
End your day with a memorable dining experience at The Barn by Starbeans, a charming establishment renowned for its fantastic cocktails and wood-fired pizzas. And don’t forget about the amazing staff! We visited this place almost every day during our time in Ella, after just 2 visits they recognized our faces and made sure we got an amazing seat every time. Perks of being a regular, we guess ;-)
