Mahaweli River

Mahaweli River

The Mahaweli River (Sinhala: Mahaweli Ganga; literally: The Great Sandy River)[1] is a 335 km (208 mi) long river, currently ranking as the longest river in Sri Lanka. Its drainage basin is the largest in the country, and covers almost 1/5th of the total area of the island. The river reaches the Bay of Bengal at the north-east end of Trincomalee. It continues as a major submarine canyon, making Trincomalee one of the finest deep sea harbors in the world.[2] Due to the production of hydroelectricity, the river is heavily dammed at multiple locations. The river is also used for irrigation, which had resulted to almost 1,000 km2 (386 sq mi) of land irrigated.[3] One of the many sources of the river is the Kotmale Oya.

Haggala Botanical Garden

Haggala Botanical Garden
10 km on the Badulla Road.The Garden was first established in 1860 under the curatorship of three Britishers of the same name - William Nock, JK Nocl and JJ Nock. It lies under the Hakgala Peak, between 5000-6000 feet in elevation - the highest set Botanical Gardens in the world. It boasts 100 year old Monetary Cypress trees from California, Japanese Cedars, Himalayan Pines and English Oak.
The Botanical Garden is first as a cinchona plantation and then adapted to an experimental garden for the acclimatization of plants from temperate zones in the tropics. Here can be found all the flowers of an English cottage garden in spring and summer, and much else besides - such as the oldest tea-bush in the island, an ornamental pond and quaint summerhouse. Hakgala (Jaw Rock) rises a sheet 1500 ft/460 meters and offers one of the most stunning views ever. Legend says it was part of the Himalayas carried here by the Monkey God - Hanuman in his quest to help God-Rama rescue Goddess - Sita from the demon king - Ravana. Sita-Eliya, site of Sita's imprisonment, stands a mere mile away, with the 'Sita Amman Kovil' close by.

The North West and Puttalam

The area north west of Colombo is a secret treasure trove of an area – long left untouched by mass tourism. Thinly populated by a fascinating mixture of cultures and religions, this area is beautiful and wild, with looming rocks rising sharply from the earth and dreamy wewas (reservoirs) with their circling storks and eagles and their beautiful water lilies.

The area has several nature reserves. The two most spectacular being the massive Wilpattu National Park and the Puttalam Lagoon. Willpattu is a vast park which re-opened as recently as 2003. Unique scenery and flora combined with a very healthy number of leopards make this park a fantastic and far less touristy alternative to Yala. To really experience this off the beaten track park an overnight stay is wonderful – Kulu Safaris offer a superb safari style camping option.

The Chilaw area is a fine birdwatching area as it is on the cusp between Sri Lanka’s dry and wet zone. The Anawilundawa reserve is a particularly good and remote spot. Get your driver to take you by this spot and simply wander at will – make sure you take plenty of water as there are no shops around here!

Puttalam itself is a melting pot of Moorish, Tamil, Christian and Sinhala cultures - with an interesting, frontier town atmosphere and some good food. As you head north from here the land becomes drier and sparser past the lagoon towards Kalpitiya. This area is becoming a draw with kite surfing and diving possible here in season.

Further inland there are two great nature themed places. The Mudhouse is a unique experiment in simple village style living coupled with boutique style. It is an eco-retreat near the mysterious and beautiful Paramakanda Rock Temple. Bicycles come with the room and exploring this rural area is a joy.

The area resounds with history and legend but two of the most interesting sites are the former and short lived capital of Pandus Nuwara (site of a local Repunzel like legend about a princess with long hair) and the rock citadel of Yapahuwa.

Between December and April, Alankuda is a truly exceptional destination - offering a remote beach paradise and wonderful dolphin watching opportunities,

An opportunity to see a part of the country that most people miss. You may wish to book our Undiscovered Sri Lanka Tour.