Hills to Yala – Scenic Surprises & Wild Encounters

From misty mountains to the edge of the wild — today was one of those days that felt like three adventures rolled into one!

We started the morning winding our way through the hill country, watching the clouds drift lazily over tea-carpeted slopes. Just when I thought the scenery couldn’t get any more cinematic, our driver made a spontaneous tuk tuk stop at the iconic Nine Arch Bridge in Ella and honestly, it turned out to be one of my favourite moments of the trip. We arrived just in time to see a train rumble across the bridge, its colourful carriages gliding gracefully between the arches while everyone around us stopped to watch in awe. The lush green valley below, the mist, the sound of the train it all felt straight out of a postcard.

Next up: a quick stop in Ella town, where we checked out the cutest little boutique hotel designed to look like a vintage train. It had so much character quirky details everywhere, friendly faces, and the most beautiful garden views stretching out across the hills. We grabbed some refreshments, took about a hundred photos (naturally), and then it was back on the road!

Our destination: Yala — where the wild things roam. The drive was long but oh-so scenic, shifting from rolling hills to dry plains as we approached the southern edge of the island. We stopped for lunch by the lake at the stunning Cinnamon Yala, and yes, we actually spotted crocodiles sunbathing just across the water! Only in Sri Lanka, right? It was one of those surreal “this can’t be real” travel moments that makes you laugh and hold your breath all at once.

As the sun began to dip, we arrived at our stay for the night the breathtaking Jetwing Yala. Picture this: a 75-metre pool, a swim-up bar, and the vast wilderness stretching all the way to the beach. The atmosphere was pure serenity until, out of nowhere, an elephant casually wandered past the pool! We all just stood there, mid-sentence, watching in awe. It was a true “pinch me” moment, the kind that sums up exactly why Sri Lanka steals your heart.

Every day here brings a new surprise from mountain mist to safari sunsets and today was the perfect blend of both.