Sri Lanka · TOURS IN ELLA

Ella Tours: 15 Walks, Trains and Kitchens Worth Booking

27 tours  ·  from $10 a head

Ella is a one-street town with a railway bridge, two climbable hills and a waterfall at each end. These 15 sort the sunrise walks up Little Adam's Peak and Ella Rock, the cooking classes, the tea estates and the safari runs down to Yala.

Ella: Traditional Sri Lankan Cooking Class - What the two-hour Ella class is really like
Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella

Ella: Traditional Sri Lankan Cooking Class

1.Traditional Sri Lankan Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 788 reviews · 2 hours · from $19Our pick

At Chamathka Cooking Class in Ella, Ranjani guides a small group through traditional Sri Lankan cooking in an open-air kitchen. You may prepare curry, dhal, sambol, hoppers, string hoppers, or honey roti, while learning about spices, health benefits, and old-style techniques. The two-hour class ends with a shared meal served on banana leaves, with recipes sent through WhatsApp.

“It was a truly amazing experience. You cook in a very traditional way - which is not only super interesting to experience - but also extremely tasty! It was honestly the best meal I had during my trip in both India and Sri Lanka. Alone for the food it was worth it - but the whole class was really fun and good to socialize.”

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ELLA: Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Tour - The early start from Ella
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Ella: Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Tour

2.Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 518 reviews · 3 - 9 hours · from $10Best value

Leave Ella before dawn or at noon, ride through Yala in a shared open-sided 4x4, and look for leopards, elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, sloth bears, and birds. Guides such as Sasanka, Dilan, Ishan, and Chathura are praised for spotting wildlife. Your air-conditioned shared car then continues toward Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Weligama, or Galle.

“We were verry happy, Dilan was our driver, he was amazing. We saw all the animals, lots of elephants and even a leopard. Can only reccommend.”

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Ella: Little Adam's Peak, Nine Arches Bridge & Waterfalls - Little Adam’s Peak gives you the first big view
Hill Country Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Waterfall Tours

Ella: Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arches Bridge & Waterfalls

3.Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arches Bridge & Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 402 reviews · 6 hours · from $37

Spend six active hours touring Ella by tuk tuk with an English-speaking local guide. You’ll hike Little Adam’s Peak, photograph Nine Arches Bridge, visit Ravana Waterfall, and walk to Pallewela and Secret Waterfalls. Guides such as Jegan, Sanka, Sugala, Thela, and Ragu are praised for careful driving, local insight, and excellent photos.

“Thela was an excellent guide and driver! He took us to all the most amazing places - Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, and several waterfalls - while sharing lots of useful and interesting info about Sri Lanka. Despite the pouring rain - or rather because of it - the nature was so vibrant and spectacular. Would highly recommend!”

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ELLA: Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Tour - The early start from Ella
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ELLA: Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Tour

4.Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 336 reviews · from $35

Travel from Ella, Haputale, or Bandarawela to the south coast, stopping at Yala National Park for a jeep safari. Guides such as Sasanka, Tikiri, Muthu, and Yashara are known for spotting hard-to-see wildlife. You may see elephants, leopards, crocodiles, buffalo, monkeys, and birds before continuing to Tangalle, Mirissa, Galle, or nearby towns.

“Janaka was our driver and a terrific guide. He made sure that we get to see a leopard before we leave Yala. It was a smooth and safe ride from Ella to Ayala and then to Mirissa. Thank you for this tour!!! Sri Lanka experience is complete with this leopard sighting in Yala”

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From Ella: Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa & Yala Safari - What the day looks like from Ella
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From Ella: Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa & Yala Safari

5.Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa & Yala Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 296 reviews · 4 - 10 hours · from $11

Travel from Ella by air-conditioned vehicle, pause for a three-hour open-jeep safari in Yala National Park, then continue to Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Galle and nearby towns. Guides including Sasanka, Dilan, Ishan and Tikiri are praised for spotting wildlife and explaining what you see. Park entry costs extra.

“We had a great safari with our lovely guide Sasanka! He was very knowledgeable and tried to show us as many animals as possible despite it being dry season. Highly recommend!!”

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Ella: Sri Lankan Cooking Class with Neranji at Homestay - What you cook during the two to three hours
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Ella: Sri Lankan Cooking Class with Neranji at Homestay

6.Sri Lankan Cooking Class with Neranji at Homestay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 276 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $19Top rated

Join Neranji in her home kitchen in Ella for a 2 to 3 hour, hands-on lesson in Sri Lankan cooking. Prepare seasonal curries, dhal, sambols, salads, papadom, or coconut roti, learn old and modern methods, eat what you make, and take home recipes and spices. Groups are limited to 10.

“A fantastic evening. The cookery demonstration was excellent and the food was superb. Neranji explained everything well and involved the group to produce a beautiful feast.”

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Ella : Cooking class with amazing Spice Garden Tour - Meeting the family team in Ella
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Ella : Cooking class with amazing Spice Garden Tour

7.Cooking class with amazing Spice Garden Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 239 reviews · 4 hours · from $32

Spend four hours with the family team at Ella Nine Arch Spice Garden. Guide Sam or Senaka may lead you through 2.5 acres of spices, fruit, and medicinal plants before a hands-on class with Nalini or another local chef. Make coconut milk, curries, sambol, banana chips, rice, and papadam, then take home the recipes.

“If you have the opportunity to take this class, take this class! Between the tour of the Spice Garden, the cooking with an incredible chef, the small class size, and more food than you will ever be able to eat, hands-down, the best way to spend four hours.”

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From Ella: Yala Safari with Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle Drop-off - The early pickup from Ella
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From Ella: Yala Safari with Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle Drop-off

8.Yala Safari with Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle Drop-off

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 198 reviews · 9 hours · from $10

Travel from Ella to Yala National Park by air-conditioned car, spend about four hours in a 4x4 jeep with an English-speaking guide, then continue to Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Unawatuna, or Galle. Guides such as Isuru, Kavee, Srimal, and Chutte are praised for spotting wildlife, including leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and birds.

“the transfer war smooth and the safari was amazing! Our guide/driver Isuru explained us everything about Yala park and the animals we were seeing. He was very attentive and despite he was driving he managed to spot a lot of fauna for us! We even see a leopard and a sloth bear (incredibly). The park was crowded at the entrance, but inside is so big that you will barely see other jeeps around. Absolutely worthy, I would definitely book it again”

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Ella: Ella Rock, 9 Arch, Little Adams Peak, & Waterfall Tour - Ravana Falls starts the day with water and folklore
Hill Country Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Ella, Waterfall Tours

Ella: Ella Rock, 9 Arch, Little Adams Peak, & Waterfall Tour

9.Ella Rock, 9 Arch, Little Adams Peak, & Waterfall Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 190 reviews · 1 day · from $34

Spend about 10 hours exploring Ella by tuk-tuk or scooter with an English-speaking guide such as Nuwan or Chathura. Hike Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak, visit Ravana Falls and Nine Arch Bridge, ride the Demodara to Ella train, and add the Calypso train or Flying Ravana zipline for extra cost. Routes can be adjusted to suit your fitness and interests.

“We had an amazing experience with Nuwan during our trip around the Ella area. The tour was perfectly tailored to our needs, well organized, and truly unforgettable. Nuwan is very knowledgeable, kind, and attentive, and made us feel comfortable at every step. On top of that, he took absolutely beautiful photos that will be a lifetime memory for us. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide — highly recommended!”

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Ella: Shuttle to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle w Udawalawe Safari - Switching to the Udawalawe safari jeep
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Udawalawe National Park Safaris

Ella: Shuttle to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle w Udawalawe Safari

10.Shuttle to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle w Udawalawe Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 166 reviews · 7 hours · from $48

Use this Ella to south-coast transfer as a practical wildlife stop. Your air-conditioned vehicle collects you in Ella, then you switch to an open safari jeep for about three hours in Udawalawe National Park. Guides such as Pathum, Koshala, Mahesh, and Manesh are praised for spotting elephants, crocodiles, birds, buffalo, and monkeys before the driver takes you to your hotel.

“Overall, the roadtrip was easy and comfortable, and our driver was lovely and even offered to pause at some sights. The safari was very fun and our guide Manesh was lovely, explaining things to us and pointing things out as we drove along. As a transit from Ella to Tangalle, it was a great bypass, and something I would recommend to anyone interested!”

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From Ella: Yala National Park Safari Tour in a 4x4 - Entering Yala during the golden hours
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From Ella: Yala National Park Safari Tour in a 4×4

11.Yala National Park Safari Tour in a 4×4

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 155 reviews · 8 hours · from $49

You leave Ella before dawn or later in the day, ride two hours to Yala, then join a private 4x4 safari through forests, scrub, grasslands, and lagoons. Guides such as Sasanka, Dilan, Muthu, and Tikiri are praised for spotting leopards and small animals. Expect a long day, a separate cash park fee, and a real chance of seeing elephants and crocodiles.

“What an adventure that was! Very happy with our driver who got us to our 4x4 car was a nice and smooth journey despite early morning! Naja our tour guide at the park was amazing at spotting animals and wanted to make sure we will see as much as we can.”

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Ella Sri Lanka : Mom's Kitchen Cooking class - Meeting Kamala and Irosha
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Ella Sri Lanka : Mom’s Kitchen Cooking class

12.Ella Sri Lanka : Mom’s Kitchen Cooking class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 2 hours · from $20

At Mom’s Kitchen near Ella, Kamala and her daughter Irosha guide you through five or more Sri Lankan dishes in a small outdoor cooking space. You will grind spices, cook over fire and gas, prepare curries and sambol, then sit down to eat what you made. Recipes are shared for cooking at home.

“I booked this cooking course spontaneously on the same day I arrived in Ella, and it turned out to be one of the absolute highlights of my trip. I’ve done several great cooking classes in other countries, but this one was truly special – pure Sri Lankan family-style cooking at its best. The mother and daughter hosting the class were incredibly warm and welcoming, along with their little nephew/grandchild who added even more charm to the experience. They took their time to explain every step, gave us helpful tips, and created such a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere. We laughed a lot and felt completely at home. And the food… just amazing!…”

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Ella Rock & 9 Arch Bridge, Little Adams Peak with Transfer - Walking from Ella Rock toward Nine Arches Bridge
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Ella Rock & 9 Arch Bridge, Little Adams Peak with Transfer

13.Ella Rock & 9 Arch Bridge, Little Adams Peak with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 8 hours · from $50

Spend eight hours hiking Ella’s three best-known sights with a private English-speaking guide. Start early at Ella Rock, walk through tea country and woodland, visit Nine Arches Bridge, stop for local lunch, then climb Little Adam’s Peak. Guides such as Dinu, Pubba, and Madu are known for sharing local plants, wildlife, history, and photo spots.

“Great trip. Poopey was our guide for the day. He was very knowledgeable, kind and an all round lovely guy. We had a great day”

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Ella: Yala Safari with Drop at Tangalle/ Hiriketiya/ Mirissa - Leopards are the headline, but not the whole show
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Ella: Yala Safari with Drop at Tangalle/ Hiriketiya/ Mirissa

14.Yala Safari with Drop at Tangalle/ Hiriketiya/ Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 74 reviews · 9 - 16 hours · from $11

Leave Ella by air-conditioned car, spend about four hours in Yala National Park with an English-speaking guide and 4x4 jeep, then continue to Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Galle, or Hikkaduwa. Expect elephants, crocodiles, deer, birds, and a chance at a leopard, with the LKR 13,000 park ticket paid separately.

“We had a good time and we managed to see all the animals. Our driver was very nice. On the way to the Safari he stopped for us in order to take pictures of the waterfall in Ella. Totally worth it. Thank you again!”

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Ella Cook With Sadamali - Finding the outdoor kitchen on Passara Road
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Ella Cook With Sadamali

15.Ella Cook With Sadamali

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $17

Join Sadamali for a 2.5-hour, small-group cooking class near Ella. You will prepare rice, several curries, and possibly sambol or salad, using clay pots, firewood, and fresh ingredients. Choose dishes to suit your preferred spice level, eat what you make, and take home the recipes.

“Sadamali is a great teacher, she explained things quite thoroughly engaging the whole group whilst patiently accommodating tricky customers. The view from Sadamali's back yard was incredible adding to the experience of making amd cooking the food, which was was delicious. Great experience, I will highly recommend for anyone visiting Ella.”

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