The Nine Arch Bridge

If you’ve seen pictures of Sri Lanka, you’ve almost certainly seen pictures of the Nine Arch Bridge, Ella and Damodara, as it’s one the country’s most iconic and photographed landmarks.

You’ll be picked up by your guide/driver and driven to the Nine Arch Bridge, which was built during the British colonial era. The bridge is 30 metres tall and built exclusively of brick, stone, and cement – completely without the use of steel!

The trip here is incredibly scenic. Along the railway lines, you’ll see lizards nesting in the grass, as well as squirrels and different bird species hiding in the trees.

At the heart of this mountainous scenery, surrounded by lush tea plantations and tall, skinny trees, stands Nine Arch Bridge, known in Sinhalese as “Ahas Namaye Palama”, meaning Nine Heavens Bridge. This is because, when you stand under the bridge and look up, you can see “9 heavens” through its nine arches. Remember to keep your camera at the ready in case you happen to see a train go by.

You will then be driven back to the hotel.

Duration: 1-2 hours

The tour is free and simply booked with the guide/driver at the destination.