Sri Lanka Chasing Waterfalls

Welcome at the airport & proceed to Negombo  for check-in ( Standard check in time : 14.00 hrs) (15 KM / 0h 20 m)

In the afternoon engage in a Negombo city tour.

Negombo(Duration of visit : approx 1 – 1 ½  Hours)

OLD DUTCH FORT IN NEGOMBO - Originally built in 1672, not far from the coastline, the fort was part of a colonial prison complex. Today the fort itself is largely in ruin, but the gate with its date of construction inscribed on it is still visible. In addition to the fort ruins, there's a lovely Dutch church nearby and other buildings around Negombo dating from this period. A bicycle ride on the path along the canal is a good way to see many of these colonial constructions.        

P.M – A Half hour briefing with your guide regarding the tour.

Prepare equipement for upcoming day (Hiking shoes, rain coats , leech socks etc)

Overnight stay at Negombo

After breakfast proceed to Kandy and check into Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge. (130 KM / 4h 30 m)

Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight stay at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge /Deluxe Room/ Eco hotel/ www.madulkelle.com/

Notes: Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge is nestled on a picturesque tea plantation, on the Knuckles Mountain Range 1000 meters above sea level, Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge will treat travelers to magnificent views, top class facilities, friendly and courteous service and plenty of things to see and do.

Early breakfast and proceed to explore the “7 waterfalls of the Knuckles range”. (20 KM / 1 hour per way)

Tour Itinerary

• Pick up from Hotel at 6.30 A.M and proceed to Knuckles Range trail head.
• Arrival time will be 7.30 A.M at the Knuckles Range trail head.
• Meet your team and get a brief description of the route and the hike.
• Starting the hike at 7.45 A.M.
• Hike uphill 3 KM to reach Knuckles Falls and spend some leisure time exploring the Knuckles range.
• Trek 2 hours to reach Saree Waterfall.
• You  could enjoy Swimming at Saree Waterfall.
• Thereafter hop on a Tuk Tuk and drive 20 minutes to reach Jodu Ella trail head.
• Trek 25 minutes to Jodu Ella (twin waterfall) and enjoy a cup of tea while passing a guesthouse.
• From Jodu Ella walk 20 minutes to the vehicle to continue the rest of the waterfalls.
• Drive 20 minutes by vehicle to Lebanon estate.
• Trek 1 KM to see the lebanon Estate Falls 1.
• Hop on a Tuk tuk and drive 25 mins to Lebanon Estate Falls 2.
• Walk through lebanon estate village around 750m to reach lebanon estate falls 2. You will walk through a Village where you will be able to meet the locals.
• Enjoy the picnic lunch at Lebanon estate and enjoy a beer and photography sessions.
• Drive approx 1 hour towards Huluganga and witness the view point of the waterfalls.
• Drive 3 KM towards Thaliyawatenna Waterfall.
• Thereafter hike 1 ½ - 2 KM towards the Waterfall.
• Evening refreshments.

**Times may vary depending on weather conditions and clients hiking speed.

Short description of the waterfalls

Knuckles Falls –

Knuckles falls located inside the Knuckles Conservation Forest Reserve. Travellers need to do a 3 k.m uphill hike to reach the waterfall.

Jodu Ella Waterfalls (Twin Waterfalls) –

The twin falls of Jodu Ella Falls , also known as ‘Bambarella Knuckles falls’, have identical lengths (45m) and cascade simultaneously from both ends of the mountain into the Mahaweli River via the Hulu Ganga River.

Saree Ella Waterfalls –

The Bambarella Saree Waterfall lies 5 minute drive from the Bambarella town. This waterfall takes form of a fall of a ladies saree thus its name. The fall consists of number of cascades is 25 meters in height.

Lebanon Estate Falls 1 –

The Lebanon Estate in Kandy District hides two large and beautiful waterfalls.  These waterfalls are relatively unknown and has no names. About 250 meters downstream from the bridge, this 30 meter waterfall is formed and the water plunge in to a pool in a straight fall.

Lebanon Estate Falls 2 –

The Lebanon Estate in Kandy District hides two large and beautiful waterfalls. The second waterfall lies deep inside the estate and is only known by the people living inside the estate.

Huluganga Falls –

Beautiful Huluganga Falls is a waterfall located at Huluganga Town, about 30 kilometers away from Kandy Town. Huluganga Ella Falls (75m in height) is one of many waterfalls created by the stream originating from the Knuckles mountain range.  

Thaliya Wetuna Ella Waterfalls –

This 50 meter high Thaliya Wetuna Ella waterfall lies in Alakola Estate in the Knuckles mountain range in Kandy District. Therefore this fall is also known as Alakola Ella. It is formed in a tributary of the Hulu Ganga originating in the Knuckles mountain range.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight stay at Kandy

After breakfast proceed to Matale en-route visit Hunas Falls and Bambarakiri Ella Falls. (60 KM / 3h 0 m)

Tour Itinerary

• Pick up from Hotel at 8.30 A.M after breakfast at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge.
• Drive approx 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Hunas Falls.
• Enjoy some time at Hunas Falls taking photographs and bird watching.
• Thereafter drive approx 40 KM towards Rattota to reach Bambarakiri Ella Waterfall.
• Walk through the suspension bridge to view the enchanting view of the Bambarakiri Ella waterfall.
• Evening refreshments.
• Drive approx 45 minutes to reach Grand Stargate Bungalow where you will spend the day.

Short description of the waterfalls

Hunas Falls

The Knuckles mountain range extends up to Matale – the Hunnasgiriya is located at one end, 1765m above sea level. This area is subject to every climatic condition of the island. A group of five streams flow from here and meet to form the Mahaoya Reservoir, which leads on to Hunas Falls (48m high and 12m wide) and the Sudu Ganga River.

Bambarakiri Waterfalls

Bambarakiri Ella Falls in Sri Lanka or Bambarakele Waterfall is a tall waterfall in Sri Lanka. Dropping down a sheer vertical rockface down a height of 263m (863 feet). The picturesque cascades of Bambarakiri Ella at the northern slopes of the Knuckles mountains are less frequented by foreign tourists.

Overnight stay at Matale

Early breakfast and explore the Sera Ella Falls at Matale.

Sera Ella Waterfall

Sera Ella is a waterfall located in Pothatawela village, a place near Laggala in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. It is formed by the waters of Kitul Canal which runs down Kaudagammana peak and the Hunumadala River, which flows from the mountains of Gonamada and Deyuthu Gammmaduwa, combining to form the Puwakpitiya River, a waterway which joins Thelgamu Oya to create the waterfall at its point of joining.

The Sera Ella waterfall is separated into two sections as it falls down the rock face, both falling down a height of 10 m (33 ft.) and are visible from the Dumbara Jungle. The fall flows all year around and is at its fullest during the northeast monsoon season, between November and March. One of the interesting features of this fall is the cave behind the fall. Steps have been cut to reach this cave and can be safely reached even when the fall is at full flow.

Tour Itinerary

• Pick up at 07.00 A.M 
• Drive 30 minutes to reach Sera Ella Waterfall trail head.
• Trek 5 KM towards Sera Ella Waterfall.
• Enjoy the scenic view of the waterfall through the hidden tunnel.
• Photography Session.
• Thereafter climb up the stairs for 15 minutes to reach the gravel path.
• Drive 40 minutes to reach the location where you will enjoy lunch.
• Thereafter trek for 15 minutes to reach the Campsite.
• Enjoy a Srilankan local lunch along with a beer.
• Trek 15 minutes to reach the gravel road.
• Drive back to Grand Stargate.

Thereafter proceed to Mahiyangana. (50 KM / 2h 0 m)

Overnight stay at Mahiyangana

Tips & Suggestions:   

• Personal effects for warm/windy/rainy conditions should be carried by clients. Wearing leech socks will be ideal to prevent the leech bite.
• Rain Jacket, hiking shoes recommended.
• The experienced and well-trained tour guide/naturalist would take every precaution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all guests on tour as your safety is our prime concern.
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to Hard 

After breakfast drive approx 30 mins from the hotel to visit the Rathna Ella Waterfalls. it’s a truly breathtaking experience to be had after the short drive it’s a beautiful hike consisting of a one and a half hour walk up and down surrounded by lush green paddy fields and a cool flowing stream as you walk along you will hear the thunderous roar of the waterfalls and once you lay eyes on it is a mind blowing experience as described to us by many of our guest. It is 111 meters in height and the 14th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka.

Tour Itinerary

• Pick up from Hotel at 8.00 A.M 
• Drive 30 mins from the hotel to reach the Rathna Ella trail head.
• Hike 3KM through the Rathna Ella Village - Hasalaka to view the scenic Rathna Ella Waterfalls.
• Photography session and refreshments.
• Hike 3KM back to the vehicle.

Thereafter proceed to Koslanda (by vehicle) en-route visit the famous Dunhinda Falls. (70 KM / 3h 0 m)

• Start from Mahiyangana at 12.00 P.M and proceed to Badulla.
• Drive 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Dunhinda Waterfalls.
• Hike 1 KM to reach the Dunhinda Waterfalls view point which is one of the beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka .
• Photography session and refreshments.
• Hike 1 KM back to vehicle and drive to Koslanda

Dunhinda Waterfalls

Dunhinda Falls is a waterfall located about 5 kilometres from Badulla town in Sri Lanka.The Dunhinda Falls is one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful waterfalls.The waterfall, which is 64 metres high gets its name from the smoky dew drops spray, which surrounds the area at the foot of the waterfall. The best time to see them is June and July, but you are welcome to visit at any time. It gets more fascinating on the months from November to March as it carries a huge volume of water in this rainy season of Sri Lanka.

Overnight stay at Koslanda

After breakfast proceed visit Diyaluma Falls and Ellawala Waterfall.

Tour Itinerary

• Pick up from Hotel at 08.30 A.M after breakfast.
• Drive 10 mins from hotel to Diyaluma Falls trail head.
• Hike 40 minutes to reach Upper Diyaluma which is the third highest waterfall in Sri Lanka.
• You could enjoy a swim at the natural pool at the upper Diyaluma falls.
• Enjoy a local spicy rotti at a small boutique shop.
• Hike 40 minutes back to the vehicle and drive towards the lower Diyaluma falls.
• At the lower Diyaluma falls you will get an opporunity to see the clear view of the full waterfall and will be a photo opportunity session.
• Thereafter drive approx 40 mins towards Ellawala Waterfall.
• Hop on a Tuk Tuk and drive towards the Ellawala trail head.
• Hike approx 20 mins through a Jungle patch to reach the hidden waterfall.
• Witness the beauty of the waterfall and photography session.
• Hike back to the Ellawala trail head and drive back to the vehicle by Tuk Tuk.
• Proceed to Haputale.

Diyaluma Falls

Diyaluma Falls is 220 m high and the third highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 361st highest waterfall in the world. It is situated 6 km away from Koslanda in Badulla District on Colombo-Badulla highway. The Falls are formed by Punagala Oya, a tributary of Kuda Oya which in turn, is a tributary of Kirindi Oya.

Ellawala Waterfalls

Ellawala Ella is a small but beautiful waterfall lying in the Monaragala District accessible from the Ella – Wellawaya Road. This waterfall lies hidden inside the jungle about 5 km from Wellawaya Town. Ellawala falls tip into what feels like a natural amphitheatre, surrounded by giant boulders, a stony shore and high trees.

Overnight stay at Haputale

In search of the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka.

Early breakfast and proceed to engage in the Bambarakanda trek where you will witness the stunning tallest waterfall of Sri Lanka.

Tour Itinerary

• Pick up from Hotel with packed breakfast at 06.00 A.M. and proceed to Bambarakanda trail head.
• Arrival time will be 7.30 A.M at the Bambarakanda trail head.
• Brief description of the route and the hike.
• Starting the hike at 7.45 A.M.
• Hike approx 3 KM towards the Bambarakanda falls through Jungle patch and you will pass through water streams to reach the ticket counter.
• Hike 300m to reach the Bambarakanda falls. (Tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka)
• Photography sessions.
• Hike 1 ½ KM towards the Lanka Ella Waterfalls.
• Photography sessions.
• Hike approx 40 minutes towards Yahalathenna Waterfalls.
• Enjoy the refreshments close to the waterfall.
• Photography sessions.
• Hike approx 2 ½ KM downwards towards the Bambarakanda falls.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch and swim at the natural pool at Bambarakanda falls.
• Hike back 300m towards the Ticket counter.
• Drive back to hotel.

Bambarakanda Waterfalls  

Bambarakanda is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka with a sheer drop of a 263 meters. In the world ranking its the 299th tallest waterfall in the world. The fall lies in the Badulla District among a evergreen forest in the Kalupahana Area. This is not a wide waterfall but drops as a thin line from a rocky outcrop. The fall is formed by the Udaweriya Haputale mountain and Kuda Oya, a tributary of Walawe River.

Lanka Ella Waterfalls  

This is a very beautiful but lesser known waterfall hidden in the jungle. It is located about 1 km away from the popular Bambarakanda waterfall. the height of the waterfall is about 30m. The cascade is surrounded by the mountain ranges and the greenish area covered by savanna and forests. The climate of the area is usually little bit windy and sometimes those mountains would cover by mist even during the day time.

Yahalathenna Waterfalls  

Yahalathenna falls is one of the hidden beauty located close to Lanka Ella Waterfalls. To get to the waterfalls you will have to pass through a steepy slope and you should be cautious.

Overnight stay at Haputale

In search of the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka.

After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya en-route visit Bomburu Waterfalls. (60 KM / 2h 30 m)

Tour Itinerary

• Pick up from Hotel at 08.30 A.M. and drive towards Bomburu Waterfalls trail head.
• Hike 2 ½ KM through a Jungle Patch to view the scenic waterfall.
• Photography Sessions.
• Refreshments.
• Hike 2 ½ KM back to the Vehicle.
• Drive to Nuwara Eliya

Bomburu Ella Waterfalls

Bomburu Ella, also known as Perawella Falls, is a waterfall at Uva-Paranagama Divisional Secretariat of Sri Lanka. It is located near the border of Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts, approximately 15 km from Welimada town. Bomburu Ella is the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka which is a height of 50 meters (160ft) and consists of several small waterfalls grouped together. The source of the falls is a lake located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka.

Evening at leisure or optionally explore the Nuwara Eliya city by foot.

Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya

Early morning (05.00hrs) proceed to Horton Plains National Park and engage in a trek thereafter visit the famous Bakers Falls which you will witness at the end of the trek.

Baker’s Falls  

The 22m Baker’s Falls (Sinhalese original name: Gonagala Ella) is noted for the tremendous noise created by water pounding the large rock formation at its foot. Forming part of the Belihul Oya, it is surrounded by copious giant ferns. Baker’s Falls derives its name from Sir Samuel Baker, a British man who discovered it in 1845 when he was hunting Elephants in Horton Palins. Situated in the Horton Plains (Nuwara Eliya District), Baker’s Falls is accessible from Pattipola or Ohiya. From Pattipola take the well-signed footpath and either follow it to World’s End and loop back to Baker’s Falls or take the right fork at the beginning of the path straight there.

Tour Itinerary

• Pick up from hotel at 05.00 A.M. with packed breakfast.

• Arrival time will be 6.30 A.M at the Horton Plains National Park trail head.
• Brief description of the route and the hike.
• Starting the hike at 6.45 A.M.
• Trek through Mini World’s End via the jungle patch and explore the surroundings and you will be able to spot certain endemic species of birds, lizards and purple faced leaf monkey.
• Trek towards World’s end.
• Refreshments.
• Trek 45 minutes towards Baker’s Falls and you will pass through the starting point of Walawe river.
• Photography Session.
• Hike back approx. 1 hour to the Horton Plains National park trail head.
• Drive back to hotel.

Afternoon at leisure or optionally visit Lovers Leap falls after consulting the guide depending on weather conditions.

Lover’s Leap Falls

This beautiful 30m high Lover’s Leap fall in Nuwara Eliya is incipient of the streams and brooks of Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, the Piduruthalagala (2524m). Lover’s leap is an impressive water fall which is known for its romantic folklore. In addition, Lover’s leap fall, located at Hawaeliya (Nuwara Eliya- Kandapola road) is the closest water fall from the city of Nuwara Eliya.

Overnight stay at Ramboda

After breakfast proceed to Nawalapitiya en-route visit St. Clairs, Devon Falls, Laxapana Waterfalls and Aberdeen Waterfalls. (130 KM / 5h 0 m)

Tour Itinerary

• Pick up from Hotel at 08.30 A.M. and drive 1 hour to reach the view point of St. Clairs Waterfalls.
• Photography Sessions. (Note you cannot hike close to the waterfall but view only from road side)
• Thereafter drive 20 minutes to reach Devon Watefalls view point
• Photography Sessions. (Note you cannot hike close to the waterfall but view only from road side)
• Refreshments.
• Drive approx 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach Laxapana trail head.
• Meet your team and hike 20 minutes upwards to reach the upper Laxapana falls.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch close to the waterfall.
• Hike 1 ½ KM downwards to reach lower Laxapana falls.
• Drive approx 1 hour to reach the Aberdeen Waterfall trail head.
• Hike 2 – 3 KM to reach the Aberdeen Waterfalls.
•  Photography Sessions and refreshments
• Drive back to Okwin Resort for leisure (1 hour drive to hotel)

Short description of the waterfalls

Devon Waterfalls

The waterfall was named after the a British coffee planter, Mr. Devon, whose plantations are near the fall. The Devon Waterfalls is one of the most beautiful cascades of Sri Lanka, located at close to Talawakelle town which is 97 meters (318ft) high. If you could reach the top of the cascade, the view to the bottom of the fall will be stunning. Do not try to swim or bathe near the fall as it might be dangerous.

St. Clair’s Waterfalls

St. Clair's Falls is one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka and is commonly known as the "Little Niagara of Sri Lanka". The falls are located along the Kotmale Oya, a tributary of the Mahaweli River, as it cascades over three rock outcrops into a large pool, running through a tea estate, from which the falls derive their name from.The waterfalls consist of two falls called "Maha Ella" (Sinhalese "The Greater Fall"), which is 80 metres (260 ft) high and 50 metres (160 ft) wide and "Kuda Ella", (Sinhalese "The Lesser Fall"), which is 50 metres (160 ft) high and located immediately downstream of the main fall. St Clair's falls are the 20th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka.

Laxapana Waterfalls

Laxapana Falls is 126 m high and the 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 625th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Maskeliya area in Nuwara Eliya District, about 16 km from Maskeliya town on Maskeliya-Norton Bridge road, in a village called Kiriwan Eliya. Towering high at more than 100-metres, the falls are considered to be one of the more picturesque falls in the country due to its lush green surroundings and a stunning view of the countryside, which can be witnessed at the top of the falls, making it an ideal observation deck to view the natural splendour of Sri Lanka.

Aberdeen Waterfalls

Aberdeen Falls is a picturesque 98 m (322 ft) high waterfall on the Kehelgamu Oya near Ginigathena, in the Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka. Aberdeen is named after the place Aberdeen, the third largest city in Scotland and the capital of Aberdeenshire. The waterfall is ranked as the 18th highest in Sri Lanka.

Overnight stay at Nawalapitiya

Triple treat

Early breakfast and explore the 3 well known waterfalls around Nawalapitiya.

Tour Itinerary

• Pick up from the hotel at 06.30 A.M.
• Drive 30 minutes towards the Galaboda Waterfalls in the vehicle.
• Thereafter hop on a Tuk tuk and drive 25 minutes along the gravel road.
• Meet team and brief description of the route and the hike.
• Hike 2 KM to reach the Galaboda Waterfalls.
• Photography session.
• Afterwards hike back 2 KM and take the Tuk tuk to reach the vehicle.
• Drive approx 1 hour to reach Kadiyanlena Waterfalls.
• Photography session.
• Refreshments.
• Thereafter drive 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Dunshinaen Waterfalls view point.
• Evening refreshments.
• Photography session.
• Drive back to hotel for leisure.

Short description of the waterfalls

Galaboda Falls –

The Galboda Ella Fall (aka Galaboda Ella Falls) originates from the Galboda Canal (also known as the Hanguranketha River), in the Central Province wet zone. Galboda Falls is 30m high but the width ranges from between 3m and 6m, depending on the season.

Kadiyanlena Waterfalls –

The water of the 8m-high Kataboola Ella Fall (Kadiyanlena Ella Falls) cascades down in stages. The fall cascades in 3 divisions at 3 separate locations each with a gap of 200 km. The speciality of this fall is that each part is easily accessible.

Dunshinaen Falls –

Dunsinane Falls is a waterfall in Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka with a height of 100 m (328.1 ft) and considered to be the 15th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka.  The fall is situated along the Pundalu Oya, a tributary of the Kotmale Oya.. It is situated in Pundaluoya village and between the Tea estates known as Dunsinan and Shin. Therefore sometimes this falls is called as Dunsinance Shine falls.

Overnight stay at Nawalapitiya

After breakfast board train from Nawalapitiya to Colombo (2nd class) (120 KM / 3h 30 m)

Pick up from Colombo Fort Station and proceed to Hotel for check-in. (10 KM / 0h 25m)

Evening at leisure.

Overnight stay at Colombo

After breakfast proceed to Airport for departure. (40 KM / 1h 0 m)

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