Location: Bandarawela
Top Things to do in Bandarawela
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Bandarawela, Sri Lanka
Bandarawela (Sinhala : බණ්ඩාරවෙල, pronounced [ˈbandarawela]; Tamil: பண்டாரவளை) is the second largest town in the Badulla District which is 32 km (20 mi) away from Badulla. Bandarawela is 200 km (120 mi) away from Colombo and about 125 km (78 mi) away from Kandy, the two capital cities of Sri Lanka. Thanks to its higher altitude, compared to surrounding locations, Bandarawela has milder weather conditions throughout the year making it a popular tourist destination for locals. Bandarawela is within hours reach of surrounding towns and cities by both road and rail. The town is influenced by its colonial history and rests among dense, lush forestation occupying a niche among visitors as a base for eco-tourism.
Restaurants in Bandarawela
1. Amba Estate
Overall Ratings
5 based on 40 reviews
Amba Estate is an organic farm in the Uva Highlands of Sri Lanka. The farm is approximately 30 minutes drive from Ella, perched in a small valley above the Ravana-Ella Waterfalls, with views of Ella Rock and Lipton's Seat. We produce a range of artisanal teas, coffees, spices and preserves, and we work with the local community to support a variety of educational, economic and environmental initiatives. We offer guests the opportunity to stay in the Estate farmhouse, learn more about artisanal tea-making, and enjoy our little corner of paradise. We offer tours of the farm and artisanal tea and coffee production every day at 11am (except Sundays and public holidays). The tour itself is free, and you can also do a tea tasting after the tour for Rs.500 per person. No need to book ahead – just turn up. You are welcome to visit the farm at other times on weekdays (before 3pm when the office closes), but apart from the main tour at 11am, we are only able to provide a 15-minute tour.
Reviewed By Jo B
There are lots of places in Sri Lanka where you can visit commercial tea plantation factories. No doubt they are all interesting and informative. Most tea factories are doing mass production and therefore using machines, high yield picking processes and possibly chemicals for pest control and fertilisation.
Amba Estate prides itself on difference. Their aim is not volume but high quality , fair work practices and sustainability. They are smaller, they are certified organic, they profit share with their employees, they pick only the tender new leaves on each bush , and they hand process every leaf. This includes hand rolling every leaf. They also specialise in herbal infusions such as lemongrass, and in high quality coffee beans.
Each day at 11 am they run a free one hour tour, followed by an optional 500 rupee tea tasting. The tour is so informative and will change how you prepare your tea, and what you know about tea. Do the tasting. It’s amazing to find that such great quality tea tastes 100 times better than what you previously thought was good tea. You can purchase teas at their front office to take home but there is absolutely no pressure to do so. They also sell some nice jams.
The estate is located high up the mountain and the road up there is very very scenic but is single lane with lots of twists and turns. Beautiful if a little scary when a vehicle comes from the other direction. We took a tuktuk and paid him to wait for us.
From the estate the Manager will also point out to you Little Adams peak, Ella Rock, and Lipton’s seat which are all part of the expansive view. Don’t be late for the start of the tour. When we went there were only about ten people on the tour which was also great, allowing for easy discussions with the guide/ Manager.
2. R. M. S Antique And Brassware
Overall Ratings
5 based on 167 reviews
RMS Antique and Brassware stock only authentic Sri Lankan antiques, artifacts, crafts and gifts. Products range from hand-painted traditional oil paintings to colonial metalware, as well as a wealth of hand-carved artefacts from across the country. We are committed to only authentic and genuine products, and believe in supporting local craftsmen and women. With a friendly, warm and helpful staff we welcome all antique enthusiasts and amateur collectors alike.
Reviewed By Icilama
Madu's shop is THE place to go shopping for presents and souvenirs in Ella. It has everything you need from decorative items to useful objects (masks, gems, jewelry, tea pots, brassware, postcards, etc.) at the best prices.
What's more, Madu, the owner, is the sweetest guy ever. He's always up for a nice chat, will explain you every object that he sells with huge kindness. The place is up to the man. I can only recommend R.M.S. Antique shop.
3. Lipton’s Seat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 805 reviews
The Scottish tea baron Sir Thomas Lipton used to survey his burgeoning empire from here. Lipton’s seat is a panoramic overlooking destination in Sri lanka. Handapanagala lake, Chandrika lake, Uda walwe lake, Wedi hiti Kanda Mountains, and also the hambanthota harbor alocated in the in the southern coastal area nd five provinces in Sri Lanka can be seen remarkably. The Dambetenna longest tea factor
Reviewed By Rolirolle2017 - London, United Kingdom
You can arrive by bus to Dambatenne factory or take a tuk-tuk to the top at Lipton's seat. We recommend taking the short cuts to be immersed in the nature and say hello to the tea pickers.
We also went through the Tamil villages and saw the lovely kids coming back from school.
We don't recommend to visit Dambatenne factory though. 250 Rs and not even a tasting experience.
4. Diyaluma Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By DilrukshiH - Colombo, Sri Lanka
A beautiful water fall along the Koslanda- Beragala - Wellawaya road, lovely for photographs.
One can see it from the road without going up to the waterfall.
Unfortunately it was not at its full beauty due to the drought.
During the rainy season it is such a beautiful sight.
One of the nicest water falls in Sri-Lanka.
5. Sri Lanka Trekking Club
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Trekking, Hiking, Walking, Nature, Adventure,Eco in Sri Lanka for Singles and Groups Trekking guide service in Bandarawela run by Deen (Ceylon Tourist Board tourist guide lecturer-No A/149) a trekking guide and trekking holiday organizer with good experience with western Tourists, We have more than twenty five years experience in the field of trekking as a trekking guide and organizer. We organize trekking for many travel agents and with some we have worked for more than twenty five years. Sri Lanka has something to offer everyone. On the adventure side of eco-tourism, it is probably in trekking that Sri Lanka has the potential to stake a claim as a premier soft-adventure destination. The trekker can experience Mountains with Panoramic view, Pine, Eucalyptus and Natural Rain Forests, the Grasslands, Water Falls and Tea,Rubber,Coconut,Cocowa,Black Paper, Plantations, paddy fields and scrub jungle, village life, Flora & Fauna all in one-day walk. We organize Gentle/Moderate trekking tha
Reviewed By ajh47 - Worcester, United Kingdom
We were part of a large walking group who used this group to lead some treks around their base and also Ella. They were the best organised of the hike leaders that we used. We did three different walks with them using three different but...MoreThanks very much Deen
6. Ella Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By palawandave - puerto princesa
I hiked along the railway tracks from Ella Station, passing the sign "prohibited to walk on the railway line", but even the stationmaster told me to go this way. Keeping a lookout for trains it took me less than an hour to reach the path on the left that led me through fields where farmers were bust attending their crops. The path had a few branches and i found myself backtracking a couple of times after taking the wrong turning. However there were plenty of people coming down the path who put me in the correct direction. There are two quite steep sections before i reached the top. Fortunately it was about 10.30 am and the skies were clear offering a terrific view. There were two enterprising locals selling lemon tea and bottled water at the top, triple price here, but who is complaining as the lemon tea was really good. I guess by the time i returned to Ella Station the hike had taken e the best part of four hours, but this is a hike one should not miss.
7. St Benedict's Monastery - Adisham
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By DineshNPerera - Colombo, Sri Lanka
One who goes to Haputale should definitely go here. It’s an ancient banglow built by a British.
One who visits would feel like in the UK when you are there. It has a great piece of information about its history. Very interesting. So much detailing. You would just stare and this banglow and enjoy it’s beauty.
8. 'Thilaka' Ayurvedic Treatment Center & Spa
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 14 reviews
PLEASE DO READ THIS BEFORE CONTACT *Treatment only for foreigners *Currently service available only for female *Hotel visit can be done upon request *Kindly email us . we are always online *You can learn Ayurweda from our members *Pick up service can be done upon request
Reviewed By Dileepa L - Bandarawela, Sri Lanka
I went here for get good ayurvedic herbal treatment after went to hiking in Lipton's seat. One of staff was welcoming me. I got a body treatment and i felt wonderful relaxation.It was a good experience to me.
9. Anthony's Church
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Tordan58 - Malmö, Sweden
Worth a detour, but the interior is disappointing. If visiting the place, take a walk along the track into the bird sanctuary, time permitting.
10. Little Adam's Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By johnsamual
It was a amazing walking through the morning light sun shine and views of the soround was beautiful. It made a good picture beyond us . After we came to the little adam's peak felt like we came to another world.! Actually we thanks to radient tours guide all of that!
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