Bambarakanda Falls | Tallest Waterfall in Sri Lanka | Sri Lankan Guides
Bambarakanda Falls is super tall, about 263 meters high! It comes down from the cool mountains near Horton Plains in Sri Lanka. It’s in the Kalupahana area in the Badulla district. This waterfall is the 299th tallest in the whole world! The water that makes this cool waterfall is from a place called Kuda Oya. That same water makes lots of other amazing waterfalls in the hills before joining the Walawe River after a pretty journey.
About the destination
When you visit Sri Lanka, you’ve got to check out Bambarakanda waterfall! It’s the tallest one there, but that’s not all. Around the waterfall, there are lots of other waterfalls to see, cool mountain trails to hike, and awesome views of the mountains that you won’t find anywhere else in the country.
To get there, it’s about 5 kilometers from the main road. You’ll have to drive up a narrow and twisty road to reach it. You can see the waterfall from the road, but if you want to get close, you’ll need to walk through a patch of pine trees to reach the bottom.
When you get there, there’s a ticket counter where you pay about LKR 50 per adult. They won’t let you bring camping tents, though. The path to the waterfall is well taken care of with stairs, so it’s an easy walk. After about 15 minutes, you’ll reach the bottom of the waterfall. There’s a spot where you can sit and get the best view of the waterfall.
If you’re up for it, you can also hike to the top of the waterfall through the pine forest. It takes about 1.5 hours and covers 1.6 kilometers. The best time for this hike is from April to September when the waterfall isn’t too dry or too forceful. And while you’re at it, check out Lanka Ella, another awesome waterfall nearby in the jungle.
It’s really cool to take a dip in the cold pool at the bottom of the waterfall because it’s safe. And don’t forget your camera! The waterfall and the area around it are perfect for taking amazing pictures.
Hiking in Bambarakanda Falls
Hiking at Bambarakanda Falls is really cool! The best time to do it is from April to September because during other times, the waterfall might be too dry or too strong. The hike isn’t too hard, it starts at Bambarakanda rest in Kalupahana and goes up to the top of the falls.
Make sure to wear good hiking shoes, bring some salt, and carry a water bottle with you. The hike is about 1.6 kilometers long and takes around 1.5 hours. You don’t need any special permission or permit to go on this hike.
