2-Day Ella Tour: Diyaluma Falls, Horton Plains & Train Ride Review

Okay, so you’re thinking of heading to Ella in Sri Lanka for a whirlwind two-day visit, are you? Like, that sounds pretty awesome! You’re wanting to squeeze in Diyaluma Falls, Horton Plains, plus, like, that really pretty train ride everyone raves about? Well, honestly, that is a tight schedule, but certainly doable, if you plan right. Basically, this review is just here to help you see if this trip is actually right for you. Hopefully it, like, keeps it real about what to expect.

Getting to Ella and Settling In

Very first things first, is that how do you even get to Ella? Commonly, people arrive by train, frequently from Kandy or Nuwara Eliya. The train ride is absolutely famed for being just gorgeous. I mean, totally worth the hype gorgeous. You’ll probably be passing lush tea plantations and just seriously breathtaking mountain views. Pretty much have your camera ready! That is, assuming you’re coming from that direction, you could get a bus or hire a car too it’s almost that simple. Once you reach Ella, check in. It’s generally a good idea to book accommodations ahead, certainly, if you are visiting during peak season. Something that is, like, centrally located really is very convenient for accessing the town’s amenities, not to mention various starting points for your, you know, adventures. I mean, you probably would enjoy a place that has views too, right?

Day 1: Chasing Waterfalls at Diyaluma

You know, start your day relatively early if you want to see Diyaluma Falls. What’s nice is, that it’s Sri Lanka’s second-tallest waterfall, and just, like, picture-perfect. First off, you are going to need transport to get there. More or less, that can be a tuk-tuk or maybe a pre-booked taxi, from Ella. It will be, like, an hour to an hour and a half drive depending on traffic. Diyaluma doesn’t just offer one single view; it is almost like a series of pools and cascades. Honestly, you could easily spend a bunch of hours just exploring various levels of the falls, taking a dip in the natural pools, and snapping photos. Of course, swimming depends on how much water is going on. Sometimes it’s actually pretty dangerous. So too it’s important to be super careful. Perhaps, just as a thought, hiring a local guide. Basically, they just really know the area and can take you to less touristy spots. Like, how cool is that?

Things to know about Diyaluma

Okay, so wear appropriate footwear. Hiking shoes are just perfect since the rocks can be slippery.
In a way, bringing swimwear is a decent idea. It will allow you to take a dip in one of the more safer natural pools, provided the conditions are right.
Actually, respect the local culture. It’s a good idea to dress modestly, especially if you decide to visit any of the religious sites nearby.
By the way, it might sound simple, but do carry water and snacks with you. This part of the countryside is relatively remote, and it is, like, that convenience stores might be difficult to find.

Day 2: Horton Plains and the Scenic Train

Day two is, I believe, going to be really demanding, physically, if you ask me. Arguably, you are combining a visit to Horton Plains National Park with that amazing train ride, I was talking about. So that might be a little too much. Make sure you get up extra early for Horton Plains because it’s really far and best experienced in the morning. As a matter of fact, “World’s End” – it is probably the park’s most famous spot – is often clearest early in the day before the mist rolls in. From Ella, a taxi or tuk-tuk is going to take you around one and a half to two hours to reach the park entrance. Also, remember that there is an entrance fee to the park. So, the hike to World’s End and back, in addition to just wandering around the plains and seeing Baker’s Falls, will probably take around three to four hours. That is, if you’re at a brisk pace.

Catching the Train

First, when you’re done, head back to Ella, and then grab a bite to eat. Then make your way to the train station to catch a train. Basically, trains from Ella towards Kandy or Nuwara Eliya are incredibly scenic, passing through gorgeous landscapes. A great idea is, just booking a second-class ticket, which offers really decent views and is much more affordable than the observation car. Usually the train ride from Ella to, let’s say, Nuwara Eliya, is roughly about three hours. Plus, keep in mind that trains can often be delayed, so you really should factor in some extra time into your plans. Basically, the train could run very late, just so you’re aware.

Accommodation and Food Recommendations

Like your experience can certainly vary depending on where you decide to stay and eat. Obviously, it will make a big difference if you stay at the 98 Acres Resort, versus some tiny guest house. Here’s some general ideas for Ella:

There is lots of guesthouses in Ella offering pretty comfy stays. These places are very affordable too.
Homestays offer not only accommodation but the ability to connect with local families. Similarly to how a local family provides you, like, with great home-cooked meals.
For dining, really you ought to check out some local Sri Lankan curries from smaller restaurants. Very affordable.
Cafe food and drinks? You know, Ella is totally bursting with, you know, tourist-focused cafes offering lots of variety in foods.

Things to Consider Before You Go

If you are deciding to do this two-day tour. Honestly, you will have to factor in a couple of things: That two days, like, just isn’t a long time, particularly when you start factoring in transit. Actually, traveling between locations and activities can chew up quite a chunk of your time. What is nice is that weather in Ella, could be quite unpredictable. Arguably, there might be sunshine and warmth but sometimes you’ll get rain, particularly during the monsoon season. Pack accordingly, and actually bring layers, you know?

Plus, do expect some crowds, especially at Horton Plains and on the trains, mostly during peak tourist season. So if you’re okay with a few other people also being there. Then fine. Yet, it will require a degree of patience and potentially some strategic planning to avoid being completely swamped.

Final Thoughts on the Whirlwind Tour

Like, that two-day trip around Ella, taking in Diyaluma Falls, Horton Plains, and that scenic train, definitely gives you the highlights of what Ella has to offer. In a way, it can be really amazing if you plan. You know, everything should run smoothly. Be certain you get going pretty early, mostly to make the very most of the available daylight. And honestly, be really prepared for some amount of travel. In that case, that could be just waiting around at train stations. Yet, it might feel really rushed. Especially to folks who favor really relaxed travel, so you probably know yourself best!

In fact, the trip, with a touch of preparation, is really doable.
Remember that transport and timing are pretty crucial because everything takes time to get to.
First, flexibility really helps – sometimes trains run late, or weather changes.
Honestly, you are going to see what everyone says. All this gorgeous landscape of Ella is really picture-perfect.