Existence of nine peaks was caused to name the range as Namunu- Kula. It was the 12th highest mountain in SL. The highest peak out of 9 was climbed by many hikers each year; but from Spring Valley side which was considered as the formal path. Our ambition was to explore the whole 9 peaks from Passara side which was not popular trail and even done by nobody in popular travel forums.

A long time back, while talking to some one at the Horton Plains office to get directions to Kirigalpoththa, we learnt that there is a bridle trail to Bogawantalawa which branches off from Kirigalpoththa trail (Kirigalpoththa trail wasn’t clearly marked then as it is now; and GPS for hiking was not even heard of!). Since then it was in my list of “to do trails” but I never had enough information to plan the walk.

Our trip was started from Rathnapura around 3.00PM in the evening. It took 3.00 hours to reach Samanalawewa VIP bungalow, because we stopped at Belihuloya to have a bath there. Several security checks were required to enter the bungalow. It was the first time I went to the VIP bungalow though I have been in to Samanalawewa several times and the view from bungalow was fantastic.

It was one of my dream journeys which I had waited for a long time to accomplished. Finally that day came.We departure from colombo on 4th of September by 12.45AM Ampara bus to go to the ancient Memure village.We arrived Hunnasgiriya at about 5.30 AM and get breakfast from there. We went to Loolwatta by a van which leaves at 8.00 AM from Hunnasgiriya. After that, there was no public transport vehicle on that road until 1.30 PM. After scenic drive along the Hunnasgiriya-Loolwatta road we came to the destination at about 9.00AM.From there we started our long walk towards Meemure.

We intended to cover Trinco and surrounding places of interest as much as possible and the trip was planned to the minute detail. However unexpected bad weather, poor road conditions and Grease Yaka prevented us from touching all places, meaning another trip when time permits!!!!

A 3 day visit to northern part of Knuckles range, called Knuckles due to its mountains appearance similarity to a knuckles. Once we reached Rattota around 1.30pm. There wasn’t any bus to at least somewhere near to Riverstone. Three wheel and Van fares are very high. In Rattota town they were well organized and they asked same fare. I suggest using hired vehicle from home town or Matale would be a better idea. We finally got a bus from Matale to Puwakpitiya.

We started at sharp 3 in the morning as our tour iternery was packed with places to visit. And took the Colombo- Puttalam road which was quite clear at that time and reached Puttalam at 4.45 and had breakfast at a known place ( One of my friend’s old family friends). It was a very tasty meal and afterwards left for Wilpattu and went inside around 7am.

There is approximately 6.5km to the forest camp from the A17 turn off. The condition of the road was worst in the first three kilometers where the ascend was also steep. Once climbed up, the track became somewhat easier than before. All together we spent just under two hours to reach the Forest camp from Suriyakanda town.

The bus terminated at Pamunupura junction. Then we have to turn left and continue the journey by foot. The sight of Yahangala too away our tiredness all the time. It brought ice cool to our eyes. We stopped briefly at a point where a small water stream crosses the road and fall over cliff on the other side of the road. After 15 mins we restarted the journey. It was a heavy climb thereafter and after 200m we reached the Grama niladari office of the village. It was closed and we got some more rest there. The concreted road ended there and a foot path began.

This was my second visit to Wilpattu, the first being equally unsuccessful due to bad weather. The past week too it had rained almost everyday, but luckily this time, the skies opened up from the first day of our safari. This raised our hopes up quite high, but now, almost at the end of the second day, we had only seen fresh pugmarks, but no real Leopards…an air of frustration was starting to build up… Just as we passed the Borupanwila Junction, our driver suddenly uttered two words that made our hearts skip a few beats… ”කොටියා, කොටියා” (“leopard, leopard”!)

Sun was shining in the sky as a silver globe. We were on our way to another adventurous journey heading Namunukula. The small open canopy jeep was packed with 5 Lakdasun members. The itinerary of the day was to reach Passara via Beragala & Pilklinton point @ Punagala estate, since it was identified as a much scenic drive. Just as we passed Balangoda; our itinerary was challenged by ourselves. The main role of the same was played by Dinesh, who bucked on the distinctive weather condition prevailing and suggested to change the route.

A 3 day visit to southwestern part of Sinharaja, called morningside due to its weather is always feels like morning
Harsha and myself (iro)(left Colombo around 6.00 am by a CTB bus to Ambilipitiya (through low level road – Try to use bus through low level since it is 10 Kms shorter than high level). We reached Rathnapura at about 8.20 am and met Kavinda (other member of the group). Then we had our breakfast and we bought some rice. kavinda already bought other stuff for cooking.