Upper Bomburu Cascades / ඉහළ බෝඹුරු ඇලි….

Bomburu Ella is one of the widest cascades of Sri Lanka (might be the widest), situated in Badulla district. It is formed by a main tributary of Uma Oya, called Duulgolla Oya (දූල්ගොල්ල ඔය) / Bomburu Ella Oya (බෝඹුරු ඇල්ල ඔය) in metric map (named as fort McDonald River in colonial age). When I first visited at Bomburu Ella in 2014, I was able to reach the top of Bomburu Ella and noticed another beautiful waterfall with a base pool. Ashan has trekked Bomburu Ella from Bomburu reservoir at Nuwera Eliya and found eight waterfalls situated above Bomburu Ella including the one I have been in 2014.
I also wanted to do this journey from Bomburu reservoir to Bomburu Ella with enjoying eight cascades.

It is bit problematic to visit at uncommon places due to current situation of the country as everyone look in suspicious eyes at big back packs. But it is so difficult to be at home in a free weekend as I am used to travel in every weekend.

Shen who is a new chap for travelling, joined with me this time to travel to Nuwera Eliya. We have selected mid night bus to reach Nuwera Eliya around 5.30am. After having few snacks from Nuwera Eliya town we got into a bus to reach Boralanda in Udupussallawa road.
My plan was to reach Bomburu reservoir from Boralanda as it is much easier to reach their by bus. We started to walk from Boralanda but didn’t get questions from anyone as most of villages were sleeping. With aid of Google map we were able to reach Pedro scout camp road. We have crossed another beautiful waterfall just before reach the road.

First waterfall of the day. I had only lateral view of this waterfall.

It is about 10m tall and flows to Bomburu Ella Reservoir.

Pedro scout camp road goes through a Eucalyptus patch. It ends at Bomburu reservoir which is built across Duulgolla Oya to supply water to area. This area was considered as a shooting area of Nuwera Eliya. Pedro scout camp (as it is situated closer to Pedro estate) is situated just beneath Bomburu reservoir.

Pedro scout camp road goes through Eucalyptus patch

Bomburu reservoir is built across Duulgolla Oya. Initial purpose of this lake was to supply water to Welimada area.

It is a shooting area of Nuwera Eliya

After got disturbance by Bomburu Ella reservoir, Duulgolla Oya / Bomburu Ella Oya re starts it’s journey to join with Uma Oya. There is a clear road at right side of the stream, parallel to it.
This road was used for logging in old days but it has been abounded for a long time. So next part of the journey was to walk along this road which ends as a foot pathway. According to Ahsan’s measurement it is about 5km walk along this road which runs at the slope of Oya. As Google map doesn’t show significant waterfalls at this section we didn’t try to get into the river while walking. (Actually all these waterfalls are situated closer to Bomburu Ella.)

Initially we were bit confuse in finding the entry point of this road. Here Chamara came for my help over the phone and mentioned it is just a by road before the reservoir but we were not able to find it. We followed the right side of the river and luckily found the road after certain distance. At beginning it was a walk under Eucalyptus trees. Later we have entered the forest cover of Kandapola reserve. We had enough rests and noted number of stream crossing the road to join with Duulgolla Oya / Bomburu Ella reservoir.

At beginning it is a clear road.

Eucalyptus were the main trees

Posing…

This is Kandapola forest reserve

Eucalyptus patch is over.

Giant spurn

Bends of the road has grass covering….

Gradually road becomes a foot path

.	සුදු රැවුල

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This road gradually becomes a foot pathway and disappeared at the end. We have checked the Google map and understood this as the point to descend to the river. After about 500m distance, we have reached top of 1st waterfall. It was the beginning of waterfall section. First and second waterfalls are situated closer to each other. As the water level of the river is fairly low we didn’t get the full picture of waterfalls. We followed the right side of Duulgolla Oya and reached base of second waterfall. Both first and second waterfalls were cascades with few steps.

Summary of the journey: white line shows approximate path from Boralanda to scout camp road. Then we followed right side of Duulgolla Oya.

On top of first waterfall

At base of first waterfall

Waterfall No. 01. This is about 15-20m in height.

Waterfall No 01.

Waterfall No. 01.

With second waterfall

Waterfall no.02. This is about 25m tall.

Waterfall no.02.

A part of waterfall No 02.

A part of waterfall No 02.

Second waterfall

After second waterfall there was a huge drop towards the base of third fall. Here we had to go up in the forest and then descend to the base of third fall. This was time consuming and no other option to reach base of third falls. As Ashan mentioned, third fall is the largest out of all and bigger than Bomburu Falls as well.

Third waterfall is seen when we descend…

Giant third fall. Upper section of the fall is not seen here. Note it seems taller than Bomburu Falls.

Lower part of third waterfall.

Lower part of third waterfall.

At base of waterfall No. 03.

After the hard trek along right side of the river, we had a long rest at the base of third fall. Though Ashan has crossed the stream at this point, we have decided to follow the right side in rest of the journey. In about 500m downstream walk, we have reached top of fourth water fall. It was not difficult to get down along the waterfall as water level was low. After enjoying 4th cascade it seems bit difficult to follow the right side of the stream. Then we have changed the trek to left side and reached next waterfall.

Top of 4th waterfall.

Water fall No.04.

Water fall No.04.

Water fall No.04. This is about 10m tall waterfall.

Shen with fourth waterfall.

Lower part of 4th fall with it’s base pool.

I was bit confused about the 5th waterfall as the next one was not tally with the picture at Ashan’s report. But later I realized I was at the middle of 5th fall and he has taken the picture at the base of the fall. When we were getting down along 5th fall weather was changed and rain started. But it lasted for 15-20minutes.

When we were at middle of 5th fall.

Middle of 5th waterfall

A part of 5th fall

A part of 5th fall

Fall No.5 from it’s base

Fall No.5 from it’s base. But this picture is different from Ashan’s one due to low water level and direction.

At the middle of 5th fall we have changed the trek to right side again and reached the base of waterfall No.05. The sky was getting black now and signs for another rain was there. We have rushed to reach 6th waterfall. Waterfall No.06 has two parts in my observation. After the rain it seems active.

Waterfall N0.06

Waterfall N0.06 with two steps.

Waterfall N0.06.

Waterfall N0.06.

On the way to 8th fall (the one just above Bomburu falls) we have missed the 7th fall. Appearance of Eucalyptus patch means we are closer to Bomburu Ella. There was a descend from Eucalyptus patch to the base of 8th fall with aid of short bushes. While in the descend rain started cats and dog. We ran back under Eucalyptus patch and waited rain get settle. It lasted about 45minutes and we were drench soaked with rain at the end. It was bit challenge to reach the base of 8th fall with slippery rocks.

On top of 8th water fall.

On top of 8th fall.

Two drops: Drop of 8th fall and drop of Bomburu Fall. This is the base pool of 8th pool.

Waterfall No.08. Note it also has two parts.

Waterfall No.08.

Though I have reached top of Bomburu Falls from bottom, I couldn’t remember the exact pathway. We have spent a time to find a way to getting down from top of Bomburu Ella. Here Shashi came to help me over the phone. When you stand at base of 8th fall with facing the last fall, there is a fainted foot path on top of Bomburu falls towards the forest patch in your left hand side. (Later I reminded this is the way I managed to come to the top of waterfall) Descend from top of Bomburu Falls was bit time consuming and we were able to reach the base by 4pm. So we have spent 10 hours for whole journey from Boralanda to base of Bomburu Ella.

How it starts…

Bomburu Falls.

Bomburu Falls.

Bomburu Ella. This was captured in 2014.

This is our waterfalls sketch at the end. Appreciate the drop at WF No.03. Then WF No.07 must be below 6th fall. Click image to start.

After getting refreshed from Bomburu Falls we have walked to Bomburu Ella village. On the way we had some Roti and tea from a small boutique. We got a three wheel from Bomburu Ella village to Rendapola junction to get a bus to Nuwera Eliya. It ended another successful waterfall journey.

Thanks for reading.