Dimbula / Gongalla mini WE to රාවනා ගල

Year and Month	March, 2018
Number of Days	Two
Crew	3 of us
Accommodation	Watawala inn
Transport	Pajero
Activities	Hiking, Photography, Scenery, Scenic ride
Weather	Sunny mornings and Gloomy evenings
Route	Chilaw -> Narammala -> Warakapola -> Avissawella -> Kitulgala -> Watawala -> Thalawakele -> Dimbula -> Thalawakele -> Hatton -> Maskeliya -> Ginigathhena -> Avissawella -> Returned along the same route
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Take a bottle of water Do not carry Plastic items (Minimize), Make sure you bring back everything you took. Get permission from the Kolapatana estate before trying to reach Gongalla mini WE Ask directions from locals All places require 4WD or trishaws Where clothes which cover your body Explain your intentions clearly
Related Resources	Trip report : Ravana gala
Author	Ashan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Dimbula / Gongalla mini WE to රාවනා ගල

The inch map

Gongalla WE

Both of us badly needed to go on a road trip and due to the unfortunate situation around Central province we had to take a huge detour to reach our destinations. We knew nothing about whats happening in the country because we were caught up in a curfew and news sources were been cut off was a terrible experience. Any how we decided to go head. On Day one we reached Watawala and spent the night at Watawala inn.

Next day early morning we took off towards Thalawakele where we took the Nawalapitiya road to reach Queensberry Tea factory at Dimbula-Pathana. The first destination of the day was a mini WE which I noticed while gazing over Devon falls on many occations and after some map reading I had located the location as Gongalla mini WE. I was told that this location was known by many local citizens but a totally foreign place to others. Passing Queensberry tea factory we entered Kolapatna estate (Gongalla division) and followed the estate road untill we reached the foot path towards the mini WE. The estate ride was a scenic one and I would love to drive along this road on another day without any hesitations. There was a 300m hike through the Eucalyptus where one would come across a newly built hut. The guys at the hut became furious after seen us and asked us to get out of the estate at that instance. We were told that no one is allowed to enter the estate without prior approval. But after a calm chat we were allowed to look around and spend some time.

the mini WE seen from Nawalapitiya rd

the drop

the estate rd through Kolapatna estate

.	reaching the destination

the foot path

what a location

SD on a promoting project

The view From Gongalla mini WE was one of a kind. One could view Kotagala, The Dell, Elabedda range, Great western, Pundalu oya, Kothmale oya and reservoir, Piduruthalagala, Kikiliyamana and Meepilimana range, Peacock hills, Beramana, Ravanagoda and many more. The A.S.D of the division was now friendly with us and we were invited come on another day if we wished to. Saying good bye to them and after a final apologization we headed back towards Hatton.

the view towards great western and Pundalu oya

Peacock hills seen

Great western

Kothmale oya at Medakumbura

Kikiliyamana and meepilimana range

Lindula – thalawakele side

lot to explore

the stage

Kotmale reservoir

Kotagala

Dell with the towers and Elabedda range

Towards Ravanagoda

.	Kothmale valley flowing to reach Kothmale reservoir

pano

Towards Beramana

the drop

Kothmale valley

Summit of Sri Lanka

the hut

halted

From Hatton we left towards Maskeliya where we took the Lakshapana road. At one point we took the road through Maussakele tea factory which was a winding road through the tea estate until we reached legendary Ravana gala with the aid of GPS. The local kids who came to show us the road wernt helpful at all in finding the proper route. After a 4Km ride we reached the rocky area which is believed to be an airport of King Ravana and the parallel ingrowings are believed to be dug by Ravanas chariot. The local kids who accompanied us didn’t forget to play Bat and ball at the rocky play ground. After hanging around for a while we started descending back to Lakshapana road where we said good bye to the young ones before starting our long departure drive towards home sweet home.