Nature Tours

The Knuckles mountain range is a standout scenic part of Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands and possesses some of the island’s most rugged, spectacular and breathtaking mountain landscapes. The mountain range spread out over 20,000 hectares of land comprises of 55 peaks. A unique aspect of the Knuckles Mountain Range is that it represents almost all major climatic zones in Sri Lanka. In 2010 it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Property, due to its outstanding value that reaches far beyond national significance.

Meemure is a small village located near the border between Kandy District and Matale District in the Knuckles Mountain Range with a population of about 400. Green paddy fields, crystal clear water streams and Lakegala mountain are key attractions in Meemure village. Residents of the village depend on several staple crops including pepper, cardamom, paddy and ginger.

Riverstone is one of the most beautiful hilltops of the knuckles mountain range in Matale, Sri Lanka. At Riverstone, the climate is cold and breezy when the clouds cover up the area. And sometimes it is so misty. Riverstone is very rich in bio-diversity with a large collection of fauna and flora which are endemic to Riverstone.

Horton Plains is a protected nature reserve in the central highlands of Sri Lanka characterized by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, forests, and grassland. This plateau at an altitude of 2,100–2,300 metres (6,900–7,500 ft) is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region.

Horton Plains is home to 24 species of mammal – such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine, and leopard. Large herds of Sri Lankan sambar deer feature as typical mammals and the park is also an Important Bird Area with many species not only endemic to Sri Lanka but restricted to the Horton Plains.

Laxapana is one of the most important waterfalls in Sri Lanka. It forms part of the source of energy for the water plant of the same name. Quite easy to get to by car and only requires a bit of a hike, Laxapana is a misty wonder over a deep base pool. The location of this waterfall is in the highlands, so the weather is a bit cooler than the coast.

Baker’s Falls is one of the widest in Sri Lanka, consisting of many little streams rushing down a rock face. Only a bit of a hike away from Horton Plains, this is an easy waterfall to visit. Beware that when it has rained the entire area becomes very slippery. The greenery is very pretty in this area, full of ferns and rhododendrons.

Bambarakanda is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka, towering at 263 meters over the base pool. There is no access to the pool but the downpour can be seen from a little road that climbs up the hill. Bambarakanda looks at its most impressive after the rains but is even harder to get to due to the mud.

Bambarakanda Falls, Kalupahana – Ohiya Rd, Sri Lanka

Ramboda Falls is 109 m (358 ft) high and 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 729th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Pussellawa area, on the A5 highway at Ramboda Pass. It formed by Panna Oya which is a tributary of Kothmale Oya. The altitude of the falls is 945 m (3,100 ft) above sea level.

With a peculiar appearance imparted to it by its formation in three continuous cascades this waterfall christened “Devon Falls” pours down to the valley beneath not a long distance away from its brother the “St. Clairs”. On the main road opposite to it, there is situated a modern tea centre finding its abode thankful to this “Veil ( Bridal ) of the Vale ( i.e. valley )”. Driving from Colombo, the capital, via Avissawella one suddenly catches this unearthly sight which is to be soon enhanced by the grandeur of the “St. Clairs”.

“St.Clairs” fall is close to the main road from Avissawella to Nuwara-Eliya and can well be seen from the Main Line rail track close to Talawakelle. It falls down in two cascades and is an inviting site for regular bathers because it is fairly easily reachable from a footpath ( actually there are many ) downhill through greeny tea shrubbery.

With an appearance and location which often make people believe that it is the highest waterfall in the island, this lanky “Diyaluma” waterfall pours its way down and flows towards Kirindi Oya underneath a bridge on the highway from Beragala to Wellawaya. The extent of water spilt downwards is so great during the rainy season that it makes amends for the monotonously undisturbed water trunk falling from head to foot with no intermediate cascade whatsoever. Its geographical location by one of the most used Highways spanning the Hill Country to the Plains speaks for its reputation not only here but in other parts of the world as well.

“Dunhinda” is one of the most spoken-about waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Although she couldn’t come even close to the highest waterfalls of the planet in height she rivals many of them when it comes to the natural beauty that it bestows on the environment. Situated about 2 km distance from the main road which runs to Taldena from the remote city Badulla in the Uva Province this is easily accessible and frequently visited by local and foreign visitors. On the way can be seen the “Kuda Dunhinda” ( “Kuda” means small in Sinhala ) which is the prologue to its mighty brother. In native tongue “Dun” means mist or vapour which is the ideal explanation for a waterfall creating wreaths of mist on its way down.