Ella is one of the most picturesque parts of Sri Lanka’s tea-covered hills. The town is relaxed and peaceful, and its high elevation affords glorious views over the surrounding mountain peaks – on a clear day, you can see the sea of the south coast glinting on the horizon at the Ella Gap. This glorious landscape is best enjoyed on foot – go on gentle strolls through the extensive tea plantations, passing tea pluckers and local villages, or challenge yourself by climbing the short but steep steps of Little Adam’s Peak, or by hiking up Ella Rock – you will be rewarded with sensational views at the top.

There are many other things to do in Ella, including mountain biking and visiting the nearby Ravana Falls, a waterfall located just out of the centre which is the setting for a fascinating piece of local folklore involving King Ravana. You could also visit a nearby tea factory and learn about the manufacture of the plant which changed the face of Sri Lanka’s hill country forever. The best way to get to Ella is by taking the train from Kandy – sit back as the train winds ever-higher through the hills and gaze out at the spectacular scenery flashing by.