Hiking to Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka: Ultimate Guide 2025
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Diyaluma Falls is the 2nd highest waterfall in Sri Lanka at 220 meters high! The top of the falls offers an incredible view and one of the most scenic places to swim in the world!
A trip to Diyaluma Falls is often at the top of tourists’ itineraries when visiting Sri Lanka and truly makes a memorable day trip.
Here is everything you need to know to get from Ella to Diyaluma falls, hike to Upper Diyaluma, and stay safe exploring our favorite of all the waterfalls in Sri Lanka!
How to get to Diyaluma Falls from Ella
Diyaluma Falls is an awesome day trip to take from Ella, Sri Lanka.
Ella is a popular mountain town in Sri Lanka, known for its backpacker vibes, gorgeous tea fields, and the iconic Nine Arches Bridge.
The base of the waterfall is about 1 hour from Ella. You can get there by booking a tour, hiring a private driver, or renting a scooter to drive yourself!
Book a Guided Tour
A tour guide to Diyaluma Falls is not absolutely necessary, but it is helpful.
The Upper falls can be tricky to find on your own and a lot of tour companies will pair the falls with other cool places near Ella as well, like Lipton’s Seat & Ravana Waterfall.
Most tours will include lunch and/or dinner at a local Sri Lankan restaurant.
✅ Book your tour of Diyaluma Falls through Get Your Guide
Renting a Scooter in Ella
For travelers on a super tight budget, renting a motorbike is the best way to get to Diyaluma Falls from Ella.
You can rent a scooter/motorbike for less than $8 (3000 LKR)/per day at one of the local motor shops in Ella. These scooters are very reliable and get insane gas mileage, making it easy and convenient for getting around.
The only downside to renting a motorbike is the amount of time it takes to get from one place to another. 2-3 hours on a scooter is a long time to be mounted on a bike (especially if you are the person hanging onto the back).
Private Driver
Another transportation option for getting to Diyaluma Falls is to hire a taxi or private driver.
Although you will not get the added perk of a local guide and meals provided (like you would if you booked a tour), hiring a private driver for the day would be a great option if you are not interested in driving yourself.
Fortunately, private drivers are very easy to find in Ella and not too expensive. A private taxi to Diyaluma Falls from Ella will cost about 10,000 LKR ($30).
If you’re lucky, you may even get them to stop at Ravana Falls on the return trip to Ella as an added bonus.
✅ Book your private driver here
Diyaluma Falls: What to Expect
Our first encounter with Diyaluma Falls was when we came around the corner of Highway A4… HOLY COW!
We had seen over 20 waterfalls in Sri Lanka at this point, but nothing was as extraordinary as that first glimpse of Diyaluma Falls.
Highway A4 leads right up to the base of the falls before crossing a bridge and continuing up the mountain.
There are places to pull off and take pictures on either side of the bridge. There is also access to the base of the falls from here if you are interested in spending your time there.
However, we recommend that you make your way to the top of the falls for an incredible view and a chance to swim.
The main highlight of many tours visiting Diyaluma is the view from the top of the falls!
Hiking to Upper Diyaluma Falls
Even if you are short on time, do not skip this part! It is truly the main attraction!
At the top of Diyaluma Falls, there are three natural pools with views of the Demodara Valley. There are also two other waterfalls to see and one place to cliff-jump if you are feeling adventurous!
There are two ways to get to the top of the waterfall and the subsequent levels of Upper Diyaluma Falls
The Hard Trail to Upper Diyaluma
There is a trail from the base of the falls that leads all the way to the top. It is a very steep climb and takes roughly 2 hours to conquer.
The trail can be cut in half by taking a taxi to the Upper Diyaluma Falls parking lot.
This parking lot is just a 5-minute drive from the base of the falls, but the trail from here still requires a steep climb to the summit (1.1 kilometers and 160 meters of elevation gain).
You can see the AllTrails Trail Map here.
The Easy Trail to Upper Diyaluma
The second trail to Upper Diyaluma Falls requires some extra driving (about 25 minutes) but is a much easier hike with almost zero elevation gain. So if you are looking for the easiest option possible, this is it.
The trailhead for this route is a little challenging to find, so here is the google maps pin.
The trail is very easy to follow from here and there is no need for a guide.
On your way to this trailhead, there is a good chance one of the locals will stop you and request a few hundred rupees to “watch your scooter/tuk-tuk” while you are gone.
They claim that elephants frequent the area and that our scooter would likely be crushed without supervision. This is probably a scam, but we obliged to avoid the hassle…
After about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) into the walk, you will reach the river and the first of three waterfalls. Turn left here and walk along the river to reach the 2nd waterfall and eventually the pools atop Diyaluma Falls.
Do I need a guide to hike to Upper Diyaluma?
No, you do not NEED a guide to hike to Upper Diyaluma Falls, but it may be a good idea if you want to go cliff jumping, or to take some of the stress out of visiting the falls by yourself.
Although we had a fantastic time and found the top of the waterfall without a guide, there are some instances where you may prefer to book a tour guide:
- The trailhead is a little confusing to find. Although the pin on Google Maps and AllTrails is correct, there are hardly any signs for the easy route’s trailhead.
- On the third tier of Upper Diyaluma, you will find a cliff jump of about 8 meters. We really wanted to try but decided it wasn’t smart without a guide showing us where to enter the water. We later saw a tour guide demonstrating for a group of travelers.
- A lot of guided tours offer breakfast, lunch, and other stops along the way.
Booking a tour guide at Diyaluma Falls is very affordable if you are traveling with a group of friends.
Safety & Swimming at Upper Diyaluma Falls
At the top of Diyaluma Falls, there are a few pools at the very edge of the cliff with insane views.
We have never seen anything like it before. You can swim in each of the three pools at the top of the falls. Locals and tourists are enjoying the pools at all times of the day.
The final pool is literally at the edge of the waterfall. It’s a rare chance to swim in a natural infinity pool suspended over 200 meters high!
Safety Tips at Diyaluma Falls
Unless you visit Diyaluma Falls during the rainy season, the water level will be low enough to swim safely at the top of the falls.
Although hundreds of people swim here every day, you must exercise caution.
The most dangerous part of Diyaluma Falls is not swimming in the falls, but walking near the edge as you enter the pools. These rocks are very slippery when wet and there is no vegetation or fence to protect visitors from the drop.
The other big safety tip is to always check the water depth before cliff jumping/diving. Even if the jump is relatively small, never jump in blind.
Diyaluma Falls: FAQ
Visiting Diyaluma falls was one of the best experiences we had in Sri Lanka. Here are the answers to some common questions that we had before visiting.
How Long Should I Stay at Diyaluma Falls?
You should expect to spend about 2-3 hours at Diyaluma falls. The hike to the top from the parking lot only takes 30 minutes – 1 hour, but you will want to give yourself time to enjoy the view and swim at each tier of Upper Diyaluma.
What Should I Bring to Diyaluma Falls?
There are no facilities at the top of Diyaluma Falls, so be sure to bring a day bag filled with everything you need for the day.
- Swimsuit – Assuming you will be jumping in the water, you’ll want your swimsuit. (Note: You may consider wearing your suit under your clothes because the only place to change at the top is behind a tree.)
- Sturdy Footwear – This is a real hike. You will be climbing over rocks and crossing rivers, so sturdy footwear is essential. We wore Chaco’s, but any tennis shoes/hiking sandals would work well.
- Sunscreen
- Quick-Dry Towel – Lightweight, microfiber towels are perfect for traveling in Sri Lanka.
- Water & Snacks – Sri Lanka is HOT, so bring plenty of water on this hike, as well as any snacks you may want to enjoy at the top!
Is there an entrance fee?
There is no entrance fee at Diyaluma Falls. You can explore the base of the falls and hike to Upper Diyaluma completely free!
Where to Stay in Ella
Ella is the best place to stay to visit Diyaluma Falls. There are a bunch of hotels in Ella with excellent ratings, but here are three of our top choices.
Best Budget Hotel in Ella – Ella Country House
Staying at guesthouses and homestays in Sri Lanka was always our favorite way to travel. It supports the local community and usually comes with unreal hospitality.
Ella Country House has everything you need in a guesthouse without breaking the bank. Each room comes with A/C, free breakfast, and a balcony. You can walk to a bunch of the best bars/restaurants in Ella, yet are far enough for peace & quiet back at the room.
Best Mid-range Hotel in Ella – The Chillout
The Chillout is one of the highest-rated hotels in Ella. It’s located right in the heart of the town, so you can get to Little Adam’s Peak or Nine Arches Bridge with ease.
Free breakfast for 2 is included with each room and right now they are offering free cancellation up to 7 days before your stay.
Best Luxury Resort in Ella – 98 Acres Resort
98 Acres Resort is a top choice for adventure couples having a honeymoon in Sri Lanka. Their collection of eco-friendly chalets and luxury facilities create the perfect home to retreat to in Ella.
The resort has a gym, yoga center, full spa, and a large pool with a view. It’s also right in the shadow of Little Adam’s peak, so you’ll be right next to the best parts of Ella!
More things to do in Ella
Ella is a busy backpacker town in the hill country of Sri Lanka with some of the most beautiful things to see on the island. There are loads of great restaurants and a laid-back community for travelers.
Take pictures of Nine Arches Bridge
Nine Arches Bridge is the icon of Ella, Sri Lanka.
The colonial-era bridge was built by the British and sits nearly 80 feet above lush jungle and tea fields. We had such a great time taking photos in the tea fields, walking across the bridge, and even watching the blue train cross the bridge (check this website for the train timetables)
Nine Arches Bridge is the main attraction for tourists in town, so you have to get there early to avoid crowds! We recommend getting there shortly after sunrise (6:00-6:30 am)
✅ Book a tour of Nine Arch Bridge
Hike to the top of Ella Rock
The most popular hike in Ella is climbing to the top of Ella Rock. The hike is 5.3 kilometers and takes 2-3 hours to complete.
From the top, you will have a bird’s eye view of Ella town, Little Adam’s Peak, and the Ella Gap.
✅ Book a sunrise hike to Ella Rock
Take a tour of Lipton’s Seat
Lipton’s Seat is famous for being the birthplace of tea in Sri Lanka, and the place where Thomas Lipton used to sit and look out over his tea estates. Make sure to get here early, because the afternoons are often filled with clouds and low visibility.
There are tons of day-trip tours to Lipton’s Seat, and you can even combine it with a tour to Diyaluma Falls!
✅ Book a day trip to Lipton’s Seat
Final Thoughts
After spending 2 months traveling through Sri Lanka, Diyaluma Falls was one of the places we will never forget.
Hopefully, this guide will make your trip to the waterfall stress-free and more enjoyable since you know exactly what to expect!
Author’s BIO
Caleb and Sarah Pasiuk are co-founders of The Pazook Travel Journal, an adventure travel blog for couples who want to make travel a lifestyle. They started writing about their travels three years ago while living and teaching in South Korea, but have since quit their jobs and travel full-time.
Caleb and Sarah love slow travel. They focus on creating destination guides and travel tips on the best tropical islands in Asia.
They recently traveled to Sri Lanka and spent two months seeing every corner of the island and eating all the coconut sambal they could get their hands on. You can read about more of their adventures on their website, The Pazook Travel Journal.
