Ella
  Bandarawela is another planters' town that grew around the tea-based economy of the hill country. Today, like Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela too has grown into an important provincial trading centre. 
On the eastern most edge of the mountain range one finds the quaint town of Ella. Enjoy here the stunning vista of the eastern plains opened up through a gap in the mountain ranges. The government-run Ella Rest House exploits this view to the fullest with each room facing the panorama. But the small, rail-station town is dotted with small, cosy guest-houses offering English, French and German fare. The area is well known for adventure sports and a picturesque waterfall on the roadside.

Accommodation is rather limited to two hotels and numerous guesthouses. Seek out plantations that lease out estate bungalows, which makes for a secluded and memorable stay in colonial-style reminiscent of the days of the Raj.

The area is culturally and scenically rich, offering many hikes, treks, cycling tours through plantations, villages and jungle.

Two of the country's highest waterfalls are in the area. Bambarakanda (790-ft) is on a rough road that leads off the A4 highway at Kalupahana and winds through tea and jungle up to Horton Plains. The waterfall is just 4 km off the main highway and worth a visit, especially after rains when the fall is full blown. Diyaluma (560 ft) is on the A4 just past Koslanda town at 200 km.

Bandarawela and Ella are known for the cool, dry climate that is considered among the world's best.