After a restful night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we set out with eager hearts and renewed energy to conquer the Pekoe Trail 02 from Galaha to Loolcondera, a distance of 14.6 kilometers. Known for its ‘moderately challenging’ terrain and breathtaking vistas, this trail was divided into two sections: Galaha to Deltota and Deltota to…
Category: Sri Lanka
Stairway to a Stronghold. Yapahuva Sri Lanka
It is the steep and formidable stone stairway that makes this fortress unique. The stone steps are narrow (in width) and are at a 70-degree angle reaching up to a height of about 92m (300ft). Although I am not scared of heights, I am careful climbing up because a misstep would mean an unnecessary tumble….
Ancient Architectural Wonders. Rajagala Monastery. Sri Lanka
Imagine over 500 monks living and meditating silently in a thickly forested, 1,600 acre, mountainous monastic retreat which has architecturally faultless waterways, drip ledges, stairways cut into stone, naturally ‘air conditioned’ caves, toilets, monuments, artefacts and other cool stuff. Now imagine all this happened over 3000 years ago! This is Rajagala, a sprawling Buddhist monastery…
Star Beds and Bush Baths. Belihuloya Sri Lanka
COVID-19 disrupted a lot of my travel plans throughout 2021. The frequent lockdowns and travel restrictions meant that pre-booked destinations had to be postponed indefinitely. One of which was my trip to the Ahaspokuna in Belihuloya where I was to go in April 2021. Now, nine months later, I am finally on my way. There…
One of a Kind. Kudumbigala Forest Hermitage Sri Lanka
It is easy to miss the inconspicuous turn off to the Kudumbigala Archaeological Site on the main road en route to the entrance of the Kumana National Park. However, the Kudumbigala rock can be seen from this far, standing like a sentinel overlooking the Park below. Even from this distance, the ancient cylindrical dome can…
Loving the Lichen. Sinharaja Rainforest Sri Lanka
Scrambling through the Sinharaja Rainforest is not just about plucking slimy leeches off my clothes. Once I perfect the art of annihilation or flicking them away, it is good to enjoy and appreciate the amazing foliage around me, especially the colourful and intricate lichen. The Sinharaja Rainforest is an amazing bio hotspot and unique lowland…
Where Aliens May Have Tread. Danigala Rock Sri Lanka
It’s 5:30 a.m. and the lobby of the Deer Park Hotel is buzzing with excitement …or is it anticipation? Today we try to summit the much-talked about and carefully planned hike to the top of Danigala. This rock is also known as the Alien Mountain because of its unique semi-circular shape caused by geological activities…
Sri Nagala Rajamaha Viharaya. Cliffhanger at Nikawewa. Sri Lanka
There are four vehicles with 20 excited travellers, all prepped and ready for a weekend of serious climbing. We leave Colombo at 4:30 a.m. and journey on the Minuwangoda – Giriulla – Narammala – Wariyapola – Maho – Madagalla road towards Nikawewa. Our first stop is the Sri Nagala Rajamaha Viharaya, that lies at the…
Morningside of Sinharaja Rainforest. Suriyakanda Sri Lanka
Having visited the majestic Sinharaja Rainforest from the Pitadeniya entrance just last week, this weekend we are on our way to Morningside. I’ve heard too much about this side to miss this opportunity. Morningside is in the eastern side of the Sinharaja, hence named by colonial tea planters of the Lankaberiya Estate. It is located…
Chilling at The Ark. Matugama Sri Lanka
Looking for someplace closer to Colombo to travel to, I stumbled upon The Ark in Matugama. The journey along the Southern Expressway was less than an hour and yet the steep climb in the latter part of the trip makes it seem as if I am in the central province. The narrow winding road climbs…
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