Solo Explorer: Belihuloya, Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Belihuloya

Belihuloya, Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

The Belihuloya (බෙලිහුල්ඔය) is another Sri Lankan city surrounded by waterfalls. It is situated in the Rathnapura District, Sbaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. It is 153 KM (95Mi) southeast of Colombo city and is situated at an elevation of 616M (2,021 ft) above sea level. Belihuloya is a charming and scenic little hamlet together with breathtaking scenery and its rich biodiversity. Belihuloya offers its visitors a look at traditional rural life as well as a host of other exciting excursions. Belihuloya is derived from the Belih Oya ("Oya" being the Sinhala word for river) which flows through the area.

Brief information about the Historical & Beautiful around Belihuloya

Kuragala Ancient Buddhist Cave Temple Complex - This is a pre-historic archaeological site & an ancient Buddhist cave temple complex dating back to the 2nd century BC iin Kalthota, Sri Lanka. According to the evidences found by archaeologists, Kuragala area had been used by humans belonging to the pre-historic period. From the excavations, archaeologists found stone tools, fossilized bone fragments and remains of a human skeleton which is believed to be aged more than 8,000 years. This site has been used as a Buddhist monastery during the period between 3rd century BC and the first century AD. At the summit of the Kuragala is a brick built Stupa which is now an archaeologically protected monument. The Stupa is considered to be belonged to the tradition of Akasa Chaithya which is a type of Stupa erected since the 7th century CE to serve as communication beacons giving directions.
Pahanthudawa Waterfall (Galagama Waterfall) - The base of this 4.6M (15Ft) waterfall is shaped like an oil lamp. The name Pahanthuda is derived from the Sinhala word “pahana” for lamp. It is located approximately 1.5Km (0.93Mi) from Belihuloya town.
Bambarakanda Waterfall – It is the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka which is 263M (863Ft) in height and ranks as the 299th highest waterfall in the world. It is located approximately 18Km (11Mi) from Belihuloya town.
Surathalee Waterfall - It is not actually a waterfall but a water-slip. The water slides down along a rock wall on the eastern slope of Mount Ellamana for approximately 20M (66FT), forming this water-slip. It is located 8Km (5Mi) from Belihuloya town.
Brampton Waterfall - The tributary of Weli Oya flows down the eastern slopes of Mount Papulagala forming several cascades among the trees of the surrounding monsoon forest. This fall is approximately 6M (20Ft) in height and is located amongst several other smaller falls. It is located about 10 Km (6.2Mi) from Belihuloya town.
Papulagala Waterfall - Located in the Brampton Estate Tea Plantation on the slopes of Mt. Papulagala. During the rains, A brook forms this waterfall which is about 30M (98 Ft) high. It is located 5 Km (3.1 Mi) east of Belihuoya at Lower Hiralouvah estate.
Hirikatuwa Oya - It is located about 4 Km (2.5Mi) from Belihuloya. Along the road to Non-Perial state about 2 km car park for this popular bathing place is also found.
Samanala Wewa (Samanala Lake) Dam - It is the second-largest hydroelectric scheme in Sri Lanka, generating 405 GWh of energy annually. The dam is located 9.4 Km (5.8 Mi) south of Belihuloya town.

Climate

Belihuloya has the tropical rainforest climate prevailing. It is usually warm, humid and rainy around entire year. The average annual temperature for Belihuloya is around 30°C (86° F) degrees and there is about 1800 mm of rain in a year. The best time to visit Belihuloya is from January to March and June till September then you will enjoy pleasant or warm temperature till mediocre rainfall. The highest average temperature in Belihuloya is 33°C (91.4°F) in April and the lowest is 20°C (68.0°F) in January.

How To Reach Belihuloya

Ø By Train:

Unfortunately, there are no train services available to reach Belihuloya.

Ø By Road:

If you are planning to travel Belihuloya from Colombo, Belihuloya is located in Between Colombo - Batticaloa road (A 04 Road) at the 95th mile post (153 Km).

Things To Do In Belihuloya:

Ø Hawagala Mountain Hike - Hawagala (Rabbit Rock) Mountain is located 4.2 Km (2.6Mi) away from the Belihuloya town & it's summit evolution is around 1400m. The vegetation is a mixture of montane forest and manna grasslands with scattered pine trees. The trail starts from the village of Landuyaya. The Hawagala Hill hike offers amazing views of fertility in the Sabaragamuwa Province. The climb to Hawagala is a bit difficult but the view of the summit is so amazing that it is well worth the climb.

Ø Hirikatuwa Oya Fresh Water Bath - This place is located 5Km (3.1Mi) away from the Belihuloya town. This is the one of the best place to have a safe bath in Belihuloya area. Water is very cold yet fresh. You can also enjoy a fish massage therapy while you are bathing. But Beware yourself during rainy season since there is a possibility of sudden increase in the level of water.

Ø Canoeing in the Samanalawewa reservoir - This reservoir is surrounded by vast and gorgeous mountains and is best known for the astonishing number of butterflies that can be found in the vicinity. You can see the breathtaking view of the Samalala Lake vicinity while canoeing.

Ø Cycling through the Kalthota - Kalthota area is a bit quiet area and you can freely do cycling there. A ride almost 1km by passing through breathtaking, diverse sceneries, different vegetation types, different communities, Samanalawela (Samanala Lake) reservoir and dam, Kuragala viewpoint, beautiful Kalthota pass with many hairpin bends, Duwili Waterfall, Kalthota irrigational canal & Elephant Corridors of Udawalawe National Park. It will be amazing experience for you.

Ø Camping at Wangedikanda Peak - The hike to Wangedikanda can relatively a tough climb that lasts about 3 to 4 hours. The hike begins following a stream of water supply to the village which separates and leads into the pine forest. From there, you will need to hike through the pine forest for about two hours. The pine forest ends at the beginning of a Manawa forest. The hike gets tough and steep through here with only tall tufts of grasses to hold on to. Finally, once you were reach at the peak, You will see that it is surrounded by a 360-degree vision of miles and miles of hills and valleys from either side each mountain mistier than the last.

Places To See In Belihuloya

· Bambarakanda Waterfall

· Brampton Waterfall

· Duwili Waterfall

· Galagama Waterfall (Kathi Gahana Ella)

· Hawagala Mountain

· Hirikatuwa Oya

· Hunugal Pokuna

· Kuragala Ancient Buddhist Temple

· Nagarak Waterfall

· Pahanthudawa Waterfall

· Papulagala Waterfall