Knuckles Duwili

Doovili Ella expedition.

Atanwela, Walpolamulla,Dumbara Ella, Kaludiya PokunaSansun Ella, Infinity Pool,Doovili Ella

The initial episode of this particular excursion is to reach Atanlwela hamlet located in Matale, Riverston. You have to take the Matale Hettipola road and reach this fascinating village from Rathhinda junction. It belongs to the Mathale district.

This is a very remote area and only once in a blue moon a bus can be seen plying between Raththinda and Atanwela.

Farming, animal husbandry and toddy tapping are among the chief occupations of the humble village folks of this rural area.

Massive Manigala hill erects right behind this colony. Once reaching Attanwela you can have a small break before

continuing on the Maningala and Walpolamulla road. You have to take the left turn from the three-way junction there and proceed further for about 4kms on a difficult rocky, hilly rugged path and then you will reach the partially abandoned Walpolamulla hamlet.

This remote village is an ancient encampment where a group of innocent people lived happily through modest means like agriculture,

hunting and toddy tapping. However due to the recurrent threats of wild elephants who storm this post, the villagers had been forced to abandon their birthplace and move elsewhere.

The Walpolamulla deserted paddy fields, once an integral part of the busy village life makes a nostalgic sight today. During the wet

season when the fields are abundantly full of water it would be worthy to take a snapshot there with water reaching up to your knees, and that sure would be a jewel among your collection of photographs. This vast, pleasurable paddy field is avantage point from where you could observe the paths leading to Dumbara Ella and Doovili Ella.

Likewise from Doovili Ella, Kaludiya Pokuna and infinity Pool observation points you can positively catch a clear sight of this enchanting filed. From this point you will be tracking till Kuda Oya which would be the destination for your lunch break.

You could also immerse your tired feet in the crystal clear cool water of Kuda Oya and enjoy a fabulous fish pedicure absolutely free of charge. The panoramic scenery you encounter during this expedition comprise massive, shady trees, glorious wild flowers peeping and smiling through the crannied stone ledges and herculean mountain tops rising up to the vast blue skies, the chilling

beauty of precipitous cliffs beckoning for adventure, grassy slopes, sweeping plains and emerald valleys that extend for miles which will arrest you on your tracks and make you wonder if you could possibly be living in a dream.

Blissfully bubbling streams and brooks naturally water this piece of paradise and meandering rivers running across to the ocean to gently lose themselves in its vast depth and splendor are wonderful gifts of nature. Waterfalls with their massive columns of silver tinted foam cascading from the crests of rocky mountain tops are a delight not only for your eyes but will give wings to your

stress and let it fly in an instant.

Mother Nature has been so thoughtful even to provide her own symphonies to keep you amused en route: the sweet melody of the chirping birds, murmuring of the flowing water and the subtle chimes of the mysterious forests carried by the

soft breeze will be divine music to your nature loving ears.

There are myriads of endemic plants and animal spices to be found in this habitat some of which are solely found only in this particular forest which makes this locale exclusive not only in the context of touristy but biologically too. After another strenuous hike of about one hour you will reach Dumbara Ella.

This stunningly picturesque waterfall will no doubt make it into the list of the best waterfalls you have ever experienced in your life. A massive column of water tumbling in a gush on to natural rocky basin will leave you simply mesmerized and you will be itching to take a break on the spot.

Hence we have chosen this quarter as our first camping site. After refreshing yourself with a luxurious bath from Dumbara Ella followed by a sumptuous meal and then it’s time to chill, sitting by a camp fire and indulging yourself with an interesting light hearted chit chat and a singsong all the while in full spectacle of this ravishing beauty Dumbara Ella which would be a once in a life time experience.

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It’ll be early rising next morning as we have much to do. We have to prepare and pack the midday meal too after breakfast, before setting off from Dumbara Ella. This part of trekking will be arduous and toilsome through a mountainous terrain.

This area is widespread with streams and brooks and the water levels of the same may fluctuate and decided as per the available rainfall. You will be reaching the alluring Kaludiya Pokuna, another destination on our agenda. Kaludiyapokuna

hides danger beneath her beguiling allure. Hence the need to be extremely cautious while observing and enjoying the splendor of the same.

The next task is to reach the Infinity Pool from Kaludiya Pokuna. This particular Infinity Pool is one of the leading among many that Knuckles range homes. It is a nature’s perfect masterpiece crafted purely in stone which is absolutely a poet’s delight. An ordinary soul may have trouble finding the apt words to describe the beauty of it.

From this spot after another session of trekking through the forests and rocky, hilly terrain you can reach the Doovili Ella. The amazing significance of this waterfall is the ability to view this waterfall from behind the curtain of water flow.

This is possible as there is a natural cave right behind the waterfall. The view of the waterfall from this point is spectacular and exclusive. During the rainy seasonthe droplets that spring from the waterfall sprinkle and spread around in a cloudof dust. Hence the tag ‘Doovili Ella’ . (‘Doovili’ is ‘dust’ in Sinhala.) You are likely to be awestricken by the beauty of this exceptional place; nevertheless, you have to be intensely mindful about your safety as the rock tops here are extremely slippery.

Beside Doovili Ella there is an appropriately prepped logging which would be our shelter for that night. You will be permitted to take a shower at a recommended safe station. After partaking the dinner prepared on the spot you can enjoy the

campfire. Spending a night at a cave in a deep forest in the knuckles range would be an ethereal experience for an enthusiastic nature lover.

Next morning we have to retract the entire 25kms we had advanced. Hence the need of ample rest for the required energy boost. It will be back to the base on the way next morning once we finish preparing breakfast and lunch and of course after taking breakfast.