Little Adam's Peak, Nine Arches Bridge & Waterfalls Tour Ella

Nine Arches Bridge

The Nine Arches Bridge, between Ella and Demodara stations on the main hill-country railway, is one of the most photographed sights in Sri Lanka. Completed around 1921 during the British colonial period, it curves across a jungle ravine on nine tall arches of stone, brick and cement, about 90 metres long and some 24 metres high, and local stories say it was built without steel.

A short walk from the road leads down to the bridge through the trees. Most visitors spend 30 to 45 minutes taking photos from the viewpoint café terraces or along the tracks, and the moment a blue train rolls slowly over the arches is the one everybody waits for. If you are wondering how to get to the Nine Arches Bridge without a long hike, the tuk-tuk takes you to the closest access point.

Little Adam's Peak

Little Adam's Peak, at about 1,141 metres, is named for its resemblance to the sacred Adam's Peak further west. The trail starts near the Ella–Passara road and climbs gently through a tea estate before a final set of steps leads to the summit ridge, a walk of about 45 minutes each way at an easy pace.

From the top, the views open over the Ella Gap, the plains far below and the bulk of Ella Rock opposite. Is the Little Adam's Peak hike worth it? For most visitors it is the best view in Ella for the least effort, and the morning light on the tea bushes is especially lovely. Wear shoes with good grip, carry water and take a hat, as there is little shade near the top.

Ravana Waterfall

Ravana Waterfall lies about six kilometres from Ella beside the road to Wellawaya. It drops roughly 25 metres over a wide face of layered rock, and in the rainy months it becomes a thundering curtain of white water. The falls are named after the legendary king Ravana of the Ramayana epic, and local tradition links the caves in the surrounding hills to the same story.

You can view the falls from the roadside and climb onto the lower rocks for a closer look and photos, which takes about 30 minutes. The rocks can be slippery, so take care, and keep an eye on the monkeys that wait for snacks from visitors.

Nil Diya Pokuna Cave or Pallewela Waterfall

For the fourth stop you choose between two very different experiences. Nil Diya Pokuna is a cave in the hills near Ella that leads down to an underground pool of clear, blue water, an unusual natural sight that feels like a secret world beneath the forest. The descent is narrow in places, and a separate entrance fee is paid at the site.

Alternatively, Pallewela Waterfall is a secluded cascade reached by a short walk and gentle hike through lush greenery, ideal if you prefer nature, quiet and fewer people. On the gentler tea-factory option, this stop is replaced by a visit to a local factory where you see how Ceylon tea is withered, rolled, dried and graded, with a cup of freshly brewed tea.

The Secret Waterfall and Ella's tea country

The day ends at a Secret Waterfall hidden away from the main tourist trail, where clear water spills into rock pools surrounded by jungle. It is a peaceful place to rest after the hike, and depending on the water level and conditions you can take a refreshing swim, so pack swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes.

Throughout the day, the tuk-tuk rides between stops, each about 15 to 25 minutes, carry you along winding hill roads through the tea plantations of the Uva region, famous for bright, aromatic teas. The best time to visit Ella is from January to April, when skies are clearer, though the waterfalls are at their most powerful after the rains.