Hummanaya Blowhole, also known as Hoomaniya, is the only known blowhole in Sri Lanka, but one of the most impressive blowholes at all. Blowholes are sometimes called “pseudo-geysers”. Actually, non-igneous blowholes fed by sea water are an even rarer natural phenomenon than geysers. Sri Lanka’s blowhole is located 1 km from the fishing village of Kudawella and 5 km from Dikwella. Rough sea provided, the fountain of Hummanaya Blowhole usually reaches up to 10 or 12 meters in height. Under extraordinary circumstances, even 25 to 30 meter can occur.

More about Hummanaya Blowhole...

Many heritage tourists know the impressive Buddha statues of Polonnaruwa and Aukana in the Cultural Triangle and Buduruwagala in the southern plains of Sri Lanka. But did you know that there is a huge rock-cut statue not far from Negombo? It is also ancient. However, it is much less attractive, as it is plastered in coloured in a gaudy modern fashion now. We are talking about the rock-hewn Buddha statue of Maboda, that can be seen in the background of the photo behind glass. Find where it is and what else can be seen at the Maboda temple here...

Bamarakiri Falls, also known as Bambarakiri Ella, is a picturesque waterfall in several cascades near Rattota in the northwest of Knuckle Range, it can be visited on the way from Kandy or Matale to Riverston or Wasgomuwa National Park. Bamarkiri Falls are not far from the car park. The pool below the suspension bridge and between the upper cascade and the talles fall seems to be inviting for a bath. But deadly incidents occured when people were swimming here.

Kok Abe, also spelt Kokabe or Kokobe, is a small excavation site 45 km east of Anuradhapura. It’s almost unkown to tourists. Besides rock shelters with ancient inscriptions, the archaeological site of Kok Abe has several foundations of brick structures from the late Anuradhapura period. The most interesting ancient structure is at the upper end of the footpath, a double platform. The higher and larger structure was a dagaba. On the lower terrace in front of it is a rectangular buiding, almost square, withg monolithic pillars in its four corners. They once carried a wooden and tiled roof with an opening in the centre. This was a Bodhigara, a temple where a tree instead was venerated instead of an image. However, there is some debate whether this structure could have been a different type of ancient architecture, namely an Asanagara, where an empty stone throne representing the Buddha symbolically was the main object of worship.

Diwulwewa, also transcribed Divulwewa, has one of the very few ancient Buddha statues that are still in situ and not removed to a museum. The excavated Buddha sculpture, now again protected by a roof, is sometimes called “Sri Lanka’s second Samadhi Buddha”. The archaeological name is Komarikawela Buddha, which refers to the ancient name of the entire site. Divulwewa is far away from all major tourist routes and thereby a heritage attraction almost unknown to travellers and guidebooks. It can be reached on a day tour from Mihintaleor Anuradhapura, combining the visit with other off-the-beaten-path destinationtions such as Kok Abe, Kiralagala, Madagama or Veheragala, all of which are in the area of Horowupottana.

The ancient chronicles of Sri Lanka mention only one Tooth Relic which came to the island. This Tooth Relic is enshrined in Sri Lanka’s most sacred temple, the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, also known as Tooth Relic. Not many foreigners know that there is a second place of worship where another tooth of the Buddha is believed to be enshrined. The Somawathie stupa, also known as Somawathiya Chaitiya, is situated in the national park of the same name, which is on the left bank of the Mahaweli River, to the north of Polonnaruwa and Flood Plains National Park. It is named after Princess Somawathie, who was the sister of King Kavantissa and aunt of King Dutthagamani. Her husband is said to have built the dagaba in the 2nd century BC for a tooth relic brought by Monk Mahinda, the first Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka.

Uda Pussallawa, usually transcribed Uda Pussellawa, is the smallest and most hidden tea region of Sri Lanka. Besides Dimbula and Nuwara Eliya, Uda Pussellawa tea is one of the three high-grown teas. The region is siturated to the east of Nuwara Eliya, on the other side of Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s highest mountain. The centre and most important town of the Uda Pussallawa tea growing area is Ragala in 20 km distance from Nuwara Eliya. For those who already know the highland road A6 between Nuwara Eliya and Welimada, usually taken when travelling to Haputale or Ella or Badulla, the scenic mountain road B 648 crosssing the Uda Pussallawa tea region is a considerable detour. Distance from Nuwara Eliya to Welimada via Ragalla is 64 kilometres, instead of 27 km for the direct route A5 via Hakgala. Several tea plantations and vistas and waterfalls can be seen along the remote Uda Pussallawa road.

The Ella Gap is a deep valley connecting the hillcountry with the southern plains of Sri Lanka. The Gap is framed by two peaks known as “Ella Rock” and “Little Adam’s Peak”, which can be reached by hikers. The view to the Ella Gap is the main reason why Ella has become the most popular tourist destination in the southern mountain range in Sri Lanka. The former British resthouse and many guesthouses – though by far not all of them - offer perfect mountain- and valley-views from their balconies. The Ravana waterfalls and Ravana Cave are within the Ella Gap, halfway between the hills and the plains. More about Ella and guesthouses with best vistas here...

Gal Oya is one of the four large national parks in Sri Lanka. What’s special about Gal Oya is that there are two different ways to discover it. Jeep safaris are possible as in the case of other wildlife parks, but more difficult to arrange. In contrast to other national parks, the best way to discover Gal Oya is a boat safari. Particular in the afternonn, you can see the elephants coming to the banks of Sri Lanka’s largest lake, which is named Parakrama Samudra. Morning hours are better for bird watching. It’s recommendable to book boat safaris in advance. Short-term arrangements at the Wildlife Bungalow in Inginiyagala are possible, but in some cases a boat or a ranger is not available if guests did not inform them beforehand about their intended boat tour.

Find more about Gal Oya here...

Did you know, that our website is one of those which provide most comprehensive information about Arugam Bay and surroundings? We do not recommend specific hotels or surf classes in Arugam Bay or Pottuvil, but can do so if you contact us for booking inqiries…

We can also arrange camping safaris to Kumana National Park, but due to restrictions of the wildlife department, the camping ground is outside the national park boundary in the wilderness of the Kudumbigala Sanctuary.