Hunting cascading beauties around Ramboda

Another annual vacation, and as usual didn’t wanna miss out on visiting few cascading beauties in our paradise island. I had to wait for week as there were no significant rain fall around the hill country since I arrived. As soon as I heard there were few showers in Ramboda area called up couple of my close friends and packed up our bags and off we went.

We left Dehiwala picking up my 2 buddies around 3.30 PM and headed to Ramboda with few stops for a late lunch, tea and prayers. We reached Ramboda around 9 PM and Mr.Siriwardhana of Channa rest was there to welcome us even though we promised him that we’ll reach before 7 PM

Channa Traders (hotel & rest)

Mahaweli Maha Seya … as seen to the rest house

We started the hunt next day around 6.30 AM with Palagolla Falls which is located about 300 meters towards Ramboda from our rest house. The waterfall could be easily miss out if one travels from the main highway as it can be seen only through pine trees to the main road near 57th mile post. We went down through the pine trees to have a closer look and it was indeed a beautiful sight. Then we returned back to our rest house to have breakfast. There was a water stream behind the rest house which the cascading down point is hidden to the large trees and Mr Nimal who works at the rest house told us that the waterfall is about 50-60m. Not many has seen it. Only a few locals around the area including Mr Nimal has seen it. He offered us to guide us atleast to try and have snap of at least a part of it but we decided to keep it later in the evening if we get time and packed up the stuffs, left the place to visit the obvious ones.

Palagolla Falls seen from the main highway

Palagolla Falls

Palagolla Falls close up

The hidden falls behind the rest house

Kondegala .. over looking Ramboda village

Rambodagama village

After few minutes of drive we stopped by Puna Falls or the twin stream Poona Oya Falls which can be seen to the highway for a good 3-4 kms stretch. We stopped at a place where a new hotel is proposed to build and thought of getting closer as much we can to the falls from that point as a man near a roadside boutique encouraged us saying that the villagers goes near the base of the falls for bathing. So we decided to give a try.

After about ½ km of trekking through a mostly muddy path we came to a place where we couldn’t find any further way of gong closer to the falls. There were no one to ask and then after spending few minutes we returned back. There would have been another 1 km or so to the base of the falls from where we had to stop.

The path we choose to get to the base of Puna Falls

The closest we could see her

No way further

Puna Falls from the main road

Scenary around Ramboda

Little beauties

We passed by Ramboda Meda Falls which is close to the main road near the town and then had quick glance of the Ramboda upper falls which can be seen high up the mountains. But we had decided to trek uphill to the falls later during the day.

Then our next destination was Thevatura Falls which is located just passed the famous Ramboda tunnel on to your right. We saw few cascades from high up the hills before reaching the tunnel and upon inquiring we were told those are the upper level cascades of Thevathura Falls. While we were enjoying the beauty of the Thevathura Falls we spotted an upper level cascade which was somewhat hidden. We found somehow a small path to climb to the top of the lower Thevathura cascade and to the base of the upper level cascade. It’s a beautiful cascade about 10-15m in height but many miss out this cause its non visibility to the main highway. After spending few minutes of this un-expected beauty we came down and had some snacks from the nearby stall.

Thevathura Falls Upper cascades

Ramboda Meda Falls

Close up

Ramboda tunnel

The old Ramboda pass

Thevathura Falls lower cascade

Glimpse of lower middle Thevathura Falls from the main road

Thevathura Falls lower middle cascade

Close up

View of Puna Falls and Ramboda pass from top of Thevathura lover cascade

Then we went to the Ramboda Inn hotel to have a look of the gigantic Ramboda Pahala Falls. We were told that it was a dried out about few days ago but due to the rain fall to the area there was enough water on that day to impress us. Spent some time there and came to the town near the bridge where you get the steps towards the Ramboda Ihala Falls.

Ramboda Meda Falls view from the hotel

Upper level

From the base

The time was around 1.30 PM and a drizzle starts while we were about to trek uphill. As the sky was gloomy and a heavy showers around the corner we didn’t wanna take chance and searched for guide in case of an uncertain situation. We then found a person who came leaving his fruit stall aside to join us.

As expected the rain started pouring but it didn’t stop us to our destination. But rather un expectedly half way the journey the path was blocked cause few trees has fallen on the way. At that point we could see the top level of the falls and was desperate for a place to find away. Then our guide uncle took us to a huge rock on to the left side of the path which we had to climb even though it was slippery like nothing as the rain keeps falling heavily. We could see almost 80% of the falls from that point which was end of the day was a huge satisfaction for us. Then we came back to the main road in double quick time and did a clean up of ourselves in a “peella” close to the town.

1st glipmse

Ramboda Ihala Falls

The top level

Kothmale reservoir as seen on the way to Ramboda Ihala Falls

Ramboda Meda Falls on the way to Ihala Falls

They were all over

On our way back we had few stops to have a good look of the Gerandi Gini Falls. Due to the massive scale of the fall it can be seen in various places on the highway. But to have a complete view we took the Pundalu Oya road for 2-3 kms from Ramboda town. After spending some time enjoying the complete view of the falls we returned back to the A5 main highway. Then we stopped by close to Helboda to have a quick look at the infamous Delta Falls cascading silently close to the main road. We reached Gampola around 4.00 PM to have a late lunch and by 8.00 PM all 3 of us were at our respective homes after a highly satisfactory journey.

Gerandigini Falls from the main road

Gerandigini Falls

Delta Falls

Thanks alot for your time. Hope every one of you enjoyed it.