| Year and Month | February, 2010 |
| Number of Days | Two day trip |
| Crew | 4 (Family) |
| Accommodation | Dunshinane Waterfalls Cottage |
| Transport | Van |
| Activities | Enjoy the weekend, explore the wilderness! |
| Weather | Sunny day with clear sky. Very cold in the early hours |
| Route | Gampaha -> Peradeniya -> Kuda Oya(just brfore Nuwara Eliya) -> Dunshinane estate-> Pundalu Oya – > Thalawakele – > Hatton -> Avissawella -> Gampaha |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Author | Ashan |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
This was a relaxing outing for us , the cottage is located bordering Kikilmana forest(dense forest). I really liked the place because while others were resting I had the chance to hike around the forest of Kikilimana.
We started from Gampaha and went trough Peradeniya Nuwaraeliya road, and I would like to state that we came across few waterfalls on our way. First was Helboda Falls by the side of the road and all other waterfalls were between 41Km post and 47Km post I guess. Those were Gerandi Ella, Ramboda eli, Punai Falls and few nameless once. I couldn’t photograph all of them but I would like to share some links with this report for anyone who is interested.
 Kothmale reservoir |
 Punai Falls |
Helboda falls
Links for more information about some of these waterfalls are given below. Please note that some information in below links may be incorrect, the idea was to share the photographs.
1. Ramboda Falls
2. Ramboda Ihala Falls
3. Ramboda Meda Falls
4. Ramboda Pahala Falls
5. Gerandi Falls
We decided to reach the cottage from Nuwara Eliya side from the Kuda Oya check point, the road condition was pretty bad for about two Kilometers but fortunately the road was repaired up to the cottage road and people were at work mending the road ( Please see the map ) so if you are planning to go there better to reach the cottage from Kuda Oya side.
MAP provided by the Aitken Spence group and edited by me. Click Image for a bigger view
2Km before the cottage we noticed a beautiful waterfall cascade on the left which was of considerable height(60m) unfortunately we did not stop 
the road to the cottage was 1.3Km and it was quite manageable. We arrived at the cottage and we were happy to see the water flowing nearby. We provided all the food items to Mr. Gunapala who prepared our meals deliciously, we were pleased with his cooking, after a while we decided to hike, 5o meters from the cottage we reached the first few waterfalls on the right hand side and the bathing place . Afterwards we decided to hike further in search of the beautiful waterfall in the forest. It was a short distance like 300/400m hike to this waterfall, on the way we came across few leeches. 
 Waterfalls Cottage of Dunsinane |
 Waterfalls Cottage of Dunsinane - Name Board |
 Two near by waterfalls |
 Closer look at one of the nearby falls |
 The second nearby falls - Closer look |
 Top of the nearby waterfall |
 More at the Top of the nearby waterfall |
 Next waterfall |
 We went further |
 First glimpse of the best one |
Close up view of the best waterfall
After a chilling afternoon swim and lunch we went to the top of one of those nearby waterfalls just for fun(the route taken was the one going uphill from the cottage) and later walked around the tea estate and on the main road to Pundalu Oya enjoying the evening sky. there were Blankets and pillows in excess too and there were 3 rooms (two with king size double beds and one room with a bumper bed like in hostels). the temperature dropped a lot in the early hours.
 Inside the cottage |
 A bedroom inside the cottage |
 A bunk bed |
 Where are the leaves |
 Some butterflies out of many |
 It is common but gorgeous |
Evening scenery
 Evening scenery of tea estates |
 Evening scenery at sunset |
I woke up early morning to have a early morning walk in search of that waterfall which I noted, I traveled(On the Pumdalu Oya road towards Kuda oya) for 3Km from the cottage until I came across some houses nearby the waterfall, the path to the stream bellow was bit steep but I got to the bottom. Guess what I saw, it was the lower part of that mysterious waterfall falling in between a rock Chasm, I really enjoyed this sight. Later I traveled along another stream and came across another small waterfall, and then I decided its time to return back. On the way some locals said there is a 80feet tall waterfall down the stream which ends up in a gigantic base pool(Similar to Lanka Ella I guess in depth).
Morning sky
 Upper part of the mysterious cascade |
 First glimpse of the lower part |
 wow! |
 A waterfall close to the mysterious fall |
After breakfast we left the cottage with happy memories. This time we decided to take the Pundalu Oya- Thalawakele route which was my stupid idea the road was horrible(refer the map), there were some place where a car could not manage(we had a van), after that horrible scenic ride we came to the Well developed last few Kilometers of Pundalu Oya – Kuda Oya road, at this point we had a stop to see the mighty Dunsinasheen falls but the beauty of the waterfall has diapered because of the concrete road crossing across the waterfall and getting a front view was difficult because they were building a power house for the Upper Kothmale project at the best view point. Rest of the road up to Thalawakele was superb. And we reached home after a wonderfull weekend at the Waterfall Cottage.
 Dunsinasheen Falls |
 Upper part of Dunsinasheen Falls |
Lower part of Dunsinasheen Falls part
Quote:
Dunsinashin falls
this impressive 92m-high fall cascades in a spectacular sequence of steps before flowing to the Pundalu Oya (river), the Kotmale River and finally the Kotmale Reservoir. The nearest town is Pundalu Oya.
Take the Kandy road towards Nuwara Eliya to Thavalamtenne. Turn onto the Gampola – Pundalu Oya road that leads to Pundalu Oya. Once there, continue for a further 2km to the two large tea estates called Dansinan and Shin. The fall flows between these estates and can be viewed in two segments, from above the road or below.