Trek deep into the rugged Knuckles Mountain Range. Discover the ancient village of Heeloya, hidden rice terraces, and river streams.
It’s an early start today as you will have an early breakfast (or packed breakfast) and head towards the Rangala town located bordering the Knuckles Mountain Range. From here starts your trail towards Heeloya, the village which is the highlight of this hike. You will meet your trekking guide who will first brief you about the route and commence the hike.
Just when we reached the village of Heeloya, you will be amazed by the stunning setting. Imagine this; farmers working on the lush paddy fields, villagers relaxing and having a casual chat in an Ambalama (traditional resting place for villagers) and the village temple in the distance, indeed it would be a picture-perfect moment which makes the best use of your cameras.
As you meandered through, with the Rice Terraces surrounding, for a moment you will leave wondering if this is Sri Lanka or Bali because here in Sri Lanka it is common to have more flat rice fields than rice terraces. The main livelihood of the locals revolves around agriculture which includes paddy cultivation, livestock, home gardening and spices. Along the way you might get to see a “Gal Kamatha”, the threshing floor where harvested paddy is temporarily stored before clearing and sending to the “Wee Atuwa”, the permanent paddy store.
Then the trek will continue passing several water streams which were tempting to have a dip and if you are up for it, why not take a dip and refresh yourselves. Another important place you will see along the way is the “Wariga Sabhawa”, a 700 years old location where the village headman used to hear the cases for disputes among villages. While this is not practiced anymore, the location takes you back in time and you could picture in your mind a case being heard with the headman in the main seat while others sit around.
At the end of the trail, you will get to taste an authentic rice and curry lunch at a village house. No frills here but just a simple lunch as the villagers would normally have.
Insider Tips: There might be a few leeches on the way so be prepared for them with leech socks. Some repellent will also be provided by your trekking guide. Since the weather changes rapidly in this area, be prepared for some rains along the way. We recommend good hiking shoes to make it a comfortable hike. If you fancy a quick dip in one of the water streams, bring along a change of clothes as well. The approximate distance is 9-10KMs but might differ slightly on the exact route you take on the day.
Navigating the shifting mountain mists and ancient stone pathways of the Knuckles range culminates in the ultimate reward—a raw, unscripted seat at a villager’s table for a truly unforgettable local lunch. To map out your private expedition into the rugged Knuckles Mountain Range, please contact our experts at sales.srilanka@khiri.com.