| Year and Month | May 2010 (27th – 30th) |
| Number of Days | Four Day Trip |
| Crew | 2 [ 5 with guides]
Me and my friend + 3 guys from the village. Even they don’t come alone. |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Transport | Public Transport [Bus] |
| Activities | Hiking, Exploring, Bird Watching, Butterflies, Wildlife |
| Weather | Sunny.. It’s knuckles you know the climate. |
| Route | Colombo -> Kandy -> Wattegama -> Bambarella ->Ratnagiriya -> Kalupahana -> Ratnagiriya -> Bambarella -> Kandy -> Colombo |
| Tips, Notes and Special remarks |
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| Author | kishAn |
| Related Resource |
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| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
Started from Colombo fort at 6.00 a.m. but got into a Kandy bus around 8.30 a.m. as it was the start of the ‘Wesak weekend ’. From Kandy to Wattegama around 1 hour in the bus and the last bus from Wattegama to Bambarella at 7.15 p.m.
There are enough buses on normal days to Bambarella from Wattegama. Even from Kandy there are few. Total distance from Kandy to Bambarella – 38km.
At the top of “Ratnagiriya” estate
Started around 11.00 a.m. as we were busy looking for guides in the morning. Come through the estate called “Lebanon” to the abandoned “Ratnagiriya estate” where the entrance to the forest is. Quite a climb that is.
There begins the days long hike through the “Enasal wathu” and the beautiful forest.
 An Un-named Waterfall |
 One of Hundreds of small waterfalls like this |
Around 5.45 p.m. we were able to reach the Water fall number 01. This is 1st one of the knuckles – Doovili Eli – Kalupahana after getting lost in the wild few times.
Famous Doovili ella of Kalupahana – Knuckles
The cave is at half way up behind the trees where the Waterfall splits into two parts. Few quick pictures and rushed to the cave as it was getting dark and we had get ready for the night.
 we got ready for the night in the cave |
 Next day morning we got up to have this stunning view from the cave |
 View when standing behind the Fall. The Fall is not directly behind the cave a few meters away. |
 View from the bathing spot |
Bathing spot! No I didn’t even wash my face in the morning.
After a quick meal we started to climb down to see the rest of waterfalls. There’s no proper path for this just climb down along the river carefully. At some places it’s very steep we just had to slide down slowly.
 2nd one of the “Doovili Eli”. Not as high as the others. |
 View from the 2nd Waterfall. Top of the 3rd one. |
 The 3rd one. The best of all. Wonder-ma-ful place. Sooo calm and relaxing guys. |
 On the way to the 4th one |
The beauty of this whole Doovili eli area is impossible –well, at least for me- to capture on a camera people you got to go there before you all die.
On top of the 4th one.
The 5th one is in-accessible with normal climbing gear and the terrain.
To get to the bottom of the 6th and come back to the 1st one would take about one full day according to the guide. It seems correct as we should walk a long way round to avoid the ridge. We didn’t have time.. Until next time..
The 7th one of the Doovili eli is “Dumbara ella” which is closer from Walpolamulla side. Even that is one days’ hike from Atanwala
That was all the Waterfalls until next time and we turned back for long and tiring journey back.
Here are few pictures taken on the way back.
Thunhis Gala – The people in the area believes this as the highest peak of knuckles range. Leopards are common up there it seems.
Unfortunately lot of hunting is going on in “Ensal Wathu”. Hope the Forest department will take actions to clear out all the remaining “illegal Enasal wathu” soon.
On the way back – Kalupahana area Can you see the leeches..??
Until Next time!!!