SL RIDE

Anuradhapura to Ella

246 km ~6h 9m by car

Travel from Anuradhapura to Ella with a private chauffeur from SL RIDE. Sri Lanka's first ancient capital, home to the sacred Bodhi Tree, colossal stupas, and millennia of history. A laid-back mountain village beloved for dramatic hikes, the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, and sweeping valley views. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic drive across Sri Lanka.

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Distance

246 km

Estimated Travel Time

~6h 9m

Vehicle Options

Car, Van, Bus

Things to Do in Anuradhapura

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Anuradhapura Archaeological Tour
Cultural

Anuradhapura Archaeological Tour

Anuradhapura4hTicket $20

A comprehensive guided tour of the sacred city's UNESCO-listed stupas, palaces, and ancient water tanks.

Mihintale Rock Monastery
Religious

Mihintale Rock Monastery

Anuradhapura2hTicket $5

Climb the ancient stone stairway to the mountaintop where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka in 247 BC.

Ruwanwelisaya Stupa
Religious

Ruwanwelisaya Stupa

Anuradhapura1.5h

Circumambulate the great white dagoba — a sacred monument standing 103 m tall and dating back to 140 BC.

Sri Maha Bodhi Sacred Tree
Religious

Sri Maha Bodhi Sacred Tree

Anuradhapura1hTicket $5

Visit the world's oldest recorded tree — a cutting from the original Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment.

Things to Do in Ella

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Divurumpola Temple
Religious

Divurumpola Temple

Ella1h

The sacred site where Sita proved her purity through the "Agni Pariksha" (fire ordeal) as described in the Ramayana. A deeply revered temple among Hindu pilgrims on the Ramayana trail.

Ella Rock Hike
Adventure

Ella Rock Hike

Ella4h

A more challenging full-day hike through tea estates and jungle to a dramatic viewpoint above the clouds.

Little Adam's Peak Hike
Adventure

Little Adam's Peak Hike

Ella2h

A gentle 3 km hike to a grassy summit with sweeping panoramic views over Ella Gap and the valleys below.

Nine Arch Bridge Visit
Sightseeing

Nine Arch Bridge Visit

Ella1.5h

Watch colonial-era steam trains cross the iconic nine-arch viaduct buried in lush jungle — Ella's most photographed sight.

Ravana Cave
Cultural

Ravana Cave

Ella1h

A large cave on the hillside believed to be where King Ravana hid Sita after abducting her. An atmospheric site steeped in legend with sweeping views of the surrounding jungle.

Ravana Falls Visit
Nature

Ravana Falls Visit

Ella1h

One of Sri Lanka's widest waterfalls, steeped in Ramayana mythology — a refreshing stop on the hillside road.

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