Ella 5 Icons Day Tour: Hike Ella Rock and Nine Arch Bridge

Five of Ella's signature hikes and viewpoints in a single day, with a guide who knows the terrain

A full-day private tour from Ella village covering five iconic landmarks: Ella Rock (a 4-hour round-trip hike with panoramic views), Rawana Falls (a 25-meter cascade in the wildlife sanctuary), the Nine Arch Bridge (a colonial-era railway viaduct), Mini Adams Peak (a walk through tea plantations with 360-degree views), and the Demodara Loop (a spiral railway line and tunnel). Your guide handles navigation and timing. Transport, lunch, water and tea are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ella's iconic sights

• Hike Ella Rock with panoramic views
• Visit Rawana Waterfall
• See Nine Arch Bridge
• Climb Little Adams Peak
• Explore Demodara Railway Station and Loop

What’s included

• Private transportation between all five sites.
• services of an English-speaking guide.
• bottled water and tea or coffee.
• lunch and snacks.
• all entrance fees and taxes.
• pickup from your Ella accommodation.

Times

• Every day 08:00

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Before you book

Group Private

Live guide English

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

Book up to 3h before

Ages Adult (6 to 80 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Infant seats available Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Ella Excursions Tours

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

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The experience

Ella Rock anchors the day. The hike climbs 4 hours round-trip from Ella train station, passing a waterfall, rubber tree forest and tea plantations on the way up. The summit opens onto panoramic views, especially in early morning or late evening when mist covers the highlands. The path can turn slippery in rain, so footwear matters, but the climb is manageable for most fitness levels.

The other four stops fill the gaps between. Rawana Falls drops 25 meters from a concave rock face and sits 8 kilometers from Ella railway station within the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary. The flow changes dramatically between wet and dry seasons. The Nine Arch Bridge, built in 1923 and located in Demodara between Ella and Demodara stations, is a concrete railway viaduct designed by colonial engineers: one of the finest examples of that era's construction in Sri Lanka. Mini Adams Peak (1,141 meters high, also called Punchi Sri Pada) requires a walk through lush tea plantations and paddy fields. The panoramic views reward a morning visit when clouds roll in. The Demodara Loop, the only spiral railway loop in the world with a station directly above its tunnel, sits 8 kilometers from Badulla. The rail line curves around itself for 900 meters with a 320-meter tunnel running beneath the station.

Your guide leads the route and manages the day's pacing. Transport between sites, bottled water, lunch and tea or coffee are all arranged. The tour runs 8 hours total, starting from your accommodation in Ella village with pickup included.

Top questions

How long does the hike up Ella Rock actually take?

Ella Rock takes 4 hours round-trip from the train station. The ascent passes through a waterfall, rubber forest and tea plantations, and the descent follows the same route. On rainy days the path becomes slippery, so sturdy footwear helps.

What is the Nine Arch Bridge and why is it famous?

The Nine Arch Bridge is a concrete railway viaduct built in 1923 in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara stations. It is one of the finest examples of colonial-era railway construction in Sri Lanka, designed by British and Ceylonese engineers and notable for its architectural ingenuity and the green landscape surrounding it.

Is Mini Adams Peak a difficult walk?

Mini Adams Peak (1,141 meters) is a walk through tea plantations, waterfalls and paddy fields rather than a steep climb. It offers 360-degree panoramic views and is best visited in the morning when clouds roll in. The walk is suitable for most fitness levels.

What makes the Demodara Loop unique?

The Demodara Loop is the only spiral railway loop in the world with a railway station situated directly above its tunnel. The rail line curves around itself for 900 meters, with a 320-meter tunnel running beneath Demodara station, located 8 kilometers from Badulla.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes private transportation between all five sites, an English-speaking guide, bottled water, lunch, snacks, tea or coffee, and all fees and taxes. Pickup from your Ella accommodation is included.

Can children and infants join this tour?

Infants and small children can participate. They can ride in a pram or stroller, or sit on an adult's lap. Specialized infant seats are available. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to the hiking involved.