Diyaluma Falls tour from Ella: Waterfall swim experience

A morning hike to a waterfall most visitors never reach

A five-hour day trip from Ella to Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka's second-highest waterfall, with a local English-speaking guide, private transport, lunch and entrance fee included. The tour follows a short hike through Koslanda rainforest to the falls, where you swim in natural pools at the base and pause at Ravana Falls on the return journey. Travel time to and from Ella is about three hours round-trip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Diyaluma Falls and surroundings

• Hike to Diyaluma Falls
• Swim in natural pools
• Enjoy lunch
• Visit Ravana Falls

The experience

Five hours sounds like a full day, but most of that is the drive from Ella to the Koslanda rainforest and back. The actual time at Diyaluma Falls (the hike in, the swim, the time to sit by the water) is compressed into the middle of the tour, which means you leave early and return with afternoon still ahead. The waterfall stands 220 meters high, the second tallest in Sri Lanka, and the pools at its base are deep enough to swim in properly, not just wade.

Your guide meets you in Ella and handles the drive in a private vehicle. Bottled water comes with you. The hike to the falls is short, which is why the tour fits into a single morning and early afternoon. Along the way, the sound of water builds as you move through the forest. Ravana Falls breaks up the return journey: another waterfall, smaller, where the mist hits differently and the pace slows. Lunch happens after you've swum and changed, so you eat without rushing.

The entrance fee and lunch are both included, so the only thing to arrange is showing up at your hotel or accommodation in Ella at the start time. Bring a towel and swimwear under your clothes. The pools are cold and clear.

What’s included

• Private transport from Ella.
• local English-speaking guide.
• entrance fee to Diyaluma Falls.
• bottled water.
• lunch.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 to 75 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ella Holidays

Is this one for you?The five-hour commitment is mostly travel, so book this tour if you have a full morning free but want to be back in Ella by early afternoon. If you need a shorter outing or plan to explore Ella itself later the same day, the long drive time will eat into your schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Ravana Falls and why do we stop there?

Ravana Falls is a second waterfall in the Ella region where the tour pauses on the return journey. It gives you a chance to rest, feel the mist from the cascading water, and experience a different part of the rainforest before heading back to Ella.

Can I swim at Diyaluma Falls, or is it just for looking?

You can swim in the natural pools at the base of Diyaluma Falls. The pools are deep enough for a proper swim, and the water is refreshing. Bring swimwear and plan to get wet.

What does the five-hour tour include?

The tour includes private transport from Ella, a local English-speaking guide, entrance to the falls, bottled water, and lunch. You do not pay separately for any of these.

Is the three-hour travel time included in the five hours, or is it extra?

The three hours of travel time to and from Ella is part of the five-hour total. That means the time actually spent at the falls and at Ravana Falls is shorter than the full tour length.