Searching for Rabbits on top of Havagala (1400m)

The map – Click Map to Enlarge

The mountain range and the path we took – Click Image to Enlarge

Finally the monsoons seem to be over and it was all what I needed to stretch my muscles a bit. Following my last visit to Ihala Galagama I jotted down the name of beautiful mountain range called Havagala which is linked to the Ravana folklore “The arrow released in war games by King Ravana is said to have pierced seven mountains and penetrated two more mountain peaks. This narrowed the gap between the two peaks at Hagala is said to be formed after been pierced by the arrow and the passage through the mountain is called the Ravana Passage”. We also got to know another story from a local, according to him “lord Buddha has considered to set foot on this mountain but because there was a dead rabbit on the summit the idea was deferred” Finally I decided to give it a try with Kasun who was ever so willing to participate

Havagala range

summit of havagala

So we got in to a Badulla bus at around 5.30am and reached Galagama junction around 9.30am on a Saturday morning. And after gearing up we found a trishaw driver from Ihalagalagama area who helped us a lot by directing us properly. After passing through the beautiful valley of Ihalagalagama between Nagrak and Havagala, we reached the end point of Laduyaya-Balangoda bus route. At this point one can easily appreciate Galagama/Kethigahana falls which is formed from Belihul oya. This magnificent cascade plunges down from Horton plains for more than 100 meters I guess and there are plenty of mini cascades downstream which can be clearly visualized to Havagala.

There is a small road which leads towards the tea estate which begins close to the bus halt. After proceeding along this path one needs to cross two small bridges to enter the tea estate. From the tea estate one needs to proceed towards the mana patch which is on the opposite side of a stream. From there onwards you need to continue towards the south that is while ascending. On this process we came across two main streams which needed to be tackled with caution but we were lucky enough to find the rock bridges prepared for the cattle to cross over. The view was simply splendid all the way and we were always facing Horton plains. Also the sight of Galgama falls cascading through the mist resembling Angel falls was something more than a bonus for both of us.

path towards the tea estate

note galagama falls falling from horton plains

after passing the tea patch

plenty of streams

rocks placed so cattle can cross over

horton plains

stunning

Galagama or Kethigahana Falls

The initial part of the “mana” had many pines trees here and there and we travelled further uphill in a zig zag manner while having few breaks. And the icy cool water from streams was like medicine for us. After crossing the last stream with a steep drop we had to take a tough uphill ascent and this seemed like an endless climb. Somehow we got to the top of the pines mixed “mana” patch and reached the mountainous forest where we came across a mini pond on top of the mountain where we rested a bit.

on the way through the pines

breath taking scenery

more to climb

Angel falls of Sri Lanka

a drop

the summit

altitude

a water collection

From here onwards it was altogether a different adventure for us. We had to enter the mountainous forest which was dark and cold but easy to tackle and within no time we found a path cleared of by DWC and followed it until we emerged out of it. Now we were at a place close to the summit and there were plenty of paths created by wild buffaloes to follow. After trekking bit uphill around another forest patch we came across a herd of Wild Buffaloes who was not happy at all to see us. We too were not happy to see them so we descended a bit and bypassed the summit to get to the southern edge of the mountain. To get to this point we had to descend further and climb up again to reach the most scenic point of the mount Havagala.

the path through the forest patch

no we didnt want to go that way

on the edge

view from the camp site

After reaching the perfect camp site we had some bread for lunch and pitched up the tent within no time because the weather didn’t seem favorable. After taking few snaps of the gloomy surrounding with disappointment we started to collect some firewood which was freely available. At around 3pm the rain came down and we were forced to move in to the tent and eventually fall asleep.

At around 5pm the rain had cleared off and the gloomy nature had dissolved so we started clicking around until the sun disappeared over the western cost. One can easily enjoy a 315 degree view at this point. The whole of southern Sri Lanka and the costal line could be seen if the weather is perfect. From left to right we saw the drop of Horton plains, Ihala galagama, Gommolli kanda, Non perial gap, Wangedigala range, Haputale, Beragala, Galagama, Sabaragamuwa university, Kalthota , Udawalawe, Samanala wewa with its dam, Sooriyakanda, Rakwana range, Kiribathgala at Pelmadulla, Rathnapura, Balangoda town, Pettiyagala-Rassagala range, Wewelwatta, Dethanagala, Denagama, Pinnawala areas and also the A4 highway. Within no time the weather got worse again and this time it was the mist coupled with cold tides that caused us problems. At around 8pm we successfully started a camp fire and enjoyed the warmth it produced. The last snaps of the day was Balngoda town lit up which was a fascinating sight per se. Though we went to sleep after having some roti the extreme low temperatures caused an intractable headache which I have never suffered before and guess what I had forgot to bring some Panadol tablets on this particular journey too.

its going to rain

collecting fire wood

towards passaramulla

a click

A4 high way

dam of samanala wewa

sabaragamuwa campus

towards denagama

just after the rain – Click Image to Enlarge

butterfly shaped samanala wewa

rays

wow!	towards Pinnawala

belihul oya junction

Dusk was awesome

my second home

evening moon

diffused

towards Pelmadulla

samanala reservoir zoomed

our camp fire

balangoda lit up

belihul oya lit up

Next day morning Kasun woke me up saying that the sun is planning to peep out of the horizon but both of us were bit reluctant to get out of the tent. Somehow the temptation drew us out of it and we were snapping around while shivering continuously. Kasun must have not felt the cold wind much because he was robed with a bed sheet . Now this is a good way to start a new year with some stunning scenery which cannot be second to any other. The mountain ranges at lower levels been covered with a thin layer of mist was resembling a cottoned floor. The rays of the rising sun gave a spectacular contrast to the “mana” which is worth a million bucks. Somehow both of us just couldn’t stop clicking around for some time to even have some cream-crackers with cheese.

dawn over balangoda

just before the sun peeped

breathtaking

dawn over belihul oya – Click Image to Enlarge

use of a bed sheet

super wow

samanala reservoir partially covered

misty belihul oya

almost there

here she comes

dawn at its best

towards Pettiyagala

searching for a early morning snack

colourful skies

Pettiyagala range

perfect wallpaper

simply awesome view

I love the shiny view

dethanagala kissed by cloud

sun shines over horton plains

non perial gap

mind blowing

rise up quickly

mist layer decided to thin off

rabbit dung

best place to camp

lush green belihul oya

plenty of mountain tops

towards rakwana

Balangoda town

towards hirikatu oya

towards wewelwatta

towards bagawanthalawa

rathnapura covered with mist

wow again

i couldnt stop clicking

another wallpaper

towards galagama

towards Nagrak

At around 8am we had to say goodbye to Havagala range and start our descent. On the way we stuck to a path close to the summit but again the wild buffaloes on the summit had different plans for us. This time they ran away but yet obscuring our path and forcing us to take an alternative route. Other than the wild buffaloes we only saw one female samber deer during our hike. Though it took 4 hours to climb up we did manage to descend back to the tea estate within 3 hours where we found an icy cold stream to wash away our tiredness! We were lucky enough to catch the Laduyaya bus to Balangoda from Galagama so we could get back home early. It was a 5 star strenuous experience for both of us for the new year, but I will cherish with some ever lasting memories of Havagala though we never so any Rabbits

they were plenty

grand fathers beard

on the way back

a perfect gap

early morning these white socked creatures were at the summit and they were not so welcoming

sun was too bright

bird life

mana plains of havagala

time for another snap

Bowitiya

a temple at ihala galagama

new life after rains

colourful

bonsai

never seen this one before

good bye Galagama