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| Year and Month | July 2008 |
| Number of Days | 4 Day Trip |
| Crew | 5 |
| Accommodation |
Yala Junction has many places with good quality accommodation
We stayed at Samanala Bungalow which is the cheapest accommodation option, with minimal facilities. But the service is good.
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| Transport | Van |
| Activities | Camping / Photography / Hiking |
| Weather | Misty |
| Route | Colombo -> Awissawella -> Dehiowita -> Karawanella -> Kitulgala -> Ginigathhena -> Hatton -> Thalawakele -> Nanu-Oya -> Ambewela -> Pattipola -> Pattipola Entrance – Horton Plains National Park (approximately 200km) |
| Tips, Notes and Special remarks |
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| Author | Dinesh Deckker |
| Related Resource |
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This is a continuation of a 4 day trip. We camped First Night and before going to sleep our objective was to complete the “Kirigalpotta Trail” on next day. It was a special trail because I was planning to get engaged on top of kirigalpotta.
But unfortunately there were heavy showers at night with extreme wind conditions. Our tent got damaged. Water came in to the tent and we had to take a decision and there were no alternative other than returning back to our Van. It was 11.30PM and we started walking on the rain to the Van. Phew! This was a once in a lifetime experience. I don’t think anybody have ever walked around 12AM inside Horton Plains.
Anyway we didn’t sleep whole night as it was uncomfortable inside the van and early morning most of my crew wanted to return home. So I managed them to agree on doing the World’s End, Bakers Falls circular trail.
We went to the cafeteria around 5.30AM and had a hot cup of tea before starting the circular trail. We started the trail around 6AM.
 Cold Misty Road.. |
 Early Morning Giving a Head Start |
The World’s End from a Distance
As the Most traveled trail in Horton Plains you all might know the condition of the road. It is not very good and if there is rain be careful stepping on to rocks.
 Road through the Forest |
 Pretty Neat Road, Isn’t it! |
If you are taking children / elders better be supportive on this part of the road. Also as Mithila said on his trail guide “Don’t start walking this trail after 2 p.m., especially if you are accompanied by children/elderly persons. As sun goes down thick mist and darkness can make this trail quite hazardous.”
 Arriving at Mini World End |
 Text on the Board at Mini World’s end – See below |
” Welcome to Little World’s End. Here you can lookout for the first time and see the distant view of the south east of Sri Lanka. The cliff is about 270 M in height. In about another 0.5M you will arrive at Worlds End, which is roughly three times as high.”
Please be careful if there is Mist and Extreme wind conditions. I’m going to insert some of the Views of Mini Words End for those who haven’t been there.
 Mini World’s End View |
 Mini World’s End View |
The above pictures were taken 7.55 AM if you can come early you will be able to experience the views without mist.
More views from Mini World’s End
After Mini World’s End we headed to see the World’s End. As I recall there are 2 roads but both of them meets at one point. We took the route which leads through a edge of a mountain. Don’t recommend for elders / children cause it has some continues climbing to do… (See the picture below)
 We chose this road which has some climbing |
 While traveling on the road we chose, we lucky to see the vertical view of Worlds End. |
We arrived at Worlds End around 8.30AM. We were Lucky cause we were able to enjoy the full view of Worlds End without mist.
 Worlds End |
 Sign board at world’s end – Text Below |
” WELCOME TO WORLDS END. FROM WORLDS END YOU CAN LOOK DOWN A CLIFF SOME 870M IN HEIGHT AND ON A CLEAR DAY SEE ALL THE WAY TO SEA. IMMIDIATELY BELOW ARE TEA ESTATES AND KIRIKETI OYA, A SMALL STREAM THAT RUNS INTO THE WALAWE GANGA. THE RIVER RUNS ACROSS THE PLAINS OF THE DRY ZONE AND IN THE DISTANCE YOU CAN SEE TWO RESERVOIRS, THE CLOSER BEING THE WALAWE RESERVOIR IN UDA WALAWE NATIONAL PARK. UDAWALAWE AND HORTON PLAINS ARE LINKED BY THIS LIFELINE OF WATER. WITHOUT THE WATER FROM THESE COULD FORESTS UDA WALAWE WOULD NOT ABLE TO NURTURE, ITS MANY SPECIES, PARTICULARLY THE ELEPHANTS. THIS IS CONNECTIVITY THAT NATIONAL PARKS HELP TO PROTECT.”
 More views from World’s End |
 Sitting on the Edge… |
After getting some photographs we continued the trail to Bakers Falls. There is no specialty or attractions on the way to Bakers. But the walk through the plains is beautiful. Also we saw some construction works going through inside plains. Also Wildlife Dept has constructed some resting places / toilets along the path.
 Path Towards Bakers. ”Aa Mage Ketei Yayuthu Maga Durai….” Theme song for the journey.. |
 Path Towards Bakers |
Baker’s Falls
From Trail guide : “As you walk about 100m more, you will see a beautiful pond/pool with a small man-made bunt. This is called “The Chimny Pool”. Passing the Chimny pool, continue to walk along the trail through the plain. This section of the trail goes along the stream.”
 Chimny pool – This stream is one of the main tributaries of Belohul-Oya which in turn feeds the Walawe River |
 Chimny pool |
I have posted another travelogue about camping in Horton Plains so it will be a new experience for those who haven’t camped inside Horton Plains.
Thank you very much for reading my Trip Report. I hope it will help planning your journey.