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| Year and Month | February 2010 (4th – 7th) |
| Number of Days | Four Day Trip |
| Crew | About 20 (between 18-70 years of age).This was a field trip by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka [FOGSL] |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Transport | A bus upto Bulupitiya Junction. From there onwards a Tractor upto the camping site. |
| Activities | Bird Watching, Butterflies, Wildlife |
| Weather | Sunny, hot during the day.Bit cold at night. |
| Route | Colombo -> Kandy -> Loggal-oya [Via Rajamawatha] -> Andaulpotha -> Rideemaliyadda -> Bibile -> Ampara road -> Bulupitiya Junction -> Nilgala camp site -> same route back to Colombo. |
| Tips, Notes and Special remarks |
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| Author | kishAn |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
We started from Colombo at 6.00 a.m. in the morning. Had morning Tea at Hingula and stopped for lunch at Loggal-oya. We reached Bulupitiya Junction [22km from Bibile town] around 3.00 p.m.
Loggal-oya Reservoir
Few of us decided to walk [10km to the camp site from Bulupitiya Junction] watching birds and butterflies as older people and few others decided to go by the tractor.
We reached the camp site by 6.00 p.m. We saw few birds and heard the “Painted Francolin” as well. Few Jumbos were there too close to the camp site.
Few Jumbos were there too close to the camp site.
Next Day morning we walk around the Camp site looking for birds. In the evening went to “Makare” [8km from the Nilgala camp site] – By Tractor of course. That’s where the “Gal-Oya” ends and the “Senanayake Samudraya” Starts.
 at "Makara" - Gal-oya on this side… |
 At "Makara" - Largest Reservoir on the other side |
Next day at 7a.m. we started to hike up to “Andagala” Where Ruins of a Castle like structure is found obviously neglected by the authorities as treasure hunters have already almost destroyed what is left.
 Treasure hunt is going on… |
 Unread rock Inscription.. will be gone forever as it is totally unprotected from weather |
 “Andagala” - It’s about 4-5km upto Andagala from the Camp site though a board says it’s 3km. |
 Seems Like a “Kotu Pawura” to me… |
here were two in two levels... Like “Athul Pawura” and “Pitatha Pawura”…
The Wild Life officer Said there are lots of ruins like this in the forest everywhere…
If anybody can influence the authorities that is for our country.
3rd Day evening was to explore some Old rock caves named “Kahata Aththa Hela” purana Gal ge and to Climb the “Kahata Aththa Hela”. It’s very close to the camp site [about 1km] and was a easy hike I must say. But the view from up there is unforgettable.
 “Main Cave” there are few smaller ones too. |
 “The wall you can see also a very old one” |
 “A smaller cave” |
 “An Inscription above the smaller cave – Kataram lipiyak” There is another one in the main cave too. |
 On the way up the rock… |
 My buddy wanted to get the “Saradiyel Feeling” at the highest point of “Kahata Aththa Hela” after me… |
 “The view from the top” Really amazing. Far left is “Andagala and Danigala Mountains” and to right it’s Ul-hela. |
 “Sun set as seen from the top of “Kahata Aththa Hela”. |
Next Day morning we packed our camp and those who wanted to walk started the walk. And the tractor loaded with our bags and other members followed us after about two hours. We left Bulupitiya Junction at 12 noon and reached Colombo by 8 p.m.
Nilgala Mountain. Villagers say there is evidence of a fort on top of the rock with some ruins of huge wall. Hoping to find out next time.