Ella Sri Lanka: Day Tours from Sunnyside Bungalow
| Sunnyside
is centrally located to the following day tours:
Ella Gap: 3-5 minutes
drive from Sunnyside. Overlooks a spectacular gap in
the southern mountain wall where the land falls away in a
scenic drop of 3,000 feet to the southern plains and the sea. You
can drive over to the Grand Ella Motel (formerly, the Ella
Rest House) or Ambiente which is situated in a commanding
location in Ella, Sri Lanka. For a well written essay on the
Ella Gap, visit 'Elle
Gap', a place to reconnect with nature by Daniel R. Rauchman
Rawana Ella: 10 minutes
drive from Sunnyside. A beautiful natural wonder associated
with legend is the Rawana Ella (Ravana Falls) located near
the village of Udunuwara on the Ella-Wellawaya Road. A cave
("cave of gold") hidden behind the falls is believed
to be one of several places where Rawana hid his lovely Indian
Princess Sita after abducting her.
Bandarawela Town: 15 minutes
drive from Sunnyside. Like the town of Ella, Bandarawela
is also reputed as a health resort in Sri Lanka due to its
mild, dry and cool climate. |
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Hiking and Mountaineering:
Ella is surrounded with beautiful rocks and mountains. So
if you are into hiking and mountaineering, you can enjoy
some of the most spectacular views of Sri Lanka. |
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Diyaluma
Falls: Sri Lanka's second highest perennial
waterfall at 560 ft. Situated near Koslanda, beside the
main highway to Wellawaya.
Bogoda Bridge: 40 minutes
drive from Sunnyside. The only roofed 16th century Kandyan
bridge left in Sri Lanka. Constructed entirely of wood
with massive tree trunks for buttresses. No nails have
been used in the construction.
Namunukula Peak: 6,617
feet in height. This is Sri Lanka's 6th highest peak. Its
distinctive nine peaked silhouette dominates Badulla and is
visible from many parts of the district.
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Demodara
Nine Arch Bridge: 20 minutes drive from Sunnyside. This
beautiful and amazing bridge was built between the two railway stations
- Ella and Demodara during the British Colonial period. The 99.6ft
high bridge is known in Sinhala as "Ahas namaye palama"
(Nine skies bridge). Read more, in Sri Lanka English, an interesting
article on the Demodera
nine arch bridge.
Demodara Railway Loop: 15 minutes
drive from Sunnyside. The railway loop was designed and built during
the British Colonial period in the shape of a turban, this railroad
loop is a unique feature in the hill country. The rail track goes
around the mountain in a loop and through a tunnel beneath the Demodara
Railway Station.
Dunhinda Falls: 60 minutes drive
from Sunnyside. One of the country’s most renowned waterfalls
is Dunhinda, on the Mahiyanganaya Road, about 5 km from Badulla. Flowing
from Badulu Oya, the 210 feet high Dunhinda, is surrounded by mountains
and jungle. It is truly an enchanting sight from a distance. Note: the
walk to the site may be unpleasant on certain days of the year!
| Tea gardens: Sunnyside
is surrounded by a tea estate named Kinellan. Here’s
a chance to see and buy fresh “Ceylon Tea”. You
can visit a tea factory in Ella and see for yourselves the manufacturing
process of tea.
Lipton's Seat, St. Catherine's Seat
and Pilkinton Point: Situated in the Poonagala
hills with breathtaking and panoramic views.
Mini World's End: Similar
to the World's End situated in Horton Plains. The access
is via Passara and about 42 kms on the highway through the
Madhowa and Kokagala tea plantations.
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| Yala
National Park: 3 hours drive from Sunnyside. Yala
is a vast protected area on the south-east coast of Sri Lanka.
The park is classical safari terrain, with open areas of dry
scrub, interspersed with wooded lagoons. The park has a large
elephant population. One may also see Leopard, Bear, Spotted
Deer, Sambhur, Wild Boar, Water Buffaloes, Crocodiles, Soft
Terrapins and Land Monitors. Among the birds: Painted Stork,
Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Indian Peafowl, Grey-headed Fish Eagle,
Pintail Snipe, Pied Cuckoo, Common Hoopoe, Malabar Pied Hornbill,
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, White-browed Fantail, Crested Treeswift,
Baya Weaver etc. |
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| Arugam
Bay: 4 hours drive from Sunnyside. Arugambay
is renowned as the world's top ten surf locations, situated
on the east coast of Sri Lanka. If you are into wind-surfing,
rafting, fishing and swimming, Arugambay is the place for
you.
The closest town is Pottuvil, and it is
within easy reach to the Yala and Lahugala National Parks.
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