Exploring Kithulgala – Camping Trip to Makandawa Rain Forest

Water is life .Value of it cannot be measured in rupees or dollars. Not only for our basic needs but also for our pleasure, Leisure it’s the most commonly used thing. And for me if there is no water source it’s not a trip. I’d like to swim in swiftly flowing rivers and am desperate to dip in natural pools filled with Crystal clear water. When I jump in to water I forget everything other than dipping and swimming. Cool H2O molecules kisses my head and entire body so as to wash over mental and physical stress. And colour combination of the rocks around and stones under the pool make me forget about past and future. One can call it as present mind consciousness or meditation. Somehow rather it’s Holly thing for me. Last month I was able to visit a place where you could find plenty of water wherever you go. That’s KITULGALA where you see Crystal clear water where ever. So here is the story our memorable trip to Kitulgala

Sri and me, met at Kotawa around 7.00a.m and Tony was coming on a Embilipitiya bus. We got in to the bus around 7.45 and three of us had a nice chat till we got off at Avissawella .We had breakfast there and purchased some food stuff and other goods and got in to a kitulgala bus . We reached Kitulgala by 11.30 a.m. where we met our three wheel driver and guide Sumudu.

After discussing with sumudu we decided to visit Beli Lena and Handun Ella first and then come to Makandawa early as possible to explore somewhat in the jungle and camp before dark. We preserved next day to explore the rest of the forest and see Mannakethi Ella and Kataram oya.

Nearby mountain

On the way to beli lena. There is a small ascend

Cave

First we headed towards Belilena after turning left from Butukiththa Junktion where the name board called BeliLena clearly visible. As Beli Lena is a famous and well known destination I am not going to describe the path one by one. Just confirm the path from locals. Since road conditions were terrible you have to use a vehicle with high ground clearance. We stopped at a junction in In Oya estate where further driving was not possible and walked nearly 750m to reach beli Lena

Surrounding

Searching for shells but yet to find them

BeliLena Falls

Inside the upper cave

Dripping

Our Group with the caretaker of the BeliLena

QUOTE FROM unknownsrilanka
Beli Lena cave at Kithulgala was excavated and researched between the years 1978-1983 by the Sri
Lankan archaeological department. The cultural deposits at the site after 25 radiometric tests were
determined to be from 30,000 – 900 years before the present day.

A diverse range of cultural, faunal and human remains were excavated. Amongst the things
discovered were some geometric microlithic stone tools which at 30,000 years are among the oldest
found to date in the world. There have also been some bone tools along with evidence of fire having
been used from 30,000 years ago onwards. The site also brought to light numerous animal remains
that had quite obviously been used for consumption. Some of the animal remains found were to
name a few sambhur, pig, barking deer, monkeys, porcupines, giant squirrels, and an assortment of
reptiles and fish. There is also evidence that the primitive human species that lived here referred to
as the Balangoda man had a diet that was primarily comprised of mammals, tree and aquatic snails
and food plants such as breadfruit and canarium (kekuna) nuts.

There is evidence that some sort of exchange network had also been established 30,000 years ago
onwards with the coastal lagoons which were some 80kms away.

The earliest evidence to date of substantial structures has been discovered at this site owing to the
rubble foundations dated to 16,000 years before present day. Skeletal remains found here in the
levels dating back 16,000 years have been intensively analysed by an international team of
anthropologists as these remains are invaluable to help us understand the physical anthropology of
the Balangoda man. Beli-Lena awaits further excavation and investigation by future generations of
Sri Lankan archaeologists with progressively sharper analytical skills.
Directions and location
The drive to the Kitulagala Beli Lena is a short but winding picturesque route thorough many rubber
estates and little water falls which are dotted along the pathway. Belilena Cave is close to the Ing
Oya rubber estate which is about 8 kilometers from the Kitulgala town. To reach Beli Lena turn at
Kitulgala Temple on Iyanwatta road to reach the school. You need to trek by foot for about 1
kilometre up a pathway that has been partly paved to reach the cave. From Colombo the journey is
about 1.5 hours.

Care taker explained lots of things about beli Lena. According to him this had been a temple before it was researched by Archaeological department. According to him ancient people were exchanging goods with people came from sea side and they have exchanged Salt with them (don’t know which form )and with that they have got this shells called BELLO .But that idea is little hard to believe as i guess.

Then we moved on to see Handun Ella.We had to go upwards In Oya estate. We parked three-wheeler in a small house and took a road to the right hand side. We had to walk upwards through a tea estate and met another house and took the footpath towards right hand side. After 15minutes trekking we reached the base of the fall. After spending some time there we reached the top of the fall.

Road to Handun Ella

Where we parked the vehicle ……..Tony is Showing the direction

Last house we met and took the path to right hand side

Some cascades we met

obstacles

Handun Ella

Fall with the deep base pool

Side by falls

Young Man PHOTO : SRI

of fall ……..See the damn Dam???????????????

View from the Top

Surrounding mountains

After spending some time we came back to Kitulgala and had our lunch .Then we rushed to Makandawa which was close to Kitulgala Rest house

We said good bye tour SUMUDU and came to the river Bank (Thotupola) and waited for our boat. That is a famous bathing place too…….

A Notice board Photo ……….Sri

Here comes the Paruwa

Hi Hi ……………..fake Rowing………………………………………… Photo …………….Sri……..

We reached the other bank and walked 500 + meters to reach the ticketing office

Distance is nearly 3 times than the board mentioned

.

We reached the office and bought tickets. As I had informed about our arrival to Adavi Wan Niladari(Mr. Bandara) and Mr. hettiarachchi , the ticketing officer (Mr. UPALI) gave us the permission for camping near ATHA WETUNA WALA and gave us the directions to reach there.

office

Map – Click Image to Enlarge

Turned left from here

Katussa Photo Sri

Mushrooms

One of the streams we met

HA Ha…..Although notice board informs like that Mr.Tony had to put something rather than foot prints In The forest. So we named that place as TONBOOK DOLA………………..Ask Tony for more details

There is was a notice board indicating the directions to Lenkiriella .That was the easy access to the top of the fall. But Tony and Sri wanted some adventure so that we took another path to reach the bottom of the falls. We were ascending and descending for a while and finally after a steep descend we reached the base of Lenthiri ella

Lanthiriella

Adding to our toughness the path was not continuing after this .So we contacted Mr.Upali again and got instructions to reach the top of the falls somehow rather and to walk upstream to reach the camping site. So after tiring journey by creeping through bushes we reached the top of the falls. Then we walked upstream.

We took the difficult route (marked by arrows) to reach the top

Stream

Few cascades

Further walking upstream

Finally we reached the camping site

Let me explain about the camping site. It is well built and was enough to pitch two small tents. It’s bordered by the steam and the jungle. In between the camping site and the stream there was a huge rock surface where we could do cooking and putting campfire even for lay down and relax. There was a toilet with tap line. Also there was a summer hut mainly built for bird watching as I guess. And close to the summer hut there was a natural pool for bathing where the middle part is somewhat deep. That was one of the perfect camping places according to my knowledge as you get almost everything for a camper. Adding to that people who camped earlier had left nothing and kept the place very clean. What else you Want????

First we just kept our bags on the rock surface and rested few minutes. Then we pitched the tent. Then collected some firewood and kept in a separate place. Then came my favourite activity. BATHING….. The pool consisted of two mini waterfalls. Sri and Tony picked a safe place for bathing and I was swimming everywhere. It was a rewarding experience.

Stream was very closer

My Tent

Toilet is clean and There was a tap line

Summer hut

Etha WetunuWala……. I was at a small waterfall .This area was somewhat deep…..just above 2m Photo : Sri

Newly married couple picked a safe place to bathe Photo : Sri

Then we prepared some Nescafe and started the camp fire. Then we prepared noodles for our dinner. After the dinner we sat around the fire and started our talent show. We were singing and chatting and dancing under shade of the moon and shining stars till midnight. Poor Tony had to prepare Nescafe for the second time as Ordered and Pleaded by SRI. Then we went our tent for sleep refreshing the beautiful memories of the day

Camp Fire Photo : Sri

Tony and Me were cooking and Sri was Supervising as usual Photo : Sri

Enjoying the moment Photo : Sri

Next day we walked up around 6.00 and got ready after having morning tea and Bread sandwich paste for breakfast. We cleaned the place and left around 7.30.Thistime we picked the clear path through the jungle

At this junction we turned and walked nearly 1 km.

Trek

Some land marks

Vegetation was little different……..

As we didn’t find any interesting places we returned back through the same path and turned the other direction to reach the ticketing office. Meantime we found several other camping places but they were not well maintained as the place we camped.

More water streams

Another natural pool .Safe for bathing

We came to the junction where we took the wrong path lat evening. Sri is showing the easy access to the Lanthiri Ella. Tony is showing the path we took last day. But if you want some adventure never mind of trying it even…….

We traveled again in the path tony was indicating and after few meters we took the right path lead to abounded paddy field

Yellow–Easy path to the top of the Lanthiri Ella Red- Difficult path base of lenthiri ella Green- Paddy field

Paddy field

Hut Made for bird watching

Mountain covered with mist

At This place we met a Mother and her kids walking towards a nearby village as I remember it’s Pallebage .We talked with them for while and Sri Managed to get a nice picture of kid and the mother

So Natural BYE.. SIRI MAME……. Photo :Sri

Then we spent some time in the hut and came back to the previous junction. After traveling further down me met another junction and turned left to see Makulu Ella. Remember if you are coming from ticketing office Makulu ella is to your right hand side left path will take you to other places mentioned in the sign boards

Guide Tony is showing the path to Makuluella to a person who is coming from the ticketing office

After 200 m we had to turn right ( Name board was there) and took the foot path down ward. But to reach the Makul ella easily one should carefully turn right at a junction instead of going straight to meet visible stream. We Went straight????. So we had to come down stream and took another difficult path to reach the fall. After enjoying the view of we came through the original Path. Sri was annoyed and said “Why we took wrong and two difficult paths to meet the Lentiri and Makulu Falls “. I laughed and replied “Hey Man God has just given us a training prior to our next adventure “ELI HATHA – MALIBODA”

Tricky junction Don’t follow Tony…………………………………… Follow me Photo SRI

Makulu Ella

Base pool with crystal clear water … I wanted to jump in again But Cruel SIRI Stopped me

Close by By cascade………………….

Then we reached the office. Thanked Mr. Upali and came back to Kitulgala . We phoned and asked Sumudu to pick us near Kitulgala Rest House.

Good bye Makandawa…………..(Mr. Upali Is in the Middle) Photo- Sri

Coming back…………..Genuine Rowing ……….Egodaha Yanno ….Megodaha enno….Thawa Kawruda inne………Photo :SRI

Then We moved towards Manna Kethi Ella. When you are coming from Colombo There is a road to left ( very close to Kitulgala Bridge) called Malwatta Road. After Passing Malwatta and the temple and going for another 1km driver took us to a junction where road divided in to two parts. We took the downward path and parked the vehicle at a house. Then we took left uphill Road. After few hundred meters we reached another junction with a Tree trunk. We knew from previous articles Right path would take us to Base and left path would take us to the top. As there was no clear footpath towards down, we followed left path and reached the top of the fall. Then we came back to the previous junction and went down wards searching the base pool. That was some tiring journey. Noticeable land mark is after few hundred meters you find huge rock which is in the left hand side. Descend was so steep and after passing lots of obstacles such as fallen trees, bushes etc we reached the base of the fall. View was so splendid. Although her name is Mannakethi she was very beautiful .But the base pool was so deep.

So we did a short documentary about the falls too.After spending considerable time we retuned back

Junction…….We took the right path Photo :SRI

We parked the three wheel here and took the left upward path Photo :SRI

Now the last junction With The tree Trunk …………Tony is resembling the path to top of the fall and me to the bottom of the fall Which is in the shape of MANNAYA/ KETHTHA Photo :SRI

Base pool On the Top Photo : Sri

View from the Top

Here we see the MANNA KETHI Ella

Blade Of the Keththa

Handle (Kethi Mita)

Getting back also not easy. Tony got a cramp Photo Sri

Then We came back to Kitulagla and headed towards Beautiful Kataram Oya .To reach it you have to go towards Hatton .After about 1 km passing Beli Lena Junction we turned right and crossed a bridge and reached village on the other bank. From this village also there is an access to Makandawa. Then we moved up wards in the terrible road and reached a house and parked the three wheeler then descend to the Kataram Oya

It’s a collection of 6-7 natural water basins with mini waterfalls on most of them. It’s one of the places you must visit in Kitulgala . There was a foreign couple and a gang of local boys doing some adventurous sports .Only difference was local people did these without safety equipments

First part of Kataram Oya . You could see three basins. There were 4 more Photo Sri

Crystal clear water Photo Sri

Deep natural pools Photo Sri

We did not come here for bathing and didn’t bring extra suitor towels. But I couldn’t wait for more jumped in to water having only the same dressing as local boys wore. Oh my god that was so rewarding .I was looking for these kinds of natural pools for a long time as it’s thousand times better than chlorine water in artificial swimming pools. So I asked Sri whether he want to see some adventure like Navaratne Mama’s(Meemure) and requested him to take some pics of my adventure + stunt action ( Not to publish in the forum… but to keep as a souvenir in my computer)………………………………….…………………But this cruel evil photographer had some other intentions as he was busy on shooting foreign couple how they engaged in the sport. What to do…No Pics. of Me . But that experience is stored deep in my brain and when I ever close my eye I remember that holly experience .I Love Water…………. .

There were some other deep pools downstream with higher cascades. But we couldn’t reach those without safety equipments as there was no other way to reach them other than jumping in to the water. But those brave local boys approached with no safety kits and enjoyed best of it. So we finished our all shooting, bathing etc and came back.

Adventurous sports …Here they go…………… PHOTO SRI

Beauty is coming down PHOTO : SRI

They are safe with safety equipments PHOTO SRI

Cruel Photographer Photo Sri

On our way we visited the place where a Scene of “Bridge on the river Kwai “was shooted. According to our guide the depth of the river is more than 60ft at this point.

Around 3.30 p.m. we came back to Kitulgala, had a hearty lunch and got on to a Colombo bus. We all went our homes

Before 10.00 p.m. memorizing the wonderful journey we had.

Near the Wakkalama where Bridge on the river Kwai was filmed Photo Sri

Rafting Photo Sri

Good bye Kitulgala ………We are coming Back Soon Probably for Rafting Photo Sri

THANK YOU FOR READING.