Day 1

We started from Colombo at 3.00 in the morning. Had morning Tea at Hanguranketha at a Friend’s place then visited the first Waterfall of the trip – Katugasoya Ella which is along the B413 road at 30km post. Can go to base of the falls in 1 minute going through a private land where a guest house being constructed.

Note – This Fall is only visible when a reservoir above the fall is letting out Water. We were lucky though.

Katugasoya Ella - This Fall is only visible when a reservoir above the fall is letting out Wate

After this on the way to Walapane We stopped at Andawala Ella Which is also right by the road along the Hanguranketha – Walapane Main road.

Andawala Ella - Right by the road along the Hanguranketha – Walapane Main road

Next was Kurudu Oya Ella [189m] in Walapane which is the 2nd highest Waterfall in Sri Lanka. Go passing the Walapane town towards Ragala. After about 1 km you will see a Colorful board saying Kurundu Oya Ella – But this is Wrong and yet it end up at a another beautiful waterfall after 3 km which is ruined by a concrete constructions. This road is motorable upto around 1.5 km only.

The correct road is to go upto Maha-Uva Estate Junction and turn right and proceed through the tea estate. Correct path is marked from there onwards.

Alternatively you can Hike Starting near the “Sama Chaithya” and go up to the falls. Both roads connect at one point but it’s not motorable after few hundreds of meters. We had a big problem to get our jeep turned back after going this way.

Water fall ruined by a concrete construction

Upper parts of the waterfall

Had to get our jeep turned back, Obviously it was dangerous	Randenigala reservoir is visible too.
On the way to Kurundu Oya Ella	Kurundu Oya Ella (189m) – 2nd Highest in Sri Lanka

That was all for the First day and we headed straight to Mandaram Nuwara and Met Gamini [Rizvy’s contact I found on Lakdasun – Thank you Rizvy].

We were hoping to Camp but due to rain we couldn’t so stayed in a ‘Pela’. Please get permission and help from villagers before doing so. It’s there place after all. And remember it’s really cold out there at night.

Day 2

Next morning did a little walking to see the Beauty of the mountains “Kolapathana Ella”. You need someone from the village to do the walking I guess.

Mountains of Pidurutalagala

Kolapatana Ella at a distance

Kolapatana Ella

Kolapatana Ella on right and another Seasonal waterfall due to rain

Then we packed our gear and headed back to the village. Hoping to see Kabaragala Ella and then to leave to Udaweriya. Kabaragala Ella is few meters away from Padiyapelella – Mandaram Nuwara. Ask from someone before reaching Mandaram Nuwara if you want to see this.

Kabaragala Ella

Straight to Udaweriya estate as mentioned above and stayed at a friend’s bungalow which belongs to the company which owns “Acacia Inn”.

Day 3

3rd day Morning started heading to kalupahana via Devil’s stair case. The Scenery was splendid.

Few Sceneries from Udaweriya to Kalupahana.	Few Sceneries from Udaweriya to Kalupahana.
Few Sceneries from Udaweriya to Kalupahana.	The famous Devil’s Staircase. Mind the poor picture quality.

We covered Bambarakanda Ella, Lanka ella and the water fall at the top of Bambarakanda too before going to Belihuloya where we spent the night.

Bambarakanda Ella – From both sides

Bambarakanda Ella – From both sides

On the way to Lanka Ella	On the way to the top of Lanka Ella.
Lanka Ella	Water Fall at the top of Bambarakanda

Bambarakanda Ella.

Day 4

4th Day First thing was Diyaluma Ella.

Diyaluma Ella

On the way to Thanamalwila we stopped at Handapanagala wewa for few minutes.

Handapanagala Wewa in the back ground – Wellawaya.

This was the Day for Butterflies and Birds. I have a check list if anyone interested.

While Birding

Lakes are full but the trees are dead. Rain is late I guess.

After turning right from Thanamalwila-Udawalawa road towards Hambegamuwa after about 2-3 km we were passing a “Dragon Fruit” farm and that’s where the butterflies were encountered. I mean in large numbers. Then Passing Hambegamuwa we turned left to a off road gravel track which ran along a irrigation canal and passing few small lakes where jumbo are supposed to be seen at dusk. That road is surely satisfy a birder.

off road gravel track which ran along a irrigation cana

We left Hambegamuwa area around 5.00 in the evening and had a nice bath at Kalthota be heading back to Colombo.