In search of Duvili Ali, in the upper reaches of of Kaluganga (Knuckles)

We started our journey from Katubedda at about 11.30 in the night. The crew was six. We came Colombo fort at 12.30 am from bus. Because of four day vacation there were huge crowd in the Kandy busses. We found group of boys and girls who go Knuckles range also. We set with them and hired a van to go Matale. At 3.30 am we came from Colombo.

At 7.30 am we arrived to Matale. We got the Matale -> Riverston -> Illukkmbura -> Pallegama -> Narangamuwa CTB bus and came to Rathninda.(If u want Matale CTB depot no: 0662222281)

Guys Waiting @ Colombo.	in the bus
Manigala seen from Bus	The bus that we came in

At 11.00 a.m. we got down from the bus at Rathninda Junction.

@ Rathninda Junction

Then we went towards Atanwala to meet our guide who lived in Walpolamulla three years before. His name was Udayantha Indunil. He is sitting for the A/L exam this year. After about 1 km we came to Atanwala Bridge and had our lunch there. Then we enjoyed the beauty of Wedda peni Falls until our guide came.

Atanwala bridge on Thelgamu Oya.	Thelgamu Oya : starting from Kirigalpottha peak of Knuckles, goes through Atanwala,Ilukkumbura and meets Amban Ganga as Kambarana oya.
Our Lunch Which was brought by Vinod.	Wedda Peni Falls: This is about 3m in height. Situated below Atanwala Bridge. According to legends a Wedda chieftain slipped and fell in this and died here.

After our guide came, we got directions from him to get to Manigala,Walpolamulla and Duvili falls. He couldn’t give exact information to reach Duvili falls because even he had not gone there.

Udayantha Malli gave some instructions to us.

Then we started to walk towards Manigala. We had planned to spend our first night there.

The path to Manigala goes through paddy fields.

On the way we passed the Atanwala temple.

Atanwala temple.

First arrow mark we came across on the road: M: Manigala V: Walpolamulla

On the way we met lots of butterflies. Rustic, Tamil yoman, Common Lascar, Black Prince are some of them.

Black Prince Male: (Rohana parisatis) It is a species of Nymphalid butterfly lived in Asia.

First we came to Manigala-Walpolamulla junction and after 100m to Manigala- Rambukoluwa junction.

Junction 1: When climbing up, Turn left— Can be go Manigala Turn right- Can be go Walpolamulla.

Junction 2: When climbing up, Turn left— Can be go Manigala Turn right- Can be go Rambukoluwa.

Then we climbed up to Manigala. It is about 1.5 Km from Atanwala Bridge. At the start we planned to spend the night at Manigala. But there was no good water resource. And we could not pitch our tent because of the heavy winds. The time was 2.15 pm. We decided to go Manigala peak and observe the surrounding and then go to Walpolamulla to spend the night. We quickly walked (Run) to Manigala peak and came back to walpolamulla junction by 3.00 pm.

Flat part of the Manigala seen at on the way to peak.	Thunhisgala seen at the peak
Pitawala and Mini world’s end seen from Manigala flat area.	Rathninda and Atanwala paddy fields seen from Manigala.

The quick Hike to Manigala Peak. And return.

Then we started to go to Walpolamulla. On the way we saw elephant dung also. After one and half hours we saw the first house of the Walpolamulla village. There were three houses in the village. But there were no sign of a human being. There were paddy fields that had been harvested a month before.

Walpolamulla bala…….	Good resting place on the way.
About one week old Elephant dung.	A Nice place on the way.
First house we saw in Walpolamulla village	There were only three houses. Last one in the photos was good and had not collapsed still
There were only three houses	Last one in this photos was good

At those paddy fields, we received Dialog (mobile) signal as well. Then we tried to pitch our tent in the paddy field. But we had to change our decision and pitch it closer to one of the house because of heavy winds. There was a good natural water resource. Because it was Vesak full moon poya day, the paddy fields remains a very nice in our minds. Then we prepared our meals and discussed the next day plan.

Walpolamulla paddy fields and Thunhisgala peak	Try to pitch our tent on the paddy fields.
Finally pitched the tent close to house.	Natural water stream in the village.

Dawn of the sun.

Next day early in the morning we started our journey to Duvili falls. After about 2kms we met first water stream and we took a short rest there.

The stream

Some butterflies we saw close to the stream. Rustic and Black Rajah in these photos.

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There were two paths after that stream. One goes along the stream and other one goes uphill. We selected the second one. After half an hour we reached the place called “Nugathalawa” and turned to left hand side.

Crew just before Nugathalawa.

Nugathalawa

After about 2kms we me reached another water stream. And we reached the road coming from Rambukoluwa close to this stream.

The place where two roads meet. From here , Left side—Rambukoluwa Right side—Duvili falls (Cross the stream

The second stream we met.

After travelling few kms, we reached a place which was like a small cave and beside that a small waterfall. According to villagers, when they were clearing this road, they had stayed in this small cave. There were some cooking equipment there as well. We took a break there and continued our walk. Leeches were a major problem in this area. Then we came across a third stream and after that we reached the Dumbara falls. Around this place we received Dialog and Mobitel signal possibly from Riversten.

The waterfall we saw beside the road.	The small cave.
The third stream. We did not cross this stream. The trail goes along, upstream.	Dumbara Falls: This is about 20m in height. This is the bottom most fall in “Duvili ali” water falls of Kalu ganga.

The time was around 2.00 pm and we started our journey to explore the rest of Duvili falls. 100m track back along trail, there was a path to climb the rock. After 1km we saw patana forest in our right hand side. We went nearly 1.5 kms beside this pathana . Now we came across another stream. We Crossed the stream and when went further 50m to find a trail to climb a rock.

Crossing the fourth stream.

After walking about 1km, there were two huge trees fallen down and road was completely blocked by those. There were no signs of a trail after that. All of us tried to find a trail to reach our target. But we could not find any until the time was 5.00 pm. To spend the night we had to reach a safe place and a water source. So we decided to turn and go down the rock that we were climbing.

After half an hour later we reached another stream and there was a nice waterfall. We selected the flat rock near that water fall to spend the night. At that place also we could make calls using Mobitel and Dialog connections. We prepared the place and prepared our meals. Then we lit up two fires for our safety. Every time two of us were awake for security. It was a nice experience. I cannot explain it in words.

We spend the night near this waterfall. Height of it is more than 60m. it is another waterfall of “Duvili ali” set of waterfalls.

The water fall situated downstream of above waterfall.

Night on the flat rock.

Next day morning we decided to come back along the Kalu ganga river to Rambukoluwa. Early in the morning we started our journey. On the way we saw lots of small waterfalls.

One fall we saw when we go along river

Then we could see a set of waterfalls located upstream of the Dumbara falls. It was not easy to access those falls because of the boulders.

set of waterfalls that situated upstream of the Dumbara falls	set of waterfalls that situated upstream of the Dumbara falls
set of waterfalls that situated upstream of the Dumbara falls	Duvili falls seen on the way back

Walpolamulla and Malkirigoda Gap seen from Kalu ganga river.

Then we found the way back and came back to Rambukoluwa. That road goes beside Kalu ganga. After we found the trail we walked more than 10 kms to arrive Rambukoluwa. Then we came to Pallegama, Dambulla and back to Colombo by 11.30 pm.

Thank you very much for reading my report. It will be helpful for planning your journey