Arugam Bay to Ella Private Tour: Is it Worth it? (Review)

So, are you thinking about hopping on a private tour that whisks you away from the sandy shores of Arugam Bay all the way up to the misty mountains of Ella in Sri Lanka? That, it’s a pretty popular route, for solid reason. I mean, who wouldn’t want to trade surfboards for scenic hikes, right? I recently did this very thing and I figured I would, you know, share all the ups and downs, the must-sees, and a couple of things I wish I’d known beforehand. Hopefully, what I have learned can, kind of, help you figure out if this is really the trip for you. That said, let’s get to the fun stuff, yes?

What’s the Deal with Arugam Bay to Ella, Anyway?

Well, at its core, this whole adventure is more or less about connecting two super different yet incredibly appealing destinations in Sri Lanka. That is, you’ve got Arugam Bay, which, basically, is a surfer’s little dream with its awesome waves and super chill vibes. Then, up in the highlands, there is Ella. Arguably, it’s all about tea plantations, views that could make you weep, and hiking trails that are simply begging to be explored. In short, so this private tour acts like this awesome bridge, if you will, that makes it easier to get from the coast to the hills. More or less, it’s for peeps who want a little ease and, too, a whole lot of comfort, so they can just soak it all in. Is that not a lovely way of doing it?

Why Pick a Private Tour?

Ok, let’s address something. So, why go private, right? Good question. I mean, first off, think about kicking back in your own car or van, with AC blasting. Also, is that nice or what? And look, nobody’s saying that hopping on public transport isn’t like, you know, part of the adventure. Too, it definitely is. But seriously, public transport is super crowded and can eat up, nearly, an entire day. Is that something anyone really wants? I am guessing that, probably, nobody would be screaming “Yes”. Private tours are a little like the antidote, alright? That is, you can tell your driver to crank up the music, make pit stops whenever you want, and ask a zillion questions about, potentially, everything you are seeing. Furthermore, on a tight schedule? Well then a private tour is great since they allow one to make effective use of time, I mean, basically, do whatever you like, is that not perfect?

The Nitty-Gritty of My Trip

First thing I want to state is that the planning stage was, kind of, a breeze. So, I booked the tour online. Then the company reached out quickly, and then they clarified a handful of details, more or less about when they should pick me up and if there were any places that I had to check out along the way. It was super easy. I almost felt bad, ha! Pick-up day rolls around and there is the driver right on time in Arugam Bay with this beaming smile and a comfy, AC-equipped car. We toss my gear in the trunk. Then we start the trek.

The Drive, The Sights, and All Those “Aha!” Moments

Okay, you’re looking at, perhaps, a six-to-eight-hour drive, give or take, from Arugam Bay up to Ella. Honestly, that’s a whole lot of time to spend in a car, but let me tell you, the views really made it better. Just think rolling hills, teeny towns bustling, actually bustling with energy, and spots that are just prime for photo ops. That is what I am talking about. The Driver had a handful of killer suggestions. He had told me that stopping at viewpoint locations was something I simply had to do. Apparently, his instinct did not fail me because I, nearly, cried as I witnessed some of that beautiful scenery. Is that kind of dramatic reaction relatable? And by the way, speaking of our driver, he was great. The man basically was this walking encyclopedia about the local areas and their history. Is that not exactly the resource one seeks when going to places they have never seen?

Pit Stops: More Than Just Bathroom Breaks

Look, I am pretty sure this makes a huge difference in how one looks at the trip. Basically, our driver understood that what I wanted, perhaps what every tourist secretly craves, was some type of experience of local living. Therefore, we stopped at this road-side eatery for lunch. Arguably, it was the bomb! I basically munched on kottu roti that was just oozing with delicious flavors and then washed it all down with ginger beer. It really was just heaven on Earth! On top of this, he even pulled over so I could witness a few ancient temples and some markets brimming with all different things. Also, he more or less saved my life by stopping to let me sip King Coconut water! It was so nice and just what the doctor ordered. To be perfectly honest, the stops really broke up the trip. Too, they added these little memories that I simply wouldn’t have gotten had I booked a normal shuttle service.

Ella: The Grand Finale

And so, we pulled up to Ella right around the late afternoon. You have got to know, it felt great stretching my legs and, like, breathing in that crisp mountain air. My driver dropped me right at my guesthouse door. Then he gave me a couple of pointers about all of the popular local hangouts. By the way, that level of convenience alone made the private tour totally worth the investment. What’s better is that I woke up the next day fresh and raring to take on all those hills, those verdant hills.

Things To Do

Okay, so I will let you in on the list. Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, Little Rawan, hiking to waterfalls. Trust me. Bring comfortable footwear for this portion of the trip. By the way, do bring some kind of rain protection equipment. So you know, just in case it rains. On top of all of this, just so you understand the level of magical bliss Ella oozes, I want to tell you that some tourists, maybe your group, may just want to do things a bit differently. They may very well prefer taking it very slow and visiting some tea plantations. Is that wrong? Absolutely not. Remember that at its heart, traveling is all about taking your time to breathe the beauty in! I hope you get the opportunity to sip tea and just unwind.

Why You Might Think Twice

Private tours can come with a heftier price tag compared to shared rides or trains. Now that is something I need you to know. Therefore, that factor alone may definitely have you stop to think hard about this decision. As an example, if you really adore chatting with people, or that’s what really does it for you, and you aren’t so interested in personalized travel, well, you might want to consider train, right? Too, if one really wants to be the architect of his destiny then this type of tour can feel stifling. Just a smidge. You know, having that freedom to go everywhere or nowhere may very well be worth more than just seeing a bunch of sights! Finally, please remember to communicate thoroughly what you want and to check into some recommendations before you end up hiring a driver who only wants to talk about himself. The horror!

Making the Call: Is This Tour For You?

In the event that you enjoy chilling in your own bubble while discovering out-of-this-world attractions and you dislike long commutes on crowded trains, yes, do invest in the private tour. It’s the thing that dreams are made of. If your budget doesn’t stretch out so far, or that having a private service that whisks you to locations on demand just makes you yawn with apathy, then think about hopping on a train and bunking at every little town, ok?

• Know What You Want: Mull it over for some minutes. So, that can influence the direction of this entire adventure!
• Assess What’s Trending: Hop online. Investigate all of the tours! That may allow you to have a sense of price levels and it may permit you to have an insight into quality of service too.
• Talk it Over: Get a good dialogue running with all of the tour providers. That is something I will stand by until my last breath.

A Few Quick Tips For Your Sri Lanka Trip

• Theft?: Basically, you need to keep an eye on the belongings always. It’s wise to bring things like money pouches to hide under one’s clothes.
• Sunburn?: Keep protected at every minute. Like you could actually wind up in the emergency room because one gets burnt!
• Scams: Is that, you have got to be so smart in these instances. People may want to benefit and rip others off, alas.

Your Questions Answered