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Alugallena, Bambarella, Cottaganga, Knuckles, Knuckles Falls, Knuckles Forest Reserve, Knuckles Mountain Range, Kota ganga, Kota ganga falls, Thangappuwa, Two Days, November, Wet Zone, Mountains, National Park, Camping, Hiking, 2016, Natural Bath, Photograhy, Trekking, Waterfalls

Author: Ramzy (20 Trips)

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Bambarella to Thangappuwa is a popular trail among the knuckles trekkers. There are several attractions can be seen in this trail.

1. Knuckles falls (near the trail head)
2. Knuckles Mountain peaks
3. Alugallena cave (3 Km away from main trail)
4. Kotaganga (seven) falls

All above can be done within two days and its around 20 Km trail.

The Map

We have been to Knuckles in 2015. During that trip we were able to reach up to 3^rd 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 1^st peak but no water source available. The 2^nd peak is just another 100 meter hike. The path is cleared upto 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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