Cascades of Southern border of Sinharaja rain forest

Waterfalls of southern border of Sinharaja rain forest and Neluwa can be classified as follows

1. Waterfalls in Neluwa (4) – Thapolena Ella 1, Thapolena Ella 2, Neluwa/Kosmulla Duwili Ella, Thambalagama Duwili Falls
2. Waterfalls in Warukandeniya (3) – Aliboda Falls, Ratawal dola Ella (? Beraliyadola Ella), Beraliya Galanda Ella
3. Waterfalls in Lankagama (6) – Classic five waterfalls and Hathbinna Ella
4. Waterfalls in Pitadeniya (3)-Malmora Ella, Pathan Oya Ella/Wathugala Ella and Kakuna Ella.

• Waterfalls I couldn’t visit- Wadan Ella (වදo ඇල්ල) (Situated in Mawanana (මාවනන) area which is 2km away from Neluwa town towards Thawalama). Ellewela Falls (ඇල්ලේවෙලඇල්ල) (Situated in Mandalapura (මණ්ඩලපුර) which is in Mathugama-Neluwa road)
• Classic five waterfalls of Lankagama and waterfalls of Pitadeniya are situated within Sinharaja Rain Forest. Therefore need permission and guide to visit there.

Order of these waterfalls from Neluwa.

Order of these waterfalls from Neluwa

Waterfalls in Neluwa

Thapolena Falls 1 and 2 (තපෝලෙන ඇල්ල)

These waterfalls are situated within the premises of Sinhalena (සිoහ ලෙන) Buddhist Hermitage of Neluwa-Kosmulla road. You can notice the name board of this hermitage in left hand side when you travel from Neluwa along Kosmulla road. (Before popular Duwili Ella). Climb up about 1.5km till you reach the Buddhist hermitage. As the road condition is good, you can drive up to some extent.
The foot pathway towards Sinhalena hermitage branches at a junction where it goes upwards to Kande (කන්දේ) Wiharaya (left hand side) and Hermitage (Right hand side). Get the small foot pathway just before this junction towards the water stream. When you get down to the water stream you will notice Thapolena Falls 1.

Thapolena falls 1

It is a small waterfall with 4-5m height.

Directions from Neluwa-Kosmulla road. Red arrow shows towards Kosmulla. Black arrow shows the direction to Sinhalena Buddhist Hermitage.

Surrounding view.

Foot pathway in the hermitage.

Towards “Sinhalena Thapowanaya.” සිoහ ලෙන තපෝවනය

Towards Kande Wiharaya.

“Kande Wiharaya.”

Thapolena Falls 1.

View from above of Thapolena falls 1.

After visiting at Thapolena falls 1, you have to climb down about 20m to view Thapolena falls 2. This is bit risky thing to do. You can have only a pilot view of Thapolena falls 2. (Don’t know there is a foot pathway to the base of this waterfall.)

Thapolena falls 2.
This is 15m tall waterfall which is situated close to Thapolena falls 1.

White arrow shows the direction you have to go down.

Thapolena falls 2.

Thapolena falls 2. Unfortunately only lateral view could be captured.

Thapolena Falls 2. Prominent part.

If you ask from villagers about this waterfall they may not know it. Because they don’t use this name.

2. Neluwa/Kosmulla Duwili falls. (නෙළුව/කොස්මුල්ල දුවිලි ඇල්ල)

This massive and beautiful waterfall will come across at Kosmulla (about 7km away from Neluwa). It has three parts. Due to it’s popularity among tourists, they have made cement foot steps to reach the waterfall. There is a man made pool at ticket counter to have a bath.

First part of Neluwa/Kosmulla Duwili falls.

Neluwa Duwili falls-first part in full view.

On top of first part.

Steps to climb up.

Most beautiful part-2nd part.

2nd part in full view.

3rd part of Neluwa Duwili falls.

On top of 3rd part.

3. Thambalagama Duwili Falls (තඹලගම දුවිලි ඇල්ල)

This waterfall flows from Kabaragala Mountain and situated in Thambalagama area.
You have to walk/drive along the road where “Gramasewaka” house is situated about 1.5km. Then take the right hand side road which is situated in front of the last house of this road. This road will bring you to the water stream where the bridge can be noticed. Then you have to go upwards along the water stream about 100m till you reach this beautiful waterfall.
Before Kosmulla Duwili Ella becomes popular, this was the famous Duwili Ella of this area.
It’s height is 16m.

Well paved road to the water stream.

“The bridge” and direction towards the water fall.

Going upwards through Dola.

First glimpse of waterfall.

Thambalagama Duwili Ella.

Thambalagama Duwili Falls.

Only upper part.

What a beauty she is.

Waterfalls of Warukandeniya (වාරුකන්දෙනිය)

1. Alibodadola falls (ඇලිබොඩදොල ඇල්ල)

There are two Alibodadola falls-Alibodadola Ihala Ella and Alibodadola Pahala Ella. Once you enter the school road of Warukandeniya you will come across a board mentioning Warukandeniya-Alibodadola falls hydro power project. Follow the foot pathway closer to this board towards a tea patch first and then towards the water stream. Cross the water stream and you will come across hydro power plant. Take the foot pathway which is in behind the hydropower plant. It goes parallel to the Alibodadola.
After climb about 1km in this road you will come across Alibodadola Ihala Ella where they have diverted water.

Alibodadola Ihala Ella (ඇලිබොඩදොල ඉහල ඇල්ල)
This waterfall has few steps and main part is 8m tall.

Black arrow shows the foot pathway closer to the board.

Crossing the water stream.

Alibodadoal Ihala Ella- upper two parts.

Second upper part.

Alibodadola Ihala Ella-lower part.

Two parts of Alibodadola falls shown here.

When you come back in the same foot pathway about 50-100m, Alibodadola Pahala Ella can be viewed through trees. Follow the foot pathway down to the Alibodadola from main pathway and then climb up towards the waterfall.

Alibodadola Pahala Ella (ඇලිබොඩදොල පහල ඇල්ල)
It is about 5m in height.

Black arrow shows Alibodadola Pahala falls. Have to go along the Alibodadola to reach the waterfall.

Alibodadola Pahala falls.

Beauty.

Alibodadola Pahala falls.

Alibodadola Pahala Falls.

2. Ratawal Dola Falls/? Beraliya Dola Ella (රටවැල් දොල ඇල්ල/?බෙරලියදොල ඇල්ල)

This waterfall is also situated in Warukandeniya. You have to walk along the school road of Warukandeniya about 1km till you reach the temple. The Hydropower house can be seen close to the temple. Take the foot pathway from there towards the waterfall. (We were guided by a kind villager and Buddhist priest of the temple. Thanks for them). Better clarify the pathway from nearby villagers.

This is 6m high waterfall.

This is Beraliya Galanda waterfall. Not Ratawal dola fall. This is seen when you start the walk.

Ratawal dola falls.

Ratawal Dola Waterfall. Another view.

Ratawal Dola Ella-Through bushes.

Villagers are not using this name-Ratawal Dola. They basically say “waterfalls in Beraliya Dola” for all these waterfalls (Ratawal Dola Ella and Beraliya Galanda Ella). Therefore you might be confused if you search these waterfalls by it’s name.

When you go down along the Beraliya Dola, Beraliya Galanda falls will be come across. (Be careful in getting down along the water stream).

3. Beraliya Galanda Falls. (බෙරලිය ගල් ඇන්ද ඇල්ල)

This is 5m tall waterfall.

Beraliya Galanda Ella-side view.

Beraliya Galanda Falls-front view.

“Pus Ata” පුස් ඇට

Looking away.

Now it is a historical monument. This hydropower plant has been shifted away.

Waterfalls in Lankagama

Classic five waterfalls- Can be entered from Lankagama ticket counter.

1. Lankagama Brahamana Ella ලoකාගම බ්‍රාහ්මණ ඇල්ල (17m)

This is the first waterfall you can visit and can be seen even over the bridge of the road. This is made by Hariyawa Dola. Following this, Hariyawa Dola (හැරියාව දොල) flows further to join with Gin Ganga (ගිo ගග) . It is named as Brahamana Ella due to fallen of “Brahamanaya” from top of this waterfall.

Lankagama Brahamana Ella-Side view.

Lankagama Brahamana Ella-Front view

Lankagama Brahamana Ella-Distance view

Directions-Red arrow shows direction to Lankagama Brahamana Fall. White arrow shows direction to other four waterfalls.

Joining of right and left branches of Hariyawa Dola. Water is diverted from here to hydro power production.

Crossing of right branch of Hariyawa Dola. Our guide said this as the Sinharaja Dola and other part as Hariyawa Dola. Don’t know whether he is correct.

2. Lankagama Thattu Ella (ලoකාගම තට්ටු ඇල්ල)

As this waterfall flows in 2-3 steps it is called Thattu Ella. It is about 10m high.

Thattu Ella-Full view.

Thattu Ella-Upper part.

Hariyawa Dola-left branch following flow of Thattu Ella.

Thattu Ella-Lateral view.

3. Lankagama Duwili Ella. (ලoකාගම දුවිලි ඇල්ල)
This 23m height beautiful waterfall is made by the right branch of Hariyawa Dola.

First glimpse of Duwili Ella.

Closer view.

These trees were at top of the waterfall and dropped down due to fast flow during rainy season.

There is a small cave at the base of the waterfall. Arrow shows it. The “Brahamanaya” who has fallen from Brahamana Ella, has lived here. It can be reached from the base of the waterfall.

It is in monochrome.

4. Gal Oruwa Ella (ගල් ඔරුව ඇල්ල)

This unusual shape water fall has 40m height. It is made by the left branch of Hariyawa Dola. There is an observation flat form to watch the waterfall.

Gal Oruwa Ella. Difficult to capture it’s full length.

Gal Oruwa fall.

View of Lankagama Uranwatuna Ella from Gal Oruwa fall.

5. Lankagama Uran Watuna Ella (ලoකාගම ඌරන් වැටුන ඇල්ල)

This 20m tall waterfall is situated just above Gal Oruwa waterfall, formed by right branch of Hariyawa Dola. It’s base is full of slippery rocks. Therefore the best view can be taken from the observation flat form at Gal Oruwa fall. When you reach the top of the waterfall you can watch another two beautiful waterfalls above Lankagama Uran Watuna Ella. (Our guide called them as “Nuga Deka Ella” (නුග දෙක ඇල්ල). But no waterfall exists like that).

Lateral view of Uran Watuna Ella. To get this view you have to go closer to the waterfall through bushes on your way up to the waterfall.

Another side snap of the waterfall.

On top of Uran Watuna Ella.

The base of the waterfall and Gal Oruwa fall.

The left branch of Hariyawa Dola forms another two beautiful waterfalls above Uran Watuna Ella.

6. Hathbinna Ella (හත්බින්න ඇල්ල)

This 6m tall waterfall is made by Gin Ganga when it takes a bend at Nilwalla (නිල් වැල්ල). It is such a wide waterfall. You have to cross Gin Ganga close to Lankagama ticket counter and follow the foot pathway to view this waterfall.

Used to cross Gin Ganga.

Gin Ganga-It’s muddy colour due to yesterday heavy rain.

Foot pathway goes through the tea estate.

Direction to get a clear view of the waterfall, towards the bank of Gin Ganga.

Full range of Hathbinna fall.

A part of Hathbinna fall.

Waterfalls of Pitadeniya

To reach waterfalls of Pitadeniya, you have to walk towards the bridge between Pitadeniya and Lankagama and have to cross Aranuwa Dola (ආරනුව දොල).

1. Pathan Oya Ella/Wathugala Falls (පතන් ඔය ඇල්ල /වතුගල ඇල්ල)

You have to walk about 1.5-2km to reach Pathan Oya fall from Pitadeniya Conservation center. This waterfall has 16m height and it flows in few steps. It is bit difficult to reach to the base of the waterfall.

The bridge over Gin Ganga at Pitadeniya conservation center.

Gin Ganga is getting number of branches from rain forest.

The foot pathway through the rain forest.

Our guide Jayantha and Wuminda.

The place called “Wadi Dola”( වාඩි දොල). Nice place to rest. But leeches didn’t allow it.

“Wadi Dola”

Good morning!

The junction. Black arrow shows the way we came. Green arrow shows the pathway towards Pathan Oya fall (300m). Yellow arrow shows towards Kakuna fall (1200m).

Work of Jumbo.

Pathan Oya falls.

Closer view.

Another view of it.

2. Kakuna falls (කැකුණ ඇල්ල)

As Kakuna trees are abundant around this water fall, it is called Kakuna Ella. It is 11m high and has 5m width.

“Gona Thuththiri” Area (ගෝණ තුත්තිරි මණ්ඩිය)

“Gona Thuththiri”

.	Rising up…..

First glimpse of Kakuna falls. To reach Kakuna falls then have to cross the water stream. If water level is high it is not possible.

Kakuna falls with it’s base.

Kakuna falls-Closer view.

At it’s base.

On top of Kakuna falls.

Following the waterfall.

3. Malmora Ella (මල්මොර ඇල්ල)

This 30m tall waterfall is situated within Sinharaja rain forest and need about 2.5-3km walk into the forest to view this. This foot pathway is highly infested with leeches.

Distance view of Malmora falls.

Closer view.

Another closer view.

Malmora falls in full length.

End result of the journey.

Cascades of Gall District.

Above mentioned waterfalls are belong to Galle district and situated closer to Sinharaja rain forest. It covers large number of waterfalls in Galle district. Other waterfalls of Galle District are

1. Andahalena Ella (අඩාහැලෙන ඇල්ල)
2. Waterfalls in Kanneliya Forest-Anagimala Falls (අනගිමල ඇල්ල), Narangas Ella (නාරoගස් ඇල්ල) and Manamala Dola falls (මනමාළ දොල ඇල්ල)

Anagimala Ella.

Narangas Ella.

Pitadeniya Conservation Center

There are 3 accommodation options at Pitadeniya Conservation Center.
1. “Wana Niwahana” (වන නිවහන)
2. Gin Ganga Sewana (ගිo ගග සෙවන)
3. Wanigasekara Memorial Home

“Wana Niwahana”

“Gin Ganga Sewana”

Wanigasekara Memorial Home.

Historical Information.

Pitadeniya Office.

Lecture Hall.

Educational matters.

Samples of plants.

Kitchen and dining hall. Their foods are tasty.

Thank you for reading.