Enjoying the huffing and puffing up the hills……

Scheduled time for Ambewela was 1.15pm and we reached there by 2.00pm. The other party from Kandy was waiting for us at the closed rail gate, so it was perfect timing as we all reached Ambewela together.

Ambewela is a pretty small town and if you are coming by train the mode of transportation would by bus or tuk-tuks – a new addition to Ambewela. It is difficult to find a van for hire. Ambewela is on the bus route from Pattipola to Nuwara Eliya and there are a few buses– one via Meepilimana and one via Rendapola.

When we visited Ambewela two years ago there were no tuk-tuks and this is how we reached the MILCO bungalow.

Our Experience on an earlier occasion…..two years ago…..

Since it was our very first visit we did not know that MILCO bungalow was just 1 km away from the station. This time we missed the opportunity of hopping on to an elf truck as there were tuk-tuks readily waiting at the station. We sent the younger kids and a grandma with the baggages and walked the 1 km to the MILCO bungalow enjoying the surroundings.

Circuit Bungalow B

MILCO (Highland) operates two circuit bungalows at Ambewela, close to the Spray Dried Milk Powder Factory. The bungalows are on the main road from Ambeweal to Pattipola. On your way to Worlds End you pass them 1km away from Ambewela town. You can’t miss them as there are hardly any buildings along this road. Reservation is not open to public but limited to Highland staff.

Circuit Bungalow B – side view

Circuit Bungalow A

The Bungalows consist of four bed rooms each and can accommodate 16-20. You have to bring your rations and there is a cook/bungalow keeper to do the cooking.

We reached our bungalow (B) around 2.30 and had lunch (brought from home). We then went back to town (Ambewela) and bought rations for the next two days. Do not expect much from this sleepy town with a few boutiques. We had to go from kade to kade to buy the stuff – even veggies.

We decided to visit New Zealand Farm in the evening which is only 3-4 kms away. It is open till 6pm on week-ends. The little ones with the grandmas went in the car and the rest took two tuk-tuks from the bungalow. Each charged only Rs.400/= for the round trip. It was a very pleasant journey late in the afternoon. The wind power plant, which is a new addition to the landscape, looked like giants standing on the green grass.

On the way to the New Zealand Farm…..

On the way to the New Zealand Farm…..

Farm in the evening sun…

Towards the farm …

Young calves

Goats shed

Though we’ve visited the farm many a times the kids enjoyed every minute of it. (despite the smell in the sheds). The final milking for the day is at 5.30 and after witnessing the event we called the tuk-tuks to pick us from the farm.

We reached the bungalow around 7 dead tired after a long day. Our cook, Saman, a very friendly chap, had prepared a delicious dinner that disappeared from the table in no time. We all went early to bed as we had many things plans for the next day.

DAY 2

The highlight of the trip was to do a railway hike from Pattipola to Ohiya. The kids (the elder ones) were so eager after I guided them through Lakdasun trip reports such as Life Along the Railways of Uva, Memorable Journey to Ohiya and Rail hike from Demodara to Pattipola– all describing the excitement of a railway hike. It was a totally novel thing and we were looking forward to it after reading all those reports as well as enjoying the attached photos. It was obvious that the entire crowd could not do the hike – we had grandmas, grandpas and babies. So it was decided the four youngsters with grandmas would visit Worlds End by the car and the three elder kids join the hike with the rest of us – well that included two grandpas aged 75 and 72. The elder kids did not mind missing out Worlds End as they did the full trail twice last year.

We had an early breakfast of Kiribath that Saman prepared and left the bungalow by 8.am. To our relief it was a bright sunny day with no hint of rain. We got ourselves dropped at Pattipola rail gate as we wanted to preserve our energy for the hike. Moreover I read somewhere in Lakdasun that there is not much to see from Ambewela – Pattipola. So I was certain that we were not missing much if we start from Pattipola.

Starting point

We talked to the Station Master and he advised us to wait for the Colombo bound train that would arrive in a short while and then proceed. We had studied the train schedule beforehand and our plan was to catch the next Colombo bound train from Ohiya at 11 am. We were also told that there will be a goods train around 10.30.

Train from Baddulla approaching Pattipola Station (8.30 am)

The hikers

The hikers

We proceeded along the rail track enjoying the cool breeze in the pleasant morning. It wasn’t very chilly and to my disappointment there was no mist at all. Soon we reached the summit level.

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At the summit level – two of us

…..and the oldest participant of the hike

Passing Summit Level

From Pattipola to Ohiya there was no human habitation nor was there any cultivation. We saw abandoned vegetable plots close to Pattipola but as we proceeded it was jungle on both sides of the track providing a panoramic view all the way.

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View on the way…..

Ma Rath Mal

Along the railway…

Abandoned buildings…a school????

We came across these abandoned buildings just before Tunnel No.18. Wonder what they are? There was a fence blocking entry to the premises. They looked like abandoned buildings of a school- with the ground in front. Any idea???

Then came the peak of the hike – Tunnel No. 18. We have read enough and more about this tunnel on the forum and were armed with powerful torches. It is supposed to be the second longest tunnel on the upcountry line and more than 321mts long.

Entering Tunnel No 18

It was pitch dark inside the tunnel and we had to be cautious as the track was slippery with water coming from the tunnel wall. The kids were far ahead of us enjoying the new experience and we were out of the tunnel in less than ten minutes. My daughter’s complaint was it was not as spooky as it was supposed to be and not long enough!!

We also noticed a climatic change as well as a change in the surroundings when coming out of Tunnel No.18. When we entered it we were enjoying the cool breeze of Pattipola but the other end was more dry and warm.

Next came Tunnel 19, which was jus 20 mts long.

Coming out of Tunnel 18

Tunnel No 19 – just 20mtrs.

Panorama continued along the way…

Tunnel No 20 was an entirely different story. It wasn’t pitch dark as tunnel No 18. It was as straight as an arrow and you could see the end. It is over 100 mts long and the walk through the tunnel is like a walk towards infinity. You walk and walk and walk but the end seems too far away. I found it more challenging than Tunnel No 18.

Never ending Tunnel No 20

Never ending Tunnel No 20

Then came the challenging task of crossing the railway bridge close to Ohiya. It was past 10:15 and we were conscious of the goods train we were warned of. Moreover a person working in a vegetable plot (the only person we met on the hike) warned us of the train scheduled around this time and advised us to wait till it pass to cross the bridge as there was hardly any room on the bridge in case a train approaches. So, we rested for a while and had some biscuits, waiting for the train to cross the bridge.

There was no sign of the train but we were reluctant to cross the brige exposing ourselves to danger. On the other hand we had to be at Ohiya to catch the 11 o”clock train if not the next train would be at 1:30, which would be a total waste of time. Fortunately I had the Ambewela Station number and when inquired we were told that it is running one hour late and still has not reached Nanu Oya. Relieved with the news we crossed the bridge taking our own time enjoying the elevated view.

Ohiya Railway Bridge

Crossing the bridge

Crossing the bridge

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Enjoying the view

After crossing the bridge we came to the last tunnel of our hike – Tunnel No:21-just 20 mts.

Last Tunnel of the hike – Tunnel 21

After tunnel No 21 we hurried our stepts but still enjoying the breathtaking scenery along the railway

Changing landscape towards Ohiya

Changing landscape towards Ohiya

We reached our destination Ohiya Station around 10:45 leaving us enough time to enjoy rotti and plain tea from the nearby boutique.

The young hikers at Ohiya Station

The young hikers at Ohiya Station

The Train from Badulla reached Ohiya around 11:05 and was packed with holiday-makers.

We enjoyed the journey back to Ambewela on the footboard of the train. We all felt the tunnels were much longer when we pass them in the train than when we walked through them – maybe we were faster than the tran! By 11:30 we were back at Ambewel Station ending our first train hike successfully. The kids were so excited and we promised them a longer hike next time – may be from Ohiya to Idalgashinna.

We walked the one km back to the bungalow and by 12 the hikers were relaxing at the bungalow, but the youngsters who went to Hortain Plains were yet to come.

The little ones with the grandmas too have enjoyed their time at Hortain Planins and they have walked up to Chimney Pool and come back. They reached the bungalow past one.

We all enjoyed Saman’s lunch and rested for a while as we all deserved it

Hortain Plains

Friend they met

The evening was spent at Kande Ela (Meepilimana Lake) just a few kilometers towards Nuwara Eliya. The little ones with the two grandmas went by the car and the rest got into a bus coming from Pattipola. We inquired the driver when the last bus from Nuwara Eliya to Pattipola would be and we were told that it leaves Nuwara Eliya at 6.00 and pass Kande Ela around 6.30. We made a mental note to catch it for our journey back home.

At Kande Ela

Boat ride

Sun going down at Kande Ela

It was disappointing to note that the gate of the “Kande Ela Educational Park” run by the Forest Department was locked and the buildings looked neglected. Wonder whether it is closed for good. It was a stopover for many on the way to Worlds End and the nature trail was educational as well as interesting.

We enjoyed a boat ride in the lake and as dusk was setting in we left Kande Ela. The little ones went in the car and we started walking hoping the last bus to Pattipola would come at any moment. We walked nearly 3 kms but there was no sign of the bus and the car had to do another trip to pick the rest of the crowd. So those who did the rail hike in the morning and did this walk did more than 10kms on foot for the day!

Around 7:30 in the night we reached the bungalow and heard the bus passing a few minutes later. We all were tired after a long day and went early to bed after enjoying another delicious meal prepared by Saman.

Day 3

Early next morning we noticed that the weather has changed slightly and there was a slight drizzle. Saman said it is called “Babar Pinna”- the kind of spraying you get in a saloon! I couldn’t agree more. But soon after the sun came out shining bright and we were relieved that our last day would not be spoilt by the rain.

After a healthy b’fast we went to see the Spray Dried Milk Powder Factory close by. You have to get prior approval from Highland Head Office Colombo and the factory functions on week days only. As it was a Monday we could see the factory but the procedure took quite some time.

Towards the factory

We spent quite some time in the factory learning how milk power is made out of liquid milk – quite a hot topic these days – and also viewed the packing plant as well. It was good educational stuff for the kids.

We were to leave for Nuwara Eliya thereafter and the plan was to catch the 10:30 bus from Pattipola to Nuwara Eliya via Rendapola. We were thinking of visiting Hakgala Gardens if time permits as the bus passes the Gardens. We were waiting for the bus for quite some time when we heard that there is a political meeting at Nuwara Eliya and all CTB buses have been sent there. At the same time we saw the train from Badulla going towards Ambewela station and were sorry that we didn’t think of catching it as it would take us to Nanu Oya. But luck was in our way. Our party that eft by car called to say that the train will be at the station for some time until the goods train passes. We had to do a marathon along the rail track to catch the train just in time. We went to Nanu Oya by the train and then took a bus to Nuwara Eliya. Though it was a “Parangiya Kotte Giya Wage” route we all enjoyed the additional train journey.

At Nuwara Eliya we went to Gregory Park and it was packed with those who came to the political rally held in the morning. At the park the kids did what they love most – cycling along the track enjoying the cool breeze.

At Gregory Park

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After enjoying the Gregory Park for quite some time we all were hungry and had lunch at the park making use of the tables and benches made out of used sleepers. We had brought lunch pkts from home and we all enjoyed our outdoor lunch.

After lunch one party of the group left for Kandy by car and we spent some time in the town and walked to the main bus stand. There was a bus leaving for Pattipola at 4:30 and the last bus was at 6:00. We decided to go in the 4:30 bus because of previous day’s experience with the last bus.

The bus took almost one hour to reach Ambewela and we got off near our bungalow by 5:30. We had a refreshing cup of coffee and relaxed for a while as we had to catch the night mail train to Colombo. Before dinner we walked along the road leading to the factory in the moonlight enjoying the cool Ambewela whether for the last time.

We had our dinner prepared by Saman and bid good bye to him around 9:00 as the train was scheduled at 9:45. We sent the little ones and grandma’s in a tuk-tuk to the station and enjoyed the one km walk in moonlight. As it was the day before poya the moon was out in full and we hardly needed a torch.

This time the train got late and we were made to wait till 10:45 pm freezing at the Ambewela Station.

Freezing at Ambewela station

We had reserved seats in the sleeper, but could hardly sleep as the ill-tempered guard was shouting at passengers who tried to get in at each station.

The train was scheduled to reach Colombo at 5:15 but it was past 6:30 when it reached Fort.

As we came back by the night mail train we had the Poya day to rest. We all were satisfied with our successful train journey this year and promised ourselves another train trip soon, of course along with a longer rail hike!

Thanks for reading!

We started late morning (as usual) from Ragama to Kalupahana. This trip was originally planned as a 2 day trip. After having lunch we came around 1.00 pm to BHR. Road condition from Kalupahana double bridge (A4) to Bambarakanda Fall was on good shape.

Bambarakanda fall from BHR

Wangedigala from BHR

Gonmollikanda & Balathuduwa from BHR

Bambarakanda fall

At BHR

At BHR

Since we have enough time, we decided to go to Devil’s Staircase around 2.00 pm. Road beyond BHR was very good (Concreted / paved). Even though we expect bad road, less than 2 kms from BHR road condition was horrible. After climbing about ½ km we decided to revise the vehicle for ½ km and came back to BHR.

Mrs. Sera (Owner of BHR) advised us, we have already climbed close to the V-cut which is the worst part up to Udaweriya estate and after V-cut road condition is bad but not worst.

After the disappointment, we went to base of the Bambarakanda fall and had a bath.

Next day we started again towards Devil’s Staircase around 9.00 am. As mention by Mrs. Sera, worst terrain was up to V-cut. There after road condition was bad. We came to Ohiya road around 11.00 am.

Rough concrete road near BHR

Then nice paving towards up hill

Again concrete road and End with nice view

Kuragala Zoomed

Start of the rough terrain

Different terrain

Famous V-cut

Our team @ V-cut

Feeder stream of Bambarakanda fall

Feeder stream of Bambarakanda fall

Towards Devil’s Staircase

U-Turn to Heaven

Devil’s Staircase

Abandoned Udaveriya tea factory

Then we decided to visit Horton plains national park. We visited Baker’s fall and returned via Haputhale road. We stayed additional night at BHR.

Chimney Pool

Leg of Mutton Pool

Baker’s fall

Baker’s fall

Third day the Bonus date, we decided to climb the border of Horton Plaines national park – Nagrak division which lies in the top most part of the Non Pariel estate. Unfortunately estate management not allowed us to drive beyond Tea factory. We got permission to walk to Upper division which is just below the Great world’s End drop.

Road to Non Pareil state

On the way to Tea factory

On the way to Tea factory – View

Jet passes above World’s End

I managed to see visitors at Great World’s End drop!

Small World’s End from Upper division

Great World’s End from Upper division

Great World’s End – 10x Zoom

See the visitors

Gonmollikanda & Balathuduwa from upper division

View from upper division

Life at upper division

Life at upper division

We hired estate 3 wheel during the walk. Three wheel drivers used to climb down in Neutral gear even ignition off in deadly dangerous horrible bends.

Balaiya, the man helped to find over 25 dead bodies those have jumped from World’s End over the last 50 years.

High risk

After the exiting journey, we came home around 4.00 pm.

After going through the maps we realized that we have loitered around the merging area of Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Central provinces.

It was late July when my gang started moaning about our monthly trip and we came up with 04 Aug Wewelwatte Journey which turned out to be wet, cold and chilling.

However, there was a side story to that journey. The monsoon rains had come in full force and the waterfalls all around the country were smiling down on us revealing their hidden beauty.It was as if the Waterfall Festival had come to Sri Lanka.

Being frantic waterfall lovers we all decided to see as many waterfalls on Wewelwatte as possible but Athula had something else up his sleeve. He quietly mentioned about the water levels of Lakshapana and Aberdeen being at an all-time high and wondering if we could go there.I wasn’t to be hesitated at any rate and suggested we take a day off and do it after the Wewelwatte.

I managed to take a leave on Tue 06 Aug and Atha readily agreed to do it on the same day. When I put it forward during our Wewelwatte journey on 04 Aug, everybody looked aghast as if we had decided to throw the government.

“You guys are going on another journey day after tomorrow? What do you guys think you are doing? We’re gonna miss that. You know we can’t go on like that.” Was all that managed to mumble amid my suggestion. What to do? We couldn’t wait any longer as the water levels won’t wait for us. So Athula and I decided to get on no matter what happened. On the 04th night, Tony called and said he’d love to join but needed permission from the higher authority (you know who by now). On the following morning he realized that he needed to take his daughter for ALs and that put a stop to his whining I suppose. Fortunately, our new employee, Harinda, wanted to join as he’d been missing all the fun. Prasanna too was coming and Athula said he might be able to fix us a vehicle and we were all hoping for that coz the rains had got on our nerves during Wewelwatte journey.

We all waited anxiously and finally he came through with a van (just the front and one back seat for max 5 passengers) and it lifted our morals a helluva lot. I tried luring Danushka into joining us as he missed our trip but couldn’t get leave. It was a blessing coz the two Sumo Players (Hari and Prasanna) took up the whole of the back seat leaving no space anyone else, which meant Atha and I had to squeeze tightly into the front with the driver.

We left Colombo around 6.00am and picked Prasanna from Kaluaggala, having had to wait a long time as usual. Along the Hatton road we went and suddenly around Karawanella, Atha stopped at a place for breakfast. Hot, hot egg hoppers came and evaporated while string hoppers and bread were vanished at a ferocious rate mixed with a delicious sprats curry. All in all, it was a grand breakfast and we enjoyed it so much and got back on the road.

 Tour Highlights:

1.  Lakshapana Falls – 129m
2. Dutch Memorial
3. Aberdeen Falls – 98m
4. Gerandi Ella at Morahenagama

We reached Kithulgala and passing Beli Lena (we initially planned to visit this as well but simply ran out of time) we came to the Kalugala Junction where there was a board saying “Lakshapana 12km” and we took the road onto our right. This is also another road that leads to Adam’s Peak but not in good condition.

Lakshapana Falls & Dutch Memorial

The road took us passing the Kehelgamu Oya which was in over flowing condition forming creamy white foams and running mischievously passing rocks. We had to stop for a pic. The sky looked gloomy and threatened to rain at any moment but we were not swayed by that. Another 1km or so we reached the Bodhigira Junction where the road folk into two. The left hand side one goes directly to Norton Bridge (in between there’s the road to Adam’s Peak) which is in a slightly better condition. The one on the right or rather straight goes passing Polpitiya and Hangarapitya to Maskeliya.

When inquired with the villagers, they advised us to take the upper road saying it was in good condition but longer than the below one. However, Athula wanted to tackle the right hand path which goes to Maskeliya via Hangarapitiya. The road is not in very good condition but we didn’t come across any major obstacles. We soon saw the Polpitiya power house and the Kehelgamu Oya was on her way as if there was no tomorrow. The river under the bridge was flowing on a rocky bed which had dug a clean canal and the water was gushing down making a huge roar.

From then onwards we went further and reached Hangarapitiya. Athula suddenly asked me to listen to the villager he was talking to as he was explaining how the name “Hangarapitiya” came by. This road used to be the one the old-time kings use to visit Adam’s Peak and this particular village had been where the Kings and their entourage were treated with food and accommodation. In Sinhala we say “Sangraha Karanawa” which means treat and the village had got the name as a result “Sangrahapitiya” and later had become “Hangarapitiya”. What a fabulous folklore to come across. We saw a waterfall on the other side of the mountains (the upper road) but I couldn’t find her name but Atha later confirmed her to be Gerandi Ella. She may well be a seasonal falls for all I know.

Then following the road and avoiding pot holes full of muddy water we went further up. On our left was the world famous “Seven Virgins Mountain” which was the cause for “Martin Air Flight 138” tragedy. I’ve given the story in brief below but I’m sure many of you know this as it remains the worst in Sri Lankan Aviation history and 3rd deadliest involving a McDonnell Douglas DC-8 aircraft in the whole world after Arrow Air Flight 1285 and Nigeria Airways Flight 2120.

 — Martinair Flight 138 was a chartered flight from Surabaya, Indonesia to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The aircraft was operated on behalf of Garuda Indonesia. On December 4, 1974, the aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas DC-8-55F, crashed into Seven Virgins Mountain shortly before landing, killing all 191 people aboard – 182 Indonesian hajj pilgrims bound for Mecca, and 9 crew members.

The flight is said to have departed Surabaya, Indonesia at approximately 12.03 UTC heading to Jeddah planning a stop at Bandaranayake airport, Colombo, Sri Lanka. At around 16.30 UTC Colombo control cleared the flight. At 16.38 UTC another air traffic controller is said to have intervened and cleared the flight down to 5000 feet and reported clearing to 8000 feet. Colombo approach then cleared the flight down to 2000 feet at 16.44 and told the flight to expect a runway 04 approach.

The crew aboard the flight was then asked to report when the airfield was in sight. The crew then continued their descent until the aircraft crashed into “Saptha Kanya Mountain” at an altitude of approximately 4,355 feet and at around 40 nm east of Colombo. All 191 passengers and crew were killed. The aircraft crashed on the fifth mountain of a range of hills known as “Saptha Kanya” at Therberton estate, Maskeliya. —

Passing this we all of a sudden saw a notice on our right hand side saying “Aulanda Sohona – Dutch Memorial” and I wanted to have a look. They had built a memorial about 200m away from the road in the tea estate and several diplomats from Indonesia and Maldives had unveiled it on 22 July 1979. We were lucky to have come across this coz I hadn’t seen any evidence of a memorial anywhere before.

Athula then went onto say one of the tires of the aircraft is at display at Norton Bridge Police Station. Apparently the original memorial is located at the Police Station along with the tire. We had seen the second one built very close to the crash site by those family members of the passengers and crew. Anyhow, we couldn’t forget the local singer Anton Jones who sang this very famous song as a tribute to this crash “Kande Hapuna Waha Wananthare – DC8 Guwan Yanthare”.

Just passing that I decided to walk a bit as the path was really scenic and for some reason rain had decided to leave us alone. Further up, I came across this grand looking bungalow on my right hand side and over it the Seven Virgins Mountain full of mist. It looked like a palace in heaven. How lucky those people who live there. I was feeling very jealous then and still do.

We reached Kiriwan Eliya where they have a few shops and a small restaurant-cum-guest house. We asked the road from two boys and they asked us to go further up. Apparently they had given us the path to the top of Lakshapana Falls. We had to turn back after about 1km and came back to the shops to find a board saying it’s only 300m to the falls downhill. Yucky yuck those boys. We got off and walked downhill and they’ve done a nice path with steps right down to the waterfall which made going very easy and hardly any attack from those horrible leeches.

There were houses along this path and it could be one other reason why the path is so well maintained. In fact those villagers were repairing a part of the track when we went. About 200m down, we could here this huge roar as if a 100-carriage train coming down Kadugannawa slope without breaks and it really was very frightening. It even reminded me of Tsunami.

The whole area was so noisy to see it’s the Lakshapana falls that was making all that uproar. She was celebrating something which we couldn’t put our fingers on. It was deafening and soon we got glimpses of this milky water falling through trees. Then came the moment, Eureka…. There she was falling down full length without stopping for a breather like twin towers of New York.

It was a sight that I’ll treasure forever. One villager who was repairing the road told Athula that they witnessed the most of in 2 decades on 04 Aug. (In vain we were getting soaked in Wewelwatte, I felt for a moment but soon perished the thought). It was a sight to marvel at and we took plenty of pics and got down to the base of the falls. It was as if raining at the bottom due to vapor coming from the water hitting the rocks. We thankfully had taken two umbrellas with us (learnt our lesson at Wewelwatte) and had to unfold them in order to shield from the water droplets. Taking pics was Mission Impossible-3 coz our lenses kept getting hit by those tiny water droplets. It was the same method as two days ago. Shoot and wipe and shoot again which was a pain in the neck.

I was savoring this unprecedented beauty (maybe once in a lifetime chance) and felt like hugging her. There was so much water and all around the vapor was dancing. You had to see it to believe. We waited as long as we could and having perilously exposed our cameras for the second time in 3 days, decided to head back. I simply couldn’t make up my mind to leave this gorgeous princess. It was as if she was so alive and trying to talk to us.

We came back to the shop and had some plain tea which reinvigorated our bodies and minds. Then it was time to go looking for the other beauty – Aberdeen Falls.

Two videos of Lakshapana Falls is here:

Video 01

Video 02

The Kehelgamu Oya full of water

White water rafting, anyone?

Flowing somewhat calmly under the bridge

The Team: Hari / Prasanna / Atha / Me and our Driver

This is the junction where the road splits into two. We took the right hand one which was scenic but not in good condition. If you take this, you can come around the upper road from Norton Bridge making it a circular path

The sign at the Bodhigira Junction

Polpitiya Power Staion

The bridge at Polpitiya

Two snake-like pipes carrying water to the power plant

The network

Water gushing down the narrow rocky canal

And comes out the other side ferociously

Possibly put it up during the terror attacks

Morahenagama… Gerandi Ella seen from Hangarapitiya

Up close

It was at this place we heard how the name “Hangarapitiya” was originated

She was constantly looking for something to eat.

Defa… If it’s not us, then who will?

Scenic views were endless

The Dutch Cemetery

Atha, Prasanna getting up to the cemetery while Hari bringing the rear

Those trees are only at this place so easy to find the place

Just entering in

The plaque placed on the outer wall – Click Image to Enlarge

The memorial but not visited or cared for recently

Up close

This is not English but I could figure out something about Indonesia – Click Image to Enlarge

The trio next to the memorial

Hari had to drag me into the vehicle coz I kept getting out due to these pics

Water was everywhere creating beautiful cascades in all sizes

The Palace in Heaven

This is the place where the entrance to the falls is

Oh yeah, maybe a bit more than 300m

They are showing the path. Be warned not up the stairs though. That’s the rest house

Camera and the tripod carrying, Athula was getting down

Houses were bordered along the path…

Thankfully it was a relief to have these steps

Edible? Not sure and the house owners were not nearby to check

The path being repaired

What a structure… They must’ve had a lot of work building this in the first place

Pooooh… first glimpse

Oh my goodness… such beauty is unheard of

Close

Closer

Seen in a different angle… See the color on the rock wall

That’s the last house at the bottom but more to go to the base of the falls

Trees obscuring our view on the way to the bottom

Glamorous, isn’t she?

I don’t know what to compare

It was like a dream and the vapor was enveloping the surrounding

Finally at the bottom

Water going down and can see a dam like structure

Protein buster

Cool

Aberdeen Falls & Morahenagama Falls

We went further up the road towards Maskeliya and soon came across the path to the top of Lakshapana but decided not to venture into that. The river looked ferocious and we wanted to save as much time as possible for the afternoon coz we still had in our minds to visit Beli Lena.

Soon we entered a massive bridge and the water was flowing like the Niagara Falls underneath it. We even saw someone trying to catch fish. I was surprised to see the bridge was still standing tall coz that water had the power to take it clean off its base in seconds. We saw the remains of the old suspension bridge now only the supporting pillars on either side of the river.

We stopped for quick snaps which turned out to be long ones for Harinda’s dismay coz he kept saying that he needed to get home soon. We soon came to a junction where the road on the right went towards Maskeliya and the left one took us back towards Lakshapana which we took. It again forked into two after a few kilometers; the left one taking us to back Lakshapana village and to the Bodhigira Junction (making it a more like a circular road) while the right one taking us towards Norton Bridge 2km away and further away Ginigathhena.

We turned right and less than 1km into the road came to a by road on the left but went passing and Harinda however wanted to check where it went. He proved right coz it was the one that leads to Aberdeen falls. Took a U-turn and came back and it’s the road to Kalaweldeniya Village about 6-8km away. There even was a hotel about 1.2km away according to the sign board.

Taking the path which was in dire need of repairing wasn’t an easy task. There’s also a bus service from Norton Bridge to Kalaweldeniya and the road is barely enough in width to pass two tuk-tuks let alone other vehicles. We asked for the directions about 4km away and a person said it’s only about 1km away. We went more than 2km before Harinda got his sixth sense and said we must have passed it. We had reached the Kalaweldeniya School by that time. There was this grandma who said that we had come it passing (Hariya should’ve been at the wheel) and there’s board pointing the direction.

“A board?” We were shocked to have missed it and there was no way a board was erected on that road. But we turned around and after sometime reached a place with a few houses and the path was just there. Unfortunately the big sign board had fallen face down and nobody had apparently bothered to put it up again. To make matters more humorous, there was this tiny notice stuck on a jack tree saying “Aberdeen Ella” both in Sinhala and English.

So much for directions and we got down along the nicely built steps. Again, we felt very grateful for whoever built this path and it’s longer than the Lakshapana and there was no village or house along it. So the path was meant for the waterfall only. There were a few leeches that bothered us then and there and two dogs were on our tail sensing some food is sure to be given. The last bit of the path had been built on 1 Dec 2012. There were tiny waterways going down along with the steps and at certain places there were rocks popping up and the builders had very wisely built the steps on either side.

We suddenly reached a barrier where a tree had fallen right across the path but tackling it was no problem. All of a sudden, we saw the whole area below is covered in white mist which turned out to be the water vapor just like at Lakshapana.

We reached the bottom and there she was.

All I managed to say was “Holy, Moly, and Guacamole…” What a magnificent girl she was dancing like a ballerina showing off her beauty without hiding it at all.

This giant waterfall was in full flow (couldn’t have been any bigger) and she looked as if she alone could feed the whole country with that amount of water. We couldn’t see any rock but water completely covered the whole surface and the vapor was travelling in all directions obscuring our view. There was this viewing platform they had built but we had to stay right at the edge coz we could’ve got wet so much. It was frightening to get any closer but Harinda wanted to get closer and take pic with his signature pose getting drenched in the process.

Taking pics was crazy and it took about 5mins to take one then hide it under the umbrella or keep our driver or Prasanna as a shield then wipe it completely before taking the next one. I managed to shoot a short video and you’ll be able to see the level of water clearly.

I’d never seen a waterfall carrying so much water in real life and what a treat this was. I was mesmerized and lost in a different world. She was simply spectacular and breath-taking and I’m speechless and can’t find any words to describe her any better. If I thought I’d seen water, I felt ashamed of myself when I saw this one.

However, I suddenly felt this heartache coz there are plans to build a hydro power plant near her probably killing her altogether. I’m sure you know what happened to St. Claire and many other waterfalls and it seems the same fate is gonna come upon her. What a tragedy? These darn hydro power plants are spreading like a cancer and soon we gonna have nothing but a dead body. My country will be devoid of any eco-friendly things like this in the near future at this rate.

Having seen her, we came back to Lakshapana Village using the upper road and suddenly Athula asked the driver to stop the van got down. We too came down to see the waterfall we could see from Hangarapitiya is here and the village is Morahenagama. I couldn’t find a name at the time but Atha confirmed it’s also called Gerandi Ella.

After that we went further and followed the road to the Kalugala Junction all the time listening to Harinda’s whining about being hungry. We reached Kithulagala and had rice and curry and during the meal Athula was screaming holding his chest and I thought he was having a heart attack. He put his hand through the shirt buttons and took out a big leech having fed on his blood all the time probably from Aberdeen. If it was Prince, we’d had to take him to the hospital.

Video of Aberdeen is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLDogxsm9c0

We however had gone passed the Beli Lena turning point and decided to skip it as Hariya was wanting to get home soon.

It was a memorable day coz we saw two beautiful waterfalls in full flow and worth every bit. I do hope there’ll be a stop to these stupid ways of building hydro power plant here and there killing our country and her nature.

Here my fairy tale comes to an end and actually I wasn’t meaning to write this but Hariya was very busy and Atha wouldn’t hear of doing it for me.

Hope you like it. Take care…

The Kelani Valley

Couldn’t blow them away due to dew

Seven Virgins Mountain, somewhere up is where the Martin Air Flight 138 crashed into

Harinda wanted to elope and live in a place like this

Up close…

Dancing water

Endless cascades kept me walking along the road

Getting down the steps

Posing for the pic

Mother and son was busily collecting firewood

Camera was roughly treated putting it down on hard surfaces and exposing it to water

White Water rafting would’ve been interesting in this

Hand like rock

Remains of the suspension bridge

The replacement bridge for the suspension one

Icing on the cake

St. Claire?

What a marvelous place

Out of a dream

Making numerous shapes

Tea flower

Scenic views everywhere

The road towards Maskeliya

A huge layer of mist covering the Seven Virgins

Upstream and there’s tiny fall right at the top

This is the one

Our faithful vehicle

It’s not a giant cake

Here’s the junction I mentioned. The road to right goes to Maskeliya and we took the left… The waterfall is the Lakshapana where we came from

Umbrella like flower

Another hidden cascade

The bottom part of it

Plenty of wood was piled along the road

The Lakshapana falls – Darn those cables

Gorgeous one, isn’t she?

Ok, here’s the other junction where the road goes along the upper road towards Lakshapana

We took the right hand side towards Norton Bridge

A tiny cascade where we turned around as we had passed the turning point

Here’s the Kalaweldeniya road on the right hand side

The house where the path to the falls is close by

I don’t miss any of these

Here we are… they’re showing the path entrance

The board but the big one had fallen off

Many of those were everywhere

They are coming down… Hariya trying to get into a decent pose

It’s built through this forest patch

The two companions

Even hand railings were built

One would feel like taking these and planting at their houses but please don’t

Kind of a snail I guess

The supporting wood plank had been a home for these mushrooms

Water was following us

Missing all the obstacles

The last bit built date. Thank you folks….

Artistic fern

Atha trying to negotiate the fallen tree

Oh ho….

Fiercely getting down

It’s not the rain but the water vapor

Not a leaf on it but an artistic touch

Just getting the first glance… yahooooooooooo

The platform is drenched in water and slippery while the vapor is spreading like a smoked bomb

It was crazy trying to point your camera at

Holy Moly Guacamole…

You can see the water on the lens

She alone could’ve watered the whole country

Finally some sunlight getting through the cloud cover

She even made us a rainbow to welcome us

Time to go girlie

Tend to fall down any minute

Those two couldn’t leave Harinda… but were rewarded with plenty of biccies by him

Prasanna…. Exhausted beyond words

Along the upper road towards Lakshapana Village, we saw her smiling from afar

Oh ho, it’s Lakshapana falls…

Closer… time to go

The one we saw from Hangarapitiya – Gerandi Ella

The path lies to the left

The lower part

Compare the shapes of both of them… What a coincidence… Either Banana imitated her or she imitated the Banana

Clear view… not much water so probably a season fall. Pretty high though.

Upper bit

Fed by Atha… This one was nestling on his ribs when he found

We started from Colombo around 5.30Am on 31st August. And there were 11 persons with our team. We reach Kadugannawa around 8.45 and had breakfast.

On our first day our plan was to visit Bambara kiri ella, Riverston peak , Pitawala pathana, Thelagamu oya and Sera ella. We met with heavy rain on the way of Riverston peak and we all got wet. We couldn’t reach Riverston summit because of it was not safe to visit summit while thundering. We couldn’t visit Sera ella and Thelagamu oya because we haven’t enough time.

We have enough space to have our lunch in Pitawala pathana ticketing center and it was around 3.00 pm.
It was around 7.30 pm to reach ‘Ashane holiday bungalow’ in Dunuwila wasgamuwa. It was very nice place to stay and reasonable prices. Bungalow can be booked by contacting with its owner (0714725593).

Our second day plan was Wasgamuwa safari and safari jeep has been already arranged before trip started. We took jeep from Aberathna (0724084546) and jeep was in good condition

We started safari around 11.30 in next day and Aberathna came to the bungalow to pick us with his jeep.

Kadugannawa road. Nice morning.

On the way of Riverston

On the way of riverston

On the way of riverston

On the way of riverston

Bambatakiri ella

On the way of Bambarakiri ella. Green whip snake

On the way of Riverson peak

Having deep breath on the way of Riverston peak.

Having deep breath on the way of Riverston peak.

Mini worlds end pitawala pathana.

Mini worlds end pitawala pathana.

Mini worlds end pitawala pathana.

Pitawala pathana road.

Pitawala pathana.

Riverston peak transmission tower seen from pitawala pathana.

Pitawala lpathana

Pitawala lpathana

Rural Hena/Pala seen from mini worlds end pitawala pathana.

Pitawala pathana

Traditional wee-bissa in Dunuwila village wasgamuwa.

Bird nest near Dunuwila lake wasgamuwa

Safari jeep (Aberathna – 072-4084546)

Near dunuwila lake wasgamuwa

The place we stay.(Ashane holiday bangalow).Very nice place and reasonable price. It was 10000 for 13-14 peoples per night

Eagle Ready for breakfast

Wild Elephants in wasgamuwa.

Sri lankan jungle-fowl in wasgamuwa

Having a bath in mahawali river wasgamuwa

Wild crocodile inside wasgamuwa park

Whole team together

The map – Click to enlarge

After the preceding days failed attempt in reaching Mill oya falls I decided to give it another try on the very next day. I never wanted to give up knowing that this hidden beauty will not flow as she had been doing all these years in few more months after the newly built mini hydro project starts functioning. So I reached Millebedda early as I could to try and reach the waterfall from the top because visiting it from Walas ella side was a failure.

Delan was a trishaw guy who I met at Millebedda temple and even he had not visited this waterfall but yet he was keen enough to join me on this venture. So we took the road named Kanchana which was about 1.5Km towards Lunugala(from millebedda). After traveling about 5Km’s we reached a house where we halted the trishaw and walked towards the Power hydro project work site located on top of the waterfall. Few guys who recognized me asked “ah mahattaya adath awada?” and I did give them a smile and said “ada nam meka balalamai yanne”. I was so determined that no one could stop me in doing so, we did walk along the Mill oya stream and reached the location where water was diverted and followed the concrete canal under construction for some distance. We stepped in to the jungle at a point where we thought it would be an easy approach to the base. It was a steep downhill descend and we had to crawl holding on to creepers at many instances too. Finally we reached the base of a stream but yet the waterfall couldn’t be seen. After climbing few huge boulders with uttermost difficulty we reached the base of Mill oya falls which was also known as Gona wetuna ella. This beauty has two parts and the top part could only be seen partly. The cascade is completely hidden and one needs to get to its base to have a proper view of it. Though we wanted to get to the upper part it was not possible at all. Next we started climbing from the opposite side and we were greeted by leeches and thorny wewal. After a good mud bath we reached a mini canal which diverted water from the waterfall to feed the nearby paddy fields. We did follow it all the way until the top of the fall was reached where a clear view towards Monaragala could be appreciated. Since we had done the whole circular trail we did understand that getting down from the left side of the cascade was the best option so my advice for someone would be is “get to the top and go along the canal on the left and reach the bottom”. There is nice bathing place on top of the fall if one wants to have a dip. After getting back to the wadiya we were offered pol sambol + dhal + pork with rice as lunch which we couldn’t resist! That miraculous lunch was the best medicine we had after a tiring hike.

the only glimpse of Mill oya ella, i did attempt on the very next day

shaped for milk

devastation, see what they have done to the forest

dawn on the next day

Suddas remnants

Buttala as seen from A5

rahathankanda and budugallena

foot path to the top of mill ella

the end of the waterfall is few months away

a mini cascade, good for a shower

a cave close to the fall

Mill oya falls (Gona wetuna falls )

lower part

the top part of mill oya falls

hard task

canal we followed

top of gona wetuna falls

scenery towards monaragala

uppermost cascade

plunges down

beauty

upper part

stunning view

getting down

Next place of interest was Adi hate wala which is supposed to have a waterfall too. Many locals suggested me to go and see this beauty rather than Milla oya cascade. To get to this waterfall one needs to go uphill via few line houses. I actually can’t remember the exact turn off point but better to inquire from the locals because they are aware of its where-bouts. There is a 1.5Km foot path which will lead to this beauty and it’s also a cascade of Milla oya. The base pool is said to be 60’ deep hence the name Adi hate wala was given. Downstream there is another beautiful cascade but does not have a clear path to reach it.

grey hornbill

play time

lower part

shining upper part

60 feet in depth

beauty

upper part

drops plunging down

Adi Hate wala falls

Adi Hate wala lower cascade

the path

From Hopton I went towards Yapamma and got off at a bo tree with a yellow coloured Buddha shrine. The concrete road uphill leads towards the famous “Besam wala” of Lunugala. The 2Km walk along this paved road was well worth it. After a while I reached a bridge and 50 meters upstream from it the famous Besam wala could be found. This is one of those wonderful creations of Mother Nature. The stream which is flowing downhill collects in to a rock pond and then overflows resembling a rocky basin. The depth was about 4’. I couldn’t resist not getting in to it and having a dip. Later on I ventured upstream to explore few cascades and similar bathing places but I was tormented by resident leeches . Since it was drizzling I returned back to the main road and headed towards Passara to catch a bus to Monaragala and end my day.

name board

රන් නලල් කොට්ටෝරැවා

feeling the cold

not ambewela but lunugala

Solitary

police has put up some notices on rocks close to besama

slow shutter besama lower fall

besam wala

upstream similar location

Besama upper fall

top of besama

good bye besama, I will be back

castle of electricity

Day two even before the sun decided to rise I got a bus towards Badalkumbura and reached the town where I hired a trishaw to visit a famous historical temple called Dummaletenna which was 10 Km’s away from Badalkumbura town. The road was almost washed away at some places close to the temple but we did manage it with are trishaw. This ancient temple is said to be one of those places where great king Dutugemunu rested while marching towards Anuradhapura. Also this is surrounded by Kubukkan river on three sides and the other side been occupied by a paddy field which produces some stunning landscapes. This temple has a restored pagoda where only the outer protective wall remains from the past. The image house which is under construction has some vandalized statues and it seems like the remaining bit also would be lost in time when the new one gets completed. After having a chat with the monk I took off towards Badalkumbura to have some breakfast and join my friend and his wife who was searching for a wonderful location to go on their anniversary.

Dummalethenna temple

vandalized and repaired

Dummalethenna temple statues

under construction

note the ancient outer wall

beautiful

poya geya

Karavila bubula

pride of uva

bordered by kumbukkan oya

We decided to visit Alupotha fort where and Archaeology board directing towards inland from Badalkumbura Passara road could be seen. Following the board we went towards Alupotha and within no time we were confused by the locals who repeatedly said there is no such thing to see. Somehow after a wild goose chase we came to know that the current Alupotha town was the fort long ago. This is the place where “Weera Keppetipola” joined the rebels according to the history books. My friend and his wife were teasing me all the way because they saw nothing interesting though there was a black archeology board. I felt like removing the board but within no time that feeling vanished away. So now I needed to compensate and satisfy my friends and that is what I did. Bambaragala pathana my favourite view point of Wellassa was where I took them next and they really enjoyed the panoramic view from that point.

is there a purpose of this board anymore

remnants of the fort

old buildings

Bambaragala pathana scenery

wellassa

towards wellawaya

From Namunukula we went towards Ella and on the way at a big elbow bend we were forced to stop and enjoy an awesome view towards Wellawaya town. We also named this as “Balleketuwa gap”. Next stop was Wellawaya Kotaweheragala temple. There is a small pagoda seen on a rocky plateau few Km’s away from Wellawaya. Since it was a scenic place we decided to climb that rock. The access point to this temple is about 2Km’s away from Wellawaya on Monaragala road. the temple is a modified place and if one wants to reach the pagoda you need to start climbing up from the image house. The task was not easy as we thought but the blissful scenery seen from the top made us forget everything. The mountain ranges of Poonagala, Namunukula , Ella rock could be seen clearly from the pagoda. To our surprise the pagoda was an ancient one which was later refurbished and the remains of the old pagoda was evidence for that. After hanging around a bit we set foot towards Badalkumbura.

Balleketuwa gap towards wellawaya

wellawaya town

Kota weheragala at wellawaya

the image house

uphill climb

leafless

note the rocks from the ancient sthupa

the view

wadinahela side

Poonagala range

wellawaya town

Ella gap

on top of kota weheragala

serene

paddyfields of wellawaya

Just before Badalkumbura we reached Punsisigama and took a right turn towards Walagamba hermitage. After tackling a 2Km road we reached the isolated cave temple on the base of a mountain range. We met the head priest and obtained permission to wonder around. There were about 4 or 5 drip ledge caves where some were modified and used. One was the image house where few bats could be found. We also came across an interesting carving of a coconut tree on a rock close to the bo tree too. It was getting all gloomy and we had to get back before dark fall. Exploring further caves was not feasible so we thanked the resident monks and returned back to Monaragala to end another interesting day!

Entering shri Walgamba hermitage punsisigama

අනිත්‍යය!

modified

inside the kutiya

image house made out of a drip ledge cave

inside the image house

kutiya at shri Walgamba hermitage punsisigama

head priest

another kutiya

a coconut tree carving

view towards badalkumbura and passara

Thanks for reading!

We got off the train from Badulla in the morning after a long 12 hour journey. The list of “must do” in Uva province was getting longer ever since Ashan started roaming in Uva and his reports started flooding into the Lakdasun forum. We were hoping to cover a few of those places and 5 of us were on a hiking trip, hoping to do 3 trails in 3 days. Our accommodation was close to Passara so we quickly did shopping and got into a Passara bus.

The dawn

Namunukula seen under the dawn from close to Idalgashinna

View from Idalgashinna

Bandarawela

Day 1

After dropping our baggages and stuff, we were off for our 1st mission, to climb the Lunugala peak. We went to Passara town and tried to find a bus going in that direction. Since it was Saturday afternoon we could not find a bus going in that direction from Passara, so had to hire a 3 wheeler to reach to the place where the trail started. It was past noon when we started the lunugala hike. It was not a difficult hike. There’s no path but neither a chance of getting lost. It is an isolated hill with no tree cover, so we could see where we were going.

Lunugala peak seen from 9th mile post

Towards Monaragala

Landmark of the trail head

Medawelagama junction where the trail head is

The trail

here we go

But the lack of tree canopy meant we had to walk directly under the sun. Humidity was also high as some dark clouds were gathering. So we were sweating a lot. But a staggering view was unveiling in front of us making us to forget all the tiredness. From one side we could see the endless view towards Monaragala and from another side the beautiful Loggal Oya valley was seen.

Pinkc quartz

no tree cover at all

Loggal oya valley

Loggal oya reservoir and Randenigala range

.	Massive plains towards Wellawaya

.	What a view

Towards Monaragala

Gal Oya Reservoir

Gal Oya range and Wadinagala peak

When we got to the top we were simple stunned by the view. It was full 360 degree view from there. One side was towards Buttala, Monaragala and beyond all the way up to the coastline over the south eastern plains. Majestic Namunukula range was seen from another side. The never tiring lovely valley of Loggal Oya and the Knuckles range in the far corner were straight ahead. Madulsima range was standing like a huge wall from the other side.

The summit

There was this large whole at teh summit. wonder what was teh purpose

Maragala kanda peak – what a place it was…!

Senanayake Samudraya

Passara town

Wow

Towards Buttala

Beautiful Loggal Oya valley

Namunukual gets the blessings from the gods

After some time we started descending and came to the road. As it turned out there were no buses, so we decided to walk until we met a bus or a 3 wheeler. But unfortunately there were no buses and all the 3 wheelers we met had people onboard. So we kept walking along the beautiful road stretch and after some distance we met an old person and we inquired how far it was to the Aradunu falls from there and got the answer “not more than 1km”. We were energized by the answer and did not even bother to get into the bus we eventually met. It was too late when we realizes that we were misguided and were very tired, had no water left in our bottles.

We had walked more than 4km when we reached the turn off to the falls and found we had to go another 2km along a tea estate. None of the 3 wheeler guys agreed to go saying the road is too bad, but luckily one guy who felt sorry for us agreed to go as far as he could. That guy was so genuine; he went all the way down and gave us directions to the top of the fall and down, as well as a route to return to Passara. He even waited to make sure we got onto the correct path.

Aradunu falls was an absolute beauty formed from the Loggal Oya. There is a water diversion to a mini hydro project, so the fall should be not so great to see when the water level is low. But fortunately it had enough water to make us happy. We had little dip to wash away our tiredness

Top of Aradunu falls

top view

WOW	Water level is low but My God it’s a beauty..!

Aradunu Falls

WOW

Day 2

We had reserved the whole day 2 for visiting the World’s End in Pitamaruwa. The one and only bus is scheduled to reach Passara at 9.00 am so we did not have to be in a rush. But what we hear on the previous day regarding the availability of bus created a doubt in our minds, so we left early to Passara.

Namunukula

WOW

Like a painitng

The Pitamaruwa bus – a rusty, little, had battered CTB bus – reached Passara on time and started the journey at around 9.30. It was pretty crowded and the journey was slow and long along the spectacular road with a magnificent view. The view kept getting better and better as we closed in to Madulsima. The mighty Piduruthalagala range was standing like a huge wall across the hill country. We were enjoying the endless view of the summit of Sri Lanka, Thotupola Kanda, and the Haggala peak. The Namunukula range was in between standing alone majestically.

On the way to Madulsima – Piduruthalagala covered

Hakgala peak

It was a spectacular view

The scenic road to Madulsima

The one and only bus

After a 2 hours journey, 1st part along a good tarmac and then on a stretch which hardly can be described as a road, we got off at the turn off to the world’s end. Prior to getting down we inquired about the return of the bus and the driver and the conductor said we have about 2 hour until they return and promised not to leave us.

The turnoff

Directions

It was about 1 km more on the washed away estate roads to reach the abyss. The Elamanne World’s end drop is situated at a very unique place. It is one boundary of the central hill of Sri Lanka and the highlands ends suddenly creating a huge wall like slope. The abyss is somewhere in the middle of that, a dead drop of more than 1200 feet. It is a very scary looking drop but staggeringly beautiful and unique.

WOW	Hardly a road

Warning

The drop

Oh My God..!

The view

Bibile town

That is scary

Almost all of the eastern Sri Lanka can be seen from there. It is said during clear mornings it can be seen all the way up to the eastern coast. But we were there around the noon and there was a bit of haziness in the air. But still we could see from one side up to Ulhitiya reservoir over Mahiyanganaya, directly upto Senanayake reservoir and mount Inginiyagala over Gal Oya range, from another side upto Siyambalanduwa and from behind up to the Mount PIduruthalagala. The knuckle range also was seen faintly in the far corner.

Though it is called the “Mini World’s End” and little known, for me, the very famous World’s end in Horton plains is nothing compared to this. It was such a mesmerizing place.

Ulgala, Berawahela and Senanayake Samudraya

What a view

South Eastern plains

WOW

At the view point

The drop

.

Kokagala of Padiyathalawa

Govinda Hela of Siyambalanduwa

Narangala

After enjoying the view there we walked towards the mini abyss close by. That was not deep as the greater one, but still was as beautiful as its big brother.

The mini abyss

the drop

.	Paddy fields

Below the drop

The bus returned 1.45 pm and we sadly had to say good bye to the endless view of eastern plains and return.

DS Rock

Madulsima range seen from the 9th mile post. Note Elamanna peak with telecom towers

Day 3

It was the last day of our trip and the most anticipated climb, the Namunukula hike was planned for that day. While others were preparing our breakfast and getting ready to leave, I grabbed the camera and went down a bit to vitness a spectacular sun rise over the Lunugala peak.

The dawn

Vibrant sky

Namunukula under the first rays of teh day

Wow. the first rays hits Passara

The light and the shadow

Sun is rising over the Lunugala peak

Here it comes

WOW

After the breakfast we packed our bags and left towards 3rd mile post. Priyanjan gave a contact of 3 wheel driver who agreed to take us to the trail head. After getting off the bus at the 3rd mile post we kept our bags in a nearby shop and started our 12 km long torturous, bone scattering but scenic journey towards the trail head. The first half of the journey was not bad but the second part was a nightmare because the road hasn’t been repaired for ages.

On our way to Deyanagal division

Hakgala

Piduruthalagala

WOW

The 3 wheeler went up all the way it could go and dropped us. From there to the trails head was about another 1km or so, which we had to go along the foot paths through the tea bushes. With the help of a local we reached the trail head.

our target

Uva basin and Piduruthalagala range

mist is gathering

From there to the top of Namunukula has a clear path which runs along the neck of the mountain. After about 1 hour we reached the summit which was a heavenly place. The view point towards Passara was covered by a thick mist, the view towards Wellawaya also partly covered and the view towards Nuwara Eliya was clear. Once again we were quite ecstatic by the beautiful views. The whole Uva basin was seen beautifully from there.

the path

the path

.

.

camp site 1

The summit

the view

.

Colors of the jungle

Camp site 2. what a place….

After spending some time there we began to descend and called the 3 wheeler guy to come and pick us up. We reached the 3rd mile post and took a bus to Badulla where we paid a short visit to the Muthiyanganaya RMV and headed Colombo.

.	Tea pluckers

.	Nalini falls

Muthiyanganaya

.

.

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After Using Lakdasun Forum I used to follow (Imitate) the journeys of some senior members. Ashan’s off season Sri Pada Via Palabaddala( 2nd trip report in the forum) is the one which brought me to this forum. When I read Mithila’s Series of Trip reports “ Huffing Puffing “ I rushed to Borella and purchased a new bicycle ( But yet to do a hike).And last few months one thing was itching in my mind .That was about the hikes of our Hi King ( Ashan). I just thought why he does most of the trips alone. What are the benefits of traveling like that? Is it relaxing? There must be something although one can argue as it’s rather boring. But I just wanted to experience what he experienced in those journeys. So I decided to go on a LONLEY TRIP. Same time my lakdasun friends invited me on several trips but I kindly refused them as I had other intentions. From nowhere, Bambarakanda came to my mind and I quickly went through the above resource articles. This time I just thought of doing these trials alone even without a guide.

So without even informing Mrs.Mayakaduwa I started my journey towards Bambarakanda. I left home around 4.30 and came to Kaduwela by a Three-wheeler and got in to a Badulla CTB Bus. Neither bus nor me in a hurry so we slowly reached Kalupahana(just before the 172nd Mile post) around 10.30am(It stopped for breakfast at Pelmadulla).Then I took a TukTuk and reached the Bambarakanda rest around 11.00 am.

View of the fall and the mountains from the BAMBARAKANDA REST

First cottage where I stayed. Basic facilities but clean .

Interesting

Three Sisters ( Wangedi gala,Balathuduwa, Gon Molliya )

To my delight there were no any visitors. Mr. Lanka (Mrs Mayakaduwa’s Son in Law) welcomed me and showed me the cottage. I told him that I want to do Lanka Ella & Top of Bambarakanda trails and come for lunch. So I had a change and packed a bottle of water and some biscuits then left the rest around 11.30 a.m. I had the trail Lakdasun trail guides in my phone and adding to that Lanka gave me a sketch drawn by him. Those were my guides

I suggest (If you are a new one this forum) to download the trail guide (Lanka Ella ) while reading my report.

Waypoint: BL04 (Observation point)

Waypoint: BL05 ( Cement steps)

Waypoint: BL09 ( Concrete bridge )

After 100m I turned right and reached the base of the Bambarakanda falls

Waypoint: BL11 – Highest waterfall of Sri Lanka from its base

Then I returned to the track and proceeded

Trail Trough the Pines plot ( Be careful it’s slippery)

Waypoint: BL16/BL17 ( Left will take you to Lanka Ella Right will take you to Top of Bambaraknda falls) Here I picked the left trail

View from Waypoint: BL16

On the way ( After passing BL 21)

BL 22 ( Split of the trail ) left will take you to the base of Lanka Falls

Glimpse of Lanka Ella

Another waterfall(zoomed) seen in distance( approaching is little difficult )

LANKA ELLA

Base pool resembles the Sri lanka

Another view

Base pools seemed not deep. As Mrs. Mayakaduwa explained later Due to heavy rain/flood happened recent past structure of the base pool was changed.

I remembered the trip reports of Sri and Dhanushka mentioning that there was another fall upstream called Yalathenna. Also Sri has told me there are seven more falls up stream. But I didn’t attempt it as I was alone. Instead of that I tried some other waterfalls which were downstream from Lanka Ella.

After returning from Lanka ella I saw two other falls down the valley. But there was no path to reach them and going down was little dangerous as it was slippery and nothing there to get hold of. But one of them was really beautiful so I couldn’t stop achieving that beauty. So with extreme care I went to the base of the falls. Interestingly I observed that steam creates few more mini waterfalls downstream. I kept exploring them in future and returned back to the path. When climbing I had to use four wheels sometimes my stomach as the spare wheel

Tiny Cascade

This is the beauty who invited me. Yet to put a name for her

See the marked point .It seemed Steam creating few more cascades. but didn’t have much time to explore

Path I came. It is rather difficult than it seems

Then I came to the Way point 16/17 and picked the upward path to reach the top of Bambarakanda falls. One thing I have to tell you that. Although the elevation is not a big issue for a experienced hiker, the slippery pine needles made it really difficult to walk .And the pine trees had considerable amount of space between them. So if you slip and unable to catch a pine tree you’ll be in a really dangerous situation as there is a huge drop at the right hand side of the path. So I never suggest this path to be done at night, in rainy days and by drunken people.

But scenery of the valley was splendid.

On the way

Tricky part

Valley and surrounding mountains

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Interesting place where you find huge drops in both sides

The side view of the fall

Somehow rather I kept a considerable distance from the drop and therefore I missed the path to top of Bambarakanda which was right hand side .I traveled further upwards and reached a road. What to do …in Sinhala there is a saying “ Peralunu Pita Hondai “ so I just loiter around and find the First part (Top most ) of the falls. According to Mrs. Mayakaduwa Bambarakanda has three pats but the lowest part is documented as 750 ft. If all the parts are combined together the Height should be 885+ Ft.

Road I reached ( Bambarakanda –Horton’s planes road)

Top of the top part (un documented ) of the falls

Then I returned back. I could easily find the path to the Top of bambarakanda falls and its upper Fall ( 2nd fall)
I enjoyed the view and came back to the Rest around 3.30 p.m. Climbing down was much risky.

First and second falls seen from a distance

Middle fall which was on top of Bambaraknda falls

Base pool at top of Bambarakanda falls

Hey I’m at the top at highest waterfall in Sri lanka

Getting down was much risky.

I had my lunch then had a little nap. In the evening I had a chat with Mrs.Mayakaduwa and Lanka. My plan was to visit Uduwara & Nagaduwa falls next day. Mrs Mayakaduwa mentioned that better to take a guide as the path goes through line houses and tea estates so just to make sure not to create any problem with locals. I agreed and had dinner and went to sleep

I Woke up early in the morning and able to catch up some beautiful sceneries around the rest and

View from the garden

Yellow is my favourite colour

Another cottage

Mrs.Mayakaduwa’s Doggies . Front one is Changumi (Pomeranian ) Behind old fellow is Alsatian. According to Mrs Mayakaduwa Changumi was captured by a leopard who came to the garden and the one behind and another doggie chased the big cat ( GEMA ILLIEMA) with the help of people and rescued changumi from a certain death

I had breakfast and started the journey around 8.30 a.m with the guide Susantha who is a small chap. Mrs Mayakaduwa told me the view of the surroundings is much better than the beauty of the falls . Anyway I downloaded the trail guide of UDUWARA AND NAGADUWA falls to assist my guide if needed as he was not familiar with the names of the falls although he had visited them.

Please Follow the trail guide of Uduwara and Nagaduwafalls

Went through the short cut

Another view

Coming back to the Road

Bambarakanda seen from distance

.	Landmark Getting back to the forest patch

Hard climb

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.	Udaveriya factory

Line houses

Misty

.	Pictures won’t express the real buety

Wow	Like an icing cake

Difficult part through Mana patch

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Destination

Uduwara

Nagaduwa

Both

One and only photo of me

We spend some time there and had some biscuits enjoying the surrounding.

Misty

Nearby mountain which villagers used to go and do rituals

We came back to the rest around 10.30 a.m. and had a small rest and prepared for the return. After saying good bye to Mrs. Mayakasuwa and others I left the rest at 12.00 noon. Mrs. Mayakaduwa arranged me a three-wheeler. I used it to pay a visit Surathali ella Which is close by (around 168km Post /near the bridge )

Name board is visible to the raod

Land Mark

Nearly 100m trek to the fall

Surathali

(Not Much of water)

View of the top part Surathali from the main road

I took a bus to Haputhale with an eye to give a try to visit Adisham Bungalow and Lipton seat .But the overcast conditions and lack of time did not allow me to proceed further. So keeping those targets in another trip I took a bus to Colombo and came home having beautiful memories of my lonely journey.

Thanks for reading

The long awaited long weekend came after 3 months, so did the rain. All our plans to go camping in Kumana went wrong as heavy showers hit the area and had to make our minds to abandon the trip at the last moment. It wasn’t easy for missing the weekend and we wanted to go somewhere so badly but the weather forecast wasn’t good anywhere we checked for. At the last moment we decided to do something that can be done in the rain, let it be a waterfall hunt. Within one and half days everything was ready. Sri and Harinda who also had lost after their initial plans were affected by the rain joined in and Ashan returned from his marathon rail hike to join us.

We continued passing Hanguranketha in our quest to visit some little known waterfalls we got to know thanks to Niroshan. But our journey was badly affected first by our delayed start and then by the terrible road condition past Hanguranketha. The road is under construction and is in a terrible state.

We stopped at the first waterfall we were hoping to see, Katugashinna Falls with a glimmer hope as Niroshan said the fall is switched on during the rain only. But sadly the waterfall was switched off even though it had rained for some days. Let me explain the operating procedure of this waterfall: the stream is dammed on top of the waterfall for a mini hydro project or something and they release water to the fall only when it overflows. So our first visit was unsuccessful and continued the journey.

Heeran Ella

Heeran ella falls have two parts as upper heeran ella and lower heeran ella. These waterfalls are formed of the Mul Oya which later flows into the Mahaweli river.

Proceed along Hewaheta road from Rikillagaskada town towards Wegama temple. Take a right turn near the name board of Poramadalawa MMV and continue, get direction from the locals to the Wegama temple. The last bit towards the temple can only be done by a 4×4 vehicle. So we stopped our van and walked about 500m towards the temple.

The path to the waterfall can be seen after the temple. There is an irrigation canal and a footpath along it. This footpath goes straight to lower heeran ella which is commonly called as Heeran ella. There is another footpath to upper fall along the huge waterline built for a mini hydro project which eventually will kill these two waterfalls in near future.

Beautiful Ekiriya villa

Heeran Ella seen from the footpath

Cascades of Mul Oya

Heeran Ella

.	Lower cascades of heeran ella

Village scenery

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Penapus Ella/Beeri Ella
We returned to the junction where we turned off to the temple and went further from Rikillagaskada till we reached the Kithulpe bridge. There is a footpath right before the bridge which also goes along a water diversion. After walking along for about 500m we went down a little forest patch to reach the waterfall.

Trying to hide

Path to Penapus Ella

Penapus Ella which is also known as Beeri ella and Dunhida Ella among the locals is a very beautiful and little known waterfall. However there is a mini hydro project undergoing and it could be the end of this beauty as well.

Penapus Ella also called Berri ella

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.	Beautiful penapus fall

Upper cascades of Penapus falls

Near Kithulpe bridge

Kabaragala Falls

Next on our list was Kabaragala falls in Elamulla area. To reach this waterfall take Mandaram Nuwara road just before the bridge near Padiyapelella town and take a right turn toward the Elamulla power plant passing Elamulla town.

Mandaram Nuwara road is a very scenic one. It had rained for about an hour just before we went and there were a plenty of cascades along the road making it even more scenic. Mandaram Nuwara area under the mist covered Piduruthalagala could be seen far away through a gap. It was a great view.

A roadside beauty on the mandaramnuwara road

Misty mandaram nuwara

another seasonal fall

Towards Piduruthalagala

Mandaram Nuwara road

Peela

This was seen far away on a mountain slope. not sure if it is seasonal, but it should be very tall

The last bit of the road to Elamulla power plant in hard to be done in an ordinary vehicle, so we decided to walk. It was a pleasant walk through cultivated lands enjoying the seasonal waterfalls flowing down each and every hill and the mighty Piduruthalagala range.

Piduruthalagala range

shades of green

Mountainous forest

one of the many kabaragala cascades

on the way to power plant

another seasonal beauty

.	they were everywhere

However as we reached the power plant our hopes started to get thin once again. The stream was flowing furiously and we could see a large cloud of mist in the place where the waterfall is situated. People at the power plant did not recommend going near the waterfall and we neither wanted to take a risk after seeing the rapids of the stream. So instead, we had a little tour inside the power plant and returned.

Furiously flowing stream

Mist created by the Kabaragal fall

Another roadside beauty

It was around 4pm when we hit the road again. It started raining and the mist came down so the dark fell early. We had to continue slowly along the muddy broken road and had no time for visiting the most anticipated Kurundu Oya Falls. Our slow and blind journey continued towards Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya lit up

The Grand Hotel and the dhost we captured

Grand Hotel

Magasthota

Gregory Lake

The next day was also overcast. Our plan was to see the waterfalls along the A5 and to visit Dunsinan-Sheen falls if possible which we had to omit immediately thanks to as usual delayed start.

Gregory lake and Magasthota covered by mist

Gregory Lake

Peach flowers

Peaches

The team

All the waterfalls along the A5 were on the full flow and there many seasonal waterfalls and countless cascades also. We returned to Colombo enjoying these full flowing beauties.

we named it as strawberry falls

Devathura upper cascades

Peacock hill

Palagolla kandura

.	Palagolla Kandura fall

A beautiful roadside seasonal fall

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Devathura Oya

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A roadside cascade in full flow

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Poona Oya fall

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Towards Kothlame

A glimpse of upper ramboda fall

Middle ramboda

Cascading point of lower ramboda

Kothmaley Valley

Inside ramboda tunnel. didn’t come out what I was looking for but else came something better

Devathura fall

Devathura fall

.	Middle cascade of devathura fall

Gerandi ella

Kothmale

helboda fall

Helboda falls

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Delta Falls

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.	Crested Hawk Eagle captured at Mawanella

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Thank you for reading.

This was one of the dream hikes we always wanted to try since we first heard about this trail. Main purposes of this trip was to see the beauty of our mother land, see and be amazed about how they built such a marvelous rail road 150 years ago.

Five of us started the journey from Colombo fort and took the night mail (8 pm from Colombo fort) to Pattipola (4.10 am to Pattipola). The train was fully packed as it was a Friday night and we had to take the space near lavatory and footboard as usual.

We called Mr. Karunadasa (owner of Karunadasa rest rooms in Pattipola) as soon as we got down from Pattipola as discussed with him before starting the journey. He was so kind enough to come to the station at 4.10 am in the freezing cold climate and showed us the way to his place.

Day 1

We had about 2 hours of sleep and had breakfast and packed the lunch packets which prepared by Mr.Karunadasa for us and started our rail road walk.

Our initial plan was to walk from Pattipola to Idalgashinna station (6.71 km from Pattipola to Ohiya and then another 8.92 km from

Ohiya to Idalgashinna) and then take a train to Ella and then walk again from Ella to Demodara (6.12 km) to discover arch bridges, the tunnel and Demodara loop. But the train we were planning to take from idalgashinna got late so we had to change our plans and forget Demodara.

Carrot farm

Starting the walk

Summit level – 1898.1 m

18th tunnel

18th tunnel

Why this tunnel is so important?

One side of the tunnel is Nuwaraeliya District and other side is Badulla District,
One side is wet zone and other side is dry zone,
One side is hot and other side is cool,
Both sides are different, (trees, scenery and even the soil is different)
One side is rainy and other side is sunny
You will be able to feel all of these within 10-15 minutes.

Other side of the 18th tunnel

One of the bridges we walked on

Burned but still living

Ohiya station in 1893

Not much change even after 120 years – Ohiya station in 2013

One of the tunnels

Tea state

Exactly 200 km to Colombo – near Bandarawela station

Day 2

We started day 2 early in the morning and rented a van to go to Horton plains. We bought rotti and lunu miris from the shop next to Horton plains main entrance and got ourselves prepared for the journey. We took Mini world’s end trail to save time which we can use during our main hike.

The path from world’s end to non-Perial bungalow was not so hard to find but it is always better to carry a GPS tracker as from non Perial to Belihuloya could be quite challenging special in the Pines forest.

Welcome to Horton plains

Kill only time, please

View from World’s end

Footpath from world’s end to Nonpareil bungalow

Amazing trees

Amazing trees

Amazing trees

Nonpareil bungalow

View from Nonpareil bungalow’s summer hut – The best location I’ve ever seen for a summer hut, can’t expect more.

View from Nonpareil bungalow’s summer hut – The best location I’ve ever seen for a summer hut, can’t expect more

We couldn’t take many photos due to rain but hope you will enjoy two videos.

Intro

Main video

Within one month of my journey to Kehelpothdoruwegala I needed to revisit at Knuckles mountain range from Deanstone (ඩීන්ස්ටන්) area. We gathered at Hunnasgiriya town (Three from Colombo and two from Moneragala) started our journey from there. Loolwaththa (ලූල්වත්ත) CTB bus reached at Deanstone Conservation Center around 9am. After having brief visit at DCC we headed to Dothalugala (දෝතලුගල) trail.

Peaks of Knuckles massif. Taken from http://www.knucklesrange.org/sef.html.

Loolwaththa bus is ready for the journey at Hunnasgiriya.

Medamahanuwara (මැදමහනුවර) rock.

Nawanagala (නෑවෙනගල/ නාවනගල) – 1487m

Heading to Dothalugala trail

Dothalugala-1575m

Our next two days were full of these kinds of views.

Starting of Dothalugala trail.

.	Walking in the heaven.

Peaks of Knuckles missif. Red-Velangolla Pathana. වෙලන්ගොල්ල පතන Black-Yahangala. යහන්ගල Yellow-Kehelpothdoruwegala. කෙහෙල්පොත්දොරුවෙගල Green-Garandigala. ගැරඩිගල Blue-Dumbanagala. දුම්බානාගල

Again same peaks in different position. Red-Dumbanagala. Black-Kehelpothdoruwegala. Green-Koboneelagala (කොබෝනීලගල)

Hotel Dumbanagala Chalet at the base of Dumbanagala.

Entering to a forest patch

Rathkida-Ulhitiya (රත්කිද-උල්හිටිය) reservoir

Getting a bend.

Old tree.

The moon.

Having a rest.

Dothalugala forest dormitory.

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Dothalugala circular trail starts. Black arrow shows upward journey and red arrow shows return journey.

Wuminda is heading….

? Dark blue tiger

Just clicked up…..

Knuckles forest is full of Bamboo trees. That’s why it is called “Bata Dandu Wanaya” (බටදඩු වනය)

Leaf nose lizard / Horn nosed lizard.

So eager to capture him.

Foot pathway through the forest.

Lakegala (ලකේගල) back.

View of Koboneela (කොබෝනීල)

The path we came.

Landslides.

Filtering of sun rays.

Dumbanagala.

Reached Dothalugala observation point. This is not the summit.

White arrow shows the way we came and red arrow shows the path we followed to go down.

Dothalugala peak.

Dothalugala observation point.

View from the observation point.

The return pathway was more scenic than the previous one. We reached the camp site then and followed the bird watching trek. It goes to the natural pool made by Dothalugala falls. We had a bath at natural pool.

Snapped in return journey.

Small water streams are abundant.

Scenic

Getting down…But steepness is more in this pathway.

Accidentally found.

Towards the camp site.

Dothalugala camp site.

Bird watching track.

A fall of Dothalugala waterfalls flows to make a pool. We had a bath in this freezing cold water.

Flowers on side of the waterfall

Arrows of the junction. Black arrow from camp site. Red arrow towards the pool. Green arrow towards the bird watching desk.

A fall of Dothalugala falls. It came across on our way to bird watching desk. Photo was taken from top of the waterfall.

On our way to bird watching desk.

Bird watching desk. We didn’t try to climb it up as we had an immediate leech attack.

Coming out of bird watching track.

Nice place to have a chat.

Walking back to DCC.

Our next place of visit was Deanstone mini world’s end which is situated about 1.25km away from DCC. It is also a circular trail first goes along the edge of the pond and then through Pines forest. There are two observation points. Ududumbara (උඩුදුම්බර) town, Kandy-Mahiyangana road, Kalugala (කලුගල) area can be viewed from observation point 1.
Observation point two gives a wide angle view of knuckles massif.

Walk to Mini world’s end

Directions to Mini world’s end

The bridge.

Along the edge of the pond.

Circular trail starts.

The way through Pines trees.

Beautiful

Snapped up.

At observation point 1.

Ududumbara town.

Kandy-Mahiyangana road in between Ududumbara and hair pins bend.

The drop

Gedaramada (ගෙදරමඩ ඇල්ල) waterfall

Towards observation point 2.

Mini world’s end-observation point 2.

The drop.

Different peaks.
Black arrow-Kehelpothdoruwegala.
Red arrow-Knuckles.
Yellow arrow-Sphinx rock.
Blue arrow-Koboneelagala

Garandi Ella ගැරඩි ඇල්ල

Paddy fields.

We five.

Evening comes.

Again Pines trees.

Another companion of the tour. We have noticed this monkey travels on the Bus.

This monkey has come from Moneragala area for searching a CTB bus driver who has treated him well. That’s why it travels on CTB buses.

Then we have moved to our place of stay of that night-Corbet’s view at Koboneela. It is situated at Koboneela and surrounding view from Corbet’s view was fantastic. Janaka who is the caretaker of the place is a friendly and knowledgeable person.

View from Corbet’s view

Dumbanagala

Balalgira (බලල්ගිර) is shown by circle. Arrow shows the downward view from Balalgira.

Balalgira is zoomed.

Giant Lizard.

Our cottage.

Team. Most left hand side person in this picture is Janaka-caretaker of Corbet’s view.

Day 2
Day 2 plan was to visit at Corbet’s gap. Ashan has noticed a mountain in left hand side of the Corbet’s view, where we assumed as a good view point. Janaka told it as Balalgira (බලල්ගිර) and he gave directions for us. Then Balalgira was added to our next day schedule.

Sun rise.

Sun rise.

Sun rise.

Colorful

Behind the screen.

Another snap.

Beauty in Dumbanagala side.

A place to enjoy the nature

Corbett’s gap-1127m
We said goodbye to Janaka and travelled towards Corbett’s gap.

Corbett’s gap is a deep valley between Knuckles Mountain range and also a rain shadow area. This area also has a mixture of vegetation types such as wet, dry and montane type. At Corbett’s Gap, there is a high wind blow during some months of the year and the forest trees grown in that area has a special feature, that is stunted and gnarled. Looking towards the Corbet’s gap from Deanstone Mini World’s end will give the visitor the panoramic view of Aliyawatunaela and Kinihirigala mountains to the left and the Dumbanagala Mountain to the right.

Taken from http://www.srilankaview.com/knuckles_range.htm

British surveyor-Corbett who has done the mapping of this area in 19th century has lived here. Therefore this gap is called Corbett’s gap.

Just before Corbett’s gap. Note the road we came.

Directions at Corbett’s gap.

Knuckles range is shown in red arrow and it is covered by mist. The peak shown by black arrow is most probably Aliyawatunaela අලියාවැටුනඇල (1647m).

Knuckles range (1864m) covered with mist

? Aliyawatunaela zoomed.

Sphinx rock, so called because of ridges of the mountain which has characteristic square shape. Height-1559m

View of other part of the mountain range from Corbett’s gap-Koboneelagala and Dothalugala.

The road from Loolwaththa.

Team again.

Dumbanagala-closer and different view.

Balalgira-Our next target.

Our last task of the day was to climb Balalgira. We drove back towards Loolwaththa and came across the road towards Dehigolla (දෙහිගොල්ල). That road is not good and we ended up at Dehigolla lime houses. From there we started to climb up first through Mana bushes and then walked up in Pines patch till we reach the fantastic view point. At this observation point we had a summary of views we watched during this journey.

Balalgira climbing.

Dehigolla lime houses.

Unclear foot pathway.

Searching of a route

Entering to the Pines patch.

Undergrowth of Pines

Reaching the peak.

Koboneelagala and Dothalugala

Dothalugala in black star.
Mini world’s end in red star.

Gedaramada Ella

Corbet’s view hotel. Arrow shows the cottage we stayed. Circle shows the bench comes in my sun rise picture.

Arrow shows Garandi Ella.

Paddy fields.

Bed rock has different view here.

Identification credit goes to Ashan. Black-Sorabora Wewa. (සොරබර වැව) Red-Dumbara Wewa. (දුම්බර වැව) Green-Mapakada Wewa (මාපකඩ වැව)

Giants of Uva province are in the scene. Identification credit goes to Ashan. Black arrow-Namunukula. (නමුනුකුල) Red and green arrows-Narangalala (නාරoගල)

On top of Balalgira.

Getting down.

Garandi Ella framed.

Dumbanagala-different view.

Balalgira is shown by brown star.

I came across a statement done by John Davy in 1821 about Knuckles forest in his “An account of the Interior of Ceylon” when I was searching more about Knuckles massif.

“I never saw before so perfect a specimen of forest scenery. Here lie trees of different kind, sizes and ages: Some saplings, some dead and decaying, and some of very great bulk and height towering above the rest in their prime.”

Thanks for reading.

“Weather is changing. Seems like it’s gonna rain on Saturday heavily.” – Kasun had texted me.
“What to do buddy, we’ll take our chances.” – Replied me with a heavy heart.
“Yeah, still Friday is good. Think of any alternatives for Sat.” – He was really worried.

That’s the conversation Kasun and I had after planning our Nelu Flower hunting trip on 06 Nov. Typically it rains heavily to the upcountry along with Uva and Eastern Provinces but it didn’t scare me enough to postpone or change our plans for the weekend. It was all gang-ho as a result of Nelu Flowers blooming after so many years and everyone was yearning to go see them and we were no different.

So I sat down heavily on my chair and started to write a letter:

At Office
06 Nov 2013

My Dear Nuwara Eliya,

How are you doing? I’m doing great and can’t wait to see you again. I’m sorry it was a very brief visit last month and I couldn’t be with you long enough and hope you weren’t upset that I left very abruptly even without a proper goodbye.

Apparently, you’d been busy since then coz everyone’s talking about your newest creation, the Nelu Flowers. I too want to come and see them and be with you a bit longer too. I’ve been visiting you each year for the last 14 years and it’s gonna be two times in this year then. You know that you’re my favorite no matter what happens, don’t you?

The weather seems to keep us apart with her dark clouds and unending rains threatening to unleash her wrath. My friends are very hesitant to come as a result. Would you be able to chase her away on 08 and 09 Nov, please? You’ve always kept her at bay when I come to you and ask her to stay away from us this time too. Tell her that I promise not to hang around long and she can come back on the 9th afternoon.

I’ll be seeing you on the wee hours of 08th and till then take care.
Yours

It’s not a good idea for you to read my personal letters is it? But now you’ve read it, it doesn’t matter. I had to send this letter coz the rain kept threating to ruin our reunion and I was pretty sure she’d keep those dark clouds away. (Eventually that’s exactly what happened)

Sheham suggested we do the Nelu Flower hunt and I voted with both my feet and Kasun too, amid a very heavy workload, wanted to tag along. Athula, the ever-promising hiker, too joined willingly with Prasanna along with him. We were set for another majestic journey and decided to leave in the night to save us some time. My plan was to visit Horton Plains on 07 and do something else in the evening coz the whole day Saturday was reserved for the 3rd stage of my rail hikes.

Sheham too said that he was long overdue for a rail hike and gladly approved of the plan. However, the ever-changing weather patterns kept us on our toes right along during the planning stage. I wanted to do this no matter the weather and everybody else jumped in willingly coz they all are very seasoned hardcore hikers.

I happened to come by the Supipi Rest on Lakdasun Forums and they gave us a very reasonable rate and made the booking without second thought. On impulse, I suggested Kasun that we go see Kurundu Oya Falls as we failed to see her in the last month’s journey and we had the whole evening for us on the 8th Nov.

Day 01

Having planned everything to the last possible letter, Sheham left Dehiwala around 12.30am and picked Kasun, me, Athula and Prasa on the way and we were soon driving towards Peradeniya. We didn’t wanna take our chances on the Hatton-N’Eliya road due to its bad condition and stuck with the good old Peradeniya-N’Eliya road.

Tour Highlights:

1. Thotupola Hike
2. Nelu Flowers
3. Kande Ela
4. N’Eliya
5. Piduruthalagala Peak
6. Summary of Panos

The moment we passed Gampola, the road got winding like a giant snake and I felt giddy coz I’d had no sleep and neither had Kasun. We stopped around Pussellawa for some fresh air and the sky was cluttered with millions of different-size stars. It was as if a net attached with hundreds of glittering diamonds was draped right across the sky and we were simply fascinated. However the break wouldn’t work and I wanted to throw up very badly and soon it was a contest between me and Kasun.

Finally after all the hustle-bustle we reached N’Eliya around 5.30am and topped up our fuel reserves. Sheham had brought us all breakfast so we didn’t have to stop anywhere else and headed straight towards Horton Plains. We stopped at Pattipola for some coffee and the surrounding was as usual eye-catching. On the way from Pattipola the view kept making us want to stop at every now and then for picture taking and Sheham had a hard time containing us.

Finally we reached the ticket counter around 7.00am and bought our tickets. Passing the gate we reached Thotupola Trail in no time and the whole area was covered in Pink, Purple and White due to various colors of Nelu. We were simply amazed by the number of flowers, must have been about millions of them covering the whole area like a silk cloth draped over the trees. The morning dew added to the beauty of the flowers and they kept making artistic lines along the petals and leaves. What a sight for our strained eyes.

“Apparently there are 30 different kinds of Nelu and 24 of which are endemic to Sri Lanka”

We jumped out and headed towards the summit of Thotupola with an elevation about 200ft over 2km stretch. It was a sight to treasure for the rest of our lives. We were simply speechless and kept walking through dense forest patches till we reached a bit open area and the sight was simply outstanding. So many mountains were visible and Adam’s Peak was standing tall and majestic in the horizon with her distinct shape. Kirigalpoththa and the undocumented Agra-Bopath were standing next to each other.

We could see the Ambewela farm and its windmills almost 20km away. Along the path it was all about Nelu in vivid colors. All of a sudden Sheham and Atha were bending down very inquisitively and to our surprise it turned out to be a heap of freshly unloaded leopard scat. It had so many firs that the Sambar Deers have. Further along we saw hoof marks of Sambar Deers and possibly the Leopard’s too. It looked as if the leopard had been chasing the fellow from the top of the mountain and we saw a few marks where apparently the deer had skidded.

All of a sudden, Prasa was pretty scared. He kept looking back and forth and wondering when the leopard would pounce on him. We reached the first summit of the Thotupola and headed further uphill to the grand summit. There were many flowers waiting to welcome us to this wonderful creation of the Mother Nature. We reached the summit and it had that signature pit with rocks bordering and we could see they had even put up some solar panels for the telecommunication tower at the top.

It was a 360 degree panoramic view and rising sun kept us looking towards the eastern with her fierce rays. We saw the Ohiya temple and the Kovil where they had built when the 18th tunnel had collapsed and couldn’t be repaired. You can read more about it here. We spent about half hour savoring the freshness of the mountain air and gorgeous view and felt very hungry. The food was still in the car waiting for us and we hurried down and reached the road in no time.

Then we took the road further towards the Farr Inn where Thomas Farr had built it in 1900 and the entrances to the Kirigalpoththa and World’s End are located. Along the way just passing Maha Eliya bungalow we came across a Sambar Deer nibbling at the grass. We jumped out and started snapping away. We reached the Farr Inn around 10.00am and laid the mat Sheham had brought with him and spread out our breakfast which is long overdue.

Sliced bread with tempered onions and boiled eggs washed down with fruit juice was just what the doctor ordered. We rested a bit and saw the visitor center too giving out information and have replicas of animals such as leopard, snakes and owl. It was so horrendous to see a bunch of people playing cards inside a van coz there was so much beautiful sceneries to keep you occupied but those guys chose to ignore it. What a pity and a waste of a journey.

Around 10.30am we were back on our way and just passing the Farr Inn, Sheham noticed a Deer far away and wanted to take a pic and see what it really is. To see, it was not just one, but a whole gang of them sitting sunbathing about a km away. We managed to get a decent size pic with our long zoom and left them for it.

Passing Kande Ela, I wanted to get down and take a few pics. The boat service has resumed at Kande Ela and I was horror stricken to see the damage is done by the people around the area. The mountain is being invaded at a rapid rate, clearing and building apparently hotels. The way it goes, they’ll soon put up a hotel at the top of Kande Ela hill. Feeling down we reached the town and went to the hotel.

Towards Haggala in the wee hours

Windmills at Ambewela dancing in the morning

Getting ready

“Anything to eat?”

“Please driver uncle, give me a bun”

Towards Ambewela on the way to Horton Plains

They are mesmerized

One of many wows

Maha Rathmala

Couldn’t take our eyes away

Near the ticket counter

Well done

The isolated road

Here we are

One of a million

“Hi there!”

Ready to get going

Making patterns

Blooming like there’s no tomorrow

Different varieties of plants

Many different colors too

Morning dew making it sexy

Ravana Ravul collecting and preserving water

Shady bit

What color is this?

Gorgeous

More flowers bordering the path

Too high

Bunch of them

Through the trees

Standing tall

Getting towards open ground

Sheham with his gigantic 50-500mm lens

Out in the open

Not many like these

Everywhere is like this

Royal blue

Like snow flakes

Path is snowed with flowers

Guardian of the flowers?

Faraway mountains looking at us

The view is never ending

Different angle

Couldn’t get enough of this

Nicely done

The biggest beard?

Another different one

Tiny fella

According to Kasun, the Dhal Tree

Just disgorged?