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| Year and Month | 2016 November 13 & 14 |
| Number of Days | Two |
| Crew | Five |
| Accommodation | Camping at Alugallena |
| Transport | Public transport |
| Activities | Scenery, Photography,Hiking, Waterfall hunting |
| Weather | Cloudy |
| Route | Gelioya -> Kandy -> Waththegama -> Bambarella -> Knuckles Peak -> Alugallena -> Kotaganga falls -> Thangappuwa -> Theldeniya -> Kandy |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Related Resources | Trip reports : on Knuckles , Kota ganga & Alugallena |
| Author | Ramzy |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
Bambarella to Thangappuwa is a popular trail among the knuckles trekkers. There are several attractions can be seen in this trail.
- Knuckles falls (near the trail head)
- Knuckles Mountain peaks
- Alugallena cave (3 Km away from main trail)
- Kotaganga (seven) falls
All above can be done within two days and its around 20 Km trail.
The Map
Map – click to enlarge
We have been to Knuckles in 2015. During that trip we were able to reach up to 3rd peak of the Knuckles despite the rainy conditions. Therefore we wanted something extra to visit during this trip. So we planned two days trip with camping at Alugallena
We gathered at 7 am Kandy and had breakfast at a nearby hotel. Then we got in to the Wattegama Bus and reached Wattegama around 8:40 am. The Bambarella bus was halted there at Bus-stand and we got in to bus. The bus started the journey around 9:00 am and ended Journey at Bambarella around 10:30 am. We bought some snack items from the shop at Bambarella.
We saw some constructions being done at Bambarella by Forest Department. We inquired and they said FD is putting up Information Centre with a Ticket Counter. In near future it will begin services.
Later we started our hike through the short route just passing the bridge. The distance to the trailhead from Bambarella Bus stand is 3 Kms. Then another 3-4 kms to Knuckles peaks. The Knuckles falls is located in this path few 100 meters from trailhead.
 Starting the Journey from Bambarella |
 Here we go |
 Bambarella |
 Wildberry |
 Team at the trailhead |
 Stream on the way |
 . |
 Kalupahana side view |
 Stream |
 Entering trail head |
 Trail Head |
 Knuckles from Trail head |
 Knuckles falls |
 Waterfall |
We were able to reach the first peak around 2:45pm. There is a camp site at 1st peak but no water source available. The 2nd peak is just another 100 meter hike. The path is cleared upto 2nd peak only. There is a campsite in the second peak too.
 Crossing a stream |
 Knuckles Mountain |
 White-Cypress Hermitage |
 Clear path |
 An open place |
 Nature trail |
 A resting point |
 Beautiful path |
 Beauty |
 Forest path |
 On the way to 1st peak |
 View |
 resting |
 Lower angle snap |
 View from 1st peak |
 Team at 1st peak near campsite |
 The Way to 2nd peak |
 achievers |
 Looking back from 2nd peak |
 Mist created beauty |
 Rock in the second peak |
 Priceless |
 All the way we came |
 Path to green paradise |
 Rock bed to have a rest |
 . |
 Mist |
 Campsite 2nd peak |
 Lovely path |
 Returning |
Unfortunately the mist covered everything to the meemure side. but the other side was much clear. The managing the time was the big challenge. We wanted to go Allegallena before its getting dark. We started our march to alugallena at around 3 pm. The distance to Algallena from the 2nd peak is 4.5kms. So we were on a hurry to settle in the Alugallena and we managed to reach Alugallena by 5:45pm.
 an open area |
 Knuckles is in the background |
 Crystal water |
 Greeny path |
 FD campsite |
 Campsite-Water source available |
 At Alugallena |
 The toilet |
 Cooking |
 Dinner |
The challenge we faced in Alugallena is the unavailability of water. We went back more than 500 mtrs to fill water. The next day we met a trekker and who said the water available in few meters in the path to Kaikawala infront of the cave.
We made delicious food with Instant precooked curries. We had rice and curry for the dinner. Prepared Porridge for Breakfast.
 Breakfast |
 For the Lunch |
 Milo |
 Alugallena |
 Alugallena |
 Bottom-top view |
 Cook in process |
 Rock of Alugallena |
You don’t need a tent to camp in Alugallena. It’s an ideal camping spot. The plan for the next day is Kotaganga falls and Thangappuwa. We didn’t have a guide so we were not sure about route to the Kotaganga falls. We started the day with prayers and after taking the breakfast we began the 2nd day journey at around 8:15 am.
 Rock of Alugallena |
 . |
 Beautiful track |
 The Junction – Left to Knuckles Right to Alugallena |
 Another open area |
 Different types of plants |
 In to the Kotaganga plain |
 Kotaganga plain |
 Another camping site |
 Towards kotaganga falls |
 Kotaganga Plains |
 . |
 Another stair falls but no water |
 Waterfall |
 Kotaganga Village |
Path which starts in the plains takes directly to the 2nd fall from the top and from there you can decide which path/area we want to go. If we select the lower path we can end up in the kotaganga village. If we move the upper path we can reach thangappuwa. So we decided to take the upper path to get some good views. But we were able to visit only two falls of seven falls. Our target is catching 3:45 bus from thangappuwa. this is another reason lead us this decision.
 Kotaganga 2nd fall |
 2nd fall |
 1st from top |
 1st fall |
 1st to 2nd |
 . |
 On the edge |
 The view |
 Cheering |
 Rainbows |
 Top of 1st fall |
 Top of first |
 With water |
 Top to bottom view |
 . |
 The upper side |
 . |
 . |
 Tourists |
 The team |
 Selfie |
After spending sometime at the top and taking the lunch we packed up things to move towards thangappuwa at around 1pm. We walked along the stream to reach the thangappuwa path
 . |
 Don’t try during rainy days |
 Some cover from shadow |
 Back in track |
 Scary? |
 Covered path |
 Close to thangappuwa |
 Beautiful view |
 Corbets gap – Dothalugala |
 Thangappuwa village |
 Zoomed out |
 Photography |
 At thangappuwa |
We reached thangappuwa around 2:30 pm. We went to the bus stand and had meals near by shop. The shop owner showed us their Cardamom reating/heating point. These cardamom are from Knuckles and they are in best quality. We purchased cardamom from them.
 Cardomom |
 Treatment |
 Drying trays |
 Road towards corbets gap |
The bus to teldeniya from thangappuwa started journey at 4pm. it took more than 1 hour to reach Teldeniya. From there we took Bus to Kandy and reached our homes. It was one of our best camping trips.
Thanks for reading..
Elevation Profile
Elevation Profile – click to enlarge