RAVANA CAVE ELLA SRI LANKA – The Complete Guide
The Ravana Cave is located 2 kilometres outside of Ella town and lies 1370 metres above sea level. It is one of the most important tourists attractions with an historical value in Ella. The history of the Ravana cave is that King Ravana used this cave to hide the Princess Sita. If you are interested in the Sri Lankan history, and you’re ready to climb some stairs to see this cave, then you definitely must check out the Ravana Cave! It is definitely one of the fun activities to do in Ella, Sri Lanka. Find all the information you need to know about the Ravana Cave in this blog post.

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Best tours in and around Ella
If you’re planning to explore the best of what Ella has to offer, then these are the best guided tours. All of these tours include air conditioned transport with hotel pick up and drop off, certified guides and sometimes also lunch and the entrance fees. You can reserve now and pay later, with cancellation up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.
- Ella Rock & 9 Arch Bridge, Little Adams Peak with transfer. Take a guided hike to the famous Ella Rock, 9 Arches Bridge, and Little Adam’s Peak. Hike through beautiful tea plantations and enjoy sweeping views of the island’s hill country on this private tour.
- 1-Hour Mega Zip Line Adventure in Ella. Get the adrenaline pumping with this 1 hour mega dual zip line at Flying Ravana located amidst the luscious green estates of Ella.
- Private guided sunrike hike Ella rock. Take an early morning hike up Ella Rock to meet the sunrise with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
- Diyaluma Falls Full-Day Tour with Lunch from Ella. Take a trip to Sri Lanka’s second-highest water fall and experience the natural beauty of Diyaluma falls, enjoying a small hike, lunch, and a refreshing dip in pristine waters along your journey.
- Safari to Udawalawe National Park from Ella. Enjoy an unforgettable safari tour at Udawalawe National Park, a sanctuary for many Sri Lankan wild animals. See the beautiful elephants and a diverse range of species with the assistance of an expert guide.
- 2 day tour to a Tea factory in Nuwara Eliya, Ramboda falls, Horton Plains and more. Visit the scenic hill country, surrounded by the evergreen valleys and tea estates. Witness the beautiful Ramboda waterfall and Horton Plains National Park.
- Ella & Little Adam’s Peak All-Inclusive Tour. Discover the mountain village and stunning scenery on a full day hiking tour to Ella. Experience Ella Gap from the top of both Ella Rock and Little Adams Peak and visit 9 Arch Bridge, one of the iconic bridges in Sri Lanka.
- Tuk-Tuk Safari Day Trip and Tea Fields Hike with Lunch from Ella. Drive through the Sir Lankan countryside on a tuk-tuk safari on this day trip from Ella. Take a guided hike on a tea plantation and stop for a picnic lunch before visiting the Dambatenne Tea Factory.
- Haputale: Tea Plantation, Safari, & Lipton’s Seat Day Tour. Discover Sri Lanka’s historic tea plantations and imagine life as a tea farmer, on this tour of the most prominent sites in Haputala and Kandy. Ride a trusty tuk-tuk rickshaw through the well-kept farms and wild mountainsides.
- Ella: Lipton’s Seat tour with Dambetanna Tea Factory visit. Enjoy the panoramic views of Lipton’s Seat in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Enjoy a Sri Lankan lunch before you wander through tea plantations and see the full process of tea making at the Dambetanna tea factory.
How to get to Ravana Cave Ella
Ravana Cave is located 2 kilometres outside of Ella town and lies 1370 metres above sea level. The climb up to the Ravana Cave is a steep path which is quite tough with about 650 uneven steps. Some places have broken or no steps at all, just steep rocks. The last few meters are the toughest because you have to climb up the rocks without anything to hold on. Therefore the climb is not recommended for the elderly. But the view you get from the top is just incredible and so impressive!
About Ravana Cave
The Ravana cave consists of a part of the tunnel which is connected to the Ravana Falls in Ella. Tales say that King Rama of India had a beautiful wife, Queen Sita. He kidnapped Queen Sita, brought her to Sri Lanka and hide her in the Ravana caves. The tunnels served as a quick way of transportation through the hills and also as a secret passage. They connect with all the important cities, airports and dairy farms in Sri Lanka. A closer look at these tunnels indicates that they are man-made and not just natural formations. The architectural details of these tunnels prove the brilliant way of building of King Ravana.

What to expect at Ravana Cave Ella
Once you have conquered the 650 steps, you’ll arrive at the historical Ravana Cave. The cave itself is pretty small, just to make your expectations realistic. You are allowed to go inside of the cave for only 200 meters. After those 200 meters there is a big stone that has been kept by the Government prohibiting people from going further inside. The view from the cave is impressive and if you like history and a little adventure, this is a great thing to do in Ella!

Weather in Ella Sri Lanka
Ella has an average temperature comparing to Colombo where it is very warm most of the time, and Nuwara Eliya where it can become very cold. Towards the end of the year, it will get colder in Ella. Especially in December when the temperatures will drop to around 10 degrees. There is also more change of rain in Ella than the South coast. On average, October is the wettest month in Ella and March is the driest month. But rain can fall anytime, so be prepared! That’s also the reason why it’s so beautifully green in the valley of Ella.
More Sri Lanka travel inspiration
We hope you enjoyed this guide about the Ravana cave in Ella.
For more Sri Lanka travel inspiration, head over to our other Sri Lanka travel guides:
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14 best waterfalls in Sri Lanka – The Ultimate Guide
Best things to do in Nuwara Eliya – The Ultimate Guide
Nuwara Eliya tea plantations – The Complete Guide
11 best things to do in Trincomalee
Best things to do in Galle – The Complete Guide
15 best things to do in Ella – The Ultimate Guide
Best thing to do in Kandy – The Complete Guide
Hi Ilse, I want to compliment you on your content, especially because I know English is not your native language, well done !
And then, again great info for traveling to the Ravana Cave Ella, Sri Lanka.