Nine Arches and mountain peaks: Walking Ella, Sri Lanka | A guide’s journal

Climbing Little Adam's Peak in Ella 

The walk up to Little Adam's Peak captures everything we've come to love about Sri Lanka, and somehow, everything that makes Ramble Worldwide special too. The steady climb rewards us with each step, our legs working in that satisfying rhythm walkers know so well. 

At the summit, the view stops conversation entirely. Panoramic vistas stretch across Ella's rolling hills and valleys, layer upon layer of green dissolving into blue distance. This is why we ramble, for moments when the world opens before us and we've earned our place in it through our own effort and determination.

But the day that stays with everyone begins earlier, with a walk along railway tracks toward the Nine Arches Bridge. We're surrounded by lush green hills, the landscape so vivid it seems almost unreal. The bridge itself is spectacular, a colonial-era engineering marvel that curves gracefully through the tea country. 

Then comes the rush. We hurry back to the viewpoint, anticipation building with each step. Right on time, a train appears, winding its way across the nine arches with perfect precision. The moment feels magical, that marriage of human ingenuity and natural beauty that Sri Lanka does so effortlessly. It's the kind of scene that makes you stop and simply feel grateful to be exactly where you are.

The scenic train journey to Kandy adds another layer of wonder. From our windows, tea plantations roll past, waterfalls appear and disappear, mountain views shift with each curve of the track. It's not just transport, it's part of the adventure, a chance to watch Sri Lanka unfold at the perfect pace for absorbing its beauty.

Throughout both countries, one practical tip proves invaluable: an e-sim. Using the Airalo app, we purchase and download before departure, then simply switch it on upon landing. Service arrives immediately, that modern convenience that makes navigating new places so much easier. 

For India, wear lightweight, breathable clothing and comfortable shoes. Delhi and Agra involve considerable walking, especially through large monuments. For Sri Lanka's rainforests, those leech socks remain highly recommended, along with long trousers tucked into socks.

Reflecting on these combined journeys, India and Sri Lanka, what strikes us most is how wrong our initial expectations were and how right that wrongness feels. India's warmth and organisation surprised us completely. Sri Lanka's diversity and the genuine passion of its guides enriched every day. Both countries welcomed us not as tourists passing through, but as guests invited to truly see and experience. 

The monuments, yes. The landscapes, absolutely. But what we'll carry home most powerfully are the moments between, Raj guiding us through spice-scented markets, local guides sharing their country's stories with infectious pride, the quiet satisfaction of reaching Little Adam's Peak, the shared joy when that train curved across the arches. 

This is what we mean when we talk about exploring the world on foot. It's not just about the destinations, though they're spectacular. It's about earning the views, connecting with places and people authentically, allowing yourself to be surprised, moved, and changed by what you discover. It's about being proved wonderfully wrong and finding something far more remarkable than you imagined. 

Experience these journeys yourself on Wilderness Walks in the Heart of India, Trekking in Ladakh, Hill Stations of the Himalayas, and Sri Lankan Trails walking holidays.