Sinharaja Rain Forest

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is the most famous rain forest of the country. This tropical rain forest is a living heritage. Bio diversity of the forest is very high and a large proportion of the flora in this forest is endemic to the country and some endemic to the Sinharaja Forest itself. This is a very good place to see many endemic birds. There are clear cut roads in to the jungle provide easy access to the forest. This important forest is a Man and Biosphere Forest reserve and it is considered as a World Heritage Site. It is situated in the south-west lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka, within Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces. It is bounded on the north by the Napola Dola and Koskulana Ganga, on the south and south-west by the Maha Dola and Gin Ganga, on the west by the Kalukandawa Ela and Kudawa Ganga and on the east by an ancient footpath near Beverley Tea Estate and by the Denawak Kanda. 6°21′-6°26’N, 80°21′-80°34’E. Sinharaja forest was notified as a national heritage wilderness area on 21 October 1988 (Gazette No. 528/14). The area according to Gazette No. 528/14, the total area of the national heritage wilderness area is 18,899 acres and 12 perches (7,648.2ha). It’s attitude ranges from 300m to 1,170m (Hinipitigala Peak).

Sinhagala is the rock situated within Sinharaja forest, said to be the good view point but not the highest point (highest point of Sinharaja is Hinipitigala Kanda)

We have reached the ticket counter around 6 am and reserved a guide after paying Rs 1400. It was back to back attempt to Sinhagala for 2nd day. First day we came there around 8am and we were not allowed to climb.
Sinhagala trail from Kudawa is 12 Km and it is a relatively flat terrain except last 1-1.5Km of steep ascend. First part of the trail (1.5Km) was a jeep trek and it branched off towards Education center and rest of trekking trails. Next stretch (1.5 km) up to research center was similar to previous section. This part is good for bird watching and we have noticed few bird lovers were patiently waiting there.

Information about Sinharaja

Map of Sinharaja. Two white dots are shown between Kudawa entrance and Sinhagala

Starting the journey in early morning. This clear jeep track can be seen up to research center.

Concrete sections

Ticket checking Office. Here road divides into two. One towards education center and other route to rest of trails.

Directions

The jeep track following ticket office.

The jeep trek following ticket office

Weather was good

A resting place

Morning sun rays kissing the ground

Branching off to the trail of Mulawella

End of jeep track and reaching to research center

Automated forecasting point placed at research center to collect data

Following research center the foot pathway started and we could notice the trekking pathways to Giant Nevada Tree (යෝධ නවෝදා ගස) and Gal Len Yaya (ගල් ලෙන් යාය) started from main track. There were few water streams to be crossed on the way to Sinhagala and respectively called “Kaduna Dola” (කැඩුණ දොල), “Heen dola” (හීන් දොල) and “Kadan dola” (කදන් දොල). After Kadan Dola we started actual hiking to Sinhagala. It was a continuous ascends for 1-1.5Km and ended up at the second highest point of Sinharaja called Sinhagala.
On top of Sinhagala you can have a view towards Pothupitiya (පොතුපිටිය) side and Hiniduma (හිනිදුම) side. Rakwana peaks were visible as second line and no panoramic view from there. We have spent 4 hours to reach the peak and return journey was done in two and half hours.

The pathway to Giant Nevada tree-0.5km from here

Our guide is leading. Note he is wearing leech socks

Obstructed foot pathway

Gal Len Yaya trail started

Nice foot pathway lay on flat section

Passing “Kaduna Dola” -කැඩුණ දොල

This is section is not a primary forest. It is a secondary forest. They have cut the trees upto Sinhagala in old days and replanted trees later

It was nice to walk in a rain forest

Down growth

Weather was perfect

The obstacle has been removed

“Bandura”-බාදුරා

Under the tree

Relatively wide foot pathway-evidence of old jeep track up to Sinhagala

Flora of rain forest

“Heen Dola”-හීන් දොල

Crossing another water stream

Tree canopy

Crossing another water stream

Before starting of actual hike

Ants

Climbing up…..

A land mark

Last few steps before the peak

On top of the peak….View towards Pothupitiya side and rest of Sinharaja rain forest

View towards Pothupitiya side and Rakwana Mountains were seen in second line

View from top of the peak

Towards Hiniduma side

Towards Hiniduma side

Two man team on the peak

With the guide

Having a break on top….

The foot pathway to Pitadeniya is marked in white arrow and yellow arrow shows the way to Kudawa

Getting down

Quick return journey

Jungle Fowl-National bird of Sri Lanka. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. Commonly seen in Sinharaja rain forest

Female of Jungle Fowl

Other trails
1. Giant Navada Tree
This is the trail from (0.5 km from main track and 5 km from entrance) to an endemic big tree called Navada. At the time of measurement it was 43 m tall and 6.5 m in circumference.

Giant Navada trail

Crossing a water stream

The bridge

Giant Navada tree

Information

How big compared to us

Giant Navada tree

Sinharaja forest is famous for Butterflies as well.

2. Mulawella trail
The distance from ticket center is 4 Km. At the end you will get on to a rock where you can have a nice panoramic view of surrounding area. I think view point is better than Sinhagala view point.

Starting Mulawella trail

Common theme

Tree arch

View of Sinhagala from Mulawella peak

Surrounding view from Mulawella peak

Surrounding view from Mulawella peak

Surrounding view from Mulawella peak

3. Gal Len Yaya (ගල් ලෙන් යාය) trail-Didn’t do

4. Hal Mandiya Dola (හල්මoඩිය දොල) trail-Didn’t do

5. Sinharaja Education and information Center
This place can be directly approached by a road. It provides information about Sinharaja forest.

Sinharaja education and information center

Education and information center

Need to think

Museum

Thank you for reading

Alagalla Mountain Range or “Potato Range” is situated at the boundaries of the Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces in Sri Lanka. It has protected Buddhism and (Sinhala:සිංහල ජාතිය Sinhala Jathiya) culture from the western powerful nations such as the Portuguese, Dutch and English for approximately five centuries as a natural barrier (1505–1948).

Most of the battles against invasions aimed at the Kandyan Kingdom by the western nations from time to time in their ruling period of Maritime Provinces happened at the Alagalla Mountains. Invading foreign armies were defeated by the battles at Balana (View Point) under the reign of Kandyan Kings. Balana fort was the main fortress established to protect the Sinhalese Kingdom from foreign powers, and is situated between Kadugannawa pass and Potato Range. When the English established themselves in Kandy, they started tea and coffee plantations in the area of the Colombo-Kandy railway line, which has cut through tunnels in the mountains.

After a train ride from Colombo or Kandy trekking can be started at Ihalakotte railway station passing a mysterious climb through the Ihalakotte village. On the walk up leads a small foot path which branches off downwards through the jungle on the left. There is a 30 m (98 ft) high waterfall (Dekinda Fall) served by the Alagalla forest reserve, which is hidden in the jungle. The summit of the Potato Range is a platform to witness the view of the other surrounding mountains, including Bathalegala (Bible rock), Devanagala, Ambuluwawa, Knuckles Mountain Range and Hanthana Mountain Range. Source – Wikipedia

When we traveled to Alagalla, we should turn left to Poththapitiya road where the turning point is at before the Kadugannawa RS. This road is little bit worst. From Poththapitiya town there will be a Boo tree at left side with adjoin road. Proceed along that road up to the end. You might cross a small stream.

We started this in early morning around 7am and the weather is hot. This hike is not easy because there are many chances to get slipped. As the villagers said there are plenty of leeches on rainy days. We spend about 1.5 hours to climb this as we do not have our breakfast too and water. Please carry at least 2L water bottles.

Finally we came to the top of Alagalla Mountain; the final 30m drop is a climbing. If you get slipped to left side definitely you will fall to the bottom of the mountain. So be careful at this point.

When we go there, there was a Sri Lankan flag on the top rocky plain. You can see a adjoin mountain and we can go to that mountain too. And further we can get down from that area also. After spending few hours on the top we started to get down. Fortunately we just spend 20 minutes to get down from the top to bottom of the mountain. There is a village home where we can drink some water. The water source is from the middle of Alagalla Mountain. You can see the Kandy railway line clearly from the top of the mountain and the Bathalegala and Uthuwankanda too.

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View from the tea factory

Here is she

view from the Villager’s home

Obey the rules

The narrow road via tea estate

Road via the cultivation area

entered to the Jungle

Via rough routes

Slippery road via the jungle

view from the jungle

Sunshine to the jungle

Mana bushy area

Here we came to the open area

Here we came to the open area

Oh, there is the top

View from the open area

The top part of the mountain

This looks like a lion

Bottom villages can be seen from this place

Still the Mana bushy are Green

Last hike to the top

Resting at the beginning of last part

Green nature

Resting in hot weather

This area towards to Kandy

At the last moment of the hike

Last part of the mountain

Zoom of the last part

Here we are climbing it

Don’t go to the right side of the photo

Balana Railway station

The Flag at the highest point

We came to the top

At the highest point

Beautiful know

Lower Kadugannawa area

Towards from Poththapitiya

At the top of the rock

Green Vs Green

Villages at the bottom

Kandy road can be seen from here

Cultivated areas at the bottom villages

the other mountain, Poojagala

The other mountain, Poojagala

It is very beautiful

We can go there from this route

Rocky plain at the top of Alagalla

We salute our Mother Land

We should go through this point

Rocks at the top of the rock

Rock Vs Trees

Getting down of Alagalla

Good bye Alagalla, We will meet again

Andahelena waterfall is situated in Southern province near Elpitiya city. There is a temple on this road and your vehicles can be parked over there. The hike is about 1km along the forest patch.

Some thieves/ drug takers were killed a couple at this waterfall in this year. So do not go alone to this fall since it was at a lonely area.

On the way to the temple

On the way

Entrance to the temple

entrance to the fall

Natural arch path

This small stream should cross

crossing the stream

on the way to the fall

some obstacles

It’s dried

Path via jungle

Dark path of the stream

another view

Dried stream

Andahelene Fall

We came there

She is little and nice

Jungle view

we were there

climbing to the top

At the top

Rocks At the top

View from the top

Jungle

at the top

Main drop of the fall

Side view from the top

Top of it

The Loolkandura estate was the first tea plantation estate in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) started in 1867 by Englishman James Taylor, it is situated in Kandy District.

The James Taylor Story

The James Taylor Story

Attractions;

1. Ruins of James Taylors’ Cottage
2. Hike to Kondagala
3. James Taylors Well
4. James Taylors Seat
5. Field No 7 – The First tea field

We started the journey around 7:30 am and reached Delthota at 9 am. Riding through the Scenic road of Hanthana range was a nice experience.

Scenic roads

Hanthana Range seen from Galaha

More scenarios

Kondagala seen from Delthota road

on the way

.

Loolkandura is located in 7 km from Delthota town on the Hewaheta road. This goes through tea estates and can enjoy the beauty of the valley.

The Valley

The Piduruthalagala range – Upper Pussellawa

Zoomed

At the Entrance

The Tickets

Rock – The Land mark of Loolkandura

Rock – The Land mark of Loolkandura

A Summer hut

Beautiful tea fields

.

Greeny

.

The Ruins of JT Cottage

.	Ode to James Taylor – click to enlarge

Kondagala is the rock located just behind the JT cottage. The foot path to the rock starts at the Right corner of the JT cottage. There is a 300 meters hike to reach the top.

At the forest patch

The rock

Looks scary

A cave – A camping spot

Final stretch.

On top

To have a better view

Hanthana

Views

The Rock bed

Views

The range

An abandoned place

.

.	Taking some rest

in Full

The summit

Opposite side

Opposite side

Need extreme care.

Crazy guy

.

.

JT cottage view

.

.Well used by James Taylor

The James taylors seat is located little away from the JT cottage. It’s the place used by James taylor to plan the tea plantation across the the Loolkandura valley.

The Story behind the seat

The Valley

.	Are they to plan some thing?

A hut near the seat.

After spending some time there we decided to return loolkandura to see field no 7. On our way back to loolkandura we saw a nice pond on the way.

The Pond

.

.

The Field no 7 is the first tea field of srilanka

The First tea field

There is a good place to have a bath at Loolkandura.

Taken from Google Street view

It was a wonderful trip and We returned our home by 4:30 pm. We used the Nillamba route to reach our home which is the shortest route to Gelioya.

Thanks for Reading!

We started our journey very early in the morning from Maharagama at about 02:00 and made our way to the Pettah bus stand. We caught the Monaragala bus from Pettah which got us to Kandy by about 06:15. We had to walk from the Kandy main bus stand to the one near the clock tower to catch a bus to Waththegama. The bus ride to Waththegama took abot 40 minutes.

We had tea and “Pol Rotti” for breakfast from a small shop near the Waththegama bus stand. Busses are available to get to Bambarella from Waththegama, however my father had arranged for one his friends to pick us up from Waththegama on his double cab. After having breakfast we got on our way to Bambarella and it was about a 25km journey.

At Bambarella we stopped near the Thilaka stores to buy some supplies and the proprietor was kind enough to help us find a guide for the journey. There is a shortcut to reach the trail head from near Thilaka stores or if you have come in a vehicle you can reach the trail head by vehicle too from another path (reasonably high ground clearance needed).

At the very beginning of the trail if you take a short detour you can reach the Knuckles falls. Along the initial part of the trail you come across a water stream several times. In most parts the trail is a very steep climb and in the initial part very high steps are dug into the soil.

A “Kunakatuwa” (Hypnale hypnale)

A water stream found along the trail.

After some short distance we came across “Knuckles Thenna” which as the name suggests was a grass valley which reminded me a bit of the “Lord of the Rings” landscapes. Several water sources are available at this initial part of the trail but then not until the 4^th peak.

Crossing another water stream

At “Knuckles Thenna”.

Trail through “Knuckles Thenna”

Filling up our water bottles from a stream

After this grassy area the trail goes through a forest patch and the climb becomes steep. Several trees and big creepers had fallen across the trail and I knocked my head several times trying to duck under them. Two separate large rocks along the trail serve as very good view points before reaching the first peak. We stopped to take in the view at both these points and even had some guavas that I had packed on the second rock and rested for a bit.

The trail through the forest patch

View from a rock below the first peak.

Hear the ROAR

On a rock below the first peak

We reached the 1^st peak after about 2.5 – 3 hours and the first peak did not provide a very good view of the surroundings as it was covered by forest. The 2^nd peak which is the highest was not far away and it provided a spectacular view of the surrounding area and the entire Knuckles range. We also met a French couple on top of the 2^nd peak who had come to do the hike with a guide. We spent some time on the 2^nd peak to take in the view and to take some photos and then went on our way to the 3^rd.

on the 1st peak

At the highest point – the 2nd peak

The view of the range from the 2nd peak.

“Running along the KNUCKLES”

It did not take us much time at all to reach the remainder of the peaks once we reached the 2^nd peak. It was a continuous descend and ascend scenario. Although there was a considerable amount of mist at the top it didn’t give us much trouble and in fact I think it added to the already immense beauty of these mountains. After all a journey to the top of the “Dumabara Kanduvetiya” wouldn’t have been complete if there was no mist. There were some on and off drizzles too and these were not cause for any concern and they prevented the mountains from being completely covered by the mist.

The top of the peaks were covered by Tussock grass therefore the footing at the top was not that good, one could easily twist an ankle here. The on and off drizzles made the grass very slippery. In some parts we had to move through relatively dense pygmy forests through which the trail wasn’t that clear. Not many people had used the trail through the pygmy forests and therefore it was very much overgrown and we had to struggle to get through the shrubby plants. Moving through this unique forest was indeed a thrill worth experiencing.

Moving through the pygmy forest

Through the shrubs amidst the mist

Among the clouds

Along the mist covered peaks.

Tussock grass.

View from the 4th peak.

The weather at the top was very pleasant and I liked the cold chilly air. The low temperatures on the top made the journey along the range very easy and enjoyable.

We went up to the fifth peak and then got back to the 2^nd peak relatively quickly and easily and had a little bit of rest at the 2^nd peak before the descend. The descend was also very easy and didn’t take much time.

Amazing views from the 5th peak

Beautiful sceneries as seen from the 5th peak.

On the 5th peak

The descend

On the way back

Knuckles Falls

We reached the Knuckles falls located at the beginning of the trail by about 16:00 and had a nice cool dip there. Although one would advise against bathing at the bottom of a waterfall, since it was the dry season and the occurrence of a flash flood was very unlikely it was more than safe.

So we had completed what was definitely an unforgettable journey among the misty mountains of the central hills and felt very satisfied with the experience. We got on to our vehicle and came back to Waththegama where we parted with my father’s friends. However to our dismay there were no busses to Kandy from there at that time and we were told that a SLTB bus to Kandy would arrive soon. We were not that thrilled about the waiting thing so we got onto a bus that went to Madawala town and from there we got a three wheel ride to Katugasthota from where got a bus to Kandy.

From the Kandy bus stand we caught a Colombo bus and it was past midnight when we arrived back in Maharagama. The journey took us almost exactly 24 hours and it was a breathtaking one. Any nature lover should definitely do the Knuckles peaks hike at least once. It was one of those experiences which lifts you to a higher level and gives you something to cherish for years to come.

The peaks as seen from below.

Thank you very much for reading.

Map – Click to enlarge

Going Camping alone is a one of the best experience you can get. This idea came to my mind on the beginning of this year. So I planned to go Balathoduwa & Gommoli kanda via Adara kanda. Then I asked from Ashan, Niroshan and Amran is it ok to go there alone. They all said it is bad idea go alone. So I changed plan and decide stop at 1^st view point of adara kanda. Because I just wanted have Solo camping experience.

This is my second visit of this mountain. It is one of my favorite hiking destination. I love this mountain. On 1^st day I left home about 7.00 am and reached Pambahinna Junction around 8.00 am. Then I brought some stuffs nearby shop. I went to the trail head. To reach monastery I took around 30 minutes. Then I climbed the 1^st part of the pine plot. I had a break at after the climb. Then start walk through flat area of the pine plot. The trail was covered by vegetation of the area. I’m in the middle of the wood all alone. I was freaking amazing strange feeling. " class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> I walked continuously. Then I saw some animal dung. It was look like fresh. I thought it was wild boar or leopard. I speed up my walk and walked fast I can and stopped at cleared area. Yeh yeh !! I know I freaked out. " class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> then I walked normally until the end of the pine plot. Then I had break. It was around 10.00 am. Then started climb ascend. Around 12 noon I reached to the 1^st view point. I decided to pitch my tent on the first flat area of the view point. I pitch my tent facing to havagala. Then collected some firewood and did everything have to be done for spend night there. After having lunch I had nap and didn’t wait too long inside tent because of heat of sun. So I went to under tree and stayed until sunset.

Pine Plot

Sunny Day

University of Sabaragamuwa

Shade

The path

What a view

Sky is the limit

Looking Back

Nice landscape toward Balangoda Area

Paraviyangala – around 1400 m

Tent facing Havagala Range

heavenly views

Disgusting things of previous visitors

More plastic garbage

Evidence of previous campers

Bovitiya (I Assume)

Pano of campsite – Click to enlarge

Panorama view from campsite – Click to enlarge

A dark cloud

My tripod LOL

.	Lovely Mountain Tops

Going Camping alone is a one of the best experience you can get. This idea came to my mind on the beginning of this year. So I planned to go Balathoduwa & Gommoli kanda via Adara kanda. Then I asked from Ashan, Niroshan and Amran is it ok to go there alone. They all said it is bad idea go alone. So I changed plan and decide stop at 1^st view point of adara kanda. Because I just wanted have Solo camping experience.

Sun rays

Sun about to set

Havagala

It’s going to rain

Making Tea

Havagala summit covered by clouds

Getting dark

Campfire lit up

.	I wish I could live here forever

Preparing Diner

Good Morning to Belihuloya

.

Dawn

.	Belihuloya area on early morning

Sun is about to rise

Warmth

.	Lonely traveler enjoying the mother of nature ;)

.	Painting of nature

Lovely

.

So this how was my first ever Solo camping trip.

Thank You for reading !!

Most of the Sri Lankan’s are connected to the names derived from “Sinha”  The race Sinhalies, Areas like  Bulathsinhala etc . Surnames such as Jayasinha, Ranasinghe etc and of course we have a forest called by that name. “SINHARAJA” origin of this sinha term is not from the carnivorous animal “Lion “or lion centered fictions concluding half humans. Those were myths put in to our minds forcefully. It’s truly because of the four superior races who lived in sri lanka commonly known as  SIV HELA who gave birth to one nation .Those were called Yakkaha, Naga, Deva & Gandharwa. They all had unique & superior powers but lived separately in their own regions. They had lived in harmony with great respect and power for more than 5000 years.. But due to one mistake in history of believing an Indian Deportee called “Vijaya”, some areas of Sri Lanka were owned to Indian deportees. But it was for a short period. The King Pandukhabhaya who had the pure genes of Hela(yakkaha) defeated the foreign rulers and brought sri lanka under one flag .Importantly  great king  invited those four nations(Hela ) to come and build a great nation called Siv Hela. With the time siv hela become Sihala . then due to various reasons it converted to sinhala. who ever go through this story will understand terms connecting with Sinha is not used to indicate a mammal but to indicate the origin, greatness and the superiority, Oh am I diverting from the track ..Lets come to our own topic The forest Sinharaja. There can be such stories about a warrior killing a Lion etc etc…But for me Sinharaja is to indicate the king of the forests . origin of the other  forests and the forests which still hides the mysteries of Great nations called Hela .Although the boundaries of it are now limited to some districts, there are evidences that it was connected up to Sri Pada , Galle district and all the way up to Kaluthara .even now it stands majestically defeating all other forests from Bio diversity .

The map – click to enlarge

My first encounter with Sinharaja was in 2008 from Kudawa(weddagala side ) with two of my friends . I was a new comer to nature trails then and Sinharaja gave me a damn tough time for attempting sinhagala . heavy showers with thunders, muddy slippery foot paths thousands of blood suckers, fear of getting lost as the guide was rocketing in front of us ( even he couldn’t bare the leach attack so he ran as fast as he can ). and never ending distance and extremely steep climb at final part made my mind to GIVE UP nearly 300m before the summit. One friend of mine stayed with me and guide and the other person went till the summit. Then return journey was also very awful purely because of leeches .because of the tiredness we didn’t even think of attempting other trails except pitakele duwili ella in next day. although our journey was unsuccessful by means of completing trails it gave me very good lessons .also resting three days in a forest ( except the sinhagala day ) gave me a holly experience .  so i said good bye to sinharaja in 2008 at that way Time was changed, I came to know about the best nature forum in the world and the online university ” LAKDASUN”. Things did change drastically. from that i learned so many tips and got so much of knowledge and experience travelling with master hikers in this country… Leech Barrier is a peanut for me. Now i feel discomfort if i was not holding two three leeches on my feet . in the meantime i knew how to handle extreme leech attacks learned to tackle rain, mud or steep ascends smoothly Importantly with the time i knew how to handle guides as well. If you stick to guides speed you’ll get exhausted quickly . Normally by studying all the facts I make a plan and inform the guide about it..this is the par time i reach summit . this is the par time i come back . “unless i go below par  don’t press me with a damn word to upset my rhythm“…

Because of Lakdasun I came to know that there are three more entrances to sinharaja. (From Neluwa-Lankagama side, Deniyaya- Pitadeniya side, and Morning side at Rakwana ) And i successfully covered these trails and enjoyed to the fullest with my friends…. But after that my mind was itching as Kuwawa,kudawa…Kudawa.. “the failed attempt” ..this was bothering from a long time and finally i decide ok I’ll re do it this year as the first trip of the year…..so i planned using various resources of Lakdasun etc. in fact i was over planning due bitter experience faced last time, first i booked the forest department cabin which can accommodate four persons. Then I faced usual unavoidable problem , finding the proper hiking partners ..since i couldn’t find any confirmed partner until the previous day of my journey i decided to go alone…Yes go alone with my faithful bike . sometimes it may be a result of my deep drown desire of inner mind to have an isolated tour..

Big day came . I left home around 7.00 a.m. although it was a working day i was not bothered by road traffic because of the route i took..beautiful misty paddy fields at Horana, Smell of Rubber cropping and tea cultivation around Bulathsinhala area… road constructions but not so disturbing around E galoya to Gawaragiriya Beautiful Ayagama village and the unique symbol of it ” Toranagala Mountain” isolated narrow path till Nikagoda, well carpeted road till Kudawa were blessings for my journey . It took four hours for me although the meter reading was 115 km from my home. As i did enjoy nature had few stops for  breakfasts , sightseeing and of course for some banking at Ayagama

Isolated rode

Beautiful Ayagama village and Thoranagala Mountain

I came to the Kudawa entrance sharp at 11.00. but i was too early . Here the check in starts at 4.00 p.m . so i kept my bag in the office  and asked the directions for Pitakele Duwili ella. In 2008 we had to walk all the way to Duwili Ella . But now you can ride or drive with a 4WD for all the distance (2-3 km ). Don’t mix-up with a summer hut you see on the way. The foot path from there is leading to a private camp sight . you have to pass the summer hut and ride for another 1 km or so till you find the foot path going down at right side of the road

Summer hut…don’t mix up

Pitakele Duwili ella

Short and sweet

Lonely traveler

Cascades below the Duwili falls

Crystal clear water

It was around 12.00 p.m. when i came from Duwili Ella. since there was no proper eating place around Kudawa forest office i rode six km back to Weddagala and had rice .in fact fried rice. Huh! Don’t worry.. now you can have fried rice next to Sinharaja..I think village facilities are developed drastically compared to 2008.May be to catch up with expanding tourist’s desires . After a sumptuous meal came back to Forest office at around  1.00 p.m. Officers were kind enough to hand over the keys of the cabin before the usual time. for my luck there was  no body in the previous day.

This was the exact place where we stayed at 2008. I still remember the open veranda besides our cabin where one can involve in relax chatting viewing the swiftly flowing river and hearing the shallow waters and birds signings . I went to the river and had a cool dip in the water. on the way i met a friend called “HAL DANDA ”

Where we stayed. Dormitory and cabins

Oh this is my favourite place ..

River flows beside you where you can have a peaceful bath.

Haldanda i met on the way to river

After coming to the cabin i laid on a chair of the veranda and enjoyed nature . by looking at photos one can get a very narrow idea of nature. One must come and experience it by his five sensory organs. One must see the beauty , hear the beautiful sounds of birds and flowing water, embrace the smell of flowers. taste the pure water, feel the breeze and water to his body . then his sixth sense ( spirit ) will fall into deep meditation. I too felt nature for a while..But it was disturbed by my phone ringing…..that was Amila my hiking partner who wanted to tell me that he’s going to join me in this journey . He had accompanied another friend from Rathnapura and now they are coming here….oh that’s his nature .Typical Forces guy. One way i was bit worried about losing my solo journey but nine out of ten times i was so happy to accompany them in my upcoming tough journey” Sinhagala“….History repeats . I stayed same cabin in 2008 with two other friends. this time too its  same..Last time also we did pita kele duwili ella on the first day and Sinhagala on second day . This time also my schedule was like that….only thing i was failed in 2008 but i don’t want to happen   it again in 2016. No ..by any means..

They came around 4.00 and they also had a bath in river. In the evening we went to nearby boutique and purchased goods for our meals. then we handed over the items to the caretaker and gave the food menus what we wanted. evening we had a nice chat and after having diner and went to sleep early .

On 08th at sharp 5.00 a.m. we woke up and got ready by 5.45. i had instructed the caretaker that we needed packed lunch and some curry to eat bread for breakfasts. He had done as I requested and we went to the ticketing office by Rangana ( Amila’s friend’s cab ) around six. after all registration and payments we purchased of leach socks for Rangana.We started the journey at sharp 6.30 a.m. with our guide Premachandra ( 0717318996)

As you may have bored with my long descriptions i ‘ll let pictures to talk most of the times hereafter.

Entering to the forest. near the ticketing place

Mild ascend

Mushrooms were everywhere

Please be sensitive to nature

Protected area. 2.2 km from ticket office. one can come here with 4wd even

Flat clear foot path

Relaxed walk

He was so friendly

Bowitiya

Orchids

Spider man started his work

wow

Bandura

One of the few streams we had to cross

More flowers

Research centre, 5 km from ticket office

Few things they had done

After having breakfast we resumed.

from here we walked somewhat deviated trail than 2008. I remember we had to pass a mud pit in that time . i was so happy that it was not there in this trip.

Instead we crossed few streams and reached the last but strenuous bit of the journey . It is strenuous because you have to tackle this steep ascend with tired legs .

Streams that we crossed

Ready for the challenge

Life in the jungle

more

Little train in wet forests

This is the place we stopped for a break and i remember i abort the journey in 2008 here.

Finally we reached the summit around 11.45 a.m. then we rested for 15 minutes and had some snacks . Then we observed the view from the top.

Re gaining lost energy

View from summit

Photographer

I got knocked out in 2008 . But I got up again

The trio

After spending nearly 45 minutes we returned back

Getting down

No sooner we return it began raining. I was frighten remembering the mass leech attack we faced in rain in 2008. But to my utter surprise we didn’t come across a severe leach attack. We reached research centre within 2 1/2 hours. then we did the circular tour to Nawada tree

the trail towards Nawada tree

We did a de tour to Nawada Tree

This is closer to research centre

He was a great commentator

You have to cross streams too in this de tour

Bravo ..completing Sinhagala within 10 hours

we reached the ticketing office around 4.45 p.m. I was so happy of doing this journey within 10 hours

Then we came to the cabins after purchasing few more goods. After getting refreshed we celebrated our victory in the veranda and made the plans for next day Journey “Mula wella ”

we all went to sleep after having early dinner

Next day we left the cabins little late and reached the ticket office. we didn’t pack the lunch as we planned to come for lunch to cabins. As discussed earlier we employed the same guide ; “calm and quite Padmasiri ”

Mind you that Mulawella trail is much scenic than Sinhagala and Mulawella peak gives you a better view than sinhagala. Sinhagala is the target and Mulawella is the attraction.

We walked through the same path till protected area. After walking about 1 km from there we met the mulawella trail to our left

Mulawella trail starting point.

Initial section is steep

Common sign

Thick forest

This path was much scenic

Generating oxygen at it’s best

Tree art

More

Slow and steady

Made by ants

colourful

Sun rays were penetrating

Likens

Getting refreshed

roots

Obstacles

Huge

.

Caves we met

Harinda the wet forest lover

Wanaraja…a rare sight

Closer to summit

At the summit

Views from summit

View is better from here than sinhagala

As i told earlier sinhagala trail is the Target of adventurers BUT MULAWELLA IS ATTRACTION OF THE TRAVELERS

SURROUNDING MOUNTAINS

Amila was giving him a hard time

after spending nearly one hour at the summit we return back

Guys we met

Green pit viper( Pala Polanga ) was sleeping inside the bushes

Vine snake( Ehatulla )

I visited duwili ella second time after coming back allowing my friends to enjoy the beauty

we came to the cabin around 2.00 p.m. then we had lunch. After settling our dues and thanking to the staff we left sinharaja around 3.30 p.m.

My friends traveled with their cab an me with my bike. after a peaceful ride i reached home around 6.30

SO TILL I MEET YOU WITH ANOTHER ADVENTURE BYE FOR NOW

THANKS READING……………….

Hello everyone! Hope you’re all well and getting geared up for the up-coming festive season. Well, all the glamour of the festive season would’ve been over by the time you read this article. However, after our previous hike based at Kande Ela, there was a transitional period, very much like the “Nonagathaya” aka inauspicious time during April New Year. I was going mad with nowhere to go and was ready to walk up a wall when finally Hasi came into my rescue and we managed to do a small Waterfall Hunt in Colombo.

If it wasn’t for that, I’d’ve had to be admitted to a sanatorium.  Even after that, there was a long wait before our scheduled journey to the Koslanda, Bandarawela and Demodara. The constant rains made me think of those gorgeous cascades falling majestically having been fed by the increased volume of water but I was stuck at home with no means to go see them. However, we planned to visit a few of them during our journey, most notably the Upper Diyaluma Falls or according to Dr. Eberhard Kautzsch who wrote the book “A Guide to the Waterfalls of Sri Lanka”, this could even be the Kudalu Ella.

Many others had been to this place before and I was itching to go and see this remarkable lady. I must’ve gone through the reports hundreds of times and had very clear picture of her in my mind. In addition to her, we planned to do a small rail hike too from Kital Ella to Demodara visiting the 9-Arch Bridge. Atha, Prasa and I did our first-ever rail hike from B’Wela to Uduwara more than 2 years ago. Still, I wanted to go see this architectural marvel built by our ancestors. So I kept counting the days impatiently like a little boy waiting for the school holidays.

Day 01

Finally the most eagerly-awaited day arrived and we as usual left Malabe at 3am sharp and were on our way towards Avissawella to pick Prasa. The ride as always was full of recollections of our previous journeys and discussions on current socio-economic issues, budget proposals, etc.

Tour Highlights: 

1. Bambarakanda Ella, Kalupahana.
2. Haldummulla Ella, Haldummulla.
3. Galkanda Ella aka Nisansala Ella, Nikapotha.
4. Upper Diyaluma Falls aka Kudalu Ella, Makaldeniya.
5. Top of Diyaluma Ella, Makaldeniya.
6. Ravana Ella, Kithal Ella.
7. Rail Hike from Kithal Ella to Demodara.
8. 9-Arch Bridge
9. Gotuwala Ella, Demodara.
10. Haldummulla Portuguese Fort aka Katugodalla Fort, Haldummulla.
11. Surathali Ella, Halpe.

The roads were slick with the water from the previous night’s rain mixed with the oil yet we made good progress and reached one of our regular morning coffee shops in Kuruwita. There were fresh vegetable roti and egg rolls so we had a pre-breakfast with strong black coffee. It was still very much dark and while we were passing Balangdoa, D came up with the idea of paying a quick visit to Bambarakanda as the water levels might be healthy.

So I called Mrs. Mayakaduwa and informed her about our imminent arrival. The sun was up and shining beautifully and to our left over the lush green paddy fields and foreground dark green hills, we saw the twin peaks of Dethanagala that is pointed and located close to each other resembling a woman’s breast. Passing Brampton Falls and Surathali Ella, we were tempted to stop as they were full of white foamy water but it was still the early hours and the poor lighting made the decision for us not to stop by.

The water levels of Belihul Oya and Hirikatu Oya had risen due to the inter-monsoons and our hopes of seeing more water on Bambarakanda soared high with that. Well, only one way to find out, let’s go and see.

Bambarakanda Ella

We took the turn at Kalupahana and the 4km journey to the Bambarakanda Rest was a pleasant one. However there were a few places where the earth and rocky boulders had fallen onto the road as a result of the rains in the past few weeks. We could see the abandoned Udaveriya Tea Factory so high above us and it brought back the sweet memories of our trek from Ohiya to Bambarakanda. Couple of seasonal cascades could be seen falling from the rocky hills above. Wangedigala, Balathuduwa and Gon Molliya bordered the left flank where it separated Bambarakanda from the Non Pareil and Nagrak Divisions. I’m sure you remember our Nagrak Journey we did last February.

Taking the last turn before the rest, we came across the tallest lady in Sri Lanka, Bambarakanda Ella falling some 800ft along a rocky boulder. Well the height of her is also a bit of confusion coz some say it’s 263m (or 863ft according to Wikipedia) and others refer to it as 241m (791ft according to Amazing Lanka). I wonder if it is calculated with or without the Bambarakanda Upper Falls as the difference in heights sort of matches her height. Well, it’s something for you to ponder about when you’ve got nothing better to do.

As usual she looked amazing and unbelievably tall. However the water levels had not risen to levels expected by us but was healthier than usual. The sky was heavily pregnant with charcoal grey clouds and looked as if ready to have her baby any minute. Gon Molliya twin peaks reminded us of Dethanagala. Right now, let’s go and talk to Mrs. Mayakaduwa and take some pictures of this beautiful lady from there.

She was pleasantly surprised to see us and welcomed us warmly. We declined her offer for breakfast as we’d taken our own sandwiches with us. While she prepared tea, we took many pictures of the Bambarakanda Ella and started on our pile of sandwiches. You guys can enjoy the pictures but don’t ask for sandwiches coz there’s hardly enough for us.

From the window of Bambarakanda Rest

Closing in

Getting more beautiful

Vertical

Me with my beloved

Some sun finally appeared

Portrait

Reflected in the sun

On our way

Do you see the rainbow towards the bottom

Clear now

Can’t get any better

After our breakfast and some tea, we bid our farewell to Mrs. Mayakaduwa and left for Beragala. However on the way, we saw a breath-taking scene. Bambarakanda Ella had decided to give us a royal welcome and had chased the gloomy weather and invited a bit of sunlight. The greenery after being washed cleanly by the rain looked so beautiful and sensual I just couldn’t make up my mind to leave her. To make things really interesting and tempting, a rainbow had descended across her towards the lower section. It was a painting done in the heaven and brought to the earth especially for us. After a few pictures, we sadly bid farewell to her and promised to be back again.

Haldummulla Ella

We travelled along the A4 and reached Haldummulla where there are remains of yet another Portuguese Fort. You’ll see the archaeological sign at the old Haldummulla Town which is towards Beragala. We were planning to make it to the fort on our way back. Passing the old town, we stopped at a bridge with a relatively large waterfall right by the main road (golly, I forgot to get the Bridge No). I’ve seen this many times while going on this road but never had the means to stop by to admire her beauty. I wonder how come she was not documented before as she must be about 40-50ft in height and very beautiful too.

Here are some pictures and you can decide whether she’s worth documenting. I’m not sure if she’s already a documented one either. So hoping she hasn’t been, I’ve named her Haldummulla Ella.

Base right by the road

The full picture with two sections

Upper part

Time to go

One more full length portrait

What do you think? She’s a real beauty, isn’t she? Ok, now that I’ve introduced her to you, let’s move on from here and go to Beragala where we have to continue further along the A4 that goes via Koslanda. I used to think the A4 was the road that goes straight towards Haputale and B’Wela coz it looks like the main road. However, I was proved wrong and I keep wondering if this stretch between Beragala and Wellawaya is fit to be called an A Grade Road. Very much like the Badulla-Bibila Stretch.

Galkanda Ella aka Nisansala Ella

We drove on and turned at Beragala towards Koslanda. The Walawe Basin looked beautiful with many different landscapes such as light green paddy fields, darker shades of forests patches, pointing hills and beautifully shaped placid tanks and reservoirs. However the memories of Meeriyabedda tragedy sort of spoiled the mood. Koslanda is known for terrible landslides and has probably the only active landslide area in Sri Lanka which is under inspection and studies by the geologists and students.

Our next attraction was the Galkanda Ella or Nisansala Ella. I came across her in one of Ashan’s report and managed to visit her last year and was hoping for more water due to the relentless rains. Passing Nikapotha we came across a fairly large bridge which dates back probably a century where the fall can be seen in three separate segments. Upper and Mid Sections are to the left of the bridge (when coming from Beragala) and the Lower Part is on the other side created by the water flowing under the bridge.

Only the mid-section is seen from the road and as she’s not that tall most of the travelers just drive through without stopping to see how beautiful she really is and as a result miss the other two parts, especially the lower section that is the tallest and most beautiful. As expected, the water levels were higher but not exceedingly high I managed to go and take these pictures for you. The sight of this beautiful lady alone was enough to make me feel human again. She was like a warm and delicious coffee that revives yourself after a tiring day. The difference is that she refreshes the whole of you, the body, mind and the soul. That’s the main reason I need to go see some of them again and again to keep myself sane and make me feel that I really am living a life. I’m sure you too will find the same serenity and happiness if you embrace the Mother Nature. She’ll wipe off your tears, take all your burdens onto her shoulders and relieve you of the tension which is building up inside you to the breaking point. So I suggest you go find sanctuary in her and teach your kids and loved ones to do the same not in drugs or internet.

Well, while you guys enjoy the beauty, we’ll drive to Koslanda and take the Poonagala Road which is to the left at the town. Oh, I’m afraid there won’t be any pictures of Diyaluma Ella coz our turn off was well before the falls.

The upper most part

Closer view

Portrait too

Another

Mid-section right by the road over the bridge

Another view

Upper half of her

Portrait

Lower and most beautiful of all

Closer

Head & Shoulders

Feet

Portrait

Closer view

Upper Diyaluma Falls aka Kudalu Ella and Top of the Diyaluma Ella

Here was the tricky part coz finding the exact location to get to the path was a real challenge as there is more than one location you can enter the savannah like forest patch where the stream that feeds Diyaluma Ella goes onto create Kudalu Ella. So we kept driving up the road towards Makaldeniya which is about 4-5km from Koslanda.

If you go through the posts I’ve given above, you’ll see that they’ve gone to the top in different routes and the bad news is most of these paths are now overgrown and difficult to manage according to the villagers. To make things worse, there are many tiny leeches in this area. The problem is they’re hard to see coz of the tiny size and you wouldn’t know until it’s way too late. So be extremely careful.

I’ll tell you the path we took and it looks to be the most sensible one even though it probably is the longest one. So here we go:

• Drive up to Makaldeniya Junction (4.5-5km from Koslanda) and turn to the right from there. Remember the left one is the main Koslanda-B’wela Road that runs via Poonagala.

• Once on the right hand road, you’ll see a construction site with around 10-15 houses which are being built by the SL Army probably for the landslide victims. You’ll have to go passing this and then there’ll be the soldiers’ camp too. The distance up to this point from Makaldeniya is around 500-600m.

• Go passing this but if you come in a vehicle, this is a good place to leave your vehicle and start walking.

• Continue along the road till you reach a gate to your right (the road will fork into a Y shape). The gate should have a notice board saying “Poonagala Nature Resort”. It’s locked and doesn’t look like having opened for ages but you can enter from the right side. It’s about 100-200m from the Army Camp to this point.

• Once you enter the gravel road into Nature Resort, the road will fork into two. The straight one will take you to the Nature Resort but you have to take the right hand road which will become a footpath after another 200m or so. Just remember, it’s always advisable to ask permission from anybody at the Nature Resort.

• Well, from there just follow the footpath for another perhaps 1-1.5km in total. I’ve given you a picture of the Google Maps below to help with that. It’s easy to find this path so long as your phone gets connected to GPS.

Black Arrow – Makaldeniya Junction; Green Arrow – Turn off at Poonagala Nature Resort; The Grey Line – Path to the Top

We followed the footpath which ran through Mana bushes and Nelli Trees. The mountains and plains of Wellawaya and beyond could be clearly seen. The sun was up but we could see he’s fighting real hard to keep the menacing grey clouds at bay. Just to be on the safe side, we took umbrellas with us. The razor sharp Mana blades bit into our calves drawing blood while the hard-to-spot leeches sought refuge inside our socks. The humidity was as high as it could get and we were sweating like pigs in no time.

The views and the bitter Nelli helped us some way and we arrived at an open space with footpaths branching off to the right and straight. If you take the right hand one, you can go to the top of Kudalu Ella and the cascades of the stream. There’s a huge nice flat rocky surface where you can rest. If you take the path straight, it’ll take you to the top of Diyaluma Ella and about halfway, there’ll be another right hand path to the base of Kudalu Ella as well. I’m sure you’d like some pictures up to this point, wouldn’t you? So here they are:

Entering into the path to the right

About a dozen or so paces, take the path to the right where Ana pointing

About 1km into the path, it gets so narrow like this

Mountains towards Uva-Wellasa

Nelli, our own bitter version

Whole bunch of them

It was full of them and brought back memories of Jaffna Nelli Crush

Very tasty when you get used to it

Nest?

Now the path is somewhat clear

We went on merrily

There goes my team ahead of me

The whole area resembled like the place around Kalthota Doovili Ella

More scenic views

Wide plains like place, the turn off to the top cascades is just ahead

Straight ahead will take you to the top of Diyaluma, but now let’s go to the right

We took the right hand footpath and after about 100m, reached the top of Kudalu Ella with the huge flat rock I told you before. There were a few mini cascades here and we took a small break too. The stream wasn’t that huge but the signs on either side of it told her that she could get quite big in heavy rains. We then proceeded parallel to the stream towards the top of Kudalu Ella.

Be very careful as the path is covered with grass and you tend to sprain your ankle. The water was falling beautifully over a rock about 20ft in width making many (at least 7) cascades along the way to create this sensual but shy lady. We spent about half hour admiring her and taking pictures. Afterwards, we decided to get back to the main path and continue towards the top of Diyaluma.

As we were leaving, the clouds opened up and it started drizzling. Thankfully we had three large umbrellas that helped cover our cameras and phones. However, the Mother Nature, as usual, took pity on her children and decided to chase the naughty rains away after a few minutes. We were very grateful for that and continued without any issue except for those ant-size leeches. While we carry on, you can enjoy the pictures so far:

Turned to the right

There’s the Kudalu Ella

Udawalawe is beyond those hills

Tips of a Pine Tree

They were very tiny

Almost stepped on him

Very large rocky surface

Upper cascades are there

Zoomed in view

The stream that creates the mighty Diyaluma Ella

Tiny cascades

Closer

Another

Top most one we came across with a nice base pool

Hariya would’ve jumped with no second thoughts

Tiny cascade

Upper part of Kudalu Ella

Closer view

Another

Nice place

We were going to the top of that part

Tiny cascade

There she is

The flow of Kudalu Ella goes onto make Diyaluma Ella

Another pic

Time to go

We carried on towards the top of the Diyaluma Ella. The rains had eased somewhat but there was a slight drizzle probably to keep us nice and cool from the humidity. Well this looked like a place which sees very little human activities and there was virtually no human-dumped garbage throughout the path. So can I request you to keep it that way should you tempt to go there after reading this article? I don’t wanna be responsible for any harm that comes to this place as a result of my article now, do I? I hope you get the drift and refrain from polluting our environment regardless of where and when. When should we protect our environment? The answer is fairly simple, we must care for our forests, wildlife and natural resources always.

It’s about another 200m to the top of Diyaluma from the turn off to the top of Kudalu Ella. On our way, we encountered almost 5-foot tall Mana bushes which blocked the path and scratched our skin wherever it’s exposed. The bonus point was we could see the beautiful Kudalu Ella from the path and I managed to veer off the main footpath and get closer to her for more pictures. I’m sure you wanna see them too and here they are.

Now we were going towards the top of Diyaluma

Covered with trees

She’s very tall too

There, hard to see

Now she’s out in the open

Getting closer

A nice bride

Sensational is not the word

Just love her

Lower section

The top part

Right at the bottom

Well, we must go on

But tell me how to miss out these

Again and again

One last look

How do you like them? Gorgeous, ain’t she? The clouds are gathering once again trying to conspire against us and I don’t think our guardian angels can keep up with their job for long against the overwhelming odds. So let’s hurry up and make to the top of the 3^rd Highest Waterfall in Sri Lanka. This was a dream coming true coz I’d been longing to come here ever since I heard about the possibility of getting to the top. So here I was finally after a lot of day-dreaming. Prasa was probably more excited than I was coz the number of selfies he took increased every passing minute and he beat us all to get to the top.

Oh hello! I was ecstatic with joy and wanted to dance around but the rocky surface was slippery so had to restrain myself with a difficulty. The whole team was mesmerized by what we saw. The stream (well I was very surprised to see how small it is) flowed and entered a couple of rocky pools before coming out through a narrow galley to form this marvel creation of the Mother Nature. The butterfly-shaped rocky pool was like a Jacuzzi but I don’t think you should attempt to bathe in them as the undercurrent must be really strong. So stay at a safe distance.

Over the edge, we could see many miles into the southern and south-western border of Sri Lanka. The dark sky prevented us from getting a clear distant view but what we could see was enough to keep us enchanted. There was the Diyaluma Inn below looking like a kids’ playhouse and the A4 was like a tiny pencil line drawn across a painting at a very peculiar angle. The bridge in front of the Diyaluma was so small I thought it was built for the ants. Well, sure enough I saw a few ants crossing it as I was looking down (of course from a safe distance from the edge). Zooming in those ants turned their shapes into humans with colorful dresses. They were playing with toy vehicles but further zooming revealed them to be buses, tuk-tuks and lorries.

There was a group of people who noticed me and I waved at them. They were very surprised and started talking among themselves very animatedly. They probably have though either I was trying to climb down the falls or going to commit suicide. Well they were wrong on both counts. While my focus was on the area below, Diyaluma Ella could be seen at an angle but only slightly. I didn’t wanna get a better picture coz it’d have sent me over the edge and I’d never have lived to see that picture. So I decided to be content with the tiny view I got from where I was standing. My team in the meantime was busy with taking pictures and I must also go and join them. You can enjoy these pictures while I do my photo shoot.

Bit gloomy

There’s our destination

The stream just before falling over 600ft

Good for a sauna

The last bit gushing down

I’m on top of the world

It was very scenic

Angle view of Diyaluma falling down

Portrait view

Diyaluma Inn

The bridge at the base

“Anna Arun Paninna Hadanne” might have been what he was telling the others

“Polisiyata Call Karanna Weida?” they must’ve been contemplating

They simply walked on without giving a toss

The Famous Five

Boys will be boys

Oh yeah, it’s me on top of the Diyaluma

Hotel Mount Pleasant

We retraced our steps back to the vehicle and as we were leaving, the skies opened up like a gigantic cave and unleashed her power in the form of gram-shaped drops. It was falling so hard on the vehicle roof I was scared it’d pierce through like armor-piercing bullets from a 0.5 browning machine gun. The drive turned out to be very challenging and Ana had to wrestle with the steering to keep us moving safely. We had initially planned to do the Millennium and Pilkington Point. Oh there’s a little joke related to the Pilkington Point as most of the people tend to mispronounce it as Bill Clinton Point. Those who know the real one then ask where the Monika Lewinsky Point is. Well our plans were rain-swept so we decided to come back another time to go see them and decided to head straight to B’Wela. Oh blimey, the time had flown and we were already way too late as it’d just gone 12 noon.

The rain kept up till we reached B’Wela and on the way we passed the Doolgolla Ella about 6km before B’Wela. I’m sure you can remember it coz I visited her last time I was in B’Wela. The link on the notes would take you there if you’ve not seen her. We got to the hotel around 2.30pm and immediately went to have a nice hot shower. The rains were still falling but it wasn’t so cold as I was expecting. As I mentioned at notes, Mount Pleasant is a boutique-type hotel with 3-4 rooms but luxuriously furnished. It’s Rs. 6500/- per triple room (B&B) and Rs. 5500/- per double room (B&B). Well, it’s worth for the price but the downsize is the meals are expensive even though they are delicious. So I suggest you eat outside if it proves too much for you. The washrooms are larger than most of the hotel rooms and very clean with fresh towels. Linen and beds are fresh and clean and very comfortable giving you a good rest. Their service is also really great and they’d make you feel at home tending to your needs promptly. Ok, while we have a bath and lunch, you enjoy some of the pictures of the hotel so that it’d be easy to make up your minds.

Hotel Mount Pleasant

It’s a small boutique hotel, former Chinese Hotel

Garden chairs

Side path

Full bloom

Wow

All red, color of X’mas

Some shades of purple too

Entering

Sitting area

Dining area

The triple room

Where I slept

Very old stuff

Another, not the Eiffel Tower

Many more like this

Stamp like enlarged

Our lunch ready

Oh blimey, such delicious meal

Well, we took a nap afterwards and then around 7.30pm, walked towards the B’Wela town which is less than half a km away from the hotel. Our plan was to take the night mail coming from Colombo at 5.30am from B’Wela and go all the way to Kital Ella and do the rail hike from there towards Demodara. However, Sri Lankan Railway being SL Railway is notorious for arriving on time. The only thing they seem to do is departing on time from their home stations. They are still highly dependent on the colonial-era signal system which has rarely been upgraded or maintained properly thus causing these never-ending delays almost all the time.

Afterwards, it was time for, well you guessed correctly knowing our patterns, a much needed dinner. After a hearty meal which tasted delicious, we all tucked in our comfortable beds and were dead to the world in no time. Good night and see you at 5.00am.

Day 02

Good morning, I hope you all slept well and of course we slept like yule logs thanks to the comfortable beds and feather soft pillows. It was so hard to open my eyes and look at the time coz it felt as if they were sealed tight with wax. Prasa made some coffee (you’re given some coffee sachets and an electric kettle in the room too) and I dragged myself from under the blankets as if a hibernating bear coming out of his cave. It took a while to get the focus on and after a wash and a steaming mug of coffee, I felt human again.

We got ready and were given a packed sandwich breakfast to be taken with us. By 5.15am we were at the station which was isolated except for a couple of pools of water which glistened in the halogen lamps. There was no sign of the train coming on time and we managed to find a sleep-walking worker who informed that there’s a delay due to some earth slips or something and it might be 6.15 or even later by the time the train arrived. See I told you that they can never be trusted.

Well, we had no time to kill coz we wanted to be on the move at first light as the rains would come midday. So we decided to improvise and took a Wellawaya bus and got off at Ella Tunnel.

Ella Tunnel

Ready for the journey

Ravana Ella

It was just after 6am and we decided to walk towards Kital Ella along the railway up to Ravana Ella and then retrace our steps and walk up to Demodara. There wasn’t a hint of the rain yet we carried our umbrellas just in case and they acted as walking sticks throughout the journey. The railway line and the sleepers were very slippery due to the constant drizzle in the last few days so we stepped on very cautiously. The sun was battling his way up from the east lighting the Ella Rock off Kital Ella Station. It was a very welcoming sight but the distant layer of clouds kept interfering with the photographs.

All of a sudden we heard this massive roar and jumped out of the track coz the night mail was due at any moment which we left at B’Wela. The roar kept coming but no sign of the train. So we very carefully walked forward and realized it wasn’t the night mail that was creating so much noise after all. It was the roaring flow of water from the Ravana Ella. Within a very short time we arrived at the first sight of her. Well she had more water compared to the previous occasions.

This is what’s so amazing about waterfalls. No matter how many times you see them, you’ll always find them amusing and enchanting every time you revisit them. Ravana Ella (I guess I’ve done enough explaining about the difference between Bambaragama Ella and Ravana Ella) truly is a sensual and lustrous lady who never ceases to keep me captivated. I was rooted to the ground while I admired the sheer beauty unfolding in front of my eyes. To be honest, I’d never have heard even if an Airbus A380 landed right next to me. She was that mesmerizing and I have to keep indulging my addiction to seeing the waterfalls again and again. Well folks, I won’t keep you waiting any longer. Here are the sensual pictures of this lady.

Sunrise over the mountains

Closer look

This is the Ella Rock

There’s our beauty

Zooming in

Nice, ain’t she?

Portrait

Another

Top part

And the lower

Ella rock being bathed in morning rays

On the prowl

A nail?

Well, it’s a leech, just look at it waiting for a passer-by

Up to 9-Arch Bridge

We started walking back towards Ella as our target for seeing the Ravana Ella was fulfilled. The sun was breaking out through the clouds bathing the surrounding with his golden syrup colored rays. The wet leaves glistened in the morning light and a slight mist left their tips evaporating the dew collected overnight. The oil-slicked metal sleepers were deadly slippery so we had to step on with caution. On the other hand we had to keep looking over our shoulder as the Badulla-bound night mail was due at any minute. Ella station came into view in no time and we hurried on. A long and sleek sky blue S12 was waiting on the outside track which is the Colombo-bound Podi Menike. She had to stay until the night mail passed her.

Suddenly we heard the unmistakable rumble of the old German granny coming fast towards the station as she was already very late. They met at the station and the German lady frowned at the young Chinese lass showing her disdain at this cheap looking heap of hard plastic. While they exchanged glances we decided to take a break and started on our breakfast. After all it was not just the train engines which were growling, our tummies too. So while we satiate our rumbling tummies, you can enjoy some of the pictures including the encounter between the German and the Chinese. I’ll back Germans any day over Chinese, lols.

Ella station

Signalling the Badulla bound night mail

She’s the Podi Menike going to Colombo

Here comes the night mail after a delay

Crossing each other

Taking the tablet for the waiting train

She took off

One of the main attractions among the foreigners

At the station

Love the colors

Deserted after the trains have gone

The boys of Ella

The breakfast was tasty but barely enough for us. I kept wishing for more and managed to grab some off Prasa. Well, we saw some police officers at the station standing and waiting. I know the uniforms of Railway Guards and ordinary cops are very much similar and most of the time you mistake one for the other but these were real cops. However we walked past them and entered onto the railway line and found a very strange notice board which seemed to have place fairly recently. It’s best I show it to you before moving further.

Newly erected

Well, what do you think about this? We found the real reason behind these newly erected notices. There’d been a mugging incident recently where two old foreigners were threatened with knives and robbed of some money (we heard it was around Rs. 6000/-) after throwing chili powder at them (I hope those stupid robbers didn’t see these foreigners as a pot of curry). Since then the police had entered the scene and started patrolling the railway line from Ella all the way up to Demodara. Can you just imagine the amount of manpower, time and money wasted on these errands just because of some greedy and probably drug addicted thieves’ acts?

It’s a great shame on us as a country but well we can’t expect the same decent behavior from everybody alike, can we now? We met quite a few cops along the railway line patrolling with guns and two of them were even stationed on the small hill at the other end of the 9-Arch Bridge where there’s a café called “Asanka Café” and we managed to have some tea while enjoying a panoramic and aerial view of this architectural marvel in Sri Lankan Railway History.

We walked along the fairly isolated stretch of railway till the 40^th Tunnel beyond which lies the 9-Arch Bridge. If you can remember, this was the first of my rail hikes which we did from B’Wela to Uduwara more than two years ago. There was another warning sign near the tunnel and here are some pictures till then.

Isolated

Old ones but going strong still

Mountains over the Badulla main road

Factory found some way off

This is so far away on the top of the mountain range I showed you before

Turns

Dangerous signs

Some more due to the heavy rains

Namunukula towards Passara

Twin-engine airliner

Posing midway

A mist is hovering in front

There among the pines

Making it safe for the passengers

Tunnel before the 9-arch bridge

Can see the other side through it

That’s the parapet wall of the bridge

Inside

Came out and you can see the warning signs here too in blue & white

As soon as we emerged from the tunnel was the moment of truth. The mighty 9-Arch Bridge was in front of us in her sensual form that attracts visitors from all four corners of the world. She’s a sight that can make anybody wow no matter how many times they’ve seen her before. It’s always a brand new experience and we were no exception. Just moving slightly to the left of the railway we could see the full height of those neatly bound rocks towering almost 100ft to the deep raving below. There were wasp nests along the rocky wall which get disturbed every time a train goes over the bridge. So it’s not safe to walk along the bridge as soon as a train passes.

We had timed it perfectly to see a train on the bridge but still had about 1hr to kill. So seeing people on the hill across the bridge, we started climbing up hoping to get a better view. There was a sign saying “Asanka Café” and we thought of having a cuppa tea from there. Climbing up we began to realize the prospective views we’d be able to have and I almost ran uphill wanting to make sure that I was really seeing what I was seeing. The bridge went lower and lower as we climbed higher and higher. We were beginning to get a bird’s eye view of the bridge and finally when we got to the top; it was nothing short of sheer amazement that welcomed us.

There were two cops on watch duty and they were very friendly and talked with us while Asanka, the owner of the house and the would-be café, went to make some plain tea for us. There were 3 young boys too who were very curious to show us around and share their knowledge. They were very fond of Ana and even posed for a picture with him. Wonder if he reminded them of Santa Clause as this was early December.

While we’re waiting for the second S12 coming from Badulla (Udarata Menike), you can enjoy some pictures.

Here we are

Marvel of the ancient architecture

Still standing tall and no prob

99-foot high pillars

It curves to meet the railway line at the other end

Distant hills

You can see the Asanka Cafe to the right on the hill

The ravine below, almost 100ft

Looking back

Solidly built

On the other side

The curve has added extra beauty

Impeccably crafted

Very tall

From the other angle

Closer look

View from the above

Sensational sight, ain’t it?

Zoomed in

Another

You can see the full length with no prob

The team

And me too

Another of mine

Through the cafe

We could’ve taken millions of pics

They were on the cafe floor

Mahadanamuththai – Golayo Roththai?

Ok, it’s the time for the hallmark of the journey, isn’t it? The most-awaited time of the whole journey was about to come true as the Udarata Menike was revving up her huge diesel engines at Demodara waiting to come and show us how beautiful she’d look on one of the most remarkable railway bridge not just in Sri Lanka, but in the whole world. Everyone was highly excited, especially us coz this was going to be one unique experience for us.

The hill where the train goes around at Demodara (Demodara Leap) was visible at the far distance and we saw the faint blue caterpillar winding its way around this but the distance and the haziness of the fiery rays of the sun made it so hard to take a quality picture. After it felt like an eternity, we heard the distant growl and after a while we saw her crossing the open ground just before the Rock Tunnel (No. 41) and managed to take a few pictures.

I gave a 60-second training on how to take amazing videos using a Lumia to one of the boys and got him to press the button and hold the phone rock steady at the bridge while I concentrated on the pictures with my point-n-shoot. There came the moment of truth and we took a few decent pictures and I was still anxious about the video. I shouldn’t have worried coz that little fella had held the phone like it was mounted on a tripod and the video was crystal clear. I was ecstatic. Well here are the pictures you’re itching to see.

There she is before entering the Rocky Tunnel, No. 41

Entered in

Zoomed in

Last bit before being swallowed by the tunnel

Here she comes

Step by step

Filling the pic

She’s so long

Entering into the Tunnel 40

There she goes

Disappearing slowly

Bit more

Can you see the onlookers?

There they are

Well, all over

Time for us to get down and make a move

Having bid our farewell and thanking profusely to Asanka and the little boys, we resumed our journey towards Demodara. The sun was in full force and a couple of grey clouds were appearing from Ella. The ferocity of the sun signaled of rains so we stepped up our pace. Not long before we heard another huge rumbling coming behind us and got panicked coz there was no other train scheduled at that time. Could this be a goods train which has got very late? Knowing the notorious reputation of those slow moving snails, that was quite possible. So we jumped to the side of the track and turned around just in time to see a rail cart coming downhill like an F1 Car. It was so frightening and had we not been alert, it’d have knocked us clean out of the track killing us instantly. I wonder why they can’t use some kinda horn to warn the people on the railway without blasting their way like maniacs.

We passed some beautiful scenery and reached the Gotuwala Ella. Well it’s the name I gave her coz she’s located by the railway in Gotuwala Village. There was a substantial amount of water thanks to the intermittent rains and you can check out these pictures till then.

Difficult to leave her just like that

One final look

Going towards Demodara

Glistening in the sun

Closer look

This made a booming noise like a train and almost knocked us over

There they go without a care

Must’ve been touch to make the railway here

Another of those majestic bridges

Gotuwala Ella

Healthy water levels compared to my last visit

Top of her

Mid-section

Let’s go on

Crops on either side

The rocky tunnel

Almost hidden

Looks deep and long

In we go

Atha and D bringing the rear

Surprised bystanders

Just amazing the lengths they’d gone to preserve the soil

Clear blue sky ahead but it would change in no time

D helping a lady to carry this bamboo tree

We walked on

Nice bends

Life among the rocks

Almost there

Here we are

Where’re the people?

Beauty at the station

Out comes the German monster

It’s not as long as the S12

Only 6 carriages

Just before

The clouds were coming thick and fast and we had to keep going in order to avoid getting soaked. Our initial plan was to go see the Demodara Black Bridge too before getting into the train but the rain made us change our plans. We decided to take the next available train without waiting for another one hour for the next Kandy bound one. So when we reached the station, there was a large group of people had gathered behind the station to witness the train appearing underneath the station via the Tunnel No. 42.

We too joined the parade and managed to squeeze through a gap in the human wall. All of a sudden the ground started shaking as if an earthquake. Then with a huge flume of smoke appeared the grumbling M6 carrying 6 more heavily laden carriages behind her. She then took a right turn at the far corner and we returned to the station to wait for her. It started to drizzle and we managed to jump into a third class carriage (well the only one) and sat by the window.

My plan to capture the 9-Arch Bridge through the window shattered as the rain intensified making it impossible to take the camera out. So I simply sat and enjoyed the view getting soaked in the dripping water. But as the bridge got closer, I couldn’t resist my temptation and quickly snapped couple of pictures but only a couple was in decent quality. Ok, it’s time we had some break and you may enjoy the rest of the pictures.

On the train and managed with difficulty due to rain

There’s another group of people

Ancient one at B’Wela

The evening went without an incident and we repeated the day before schedule. Lunch, nap, chat, dinner and bed once again; exactly in that order. We’ll see you tomorrow at another historical place which is the Haldummulla Portuguese Fort, or whatever remaining at the site among the pine trees.

Day 03

We got up early as usual and got ready for an early departure. By 6am, we were ready for our breakfast. After a sumptuous meal, we bid our farewell to the Mount Pleasant and its staff who were very friendly and hospitable and were on our way. The whole surrounding up to Haputale was under the cover of mist but the sun was coming up lighting the distant mountains. We reached Beragala and started to keep an eye out for the archaeological sign of Haldummulla Fort.

There are two paths to the fort site. The first is at the Old Haldummulla Town where the archaeological notice is found. You can climb up in front of the board through the tiny footpath. You have to go up (according to a villager near the signage) for about 3/4km. As the path was too steep and was infested with leeches, we asked the same person if there was any alternative route. He is an ex school principal and went onto show us a book written by him about the historical things in and around Haldummulla. He then pointed out that there’s a well paved road to the Needwood Tea Factory from where it’s a nice and short walk to the site. We decided to take that road.

You have to take the Needwood Factory Road at the 176^th km post and drive about 3km to the factory. Then go through the factory gates and there’s a path around the right hand corner of it. From there it’s just a matter of finding your way asking around. Trust me, it’s a walk in the park. We found the place with no problem but it was hard to believe as the remains were nothing but a mound of earth completely covered by pine needles and an L-shaped portion of a rocky parapet wall. The pines have added a sort of mysterious look and the fort complex was completely shady thanks to the towering trees.

We walked about taking pictures which I’m gonna show you now.

Archaeology sign at Haldummulla

Feeling cold

Factory where you have to take the right hand path

We walked on

Now it’s behind and over the roof you can see the Idalhashinna Mountain

Colorful

Idalgashinna Mountain zoomed in

Entered the pine forest

Endless

Finally we found it

Here it is, very little to speak of

Mounds of earth signaling the parapet walls

Only rocky wall remaining

Another look at it

The whole team near the wall

It’s not even as tall as me

Must’ve been very small

Another look

Gon Molliya Range

Dewy flowers

Other buildings

It looked gorgeous

Lush green lawn

Time to get on

Surathali Ella

We carried on and got back in to our workhorse and headed downhill calling it a journey and go home. Passing Bambarakanda turn off made us wanna go there once again but the mind overpowered the heart so we went on. Near the Surathali Ella where you can see her above the tree line was too much of a temptation so we stopped and went on foot to take a look at her.

She had more water than the last time I saw her which was very pleasing. Yet, it wasn’t her full flow so we have to wait patiently for our chance. Unfortunately the gigantic tree near the tiny cave closer to the base of the falls (I hope you remember it if you’d been there before) had fallen probably due to the heavy rains blocking the original footpath. Nothing to worry coz you can circle around the base of the tree and get back to the falls. It really was one helluva tree coz the diameter of the trunk was so huge.

Well as some might say, she probably had the most appropriate amount of water coz we could see this pure white creamy flow and the rugged but worn out rocky surface. It was a sight worth seeing especially when mixed with the blue and white sky above and the lush greenery around. Ok, here are the pictures coz I know you’re impatient to see them rather than reading my vivid imagination.

View from the road

Closer look

Vertical

At the base

She’s richer than I saw her last

Portrait

Just the right amount of water

Base

Another view

Time to go…

Well, that’s about it guys. Hope you enjoyed it as much as me. Will see you again with another fairy tale. Until then, take care and keep wondering around.

Sri…

Gala Pita Gala (ගලපිටගල) is an unusual rock formation found at Kalupahana area. There are three rocks and largest one on the smaller one is balanced on flat rock surface with small contact. It has been there for thousand years without fallen down. Therefore it is called “Gala+Pita+Gala”(Rock on the other). Also it is called “Hellena Gala” හෙල්ලෙන ගල (Swinging rock). Because one can move the rock by a finger.
We can see structures of a face on this top rock. Prof. Raj Somadewa (Archaeologist) says this face is a creation of pre historical human. There are lots of folks around this. (Refer Derana TV programme)
It has drawn my attention in few times. First in my latest visit to Bambarakanda waterfall. Then we went to closer to World’s end lodge to see this rock in distance.

The photo of Gala Pita Gala captured in my latest visit to Bambarakanda

Facial appearance of Gala Pita Gala- Captured at World’s end cottage

Zoomed view of three rocks and facial appearance of top one

World’s end lodge

Whole area in one photo

Flying eagles

It was in my to-do list and the day came after my hike to Wangedigala (වoගෙඩිගල) in Pambahinna.

We reached Kalupahana around 8am and hired a three wheel to reach Gala Pita Yaya (ගලපිට යාය) estate. Three wheel drivers well know about the place. He dropped us to the road directing the estate. It was a bright day and my previous day target (Wangedigala) was clearly seen.
Gala Pita Yaya estate seems a less functioning estate and got to know resettling under new management. For unknown reason there was nobody in the houses of estates and we had to find the pathway by our self. It was useful to view the video clip of travel with Chathura here.
After passing the estate the pathway laid on the edge of paddy field area and we clarified the way from a villager found in other end of the paddy field.
According to her description, we went through Mana bushes where the foot pathway was traced by recent visitors. (Might be for TV programme) It was a sharp ascend first and at the end reached a place to have nice view of surrounding environment. Again foot pathway was clear through Mana and reached to a Pinus plot where foot pathway was vanished.
It was not difficult to trace the pathway in Pinus plot as Gala Pita Gala was seen in left hand side beyond another Mana patch.
Last section of Mana was disastrous. There was no foot pathway through this stretch and Mana has grown even above my height. Though I wore attire I didn’t have hand gloves. Therefore I had to make our foot pathway by forearms as the front liner. After a number of cut marks in forearms we reached the destination.

View of Wangedigala, Balathuduwa and Gommolliya Kanda

View of Wangedigala-I have been there yesterday

The scenic road towards Gala Pita Yaya Estate

Scenery…..

Scenery…..

Gala Pita Gala is circled

Towards Udaweriya and Bambarakanda

Welcome to Gala Pita Yaya estate

It was a brighten day

මාර

Get blessings….

Leaves

We traced the foot pathway in the estate

We traced the foot pathway in the estate

Foot pathway at the edge of paddy field

Side view of Gala pita Gala

First Mana section and foot pathway there

Nicely marked pathway….

Nonstop snapping….

Pinus patch

Pinus patch

The view from Gala Pita Gala was fantastic. It was kind of a view point due to it’s centered placement. I could view Beragala Kanda, World’s end Lodge, Haputhale, Kalupahana area, Wangedigala, Balathuduwa, Gommolliya, Bambarakanda area, Udaweriya and Hortain plains as well.
Few people can spend the time under the rock as well. After spending about hour there we started our return journey. It was not difficult as pathway within Mana was clear at this time.
We were not able to visit Nidangala waterfall (නිදන්ගල ඇල්ල) which is situated closer to Gala Pita Yaya estate.
After having a bath and lunch from nearby double bridge we got into the bus to come home.

Fainted view of Gala Pita Gala through last mana patch

Reaching Gala Pita Gala

Front view of Gala Pita Gala….note-vandalism

Front view of Gala Pita Gala

How it touches with the ground….

When we looked up…

The face…..

The view of face…..

Paddy fields at Walhaputhanna

Towards Kalupahana side…..

Towards Wangedigala, Balathuduwa and Gommolliya

Towards Bambarakanda side

Towards Bambarakanda and Udaweriya side

Where we came…

Galapitagala compared to a man….

World’s end lodge….where we had the view of Gala Pitagala

A waterfall from Bambarakanda area

Colombo-Badulla road….

The drop of Kuragala

When we look back…..

Marginal view of Beragala Kanda

Coming down…

Good bye MANA

Coming down ….

Gala Pita Yaya estate

Double bridge at Uwathanna- We had a bath and lunch there

Thank you for reading

The map – click to enlarge

Trail to KMP – click to enlarge

Trail to Kalupahana – click to enlarge

Every year there is something on top of my to-do list and this year also was no exception. It was something mysterious and well researched by me. Been a very dry year I decided to ride my luck. Thunhisgala / Kalupahana is one of the center most peaks of Knuckles conservation area providing the best view of the forest reserve. My attempts on searching for a guide was the most troublesome thing and hearing that the path to KMP wadiya was overgrown brought up some concerns. The day before the hike I came across a contact posted on the following link. I decided to call that person and request for help while we were on our way to Bambarella. This time Amila was the only person who could join me and sadly I had to leave behind Harinda who really wanted to join this hike. We reached Panwila early in the morning where I called Dakshina(the contact) and he directed me to another person who helped us in finding a guide. When we reached Bambarella it was around 8.30am where we met Sinniaha who agreed to find us a guide. The guide he found was not able to join until 12 so both of us had along pre hike bath under the Bambarella bridge.

kalupahana as seen from etanwala

as seen from pitawala

As seen from Gombaniya by Krishan Aranwala

as seen from Hemachandra wadiya by Krishan Aranwala

At 12 we reached the Kovil at Lebonon estate where Thaygaraja the guide joined us. From the Kovil we took off towards Rathnagiriya estate where we parked our vehicle. After passing the last few houses we started to climb up along the tea estate and then through a path which ran along an abandoned foot path covered with Mana. The path through the mana also had many guava trees with ripened fruits and we didn’t forget to taste them. At the end of the “mana patch we entered the forest which was a pleasant walk and to our surprise there were few leeches despite been the driest period of the year. It was a gradual climb and at one point we had to descend a bit where we came across the first significant stream. There is a small shrine at this place where locals perform rituals before entering the dense forest. The climb from the shrine was a long one through an open area where 3 peaks of knuckles and victoria reservoir could be seen. Next it was a section through a thick forest with bamboo forest at some parts. The climb ended at Hulang kanda where we suddenly emerged through some tree tops. From here onwards it was a downhill journey parallel to a water stream. This area was heavily infested with leeches. After a while we came across a barely noticeable junction where we had to take the right turn. Most of the other hikers miss this junction and proceed straight downwards to end up at a cardamom plantation. Next stretch runs further downhill crossing many streams (two main streams) before ending at KMP wadiya.

KMP (Konara Mudiyanselage Piyadasa) wadiya has lost its glory and it had been attacked by a local jumbo who roam in the area. There were 3 guys at the Wadiya when we went there and one of them was Nihal Mama who has been there for more than 30 years sometimes living all alone. They welcomed us with a hot cup of tea while we were busy plucking 100’s of leeches that were attached to our leech socks. We were told many stories of the yester years of Kalupahana by Nihal mama and one could spend weeks listening to those stories from him. According to them KMP wadiya was not destroyed because it’s the only place that provides shelter to Forest officers and travelers while traversing this difficult terrain. The triangular peak of Kalupahana was seen through the branches which was sought of an invitation to us. That day we cooked and shared our stuff with the guys at the wadiya who made us feel like staying at home.

kids	Lebonon estate was our starting point

on the way scenery

Rathnagiriya

rituals

nice place to camp

Knuckles seen

the stream which we came across

Binara

the pattini devalaya near the stream

final climb from the pattini devalaya

forest path

leech infested path

through the tree tops at hulang kanda

getting down

mountain forest

maha ganga

mushrooms

the downhill path

reaching the wadiya

our destination

Leeches

Next day morning we woke up shivering and had our breakfast at around 7am. Since our guide has not been to Kalupahana Nihala mama decided to come with us until we reached the ridge of the mountain. Passing the wadiya we headed along the Ranamure trail through the cardamom plantations. Few hundred feet away there was a path to the right which takes one towards Heen ganga valley which is called the Galbokka trail. At one point we started ascending uphill parallel to a stream through the abandoned cardamom plantations. These clearings which were cleared many years ago run close to the ridge of Kalupahana range. To enter the ridge we had to crawl through few Nelu bushes too. After reaching the ridge Nihal mama returned back to the wadiya. We started marching along the ridge while clearing the covered path.

where we spent the night

main cook

scribbling’s by idiots

the villages tell time by this clock

lovely cardamom

undergrowth which was cleared for cardamom

through the cardamom plot

a home

gal veralu collection – probably work of rodents

more to climb

a forgotten path

Gombaniya seen

more to go

mushrooms

After a while we reached the base of the triangular part and the climb became bit intense. The path was almost covered at some places and the mountain canopy was not easy to push aside. Not like other days we had to use our whole body to tackle this terrain. While climbing up our heads were emerging through the bushes and the scenery we saw was unique and exceptional. A whole circular area from Gerandigala side to Laggala could be seen clearly. Opposite to Kalupahana were knuckles and beyond it was Piduruthalagala, Adams peak, Ambuluwawa, Kabaragala & Hanthana range. Connecting knuckles range via selva kanda was Yakunge hela and Gombaniya range. Also Kirigalpoththa, Bata nadu kanda with Riverston peak, Manigala, Atanwala, Pitawala, Karagahatenna & Arangala was seen. After tackling the narrow bushy path we reached the vast summit with plenty of tree tops which were multicoloured in contexture. We trekked through the summit to find few view points and we noted paddyfields of Meemure, Karambaketiya, Kehelpathdoruwa, Dumbanagala, Ulhitiya and Rathnkinda, Maduru oya reservoir and Kokagala. The best scenery was of Lakegala, look at the photos and you would understand what I meant. I have never been to a mountain top this colourful and so isolated from human constructions.

gombaniya range was free of mist

miles and miles of virgin forest

gap of heen ganga

capturing

more to climb

knuckles peak on the opposite side

dumbanagala and gerandigala

knuckles

landscape

through the tree tops

note the ridge which we climbed along

towards etanwala

a wide pano

vast area

remains of hemachandra wadiya

manigala and riverston

dhuvili ella plunges down from this gap

riverston range

ITN tower

prominent

steep climb

wow

the bride

having a break

katu kithul

summit is getting closer

probably kirigalpoththa

knuckles range framed

hanthana the rocky range and kabaragala at its backdrop

samanala kanda

piduruthalagala range