Ella’s Tea Plantations

1. Tea plantations

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To get to the path which leads to Adam's Peak you have to go down Passara Road to the bottom of the town and then follow the road for a few hundred metres. It's a pleasant walk and can easily be done in less than half a day. On the left of a small garden centre, take the road which leads to the highest hill in the area. There is a sign that shows you the direction to Adam's Peak. The walk takes one and a half hours. The path crosses a lot of tea plantations and has an impressive panoramic view over the valley and the Kirindi Oya river.

Whilst you are walking, you will probably meet some of the tea workers, who will be happy to stop their work, meet you, and let you photograph them. You will also probably bump into an old man selling jewellery made from seeds. He is famous in the region, as you can see from his visitors' book, which he will insist that you read. Keep walking up the path towards the summit and soon enough you will reach Adam's Peak. If the weather is clear you will have a view of the surroundings - the tea plantations, the hills and the breathtaking waterfalls. 

2. Ravana waterfalls

You can walk to the Ravana waterfalls, which are about 5 kilometres from the village of Ella, and are the most impressive in the country. From Ella, take route 23 towards Wellawaya. Be very careful, because there isn't a pavement and there's often a lot of traffic on the road. After about an hour's walking you will see the waterfalls on your right. You can also reach them by bus which goes to Wellawaya. The Ravana waterfalls are one of those magnificent places which tourists often pass by. The waterfalls are mostly visited by Sri Lankans. If you're looking for a trip off the beaten path, you're in the right place. The waterfalls are more than 20 metres high and pour out of the mountain through impressive, dark rocks. If the weather allows, you can take a dip in one of the natural pools at the foot of the waterfalls.