Ella

Ella is the heart of Sri Lanka's high-country tea plantations, a village that feels more like a hillside resort town, framed by peaks and valleys.

While famous for its hiking trails and colonial-era railway, its true character lies in the everyday rhythm of tea pickers and the slow pace of life, best experienced from the open door of a third-class train carriage.

Fly into:

• Bandaranaike International CMB

The Kandy-Ella train journey is a must for its views and atmosphere; book tickets in advance. Locally, tuk-tuks are common for short distances and to trailheads. Shared vans connect Ella to other towns.

Catch the morning light at Little Adam's Peak before the crowds arrive, then settle into a local 'rice and curry' lunch, often served by the women who run the family kitchens. The Kandy-Ella train is an experience, not just transport, so let the slow pace unfold.

Best in Winter

Winter: mild days around 20-28C, cool and sometimes misty evenings, with lower chances of rain in the hills.

• light layers for cool evenings
• broken-in shoes for hiking
• a compact umbrella for sudden showers
• a refillable water bottle