Laxapana Falls - 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka...

Hidden among the thick wilderness of the Saptha Kanya (Mount Saints) mountain range, the Laxapana Falls is a ferocious cascade of water that never ceases to amaze the traveler passing by. Towering high at 126 meters, the falls are considered to be one of the more picturesque falls in the country due to its lush green surroundings and a stunning view of the countryside, which can be witnessed at the top of the falls, making it an ideal observation deck to view the natural splendor of Sri Lanka. This is the 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 625th highest waterfall in the world.

You can reach the top and bottom of the waterfall but its highly recommended to go with a guide. This is located in the Nuwara-eliya district, 16 k.m away from Maskeliya town on the Maskeliya - Norton bridge road, in a village called Kiriwan -Eliya.

Peacock hill - Pussellawa

Peacockhill Mountain is the highest peak in Pussellawa - Sri Lanka (1513 meters above sea level), rising only 200 meters above the Pussellawa city. Peacock hill is easily accessible by using the roads across the villages.

Peacock Hill Mountain is one of the most panoramic vantage points of Pussellawa which gives an extraordinary view of the most mountains and cities around where you could absorb the beauty of Gampola town, Pussellawa town, Ambuluwawa, Dolosbage mountain range, Nawalapitiya town, Nuwara-Eliya town, Pidurutalagala range, Kotmale reservoir & Bible rock.  A traveller would have a wonderful time walking up the hill in the midst of the immaculate Pussellawa atmosphere.

Sri Lanka Blue Magpie - Iconic bird in Sri Lanka - Rare Endemic

The Sri Lanka Blue Magpie is a member of the crow family, which lives in the rainforests and highlands of Sri Lanka and is one of the island’s 33 endemic species

The Sri Lanka Blue Magpie is around the same size as the European Magpie at 42-47 cm, the adults are bright blue with chestnut head and wings, and a long white-tipped tail. The legs and bill are red. The young bird is a duller version of the adult. The Sri Lanka Blue Magpie has a variety of calls including mimicry, a loud chink-chink and a rasping krak-krak-krak-krak.

This is a species lives in dense wet evergreen temperate rain forest, heavy virgin forests of the mountain areas and wet zone foot hills. Their numbers are declining due to the loss of habitat.

It is scarce and usually shy, but locally common and bolder. It associates in flocks up to six or seven, but pairs or solitary individuals are sometimes met with and can also occur in mixed species feeding flocks dubbed as bird waves in Sinharaja. A very energetic, agile bird, most of its time is spent in searching for food among foliage at all levels from the ground to the tops of tall trees. It is largely carnivorous, eating small frogs, lizards, insects and other invertebrates, but will eat fruit.  The breeding season is in the first quarter of the year, so far as is known, but the nest has seldom been found. The nest resembled a small crow’s nest. It is very well concealed among small twigs and foliage near the top of the tree. The eggs number three to five.

The trails in the Sinharaja Rain Forest, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Horton Plains National Park, Makandawa Forest reserve are the best places to see this colorful endemic.

The Sri Lanka Blue Magpie is classified as Vulnerable (VU), considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Kota ganga waterfall in Knuckles Mountain Range

The Kota Ganga Ella Falls (Kota Ganga Ella) is a cluster of cascading waterfalls in Knuckles Mountain Range in the Kandy District. The cluster consists of at-least 7 major segments totaling probably over 100 meters in height. The cluster of waterfalls lies deep inside the jungle with no established trail and other trails known by the villagers. Also there is no full view point for this waterfall.

Trekkers can reach this waterfall from Thangappuwa village. The hike is approx. 5.5km uphill walk. It’s highly recommended to go with a guide who knows the directions well to the fall.

Bird wave in Sinharaja - Largest bird wave in the world...

One of the major features at Sinharaja is the presence of bird "Feeding flocks". These flocks give life to the forest which under normal conditions is silent and uneventful. It is also the highlight of bird watching in the forest. Most of the birds that one desires to see are seen in these flocks. Studies on the feeding flocks initiated in 1981 have continue to date. This has resulted in the feeding flocks of Sinharaja the most studied group in the world.

Since 1981, 186 bird species have been seen in the reserve, including 104 nonraptorial, diurnal, forest species. A flock is generally considered to be any association of "two or more species moving in the same direction", and a feeding flock was one where this movement was associated with feeding. Any bird or mammal seen moving with the flock at some point during the observation period was recorded as a participant. This inclusive definition meant that some animals in fact generally unassociated  with flocks, but moving by chance in the same area and the same direction, were included in the flock record. 

A total of 476 flock observations have been made up to date. Of these 298 has information on the total number of individuals in the flock. Analysis of the results has provided some very interesting information.

Flock averaged 11 species. In total, 59 bird species were seen in the flocks, including 18 endemic species. There were 21 (9 endemic) found in more than 25% of the flocks. This level of species presence in a flock is referred to as "regular". Flocks averaged around 42 individuals. 

Experiencing traditional Sri Lankan village life vie trekking

This trek starts from Rangala which is a village amidst tea estates. Trekkers will trek through line houses, pine forests, lowland rain forest, water streams etc. experiencing the village life. You can refresh yourself by having a bath in a fresh water stream which starts from the Knuckles Mountain Range. Then you’ll walk towards the Heeloya village…

Heeloya is a rural, remote agricultural village in the Kandy district with a unique attraction of understanding how justice was meted out in the good old days. The proceedings of hearing a case by the village-headman and the location are still intact.

The main livelihood of the village community is paddy cultivation, home gardening, livestock and spices. Villagers engage in toddy tapping, handicrafts, bee-keeping, traditional dances etc., as supplementary income sources.

A very traditional village, it is unique in that it identifies itself with practicing even to this day some of the local customs in daily life. Tourists are encouraged to work and become part of the village life by engaging in plucking fruits and vegetables for a meal to be prepared according to the local taste. They would also get an opportunity to watch some of the other aspects of this village being the Heeloya waterfall, local species and herbs.

Visitors to Heeloya can get a feel of the life in a typical village in addition to trekking and sight-seeing and a culinary experience in true Sri Lankan style!