Water fall hunting and white water rafting

It is a waterfall hunt around Maskeliya area, even though it was not the best time for it. We started at 5.00 am and the road towards Ruwanwella was through several rubber estates and it was a pleasant drive.

Early morning sun creeping

Road through rubber estates

After passing Yatiyanthota we stopped at Ingiriyawatte to see the hanging bridge. According to villagers this is the longest hanging bridge of the country with a length of 360 feet. There was another hanging bridge between Kalugala junction and Bodiragala junction.

Longest suspension bridge at Ingiriyawatte

Second one is smaller

From Bodiragala junction we turned left towards Lakshapana. After passing Laxapana power station we came to ‘Double cut junction’ where you can see the ‘Zero’ mile post.

Double cut junction

Zero Mile Post

Then we took the right turn along Sri Pada road about 4 KM to the turn off to Lakshapana fall. This road is very scenic along the seven virgins mountain range and you can also see Lakshapana fall along this road.

Lakshapana seen through CEB cables

On the way to Lakshapana

Scenic seven virgin mountain range

It’s tea on both sides of the road

Huge pipes across the road carrying water from Wimalasurendra Power station

We came across several ‘Peella’ along this road

From main road, you have to walk about 300 meters downhill to reach this fall. There are cement steps up to the base pool.

Steps down towards the base pool

Laxapana fall, was not in full flow

Then we came back to the main road and proceeded towards Nallathanniya through Maussakele.

Maussakele Junction

Maussakele Reservoir

After passing Maussakele reservoir we saw ‘Mohinie Ella’ just by the side of Nallathanniya road. Another two KM towards Nallathanniya we came to Moray estate.

Mohini Ella

Entrance to Moray estate

This road through Moray estate leads to few waterfalls and also to the famous ‘Fishing Hut’. You have to walk through a private land to reach these waterfalls and therefore you need to stick to certain days of the week.

Right turn will take you to Fishing Hut

Only on these days

There are three waterfalls on this route and even the locals were confused about the names of them. We took the left turn and witnessed the breathtaking view of the Gatmore fall falling into Maussakele reservoir.

Gatmore fall, falling into Maussakele reservoir, view from Moray estate

Moray estate tea factory

Gatmore fall

Gatmore fall zoomed

From Gatmore fall we walked further on a walking track for another 500 meters to reach Moray fall.

Walking track towards Moray fall

Moray fall seen from the walking track

Adam’s Peak fall was seen just next to the Moray fall.

Moray fall near the base pool

Adam’s peak fall

After enjoying these three beauties we came back to Nallathanniya road.

Tea collecting centre of Moray estate

Sri Pada seen from Moray estate

Our next destination was Aberdeen fall. We came back to Double cut junction and drove about 2 KM towards Norton Bridge. Just before the town we turned left along Kaluweldeniya road to reach this fall.

Observation deck of the aberdeen fall

Base pool seems very deep

Then we came to our hotel ‘Best life Adventure camp’ in Kithulgala. This place conducts training sessions for members of private firms and there was a group of about 50 people. Their last item for the day was a campfire and we also joined with them. There were few performances and finally we enjoyed a delicious BBQ to end the day.

Camp fire

Individual performances

Sing song

A magic show

Finally the BBQ

Next day morning when we got up there were some activities of the group going on.

Entrance to the hotel

Inside the hotel

Training sessions

Some adventures – Toddy tapping

After breakfast we went on white water rafting. We couldn’t take any pictures as we didn’t have a water proof camera. We were given life saving jackets and helmets and after a brief introduction we started the tour which is about 5 KM along Kelani River. My wife who didn’t join in this adventure captured few actions of our group, while we were passing the hotel.

Our group near the hotel

Just settled after passing the rapid

Stopped for a while near the hotel

Flat water rafting

It was a thrilling experience with full of fun and excitements. After several tumbles and collisions we reached the destination in about one hour. The last stretch of the river was flat and we were asked to jump out from the boat. We were freely floating with the flow of the river until we reached the end. Then we were taken back to the hotel in a lorry.

He was rowing alone

Coming back to the hotel, boat on top

Then I went on another adventure with my two sons. It is the confident jump and sliding. We had to walk about 2 KM from the hotel to reach this place. We were accompanied by Mr. Wanasingha and Mr.Pushpakumara as Guide/instructor

Crossing a stream

Getting ready, all fixed well

This place is called Kataran Oya which is a branch of Kelani river and there are several rock pools and several small cascades around this place.

The first rock pool

Another pool

There were many small cascades

Three of us jumped into the first pool

We had to slide on a rock with the water stream. You have to slide down and finally you will fall into the rock pool. Stream is only about 5 meters.

Instructions

and there you go

My younger son

Youngest out of all

It’s a real fun sliding down on a rock with the water flow. Then our guide said we must slide with the head down, which I refused vehemently, but my two sons wanted to do it.

With the head down

You must keep your head raised up

Then came the confident jump. There are several rock pools with varying diameters and depths. They have selected two basins for this adventure and first one is about 15 feet above water level. Second pool is more challenging and the height is more than 25 feet.

Confident jump

I was bit panic

My younger son straightway jumped without a second thought

After all these excitements and fun we came back to the hotel, fully drenched and straight away jumped into the natural pool and joined with the crowd there.

Had a cool dip with the crowd there

Other side of the river is a thick jungle, captured from the hotel

There were some acrobatics going on

very risky in between so many rocks

After all these fun and joy, we had a late lunch and came back home with some wonderful memories.