We are a group of three families and we use to go on leisure trips during school holidays (April, August and December) and last December we decided to go to Udawalawa and Ohiya. We reserved these places well in advance.

We started around 6.00 am from Gampaha and stopped at Rathanapura and had the breakfast. Then we proceeded towards Udawalawa and reached Udawalawa bungalow around 1.30 pm. While passing Udawalawa park we saw few elephants inside the fence, just by the side of Udawalawa road. These elephants have got used to come up to this point as visitors feed them with fruits. There are signboards saying ‘Do not feed animals’ but visitors don’t adhere to these instructions.

Coming towards the fence seeking food

Waiting to get something to eat

Coming out from the jungle in seeking of food

While watching these giants on the way, we reached the bungalow around 1.30 pm. There was a cook and a caretaker and they were quick enough to prepare our lunch within an hour. This is a calm and quiet place with two rooms with attach bath and eight beds were kept on a row on the sitting room. It can provide accommodation for twelve people altogether.

Eco type beds

Paddy fields around the bungalow

Having lunch in a hurry we started the safari to Udawalawa park. The caretaker organized a jeep for us. They charged Rs 2500.00 for the tour and came up to the bungalow to pick up.

First scene inside the park probably, two brothers	Herd of elephants seen at a distance
This is not a rare sight in Udawalawa park	But this is certainly a rare sight to be seen in any wild life sanctuary

We were told by the tracker that this was there since previous day. A leopard had killed a sambur and kept the body on a fork of a tree, perhaps to eat on another day.

Mother and the baby	Probably a loving couple
More elephants	‘Thani Aliya’ seen at a distance

We were not fortunate to see large herds of elephants. Any way by 6.30 pm we arrived at the bungalow. Next day morning after the breakfast we rushed to see the ‘Eth Athuru sevana’ ඇත් අතුරු සෙවන

It was 9.15 am when we arrived there and it was the feeding time	Patiently waiting for his turn
I will worship if you give me more	Tasty as my mother’s milk
Getting back to their home after the milk feed

Once the feeding was over, we proceeded to our second destination in Ohiya through Thanamalwila and Wellawaya. Road from Udawalawa to Thanamalwila was horrible and was under construction, but the stretch from Thanamalwila to Wellawaya was in excellent condition. My van driver was annoyed as I always warned him whenever he exceeds 100 KM on speedometer. Once we came to Wellawaya we bought some lunch packets from the Wellawaya rest house and proceeded to Beragala via Koslanda, but did not forget to stop at ‘Diyaluma Falls Inn’ for a refreshment.

View of the Diyaluma falls from this hotel	I’m Thirsty, straightly drinking from the Diyaluma falls
Closer view of Diyaluma fall

From Beragala we came to Haldumulla and were searching for a place to have our lunch. Passing about 3 Kilo meters from Haldummulla town we found a place with good shade to have our lunch. Having lunch under a tree we proceeded to our next destination at Ohiya. After about 4 Km from Haldummulla on A4 road you have to take a right turn and climb another 3 km to reach this hotel. We arrived at this place around 4.30 pm.

It’s “Worlds End Lodge” situated at lower Ohiya. An isolated, peaceful place and ideal for a relaxing holiday. This hotel consist about 20 rooms in two compartments. Rooms are spacious and well maintained and bathrooms are very clean. Their food also was very good and all three meals were served buffet on the first day as all the rooms were full on that day. I must also say that their rates are very reasonable.

There was a swimming pool with crystal clear water. It was supplied with a continuous floor of water from a nearby natural stream. I haven’t seen anybody inside this pool for the two days I stayed there. Water was so cold that you could get freeze if you jumped into this.

Silently sleeping until someone comes and wakes him up
Misty surroundings	Breathtaking view of Horton plains range from the hotel
More attractive views	Another spectacular view from this hotel

Next day was warm with bright sun light

Around 6.30 am

Around 7.30 am

We had our breakfast around 8.00 am. There were kiribath, bread, string hoppers and rotti on a buffet table. After the breakfast we started to proceed to famous Adishams bungalow at Haputale.
We came to Haputale via Beragala and turned towards Welimada road. The road was misty from Haputale to Adishams.

Welimada/Haputhale bus was looming through thick mist	A wall hanging at Adishams bungalow
Adishams bungalow view from outside	Adishams bungalow view from outside
Inside views of Adishams bungalow	Inside views of Adishams bungalow
This stall at Adishams is very famous for their Strawberry jam
This type of inscriptions were common at Adishams	Another one

While we were returning from Adishams there was an unexpected rainfall which was fairly heavy. So we decided to come back to the hotel and had the lunch. Thereafter we were waiting with the hope that the rain will cease as we wanted to visit Bambarakanda water fall. But we were not fortunate and we were confined to our rooms playing carom and 304 followed by a sing song which went on until late night. Then we had the dinner and went to sleep with the hope of visiting Bambarakanda falls on next day, if rain permits.

We were so lucky when we got up the next day to see the bright sun. So we had the breakfast and packed up everything and said goodbye to “World’s End Lodge”. We straight away proceeded to Bambarakanda Water fall which was only 12 KM from this hotel.

There were signboards throughout

Bambarakanda seen at a distance

You have to park your vehicles and then climb about 500 meters to reach this water fall. This was my first visit to this place and once I came here only realized that this is a very famous bathing place.

There were few crowds bathing there

It is a very safe place even for children

We didn’t have time to enjoy the cool dip at Bambarakanda as we had a long journey afterward. We started to get back home and came to Balangoda and then Rathnapura. We had lunch at Rathnapura and drove back to Gampaha finishing an enjoyable trip.

Please forgive me for any shortcomings in this report as this my first trip report as a new comer to this forum. This is the work of a poor ‘Kodu Karaya (කෝඩුකාරයා)’.

Thank You