How to plan the perfect wellness retreat in Ella

Many travellers are seeking meaningful ways to escape the hustle and bustle that their daily lifestyle offers today. A wellness holiday is the answer to this void. It offers a place and activities for physical and emotional rejuvenation and is designed to foster long-lasting wellbeing and inner peace. When considering where to place yourself for such an experience, Ella, Sri Lanka's charming highlands, tops the list. Here is a guide for you to make the best of your wellness getaway there.  

Why take a wellness vacation 

Reflect, renew and restore –these are the three main reasons why you deserve a wellness vacation. Disconnect yourself from the chaos of your regular everyday life and connect with your inner self. This can be a life-changing experience, which makes you take important decisions when your mind is clear and also boosts your energy so that you move forward strongly and steadily. Personal growth and transformation may happen during this phase.  

You get a deep sense of renewal and heal whatever minor ailments you had physically or emotionally. You will be motivated to shift to a new lifestyle and healthier eating habits, putting you on the path to a balanced, conscious, sustainable and fulfilled life guided by experts. You also get opportunities for exploring and learning about new things, like cultures and connecting with the local communities at your destination.  So give yourself the gift of self-renewal and grab this opportunity with both your hands.   

When to head off to Ella 

The most suitable time for your Ella wellness getaway is from January to May. Expect clear skies with sunny weather. Those are ideal for excursions like hiking. The temperature ranges between 20°C and 28°C. There is almost no rain, so you can expect dry trails that you can take during your outdoor excursions. Since this is the peak season, an abundance of visitors visit this destination.   Therefore, it would be wise to book your Ella accommodation early to save disappointment. 

Getting to your destination

The best, easiest and most popular way to reach Ella is to take the train from Colombo Fort Railway Station. This is known as one of the most beautiful scenic train rides in the world as you pass landmarks like Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls, Demodara Loop/Tunnel, and plenty of tea plantations and factories on the way. You generally take around nine to ten hours to reach your destination. This is also a sustainable means of travelling, as you will be taking public transportation without leaving your carbon footprint behind. Interact with the locals on the journey and even witness the local lifestyle as you pass charming villages on the way. 

You can even take the Badulla bus and hop off at Ella. However, this is a less comfortable means of travelling and is slow too. If you are travelling with a group or with your family, renting a vehicle can be an option to explore, but the distance you need to cover via road, which is more than 300 kilometres, makes it quite expensive. 

What to engage in 

Ella is one of Sri Lanka’s most attractive locations. Therefore, placing yourself in its gorgeous and tranquil landscapes is mind-soothing. Take a hike to see the stunning surroundings of the locations there and enjoy a captivating sunset from your viewpoint. Pekoe Trail, which connects Ella to Demodara, is one such path you can take. 98 Acres Resort and Spa has an expert naturalist team to guide their guests along the island’s most iconic scenic routes on stages 15 and 16.  Other exquisite places with scenic natural beauty, which you can take nature walks in, include Ella Rock and Ravana Falls. 

Tea factory tours are relaxing and allow you a glimpse into the island’s famous tea culture. Halpe Tea Factory is one such place which you can visit for cultural explorations as well. For body and mind relaxation, why not take part in yoga sessions? There are several religious sites which you can drop by, like Dowa Cave Temple and Mahamewnawa Asapuwa. You can experience the spirituality and serene atmosphere there and take part in some meditation practices, which have been designed to bring clarity and calmness to you.  Learn to cook healthy local meals by attending some cooking classes. Treat yourself to some spa therapies or massages for deep relaxation.