Waterfall Hunting- Bambarakanda & Lanka Falls + Natural Pool Bath

This tour was around an hour journey from our Airbnb in Ella. We arranged pickup and was greeted by our very kind and funny guide, Sampa. Before arriving at Bambarakunda we stopped at a tea factory for some breakfast which was a nice start to the day. Continuing in the car, Sampa shared some history about the towns and areas that we passed through. Make sure you stop off at the view point as you come down from the mountain top (unreal views that stretch as far as the national parks). Arriving at Bambarakunda we took a walk up to the falls and had a swim in the pool at the bottom. The falls themselves were stunning and the area was very clean with seating to marvel at them. We then hiked through the pine forest for about 20 minutes (there were a lot of rocks and roots to get over but the majority of the route was on singletrack) where we reached Lanka falls. Sampa was very knowledgeable on local fauna and made sure we understood what we were looking at. Lanka falls were also beautiful and had a much deeper pool for swimming in. On the return hike we stopped for drinks breaks and photos before driving to a locals house for a homemade curry. This was the best curry I had eaten upto this point whilst in Sri Lanka ( the Sambol and Dhal were just amazing). Overall this was an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone wanting a bit of time out from Ella's busy tourist hikes. Thank you to Sampa for guiding us and making it the best experience possible !

Dinu was fantastic, making the day unforgettable. A truly amazing experience seeing breathtaking views and secluded areas of the country! He kept us laughing all the way up the hike, and was so incredibly caring and knowledgable about wildlife, and generously shared so much with us. Ended the day with a delicious local lunch. Would highly recommend this if visiting the area 😊

Me and my partner took this tour in August 2025, we expected a group but it was only the two of us, our guide Dinu and his trainee. Felt very VIP ^^ This is a day tour, it literally takes the entire day, we started out early morning on the train and got back pretty knackered when it was pitch dark. The tour itself I'd rate moderately demanding for average fitness levels, it's not overly far but features some steep, stairs-like downhill stretches, I'd advise to wear good shoes and if you've got knee issues, pack Ibuprofen and walking sticks. The views and waterfalls are SO worth it though, best waterfall swim we had up to now, and a glimpse at the authentic Sri Lanka far from tourist hot spots in the little villages. Dinu covered train tickets, meals and non-alcoholic drinks. Everyone was incredibly accomodating, we even took a detour by request on the way back so we could buy tea in special shop and Dinu had a Lion strong beer delivered just for me <3 Dinu really knows what he is doing: he is friends with all train conductors and gets you seats in a better class, knows all the shortcuts to get you to the very best views and if your hiking boots fall apart in the middle of nowhere, he knows where he's got reception to call a friend that can glue it back together, while you are eating an nice meal at a family's farm (which he's also friends with). He knows a lot about every plant and animal and all the places and tells you all about it. He's very kind and determined to make your tour as special as it can be, maybe a tad too talkative for Germans - we appreciate some quiet while admiring a view or climbing down a narrow, steep path - but this was the only drop of bitterness in an overall amazing day. 4,8 out of 5 Stars!

We had a wonderful day today with our guide Dinu! We were actually supposed to take the train, but because it was a long weekend due to a public holiday, tickets weren't available. No problem for us, as we'd already enjoyed this train twice. Dinu made it a wonderful day for us. This man knows so much about nature! He's a walking library at times. He even brought fresh tea and cookies. We had a wonderful swim at one of the waterfalls, and the walk was beautiful. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch; many restaurants can't match this!

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We had a fantastic day's trekking with Danuka. He was an excellent guide and great fun to be with. The trek was through beautiful peaceful countryside and swimming at the waterfall was a highlight. Everything was taken care of from pick up and drop off at our hotel to breakfast and an amazing lunch at the end of the day. I would highly recommend the trip.

The most pleasant experience of my Sri Lanka trip. The trail was nice and chill. My guide was very thoughtful and knowledgable. I really like breakfast and lunch also. Highly recommend.

A spectacular excursion with an unbeatable guide. I advise to make this excursion to those people who like nature and adventure.

Dinuka was a fantastic guide. We loved the hike and Dinu's ability to make the most out of every scenario. Our train was delayed by two hours but with his local expert knowledge this was just an opportunity to see the 9 arch bridge. What Dinu doesn't know about the railways, the local area or the lizards, birds, insects and other wildlife simply isn't worth knowing. Food was also incredible, probably the best local curry we've had on our trip!

We recently took a waterfall tour with Ella Holiday, guided by Dinuka, and it was an experience we’ll never forget. From the moment Dinuka picked us up at our hotel, his positive energy set the tone for the entire day. The breathtaking views alone were worth the trip, but Dinuka’s stories and insights about Ella added a special touch as we made our way to the waterfall. Throughout the hike, Dinuka was incredibly helpful and kind, always ensuring that we had plenty of time to take pictures and enjoy the surroundings at our own pace. When we reached the waterfalls, he made the moment even more memorable by treating us to some Sri Lankan tea and cookies, creating a delightful picnic vibe. Dinuka’s knowledge of the area and his ability to make each moment feel special truly enhanced our experience. We were 100% satisfied with everything that day and couldn’t recommend Dinuka as a tour guide more highly. If you’re in Ella, I strongly recommend taking a tour with him—you’ll discover hidden gems and take in stunning sights that aren’t yet well-known. It was an unforgettable day!

This tour was so much more than we expected! Our guide Dinu taught us so much about every aspect we experienced. We are a family of four, with kids aged 10 and 13. The hike was 14 kilometers mostly downhill, with one slight uphill in between. We walked through tea fields and saw the tea pickers at work. We passed two small villages and after a steep downhill through dense forest and grassland we arrived at the fabulous waterfall with a deep pool of cold water that we dove into for a refreshing swim after the rather sweaty hike. Then we walked an easy 30 minutes through pine forest and arrived at the last waterfall, the tallest in Sri Lanka. Near the waterfall we had the best food we have had in Sri Lanka, better than any fancy restaurant in the city. During the hike we saw all kinds of birds, lizards, butterflies and even monkeys in the trees. Our guide had an incredibly sharp eye and spotted the lizards from far away, our kids called him the lizard wizard. He also told us all about the tea plantations and village life in the mountains and had a few surprises in store for us along the way. We had a day full of education, exercise, wildlife and delicious food. Really unforgettable!

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