| Year and Month | July, 2013 (24th) |
| Number of Days | One Day Trip |
| Crew | 3 |
| Accommodation | Camping on Namunukula |
| Transport | By bus and three wheeler |
| Activities | Hiking, photography and sight seeing |
| Weather | Had few showers in the night |
| Route | Passara -> 3rd mile post on Passara-Badulla road -> Deyangalla division of Glenalpin estate -> Namunukula peak -> Returned on same way |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
|
| Author | Niroshan |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
Namunukula is the 12th highest mountain of Sri Lanka which has 2035m (6,677ft) height. The name Namunukula means due to it’s nine peaks. It is situated in Badulla district but closer to Badulla-Moneragala border.
There are several pathways to approach Namunukula. Once I have been there from Namunukula village (a decade ago). I want to go there from 3rd mile post in Badulla-Passara road. It is accepted as the easiest pathway to climb the highest peak of Namunukula. Because you can reach the base of the mountain by a vehicle and then have to go through the tea estate till you meet the last part of the trail through forest covering.
(In contrast my previous approach we had to walk through Pines trees as well).
 Namunukula mountain range…This was taken on my way to Bambaragalapathana |
 Black star shows the starting point at 3rd mile post. Red star shows where the real hiking starts and arrow shows the twin peaks of Namunukula. |
As we wanted to camp on Namunukula we started the journey after our lunch. We reached the 3rd mile post around 3pm and got a three wheeler to Deyangalla division of Glenalpin estate. The road condition was extremely bad and only a three wheeler or a four wheel can go. After about one hour journey we reached the last lime houses of Deyangalla division where real hike started.
 View of Badulla town on our way to Deyangalla estate |
 Badulla Zoomed |
 Line houses of Deyangalla division started. Our three wheel driver has dropped us here. |
We stepped through the lime houses and clarify the way from villagers. Peaks of Namunukula can be seen from here and we climbed up along narrow pathways through tea bushes.
The trail starts from the point where tea estate separates the forest covering the peak. We were seeking of it.
 Black arrow shows the point where tea estate separates the forest and the line shows the direction of trail. |
 The way through the tea patch. |
 Looked back |
 Another snap in the tea estate |
 Arrow shows where trail starts |
 Entering to the forest patch…the pathway is very clear |
 These kinds of concrete markers can be seen along the pathway |
 One of clear areas along the track |
After about one our climbing we reached the summit of this Namunukula peak where you can see a camp site.
 Camp site 1 |
 Evidences of recent camping |
From there we followed the pathway of right hand side to reach the second camping site which is better than previous one. It has a small well but water can’t be used for drinking purpose.
We fixed our tent there and time was around 5.30pm. The temperature was going down and wind was blowing all around.
 The well-We managed for washing purpose. |
 Fixing our tent on camp site 2 |
The foot pathway next to the well brought us to the sacred area of the peak. Actually this is considered as the highest point.
 Small shrine house for Lord Buddha |
 God Vishnu and Ghana |
 Surrounding view |
We set a fire and it was easy to find dry fire wood from surrounding. Following the meal we gathered around the fire to warm our bodies. Actually it was difficult to bear cold and we were shivering.
Late in the night it was drizzling for about one hour and water dropped on our bodies. Fortunately it didn’t last much.
As it was following day of full moon Poya day the peak was bathing with moon rays.
 Sun set |
 Another picture of sun set |
 Around the fire |
 Early morning we were able to set the fire even after the rain |
 Believe the time is around 5am….It is due to moon light |
 Early morning view |
Despite of cold we started to get down from the peak around 7am. We were able to reach the tea estate by 7.20am.
 Surrounding view |
 Another set of mountain |
Here I would like to add couple of photographs I took in my previous hike. It is about 10years ago.
 On our way towards peak |
 Warming up….Those days there was a small room made by wattle and dub on the peak of the mountain. We spent the night there. Villagers have made it for shrine house for Lord Buddha. But I couldn’t see even a basement of it during this visit. |
Thanks for reading