Lakdasun Trip Reports Archive » The Caving Expedition

Year and Month	February, 2011
Number of Days	One Day
Crew	03 People
Accommodation	None
Transport	Upto Pallebedda – Private Vehicle From Pallebedda to The footpath that leads the way to the Cave – 4WD Jeep Back to Colombo – Private Vehicle
Activities	Caving, Photography To explore the prehistoric world we went across, through the thick dark cave from one entrance to the other [there are two main entrances to the cave.
Weather	Awesome weather!
Route	Colombo -> Ratnapura -> Godakawela -> Kumburugamuwa -> Waulpane
Tips, Notes and Special remark	WHAT TO WEAR, Simple clothes – A Short and a T-shirt with a body-fit swim suit if you have Footwear – A good pair of sandals with good traction or barefoot WHAT TO CARRY A very powerful, waterproof source of light [Note that the Standard LED torches will NOT be useful] BE PREPARED FOR THESE CONDITIONS, Be prepared for the obvious, i:e – A lot of bats [Estimated to be not less than 250,000 bats], Completely harmless but will fly all around you, just be calm and mind your own business then you will enjoy it even more The unbearable smell You will get used to it after a while Thick Darkness which even the standard LED torches won’t be able to help you with - Ensure that you have a very strong powerful light[s] as it is a must that you see where you are about to step before you do so Bat and other animal disposals that are foamed up as layers of 1-3 ft (minimum) on almost all the places you could see, touch and walk. If you have any new/open wounds, skin allergies or any other health conditions I would rather say “not to enter the cave”. The core of the cave do not receive any sunlight at all hence there is a very high tendency of natural development of viruses and bacteria that could affect your health condition afterwards Extremely slippery rock conditions from the beginning till the end - Unless you have a very good pair of sandals with a very good traction you are better-off barefoot to compete with the slippery rocks. Never try to jump around or to do funky moves as it will lead you to greater dangers If the water level is considerably high there is a natural rock pool [approx 6-10 feet deep and approx 8-10 feet in length] that you will have to swim across as you go through ¾ of the cave] Wear something simple and light as you enter the cave so that it is easy and DO NOT SWALLOW that water at any cost..!! A lot of cockroaches You will love their color for sure..!!
Related Resources	Discussion: Waulpane Caving
Author	Thinuwan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread The Caving Expedition – Wawulpane ‘FEB 2011

Back in 2011, February I myself along with another 02 well experienced trekkers decided to explore the Prehistoric world of “Waulpane” which dates back to approx 500 million years..!! We started Early in the morning from Colombo and by mid-day we reached the rendezvous point close to Pallebedda.

After Reaching the rendezvous point in Pallebedda we got into a 4WD Jeep to reach the Cave entrance after driving through an un-even road for approx 08kms starting from the Sangapala Market.

SCENERIES ON OUR WAY TO THE CAVE ENTRANCE IN A 4WD JEEP

The road was getting more and more tough and hard to drive all the time

Another tough situation

Tackling with the limited space for the 4WD

After reaching the drop point we got down from our 4WD and started our small trek through the undergrowth towards the cave entrance

The Viewpoint for the Waulpane Cave entrance

Once we reached the cave entrance we took some photos and entered the cave with the support of a local trekker who provided us with some LED torches and a patrol-max which he carried right throughout the cave from one end to the other [He owned our heartiest respect as it was quite a difficult task he did on behalf of us by carrying the patrol-max throughout] It was such an awesome, unforgettable experience as we were compelled to even swim at least around 8-10ft at one point inside the thick dark cave across a small natural rock pool which was filled with water that is being gathering there for decades of years..!!

WAULPANE CAVE

The cave entrance

Cave wall formation

The local guy who helped us

Looking back at the entrance

At some point sliding down on the rocks was the only option available

.	We were stepping away from the light towards the core of the cave

away from the light towards the core of the cav

The underground waterfall inside the Waulpane Cave

underground waterfall - Due to bad lighting the pictures are not very clear

The cave exit from the other side.. By this time we were completely soaked with the spoilt water after having to swim across the Natural rock pool inside the cave

Ending the great caving experience we were lucky to complete our expedition after having a look at some fossils that were said to be more than 500 Million years old..!! Located to the left hand side wall of the cave..

some fossils that were said to be more than 500 Million years old..!!

Cheers..!!

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The Caving Expedition – Waulpane (Wawulpane) ‘FEB 2011