🌿⛰️ Are you ready for one of the most adventurous hikes in Sri Lanka?
Nuwaragala is a hidden gem located deep in the Ampara District, offering stunning views, ancient ruins, and an adrenaline-pumping jungle trek. This hike is not for beginners—it’s a real wild adventure with elephants, bears, and tough terrain. But with the right guide and preparation, it’s an experience you’ll never forget!
Uncovering One of Sri Lanka’s Best-Kept Secrets
Nuwaragala is one of Sri Lanka’s hidden gems, a majestic rock mountain in the Ampara District. This hike is not for the faint-hearted, as it involves challenging terrains and encounters with wild animals like elephants and bears. However, with careful planning and the guidance of local experts, this adventure becomes a thrilling and rewarding experience. Here’s everything you need to know to go on this unforgettable journey!
Travel Plan
Colombo > Nittambuwa > Kegalle > Mawanella > Kandy > Teldeniya > Hasalaka > Ududumbara > Mahiyanganaya > Padiyatalawa > Maha Oya > Rambaken Oya Road > Pollebedda > Nuwaragala
🚌 Public Transport:
- Colombo to Ampara: Night bus departing at 10:45 PM on 13.03.2025 (Ticket: LKR 1,100 one way).
- Maha Oya to Colombo: Return journey at 3:45 PM on 15.03.2025 (Ticket: LKR 1,100 one way).
- Tip: Book tickets a day in advance for a hassle-free journey.
đź“Ś Bus Booking Information (Mahinda Express)
- Colombo Departure: 10:45 PM
- Ampara Departure: 3:15 PM
- đź“ž Call to reserve seats: 077-2592998 / 077-6905998
👨‍🏫 Guide Fees:
- Gunawardhana Aththo: LKR 1,000 per person – 076 3649442 (Gunawardhana Aththo, an indigenous leader with unparalleled jungle knowledge)
- Ayuwardana guide: LKR 1,000 per person – 076 9826267
- Piyal: LKR 1,000 per person
- Loku Aiya (Maha Oya): LKR 8,000 for the group
- Srilal – 076-6086702
- Vikum – 078-3873387
- Forest Entrance Ticket: LKR 250 per person (ask the guide to take the tickets before the hike day)
đźšś Transport Options (Maha Oya to the Starting Point):
- Tractor (Round Trip) – LKR 13,000
- Dimo Batta (Round Trip) – LKR 5,000
🧳 What to Pack
- Good hiking shoes
- Extra clothes
- Camping gear (tent, torch, sleeping bag)
- Food & snacks
- Camera 📸
- First aid
- Water bottles
- Power bank
The Trail and Challenges
- Crossed a wide canal with moderate water levels.
- Cross the wild elephant areas.
- The 9 km trail takes about 5 hours to climb.
- Physically manageable hike but highly risky due to wild elephants and bears.
- The final stretch was steep, with elephants using the same path.
⚠️ Safety Tip: If an elephant approaches, run back and hide in the jungle (as advised by our guide).
Thanks to Gunawardhana Aththo, we avoided danger—he calmly spoke to the elephants, allowing us to proceed safely.
🥾 The Hike to Nuwaragala
- Start from Pollebedda village (about 10 km from Maha Oya town).
- Hike distance: Around 9–10 km (one way).
- The trail goes through teak forests, so be cautious of wild elephants, foxes, and buffalo.
- Water sources are available at the base of the hill.
- The final few kilometers involve steep hiking through forested terrain.
- Reaching the summit takes a few hours.
At the top, you’ll find:
- A huge stone pond and small water pools (likely used by ancient residents).
- A fresh water spring.
- Wildlife presence (elephants and buffalo sometimes reach the summit).
- Lush greenery and rich biodiversity.
From here, you can see Mahiyanganaya, Ampara, Dimbulagala, Athbedda, and many other scenic spots. 🏔️
🌄 What You’ll See from the Top
At the summit, you’ll witness a breathtaking 360-degree view of:
- Pettigala Mountain
- Savula Hela
- Ethbedda
- Walasmountain
- Gal Oya Mountains
You’ll also clearly see several large tanks and reservoirs such as:
- Borupola Wewa
- Rukam Wewa
- Unnichchiya Wewa
- Weligahakandiya Wewa
- Nuwaragala Tenna Wewa
- Rambaken Oya Reservoir
The view stretches as far as the East Coast. If you camp overnight, the sunrise is truly unforgettable.
Camping at the Top
🏕 Campsite Details:
- A large cave at the summit provided natural shelter.
- Four tents can be set up easily, but there is space for two more in the cave.
- A lot more tents can be placed on top of the Nuwaragala Rock & near the pool area
đź’§ Water Availability:
- Post-rainy season: Several water sources are available.
- Dry season: Carry enough water as natural sources may be unavailable.
- There is also a huge stone pool and several small ponds. However, the large pool’s water is not suitable for drinking—it’s best used only for bathing or as a landmark.
🦌 Wildlife & Nature
Nuwaragala is rich in biodiversity. It has plenty of water and plant life, so you might see wild elephants, bears, and other forest animals. Be respectful and stay alert.
⚠️ Important Safety Tips:
- Be silent and stay alert—especially due to wild animals.
- Avoid shining torches into caves at night—some contain bats and Endemic birds.
- Be ready to walk about 10 km through jungle, muddy paths, and shallow streams.
- Do not pollute. Leave no trace. Take all your trash back with you.
- Be careful during rainy seasons — paths may have mud, water streams, or slippery rocks.
🏛️ Historical Background (Still Being Uncovered)
Although Nuwaragala’s full history is not officially confirmed, there are three main theories:
- King Saddhatissa may have started constructing religious buildings here but left them unfinished.
- Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thero believes King Lajjatissa, the son of King Saddhatissa, built these temples.
- Another theory links the site to Giri Nuwara, built by Prince Giri Abhaya, husband of Princess Soma, sister of King Kavantissa.
The mountain contains ancient stone walls, paved paths, drip-ledged caves, and even paintings believed to be from the time of King Saddhatissa or earlier.
đź’¬ Final Words
Nuwaragala is not just a hike — it’s an unforgettable journey through Sri Lanka’s natural beauty and ancient mystery. Whether you’re a hiker, history lover, or nature photographer, this spot offers a unique experience. 🌄
So go there, enjoy, take beautiful photos — but remember: leave no trace. Let’s protect this magical mountain for generations to come. ❤️🙏
Plan Your Adventure: Explore Our Interactive Map!
To make your journey even easier, check out our interactive map, where we’ve marked all these amazing destinations. Use it to plan your trip and discover more hidden gems in Sri Lanka!
To plan your trip with public transportation in Sri Lanka, visit Sri Lanka Railways for train schedules.
