It was 5.30 in the morning when we left this time and we never expected it to be a tiring day! Our plan was to visit all known Waterfalls around Uda-Maliboda. On the way to Deraniyagala we had a stop at Maha Oya which flows by the road and searched for the beauty called Thalkossa and yes we saw them and other Barbs and Dandi also! When we reached Deraniyagala our attention was taken away by the bus halt there were so many Vans parked, those were the only available transport for the people around Deraniyagala but from Deraniyagala to Awissawella there are buses until 8pm. From Deraniyagala we took the Noori route and after-wards we arrived at a junction where we took the right turn towards Maliboda via Nakkavita. After traveling few miles we came across the first waterfall which was Nakkavita Ella which was projecting down the slope of mount Hidurangala, the water levels were low because it’s the dry season in Deraniyagala.

note Naya Ganga forming Seven Falls

Maha Oya	Suspension bridge to Ihala Nakkawita
View from the bridge	Hodala(Poisonous)
Nakkavita Ella - water levels were low because it’s the dry season in Deraniyagala	Nakkavita Ella

Nakkavita falls
The Mahagal Oya (river) springs from the western slope of the 718m-high Higurangala Mountain and flows over a stone slab, creating this fall (100m in height).
Take the Avisawella – Hatton – Nuwara Eliya road via Thalduwa to Deraniyagala, where the fall is situated, 85km from Colombo, (Kegalle District, Nathandiya area).

On the way we came across some wonderful scenery of Seven Virgins Samanala Kanda & Bambaragala Kanda where the Eli Hatha start its journey, at some locations we saw almost four out of the seven falls but the lighting and the distance to the waterfalls did not permit us to get a clear Photograph.

Bambaragala & Seven virgins

Upper 4 waterfalls of Seven Falls

After passing Uda-Maliboda we came to a junction, after passing the “Samupakare(Corporate)” we took the upper left road and came to a “Aranya Senasanaya”where only one monk lived. After talking with the priest he showed us the path to the top of Puwak-Male Ella, after spending a while on top we attempted to get to the waterfall from down stream but as we were advised previously (cannot access the base because of the huge rocks that need to be tackle) we decided to cross the stream and approach the base trough the bordering river bank by clenching on to trees. After arriving at the base and resting a bit we decided to climb up the waterfall trough the near by bushes on the right hand side and we were at the top in 5 minutes! So its advisable to get down trough the bushes from top of the fall rather than attempting to reach it from down stream! After removing the leeches we returned back and had lunch at the Aranya & before leaving we offered some medication(to be used when needed) to the Buddhist priest and donated some money to the building fund!

Top of Puwakmal Ella

The rocks that needed to be tackled

The main drop of Puwakmal Ella

Puwakmale Ella

Puwakmale Ella

Puwakmale falls
The amazing shrub jungle that forms the backdrop to this 37m-high fall is worthy of note.
Head along the Deraniyagala – Malimbada road, past Magal Oya road to Halwathura Oya. Cross the Catherine Oya Reservoir and enter the Ethulgala Nursery Division. From here, walk for 1km through the tea bushes, past the Hindu kovil, to reach the fall.

It was already passed 12 noon when we left the Aranya on the way we came across the Mini Hydro Power project entrance gate where we needed to go and See EllaPita Ella but we decided to go to Seven Falls first so we came back to the previous junction and took the road towards Dikkellakanda, after about 1Km there was a road to the left which was concreted, that was the road that goes up the Adams Peak Sanctuary. Now this was the worst road I have come across it was a 5Km ride but most of the time we had to get down and push our motor bike because of the bad road condition. Adding up to the hectic-ness we ended at a dead end some where in the Sanctuary! We had passed the location to the Seven Falls due to lack of information and incorrect directions! Actually the path to Seven falls starts near a board saying “Samanala Adaviya”(at the beginning of another concrete road)

After a short walk we had the first glimpse of the Fall number 1 & 2! We were so trilled; we got to the base immediately, Waterfall number 1 was just like Kiridi Ella! After removing the leeches I decided to climb up to the Waterfall number 2, after a bit dangerous uphill journey I arrived at the Waterfall number 2 It was falling down in tow parts the height seen in the photograph of the upper part of it is not the actual height(its more taller).

The foot path is on the right hand side to the Seven Falls

Waterfall number 1	View of number 1 Fall while climbing up
1 & 2 of Eli Hatha	Waterfall Number 2

Elihatha Falls
The 100m-high Elihatha Falls encapsulates a series of seven falls, each identified by a number. The first can be viewed from the Udaboda Estate (Kegalle District). To view the second fall, walk past Maliboda Bazaar, through Uda Malimboda, Nuriya, Thalawa and on to Dickella Mountain. The other five falls are difficult to reach.
The fall is situated in the Nuwara Eliya District at Bambargala Mountain in the Middeniya GS area. The only road on which to approach the fall (any type of vehicle can be used) is that from Deraniyagala to Malimbada. Take this up to Uda Malimbadatown, and then use the road running adjacent to the Cooperative of Uda Malimbada. The nearest town is Deraniyagala.

Afterwards we had a swim at the bottom and left back to the Mini hydro power project, from there we inquired for the path to EllaPita Ella and got to the waterfall by crossing many rocks! The sad thing is all of these waterfalls such as Puwakmale & Ellapita lacked the beauty they once had because of the diversion of water for mini hydro power projects! After a tiring day we left back to Mahargama and ended our day at 9.30pm!

Ellapita Ella (30m)

Ellapita Ella (30m)

The entrance to the Mini hydro power project