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Trip Reports Archive » By Length » Longer than 3 » Unforgettable Three Nights on Wangedigala

Unforgettable Three Nights on Wangedigala

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Balangoda, Brampton, Halpe, Non Pareil, Wangedigala, Longer than 3, September, Dry Zone, Mountains, Camping, Hiking, Scenic Drive, 2010, Natural Bath, Photograhy, Waterfalls

Author: ujrox (2 Trips)

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Year and Month September, 2010
Number of Days Four Day Trip
Crew 4 (all are 22)
Accommodation Camping
Transport Public transport from Colombo to Halpe…..Then the rest by foot
Activities Camping, Photography, Examining Geological wonders
Weather Excellent (Sunny)
Route Colombo -> Ratnapura -> Balangoda -> Halpe -> Colombo
Tips, Notes and Special remarks
  • In the dry season, be extremely careful with fire. The     forest is so dry and can catch on fire easily.)
  • Do not leave polythene and plastic you carry.
  • On our 2nd day two men from the tea estate came to us and said that we can’t stay there without permission. Because it is a private property. If anyone is gonna go there for more than a day, then it would be better to contact the tea estate.
    Author uJrOx
Author ujrox
Related Resource 1. Attraction: Bambarakanda – Waterfalls, Mountains, adventure and scenic beauty

2. Related Trip Reports: Ashan’s Trip Report – Scenic Hike to Wangedigala

Comments Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread

  • Unforgettable Three Nights on Wangedigala

It was 4.30 in the morning. And a bit rainy in Colombo. Moe like a drizzle. We were waiting for a 99 (Colombo – Badulla) bus. But then a Ratnapura bus stopped. and the conductor said we could get a direct bus from Ratnapura to Haputale.

Oh..these were so heavy!!

Oh..these were so heavy!!

Waiting for a bus!!

Waiting for a bus!!

And on the way near Ratnapura our bus had a punch in a tire. So we had to wait in the bus for more than a half and hour. We were like 2km away from the Bus stand of Ratnapura. But it was almost impossible to walk in a town with such big bags. We searched for a bus to Haputale. But there were no direct buses from Ratnapura to Haputale. So we took a bus to Balangoda.

On the way to Balangoda

On the way to Balangoda

After getting down at Balangoda.

After getting down at Balangoda.

After we came to Balangoda we bought some goods which were needed for cooking. And we searched for a bus to Haputale. Because Halpe is on the way to Haputale. But there were none. But fortunately we got the bus from Colombo to Welimada.

The town of Balangoda...surrounded by mountains.

The town of Balangoda...surrounded by mountains.

Where we got down at Halpe..It was 12.45 in the mid day!!

Where we got down at Halpe..It was 12.45 in the mid day!!

It was almost burning with the scorching heat of the sun. It was not a good time to start a hike.

The sky without clouds!!

The sky without clouds!!

Come on guys...let'z start!!

Come on guys...let'z start!!

We bought some lunch packets from a nearby restaurant. And we started the hike. We were expecting at least a little rain as almost everywhere else in the country was experiencing some rain. But it had not rained for months it seemed.

It was hard, walking in the hot sun with a bag weighs almost 40kg !!

It was hard, walking in the hot sun with a bag weighs almost 40kg !!

Surathalee Ella seen from the upper side of the main road.

Surathalee Ella seen from the upper side of the main road.

We walked about 200m up the road to the entrance of the tea estate. We were already tired when we reach the gate.

Entrance to the "Non Pareil Estate ".

Entrance to the "Non Pareil Estate ".

Wangedigala Mountain range seen from the entrance.

Wangedigala Mountain range seen from the entrance.

We entered the road which goes to the tea estate. And the sun was directly over our heads, spreading its burning rays all over the area. It was really hard to find a shelter to have a rest in the beginning of the hike.

We had a little problem to chose which way to go after coming to a junction. So we used our map to find the way. Of course Ashan’s Wangedigala trip report helped us as well.

Which way should we go??

Which way should we go??

Having a compass is really worth it!!

Having a compass is really worth it!!

So we turned to the gravel road and start walking again. It was even hard to imaging how difficult it was to go up a hill with a heavy weight.

On the gravel Road....

On the gravel Road....

We walked along the gravel road. And we had to stop and have a rest for every few 100s of meters. It was really exhausting!!

Nice shade!! Of course we had a rest here.

Nice shade!! Of course we had a rest here.

Again..we were exposed to sun's intense heat!!

Again..we were exposed to sun's intense heat!!

It was shady along the gravel road. But not for long. As soon as we came to the western side of the mountain burning heat almost killed us.

What a view!! we were still on the beginning of our hike...

What a view!! we were still on the beginning of our hike...

We are gonna finish this..Hell yeaH!!

We are gonna finish this..Hell yeaH!!

We walked more along the carriage way. Then we met an old person who was walking down our way. We asked him to make sure whether this was the correct way. It seemed we’ve taken the correct path. So we continued our hike which felt like never ends.

Felt like a chicken in an oven..

Felt like a chicken in an oven.. 🙂

Clear sky...from where we had our lunch...

Clear sky...from where we had our lunch...

We were so exhausted and hungry when we reached a bend of the road with a good shady spot. And there was a man was having a little rest . We couldn’t capture any moment of our lunch because every one was really busy, having lunch. And while we were eating we talked with that person. He said he was Krishnamurthi. A labor who works at the tea estate. He said he was also going up the mountain to his home. So he became our guide. But he suggested to see a waterfall in the nearby jungle, first.

In the jungle there was a little water stream. After the lunch we had a little cooling under the jungle canopy and with the help of the water stream. But searching for the water fall was a painful idea. almost every plant in that forest was thorny. So we gave up and head back to the road because we had to go a 5 more hours of hike according to Krishnamurthi.

Nice pose!!

Nice pose!! 🙂

Not the best path to go with a huge weight!!

Not the best path to go with a huge weight!!

Krishnamurthi showed us a short cut to the up hill, through the tea plantations. It was a difficult way to go. But still it was really a short cut. But dangerous. One slip, we would stop after falling a 100 meters.

While walking up the "Short cut"....

While walking up the "Short cut"....

Again on the gravel road...

Again on the gravel road...

After climbing couple of hundred meters, we joined the carriage way again. It was 3.26 p.m. More to go….

Burning sun....and the mountain range..

Burning sun....and the mountain range..

Our guide..Mr.Krishnamurthi...

Our guide..Mr.Krishnamurthi...

After walking few more hundreds of meters we stopped and had a rest. There was a little stream of water and was a god sent gift for the thirst!!

It feels really nice to get rid of the heavy weight and take a look around !!

It feels really nice to get rid of the heavy weight and take a look around !!

After the break we started our never ending journey again. But as we go up the mountain, it started to feel like our tiring hike was not gonna be worthless at all.

At Krishnamurthi's place....

At Krishnamurthi's place....

At 3.49 p.m. we were at Krishnamurthi’s house. We had some water to drink and started our hike again. But we were on our own as Krishnamurthi stopped at his place

Upper you go...more beautiful the view!!

Upper you go...more beautiful the view!!

"No more machan.....this is enough"

"No more machan.....this is enough".... 🙂 🙂 🙂

Krishnamurthi told us about another short cut before we left his place, to up the mountain. So we turned to another stairway through the tea plantations. It was a steep climb. So we had to stop several times.

More to go...and the sun is about to set...!!

More to go...and the sun is about to set...!!

And another problem was added to our quest. The sun was about to set. We were running out of time. To set our camp and get our selves refreshed, we had to reach the camping site before the sun goes down behind the mountain. It was a race against the time.

As it seen from the top of the tea line....

As it seen from the top of the tea line....

It was about 5.30 p.m. when we reached the end of the tea line. Again we joined the carriage way runs on the top of the tea line separating tea plantations from the turpentine trees.

The sun is almost set.....

The sun is almost set.....

Carrying two bags like this, gives you a good balance

Carrying two bags like this, gives you a good balance... 🙂 🙂 🙂

I reached the camping site which was used by Ashan according to his trip report. Others were having a break on the way. So I set up my tripod and started photographing the surroundings .

Just WOW!!!

Just WOW!!!

Nature..the mighty artist!!

Nature..the mighty artist!!

Haputale area....

Haputale area....

As I was photo shooting, my friends finally reached the camping site. So we started setting up camp. We had few more minutes before it gets totally dark.

Setting up camp.....

Setting up camp.....

After setting up the camp we got refreshed by a water stream nearby. The wind was getting cold. And the water was chilling. So we prepared the things to have a camp fire.

We made it.....!!

We made it.....!!

Awesome view......!!

Awesome view......!!

Nice photo shoot .....hah!!!

Nice photo shoot .....hah!!!

Sky is The LimiT!!!

Sky is The LimiT!!!

After refreshing our selves, we prepared dinner. We had brought bread. So it was easy to make only a curry.

After the dinner we went out side the tent and gathered around the warmth of the camp fire.

Who is ready for dinner????

Who is ready for dinner????

Fire...sometimes a very good friend!!

Fire...sometimes a very good friend!!

It really was a chilling night....

It really was a chilling night....

It was burning with the heat in the mid day. But the night was really cold. But of course we had some beer to warm our selves up, besides the fire. It was a really tiring day. So we had to sleep in order to gather some strength to make the hike to the top of the mountain on the following day.

I woke up earlier in the morning. So I could take some good snap shots.

Sun is about to rise..............

Sun is about to rise..............

Above the horizon..................

Above the horizon..................

Brighter and brighter..............

Brighter and brighter..............

Blue sky appears as the sun comes up.............

Blue sky appears as the sun comes up.............

I was completely mesmerized!!

I was completely mesmerized!!

Starting  to feel the heat of the sun..........

Starting to feel the heat of the sun..........

Our flag caught up by the wind in the morning..........

Our flag caught up by the wind in the morning..........

smoke from a jet, on the "divine ocean".........

smoke from a jet, on the "divine ocean".........

Sun is about to rise..............

Sun is about to rise..............

Road to a mythical world................

Road to a mythical world................

As the temperature started to rise I went under the turpentine trees by the carriage way. It was still kind of dark among the trees.

Who wants tea???

Who wants tea??? 🙂

Preparing breakfast.....

Preparing breakfast.....

After half an hour we had breakfast. and our kerosene cook was set on fire accidentally. It was really difficult to kill the fire.

Fire.....not much of a good friend now.............!!

Fire.....not much of a good friend now.............!!

While we were preparing lunch and planning our next step, Two men came to us by a jeep. And they asked what was our purpose there?? We explained that we were only here to camp. And he said it was a private property and we could not stay without the permission from the owners of the tea estate. And they asked us to leave on that day. But of course they did not threaten us.

 while making lunch.....!!

while making lunch.....!!

We planned our next step while we were having lunch. None of us wanted to stop camping and go home. Of course it was a long awaited trip. So we decided to go up the mountain through the turpentine trees, after the lunch.

My portable phone and battery charging equipment

My portable phone and battery charging equipment..... 🙂

Sun starts to burn us alive..............again...

Sun starts to burn us alive..............again...

Where we camped.........now its time to leave...

Where we camped.........now its time to leave...

Im ujrox

"Im ujrox...and I'm here to show you how to survive this wilderness" 🙂 🙂

After packing up everything, we started our hike to the mountain top. And it was 12.30 p.m. Obviously not a good time for a hike. But we were not defeated by the sun.

The sun was ok. It was the most painful walk I’ve ever experienced. No clear path to go to the top. There was an old carriage way through the turpentine trees. But it was completely out run by bushes. Not normal but thorny bushes. One of us had to take the lead and clear the way to the others. It was no easy with our huge bags.

Oh..this was the worst part...It really was hell!!

Oh..this was the worst part...It really was hell!!

Oh no.....more to go........!!!

Oh no.....more to go........!!!

Sometimes we had to crawl under thorny bushes. We had cuts all over our hands and legs. And some bags we torn while we were crawling. And it was sweating like hell. We had only 3 bottles of water. At 1 p.m., this kind of hike can be called “a hike to hell”.

We stopped many times, because it was one hell of a hike. But thorny bushes couldn’t stop us. We walked further more. Slowly….!! Step by step…!!!

Having a break.....

Having a break.....

Hey guys I can see the mountain top...!!!

Hey guys I can see the mountain top...!!!

Finally we came to some kind of a clearing. Now only “Mana” bushes were on the way. So we could walk faster and easier.

Wangedigala............

Wangedigala............

Few more steps.......

Few more steps.......

Eventually we got out of the carriage way and climbed directly up the mountain. So we could find a good shade under a pine tree. It was 2.40 p.m. and we walked up hill carrying heavy weights, two days in a row. We did need a rest.

Wangedigala.. seen from the other edge of the mountain.

Wangedigala.. seen from the other edge of the mountain.

After the break, we started photographing the marvelous landscape.

Samanala wewa reservoir...

Samanala wewa reservoir...

Main road to Haputale.

Main road to Haputale.

Bambarakanda Falls.

Bambarakanda Falls.

Devil's Staircase.

Devil's Staircase.

"Oh man... this is awesome"

"Oh man... this is awesome"

looks like another world....

looks like another world....

The world is mine...!!!!

The world is mine...!!!!

We were hypnotized by the surrounding view. So we were walking along the plateau and photographing everything which can be caught by our cameras. I’ve put here only few of them

Twins................???

Twins................???

A snap shot from heaven!!!

A snap shot from heaven!!!

The mountain range on the other side of wangedigala..

The mountain range on the other side of wangedigala..

Nice place to set up camp...

Nice place to set up camp...

We had to stop being photographers, as we had to set up camp before the sun goes down. And we had to collect more and more fire-wood for the camp fire. And We knew it was gonna be cooler than the previous night because we were few more hundreds of meters higher.

Camp was set. Then we searched for water. We found a water spring about 100 meters down from the tent. fortunately we had few large bottles to fill water.

No water...???

No water...???

"Machan keep the tent tidy"

"Machan keep the tent tidy" 🙂

On the top of the mountain there was a windy condition. So we had to make some support lines with ropes. But luckily. it was not too windy!

The sun goes down!! Shadows fall..!!!

The sun goes down!! Shadows fall..!!!

Oh man...this world is so huge!!! and beautiful!!!

Oh man...this world is so huge!!! and beautiful!!!

I wish I could live here.....forever!!

I wish I could live here.....forever!!

Making fire...Bear Grylls style

Making fire...Bear Grylls style!! 🙂

I always wanted to start a camp fire by using a flint. So our camp fire was lit. And we gathered more fire-wood. And of course we cleaned our selves up with the help of that water spring.

The camp...and the camp fire...

The camp...and the camp fire...

"Machan what is that??"

"Machan what is that??"

Everything for a chilling night was ready. So we started experiencing the mysterious beauty of the eve in the mountain top. The sky was blood red. Wow.. even now.. I wish I were there.!!

"No one can challenge me!!!!!!!!"

"No one can challenge me!!!!!!!!"

Best color balanced back ground!!

Best color balanced back ground!!

Oooh YeaH!!! We made it!!!

Oooh YeaH!!! We made it!!!

It looks like a painting...doesn't it??

It looks like a painting...doesn't it??

Setting up self timer......

Setting up self timer......

The dark gates to the highest mountains of our country.

The dark gates to the highest mountains of our country.

Burning charcoal...hard to recognize??

Burning charcoal...hard to recognize??

We were enjoying the evening beauty of the mountain until it was almost totally dark. So we gathered around the camp fire and prepared dinner. We made 4 chairs around the camp fire by using rocks. Trust me…they really were comfortable.

Nice fire eh??

Nice fire eh??

Even the devil is scared of us..

Even the devil is scared of us.. 🙂

Smoking causes cancer

Smoking causes cancer... 🙂 🙂

After having dinner we did not wanna go to sleep. So we grabbed the lantern and walked a few hundreds of meters away from the tent. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. Starts all over the sky. There was not even a single cloud. we couldn’t see the surrounding mountains. but the electric light from them were seen. So they were seen like some little stars. So it was like we were on the top of the world and around us there were only the star filled sky. nothing else…!!! We tried to catch the view with our cameras. But it was hard to take a good picture of stars with ordinary digital cameras. After couple of hours we went to sleep… in a tent which was set near heaven.

Morning paintwork...by nature!!

Morning paintwork...by nature!!

Next day I woke up early and photographed the rising sun. And inhaling morning fresh air really made me feel like I got a brand new set of lungs.

Altitude -1434m above the sea level.

Altitude -1434m above the sea level.

Cooking is fun

Cooking is fun 🙂

We had breakfast and started enjoying the surroundings. And we were never fed up of it.

We had to share the tent with the beauty of nature...

We had to share the tent with the beauty of nature...

Heaven has come closer....

Heaven has come closer....

It was misty and cloudy day. Sun’s burning rays hardly reached us through theavy blanket of clouds above us. And of course it was so beautiful. It really made us feel like we were in a mystic world.

Nature...covering her beauty with a white blanket...

Nature...covering her beauty with a white blanket...

We are in the sky...

We are in the sky...

As It was covered by the mist, we walked away from the tent to experience this moment. We couldn’t see any surrounding mountains or landscape below us. All were covered by white clouds. So it was like we were on an alien world. We walked along the mountain till it was about 2 p.m. then hunger stopped our exploration .

More and more mist!!

More and more mist!!

Heaven's forces are invading the earth!!!

Heaven's forces are invading the earth!!!

Hard to believe its 1.37 p.m...

Hard to believe its 1.37 p.m...

Our tent is seen..as we were heading down!!

Our tent is seen..as we were heading down!!

We were so hungry and the thin air in higher altitudes made us so tired of walking. So we headed back to the tent to have our lunch.

A helping hand for cooking!!!

A helping hand for cooking!!!

After the lunch we enjoyed the scenery as we were sitting near the tent. We had some tea in the eve as well. And we prepared for the night. because it was the last night of our trip. So we cooked a grand dinner with so many dishes. WOW..that was a good dinner!!

Lantern....definitely worth carrying!!

Lantern....definitely worth carrying!!

Another night...!!  A misty night .........!!

Another night...!! A misty night .........!!

After having dinner we came out of our tent. And we realized that we were covered by a thick cloud of mist. We didn’t go much further in the misty night because it would have been difficult to find the way back to the tent. So after about a half an hour we went to sleep.

Next day morning we got up and started getting ready to head back home. We really didn’t wanna leave that place. But we could only be visitors, there.

Another morning..........!!!

Another morning..........!!!

Don't wanna leave???

Don't wanna leave???

"Machan..setting up this tent is easier than folding!!"

"Machan..setting up this tent is easier than folding!!" 🙂 🙂

Of course we did leave this flag....

Of course we did leave this flag....

After we got ready for coming back wanted to leave something of ours. So we left one of our flags there. We put it on a tree next to the place we camped.

yeah!!!

yeah!!!

Our stone made chairs!!!

Our stone made chairs!!!

We started walking downhill at about 11.30 a.m. Of course under the hot sun. But going downhill was way easier than climbing up.

It only took about 40 minutes to reach where we camped on the 1st day. But under the suns intense heat it was not easy at all.

Where we camped on the 1st night!!

Where we camped on the 1st night!!

Nice background and good lighting for a photo....

Nice background and good lighting for a photo....

We were climbing down the hill on stairs which were made of loose rocks. So it really was dangerous. But it was faster. And of course we did not forget to have a little break and enjoy the view!!

Down climbing was easy...but dangerous...!!!

Down climbing was easy...but dangerous...!!!

Good bye...mountains!!

Good bye...mountains!!

Water.....is the most precious...!!!

Water.....is the most precious...!!!

Where we had our lunch while we were climbing up...

Where we had our lunch while we were climbing up...

It was 2.30 when we reached the place we had lunch on the day 1. It took only 3 hours even we had long breaks. We had a little rest there as well and after few minutes we started walking again.

Of course we set the self timer on the camera!!

Of course we set the self timer on the camera!!

The main road.........

The main road.........

After reaching the main road we needed to find a place to have a good bath. We were covered with sweat and dust. So we hadn’t to go anywhere else as a water fall was just 300m away. So we were headed to Surathalee Ella.

Surathalee Ella Name Board

Surathalee Ella Name Board

Nice place to have a bath...!!!

Nice place to have a bath...!!!

As soon as we turned to the path which was led to the water fall, a mess was seen. It was completely polluted by human garbage. Plastic, Polythene, Glass and many more…. A disappointment at the end of the trip. Man is the only animal who kills the environment!!

But near the waterfall was not polluted that much. We had a good bath in clear cold water. It was really refreshing.

Upper part of the waterfall!!

Upper part of the waterfall!!

A parody for the boy bands....

A parody for the boy bands....

After having a bath our hunger rose up. So we headed back to the main road and had the lunch from a restaurant near by. After a good meal we were lucky to have a 99 Badulla – Colombo bus. So we came to Nugegoda at about 9.30 p.m.

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