EXCITING ELLA ‘FEB 2014

SPECIAL NOTE – The caving experience in Ella mentioned herewith, “Nil Diya Pokuna Cave”, should not be attended / tested individually as it is definitely a life threatening activity where a single wrong move / slip will take a toll on your very own life as well as the others involved. Should you wish to explore this cave please make sure that you are accompanied by those who are experienced and knows their way in and out of the cave as well as with proper climbing gear only. (Using coir rope as a climbing aid is NOT recommended at all)

The number of times that I have travelled in the train “passing” Ella equals to the number of visits to Horton Plains National Park by my-self which is self explanatory for those who know about me and Horton Plains Finally the day had come! After several “passing by” trips I decided to head over to Ella on an exploration visit over the long weekend which was laid out alongside the Independence Day of Sri Lanka (4th of Feb) As usual my decision was sudden and only a few days left for me to plan my trip. So with the help of previous trip reports from Lakdasun and along with few other links I sketched my trip during which a friend (John) volunteered to join me for the trip. All set! However my initial plan of departing from Colombo on the 31st of Jan night had to be postponed due to few commitments that I had to attend to hence I ended up at the Pettah bus station on the following day, 1st of Feb, night around 22:00 hrs. Though there were few busses I decided to kill sometime assuming I will reach Bandarawela too early to catch any bus en-route to Ella. But I was wrong!

After midnight there were no A/C Badulla busses irrespective of what I have heard from others about the 24×7 service. However the Leyland Badulla bus line was still a bit too long hence I decided to wait and see of the outcome. Patience paid out really well and I managed to hop into a Colombo – Welimada bus which was basically empty all the way. The bus left Pettah at 02:10 hrs and it reached Bandarawela at 07:45 hrs on the 2nd of Feb.

After getting down from Bandarawela I walked down the Wellawaya road and stopped at a shop to fill my stomach after the journey from Colombo. Afterwards I hopped into a Bandarawela – Namunukula bus with the intention of getting down at Ella!

Finally I reached the city of Ella for the very first time in my life! However it looked quite extra-ordinary to me compared to any other hill country town that I have been to. The city of Ella, the way I saw it, is more of a commercialized city filled with foreigners, mostly backpackers. All the properties converted into guest houses and home stays, the locals of Ella are trying their level best to earn few extra bucks during the tourism season of Ella.

After getting down from Ella I called up the local trekker, Meththananda, to check with him the best possible trek for the day given the fact that I have to be back at Ella train station at 15:30 hours in order to welcome John, heading over to Ella after an ascend on Adam’s Peak via the Hatton route. Meththananda stated the fact it’s better that we go explore the “cave” today for which I said fine and soon was on my way down the Ella – Wellawaya road heading towards his house located near the 10th mile post.

After a welcome refreshment at his place soon we were on our way and the adventure unfolds!!

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Entrance to the cave which leads to the “Nil Diya Pokuna”

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The challenging work in-side the cave

The challenging work in-side the cave

We were compelled to squeeze through the rocks in most cases

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After walking through the cave entrance the walk became a challenge with every step taken forward. The cave narrows down all the way to the depths of the earth and it gets steeper as you climb down. In certain areas you are compelled to traverse in rock ledges with a 20 – 30 ft drop just few inches away from your foot-hold (The idea reminded me about the deadly crevasse traversing that I did back in the Himalayas last year too!)

The soil is more of a sand composition (more like quick sand) making it’s difficult to hold on to our footholds without slipping down and also reminding us about the constant threat of rocks coming loose from the top. After descending for approximately 1 ½ – 2 hours we reached the pond known as “Nil Diya Pokuna” which unravels in the famous Rama – Ravana legend as well

Meththananda (Local trekker) was explaining to me about how wide and deep the pond is and I was stunned to experience that by very own eyes. I tried to throw a rock as far as possible towards the rear end of the pool which was an utter failure! The water is crystal clear that I didn’t realize the existence of water at the first place!

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The initial attempt to photograph the pond was a failure since the water was way too clear. Hence I basically disturbed and created few waves in order for me to capture it from my all time favorite cyber shot camera

I basically disturbed and created few waves in order for me to capture it

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Afterwards we left the pond and headed for one of the few underground lounge areas where there were quite a number of bats flying around. The lounge that we visited seems to be a “room” carved in from the rock slabs themselves which may have served as a resting place back in the days. Unfortunately the power of our torches was outsmarted by the power of darkness that was ruling inside hence I was not able to take any pictures of the vicinity. Though there were few more locations that can be explored inside the cave I was reminded the fact that I had to be back at the Ella train station in time to welcome my friend. So after a challenging ascend out of the cave finally we were heading down to Meththananda’s place to refresh. And so the caving adventure ends!

After refreshing at Meththe’s place soon I was on my way back walking towards Ella town on the Ella – Wellawaya road. I managed to catch a bus and I reached Ella Station in time for me to greet John.

After a brief discussion with him about his Adam’s Peak experience the previous night and about his schedule for the next 02 days while in Ella we decided to hike upto Little Adam’s Peak on the same day evening and to continue the rest of the exploration on the following day since it was approximately 16:00 hrs when we walked out of the train station.

Little Adam’s Peak – The route to Little Adam’s Peak is easily noticeable. From the city of Ella there is a huge notice at the centre of the town where the road separates into 02 (One towards Wellawaya and the other towards Namunukula). Little Adam’s peak trail is approximately 02kms up on the road towards Namunukula from Ella

Little Adam’s Peak, picture taken standing at the rear end of the mountain range

A picture of John leading the way down from the summit of Little Adam’s Peak

After the hike we returned back to Ella and found our-self a guesthouse for the overnight. Though the initial plan was to campout we were not able to prep the logistics including the tent since all the resources were already booked and given away due to the long weekend

Guest house details – Dream Café & Guest House, Main Street, Ella (+94 57 222 8950)

Next day, after eating pol rotti and being responsible for 02 cups of tea from a shop in the town we soon hit the rail track on our way to the Ella Rock. In order to reach the trail head to Ella rock one needs to step into the railway line from Ella station and walk towards the Kithal-ella station till they reach a bridge where there is a Bo tree adjoining the bridge (Easily noticeable)

Notice board at the Ella railway station highlighting the main tourist attractions of the vicinity (Click Image to Enlarge)

Ella Railway Station

Ella Railway Station

Ella Railway Station

The bridge from where the trail head to Ella rock commences

Once you reach the bridge and walk over it to your left had side there will be a bo tree and a path downwards. When you follow that path you will be able to see the house and these crops that are visible in the picture. Walk alongside them and and over the small bridge that you will come across. As soon as you pass the bridge there will be a “Y” junction from where you need to follow the path to your right hand side which will lead you straight to the summit of Ella Rock!

Path leading to the 1st view point From Ella rock

View of Little Adam’s Peak from the First view point out of Ella Rock

John enjoying the view

After the first view point the final bit of the hike towards the top is a bit of a steep terrain

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The last bit of trees before reaching the view point from the top of Ella Rock

View from the top of Ella Rock

After resting at the top for a while enjoying the view we got back to Ella for lunch, after which we commenced our rail hike towards Demodara

The trail head bridge to Ella Rock. There is another path which walks right under the bridge as well. On our way back we took that

Yeah well he wanted a picture of mine badly so I said OK

A bit of a curvy track or, am I just playing around with my camera? During the rail-hike from Ella to Demodara

The famous Nine arch bridge of Demodara (Refer below) When one stands underneath it and looks up there is a beautiful sight of ‘nine skies’ through the nine arches, hence the Sinhala name. This bridge is also called ‘The Bridge in the sky’ due to the sheer height. This massive bridge is built entirely of solid rocks, bricks and cement without using a single piece of steel. The bridge was finally commissioned in 1921

After spending sometime at the bridge, enjoying the marvelous piece of architecture, our original plan of, catching a train to Badulla, from Demodara was crashed when we were basically chased by the same train and had to give way for the train

So moved to plan B, hitch hiked from Demodara railway station to the Demodara town and hopped into a bus towards Badulla in time for me to meet my ever-lasting love, Badulla – Colombo night mail train, which leaves at 18:00 hrs from Badulla.

After reaching Badulla and bidding farewell to John who will catch a bus the following day to Batticaloa I reached the Badulla railway station to buy a ticket for the ride back home.

Just before I hopped into the train I went to the other end of the platform where there was a water tap so I can wash myself before the 12 hour ride back home and this captured the attention of my eyes