The route from Ihala-Maliboda Town to Ali-Hatha

I was planning to go this trip since last year (2009) December, but due to heavy rainy weather condition at that time I was unable to achieve that. Since this year began with dry weather season I arranged my trip schedule on first week of February. One of my close friends joined into this trip and he has a Three-wheeler, so till that Ihala-Maliboda town we traveled by his Three-wheeler. But if you are planning to take public transport it’s better to start your journey as soon as early morning. If you can be there at Avissawella around 5.45 A.M there is a bus available from Avissawella to Deraniyagala at 6.00 A.M. This bus reaches to Deraniyagala around 7.20 A.M. Then from there one bus is available at 7.45 A.M to Ihala-Maliboda. It will reach to Ihala-Maliboda time between 8.45 to 9.00 A.M.

We reached to Ihala-Maliboda (Uda Maliboda) town around 11 A.M. (we were so late) then we traveled from there to Samupakara Junction (2 Km). After that we were seeking a guide for our journey, finally we met a person call “Gamini Ayya” (The person who has given his guidance to Rupavihini Sarisara team when they were there). When we were speaking to him, he mentioned that he was unable to join with us due his busy work schedule, but instead of himself he introduced two marvelous persons call “Gopal” and “Kalu Ayya” to take us this journey. I should say because of these two guys’ guidance and help we went till up to the top water fall (seventh one) if they were not there with us, definitely we were going to be ruinED. So please make sure to have a good guidance during this journey.

On our way to Ihala-Maliboda

Group of women plucking tea leaves

Naya Ganga - Sapatthu Palama

At Maliboda Junction

View of Seven water falls from Ihala- Maliboda

It was around 1.00 P.M when we were starting our journey. We were getting late, but our plan was to stay first day night in the forest, so that our target was set to visit first two water falls during the first day then go as long as we can and have a camp.

View of first and second water falls

Due to our busy time schedule, we did not go to bottom level of these water falls to visit them very closely, but if you want, it does not matter there is a path available to go and visit these water falls closely from “Samupakara junction” call “Halaturakele” (see the map provided). Close view pictures of these two water falls can find in this trip report

After visiting first and second water falls we entered into the forest and walk till we found a good place to get access “Naya Ganga” water stream, because to visit rest of five water falls we had to walk to upwards through the stream. This stage was very risky, dangerous and consumed so much time. We encountered two places that are very difficult to pass due to its very deep and narrow slopes and there were not any other alternative routes to avoid those obstacles. It was around 6.00 P.M finally when we found a good place to have a night camp in our first day.

Route to get access to entering point of the forest

We are entering into the forest

Trees in the forest

The place we got access to “Naya Ganga” water stream after walking through the forest.

Second day morning, around 6.00 A.M. still sunlight hasn’t fallen into the forest, we are preparing meals for our breakfast, because we have to leave early morning. It was a windy and damn cold night.

Around 7.00 A.M. we are getting ready to start second day of our journey.

From here on wards again we had to enter into the forest, because it was very difficult to walk upwards through the stream. After we walked through the forest nearly 2 Km Parallel to the water stream we could find the third water fall.

Third water fall with morning sunrise

From there onwards again we began to walk through the water stream to hunt rest of four water falls. It wasn’t too much difficult to reach other remaining four water falls since they locate close to each other (less than 1 Km distance between each of water falls).

Fourth water fall

We encountered this small cascade between fourth and fifth water falls

Nice view of Basnagala area

How long did it take for us to come here?

Our journey along the water stream

Having some fresh water

Another small cascade we encountered near by fifth water fall. (Find the hidden Lion head in this picture if you can!)

Fifth water fall

Another view of fifth water fall

Finally we are at trail end (Sixth and Seventh water falls)

Butterflies coming from Siri Pada Adaviya

Having little rest at trail end

Wide view at the top

There is a path available through the forest to return back to the start point that you can go by avoiding water stream, you can directly get access that path from top (beside Sixth and Seventh water falls). No need to take same route (through water stream) to get access the start point that you have came. It will be too risky to take the original path to go downwards.

I would like to thanks our two guides “Gopal” and “Kalu Ayya” who gave remarkable help to us to make success this journey. I believe this information would be helpful for people who are planning and willing to go to visit Ali-Hatha (seven water falls). I have a kind request from those people; you may go, visit these places and enjoy your self, but please do respect to these places and keep it for our future generations