Trekking from Bambarella to Meemure with hiking Wamarapugala (වමාරපුගල) (1551m)

Wamarapugala (වමාරපුගල) is a mountain situated at centered area of Knuckles-Kalupahana. It is well seen when you are at top of Lakegala. Though Thunhisgala is the closest mountain to Wamarapugala, it is hard to see from Thunhisgala. Because that side of Thunhisgala has forest cover, but you can see it through the bushes.
As it is situated at Kalupahana, approach to Wamarapugala was through KMP route via Bambarella. Rahana Ketu Pathana is found at the slope of Wamarapugala. It is a nice place to view Thunhisgala with it’s accessory peaks. And there is a foot path to Meemure from Pathana. If we put all these into one journey, it was like this:
1. Trekking from Rahana Ketu Pathana from Bambarella via KMP wadiya
2. Hike to Wamarapugala and back to Pathana
3. Trekking from Rahana Ketu Pathana to Meemure

Wamarapugala in metric map. Note the district border runs along Rahana Ketu Pathana. Click image to enlarge.

Wamarapugala is shown by arrow. This picture was taken from Corbett’s gap

View of Wamarapugala when we were at Meeriyagolla.

I have planned this trip for two days with camping at Rahana Ketu Pathana (RKP). Kasun who has sound knowledge in Knuckles area joined with me for first time. Nuwan was the other member of the trip.

Bambarella to KMP wadiya

As usual we have started the journey early from Kandy to get the first bus to Bambarella from Waththegama. The foot pathway to KMP wadiya starts from Malgudi Junction / Lebanon junction at Bambarella. Bambarella was little bit gloomy and top of surrounding peaks were covered with mist. Once we entered the forest, it was noticed weather was so dry during last few days. Here I am not going to describe the route in detail as it is repeated in my Thunhisgala reports.

Journey started. Concrete road to Lebanon estate.

Kandasamy Gala with mist

Heading to Rathnagiriya via Liyangalla division

Passing Liyangalla Division

Tea den

Kasun stayed at foot path till we returned back from Rathnagiriya

Last set of line houses

After passing Liyangalla division we have reached the foot path through Rathnagiriya abounded tea estate. It was the time to do a mini hike to the peak at Rathnagiriya which was covered by short Mana. Selva Kanda (සෙල්වා කන්ද) and Rilagala (රිලාගල) were seen just in front of Rathnagiriya peak. (රත්නගිරිය කන්ද)

Rathnagiriya peak

Rathnagiriya peak

Dry weather accompanied the thirsty

Dual peaks of Rathnagiriya

Rathnagiriya peak

The bay which hosts Gona Giya Ella (ගොනා ගිය ඇල්ල)

Might be Selva Kanda (right) and Rilagala (left)

The flag on top

Steep ascend was finished after passing Rathnagiriya peaks. Gentle ups and down were found then mainly through Nelu bushes till we reached KMP wadiya. Land marks we passed were Dewalaya, Hulang Kanda and baby Maha Ganga (Maha Ela). A lot of streams were dry except few which were good enough to fill our bottles. We have not seen any traces of elephants till KMP wadiya as well as throughout the journey. It seems elephants in Knuckles region have migrated to somewhere after building two reservoirs-Kalu Ganga and Moragahakanda. We have spent about four and half hours to reach KMP wadiya from Bambarella.

Foot path

Dewalaya

Through Nelu bushes

Hulang Kanda

Knuckles five peaks

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Resting at a dry stream

Checking his clicks…

Met Maha Ganga (මහ ගග)

Cascades of Maha Ganga

Cascades of Maha Ganga

KMP wadiya to Rahana Ketu Pathana (RKP)
Mahathun Ayya was preparing his simple lunch when we reached KMP wadiya. He was happy to shear it with three of us while we had some Roti brought from Waththegama for the lunch. Nothing has changed at KMP since my last visit at 2016. We spent about 1hour at this old Cardamom hut before go to our next step.

KMP wadiya

Mahathun Ayya

Our next target was Rahana Ketu Pathana (RKP) which was situated at base of Wamarapugala. There was almost a clear path from KMP wadiya to RKP. Within about two hours we were able to reach RKP without any problem. It was almost flat terrain through cardamom bushes at Kalupahana. As a lot of streams were dry we tried to maintain water store till we reached RKP. We have turned at three junctions:
Duwili Ella-Thunhisgala, Thunhisgala-RKP (7 26 55 6483, 80 48 153526) and RKP-Ambagaha Gedara Wadiya / Meemure

Junction to Duwili Ella and Thunhisgala (7 26 36 4322, 80 4802581)

Enjoying…

Another dry stream

We had maintained a water store

Knuckles forest reserve

Third junction where RKP pathway separate from Meemure road (7 27 10732, 80 48 36229)

Thunhisgala with Kudagala. This was taken before we reached RKP

Elated after reaching Pathana

Rahana Ketu Pathana (RKP)
This large open area spreads over angle of Wamarapugala. Thunhisgala with it’s two accessory peaks (Kudagala-කුඩා ගල and Belumgala-බැලුම්ගල) is seen behind RKP. The edge of Wamarapugala separates other mountain range by a large grove called Ganga Bokka (ගග බොක්ක) along which Meemure Oya flows to Meemure. Alugal Lena peak, Dumbanagala, Gerandigala with Gal Tuna, Kehelpothdoruwegala, Yahangala and Velangolla Pathana are seen in one side. (Knuckles five peaks is covered by Alugal Lena). On the other side you can enjoy the view of Yakunge Hela, Gombaniya, Sudu Gala, Kirigalpoththa, Pathangala, Riverstone, Gammaduwa, Karagahathenna, Maningala and Walpolamulla etc. Kandy-Matale district border runs along this plain and it is shown by collection of stones at Pathana.

Rahana Ketu Pathana (RKP) is situated at angle of Wamarapugala

Lakegala is seen behind Wamarapugala

Lakegala: Meemure Lakegala (right), Komalawe Gala (middle) and Narangamuwa Lakegala (left)

Ganga Bokka and Paddies at Meemure. Meemure Oya flows here.

Towards Dehiaththakandiya: You can see faint view of Unukirigala.

Dumbanagala (right), Gerandigala with Galthuna, Kehelpothdoruwegala and Yahangala (left)

Alugal Lena Kanda

Alugal Lena Kanda

Thunhisgala with Kudagala (side peak)

Towards rest of RKP

Collection of stones marks the district border

Rest of Pathana and rest of Knuckles range

Yakunge Hela, Gombaniya and Sudu Gala

Knuckles Kirigalpoththa

Pathangala and Riverstone peaks are seen at left edge of the picture

Enjoying the view at RKP

Camping at RKP
It was a beautiful evening and clear weather at RKP. Though hiking to Wamarapugala was at our initial plan it was postponed till tomorrow as we spent much time for clicking. According to information we got from Mahathun Ayya, no water source found at RKP in dry season. As we decided to spend the night at there, we wanted to collect water. It seems people (came to pluck cardamom) have spent night at RKP and burned some grass and bushes. We walked back along the foot pathway and followed the path to Meemure side. Within about 200-300m along that path, we came across a water stream. It was well enough to fill our bottles and wash bodies.
Camping at RKP is an extreme challenge with wind. I think it was not a wise decision we took. It was utter difficult to make a fire with windy condition. We required to put extra energy to save our things from the wind. My new tent was the main target of the wind. Wind has shattered the tent throughout the night. At the end the shape of the tent was changed. Therefore always we had to keep someone at inside the tent to protect it.

Eastern edge of Knuckles massif.

Time to refresh…

Unlimited clicks

Somehow we were able to make it.

It was another sleepless camping night with noises made by the wind.
While Nuwan was counting hours I was able to have a reasonable sleep. Sun rise was happened above Lakegala. Eastern sky was decorated with vivid colours to make us busy in clicking.

Pre sun rise pictures

Pre sun rise pictures

Another beautiful morning….

You can see Lakegala, Rathkinda-Ulhitiya reservoir and Unukirigala

Silhouette

A challenging day ahead of us. We had two targets remained: Hike to Wamarapugala and getting down to Meemure. This time we have reached the corner of Pathana to make a fire to have a tea. It was successful in few attempts.

Bed tea. Kasun refused to do anything without having morning tea.

Our breakfast.

Gombaniya and Kirigalpoththa side was clear now

Knuckles Kirigalpoththa

Walpolamulla and Maningala

We kept our bags at RKP and started to main target of this journey-Hike to Wamarapugala. There was a clear pathway to top of Wamarapugala from RKP.(Starting point-7 27 130795, 80 4849.935)
Most of the time it followed the edge of the mountain. Within two hours time we were able to reach the highest point of Wamarapugala where another set of stone collection could be noted. But the highest point of the mountain has zero view. On our way to top of Wamarapugala we had a view towards Meemure and eastern edge of the Knuckles range. There was another view point through trees you can look at Lakegala.

Follow the clear path to Wamarapugala

We always stick to the edge of the mountain

Window view: Dumbanagala, Gerandigala (second line mountain set). Appala Pathana and Maratuwegala are seen as first line). Uda Wannimana is seen in right side.

Paddies at Meemure

Maratuwegala and Appala Pathana

Alugal Lena Kanda

Dumbanagala at center. Nawenagala and Koboneelagala. Corbett’s gap is circled.

Meemure-Lakegala

Narangamuwa Lakegala and Komalawe Gala

Back to foot pathway…

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Top of Wamarapugala. This proved it has been touched by many mountain lovers.

On top of Wamarapugala

We have passed the highest point and came to another place where view of Gombaniya and Kirigalpoththa can get. Getting down from Wamarapugala to RKP was an easy task could be finished by 45minutes time.

Yakunge Hela and Sudu Gala from Wamarapugala

Descend to Meemure-Last objective of the day

We have returned to RKP around 12noon and followed the same foot pathway up to the last three way junction. There were large areas of flourished cardamom at this part of Knuckles. We have passed Amba Gaha Gedara Wadiya (අඹ ගහ ගෙදර වාඩිය) and continued along the foot pathway. After walking about 3-4km along clear foot pathway through cardamom estates we have realized the direction goes wrong. As there was a clear foot pathway we didn’t realize our path is wrong. While we were checking the map, three guys came out from Ensal bushes. They were from Meemure and carrying Cardamom to Meemure. These three villagers volunteered to show us the path to Meemure. What actually happened was our path was correct till Amba Gaha Gedara Wadiya. According to them the path to Meemure lies on the side of Amba Gaha Gedara Wadiya. But we have followed the clearer path which goes to Ensal estates. And they showed another foot path which descends in front of Thanne Wadiya-තැන්නේ වාඩිය (No remains of Thanne Wadiya now) to join with previously mentioned foot path. We were able to visit Hunugal Lena (හුණුගල් ලෙන) and Uda Wannimana Ruppa (උඩවන්නිමාන රූප්පේ) during descend to Meemure.

Descend…

Flourished Cardamom estates

This is the stream we collected water for camping…

This must be a large stream when it rains

Cardamom

Amba Gaha Gedara Wadiya

Amba Gaha Gedara Wadiya. Correct foot path to Meemure lies on side of this Wadiya. We walked closer to Wadiya.

Clear foot pathway after Amba Gaha Gedara Wadiya

Hunu Gal Lena

Roots of a giant tree branching over Hunu Gal Lena

Wamarapugala through bushes

Another small cave

Evening sun rays

Rest at Udawannimana Ruppa

Udawannimana Ruppa is the entrance to Meemure from Kalupahana

It is a drastic drop from Thanne Wadiya till Uda Wannimana Ruppa. Uda Wannimana Ruppa (Ruppa means a resting place) is the entrance to Meemure from Kalupahana. According to Sri’s report there were four entrance to Meemure from Kalupahana, Dandenikumbura, Narangamuwa and Kalugala. Soon after this resting place foot path divides into two: One goes to top of Diyakarella Falls (දිය කැරැල්ල ඇල්ල) and other one descend to Meemure. The foot path to Meemure descend on right side of Meemure Oya. (Please note after about 100m from Ruppa, there is place like a fence and foot path goes down from there). We were able to reach Meemure around 6pm. It ended up two days trekking from Bambarella to Meemure with hiking Wamarapugala. After the long walk we didn’t have extra energy to move out from Meemure on same day. We spent a night at village home and got early morning bus to Hunnasgiriya from Meemure.

Top of Diyakarella Falls

Top of Diyakarella Falls

Meemure Oya

Summary of the journey: KMP to RKP pathway is marked by red line. RKP to Wamarapugala is marked by black line. I didn’t record GPs point in getting down to Meemure.

Thanks for reading