Monkey Mountain (520m)…….A part of Viyana Hela

Viyana Hela (වියාන හෙල) was my first exposure to Bibile Mountains and I have noted this outgrowth rocky part of Viyana Hela when we were on top of it. Later I knew it is called as Monkey Mountain by foreigners and it is a main objective of visitor of Gal Oya Lodge. Galoya Lodge is a boutique hotel situated at Ampara-Bibile road and ideal place to feel tranquility.

The rocky part of Monkey Mountain is seen to Viyana Hela

Our main objective of this trip was to visit Galoya Lodge Hotel and hike to Monkey Mountain was a part of it. Though it was a half a day hike we spent two days for this journey. It was kind of round trip as I reached Galoya lodge from Polonnaruwa-Maha Oya side and got my way back to home through highway via Mattala.
We have visited Pimburaththawa Lake, Maduru Oya reservior, Henanegala and Maduru Oya hot water springs on our way to Maha Oya from Polonnaruwa. (This will come as a separate report with some other places around).

Monkey Mountain (=520m) (7.293486, 81.376874)

Early morning we started the journey from Gal Oya Lodge. Charlie was our guide and Arrack (a dog) also joined with us. As I mentioned before Monkey Mountain is a lower part of Viyana Hela. The locals called this part of Viyana Hela as “Dora Kapolla” (දොර කපොල්ල) due to acute drop. Viyana Hela and Monkey Mountain are well seen to Galoya Lodge Hotel and it was a main activity of visitors of the hotel since beginning. As they have noted number of monkeys at this mountain, it was called as Monkey Mountain.

We have passed the Rathugala (රතුගල) indigenous (Wedda) village and their Chena before enter the forest.  Galoya Lodge Hotel has a good connection with indigenous people at Rathugala. Chena was full of budding corns as this was the season following rain. Bibile people didn’t have much rain this time as they expected.

Early morning view of Viyana Hela from Galoya Lodge Hotel

Starting the journey from Galoya Lodge Hotel. Arrack, Charlie and Arjuna at front line.

Viyana Hela

Passing corn growths

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.	Monkey Mountain is shown from the arrow and footpath lies on side and then behind of it.

After passing corn cultivation we reached base of Monkey Mountain. Now Viyana Hela left out of the scene and we have started the hike through the forest covering. It was a continuous ascend since beginning and dry zone forest was refreshed following last night rain. Actually we had a doubt last night about the hike if rain continues. Charlie had a lot of stories to tell about this hike and indigenous people. I think he has been this place is more than fifty times.

The hike begins

Dry zone forest got refreshed following rain

Arrack….One of the dogs of Galoya Lodge Hotel. It is a friend of all visitors of the hotel.

Morning was beautiful

Small break for a snap

After about half an hour hike we have reached a slab rock with good surrounding view of Galoya valley. Clouds were covering upper part of the mountains. We had a bit lengthy break over there. There was a clear foot path inside the forest till we reached the top of Monkey Mountain. Within another an hour time we came out of the forest to reach the top of Monkey Mountain.

Our first view point of the journey.

Charlie was showing some landmarks

Beauty of Galoya

Arrack was a part of the hike

Back to the track

Beautiful creation of mother nature

Wide spread of roots

The place for rest

Last few meters in the forest

“Dora Kapolla” is an acute drop between Monkey Mountain and nearby other rock. The rest of Viyana Hela was overlooking Monkey Mountain with background of blue sky. It was a beautiful morning following drizzling last night. Galoya valley had a fresh looking. While Charlie was having many phone calls (this is one of the place with phone signals) we had captures. Arrack expected something after the hike and we gave some biscuits. The edge of the rock was ideal for selfies. We were able to identify Dhanigala range, Govinda Hela and Nilgala Hills from top of Monkey Mountain.
We enjoyed this hike a lot and it was able come down within another one hour time.

So called “Dora Kapolla”

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On top of Monkey Mountain

Viyana Hela is over looking at Monkey Mountain

Viyana Hela range

The edge of Monkey Mountain. This is the place for selfies.

The edge of Monkey Mountain. This is the place for selfies.

Different angle

Rathugala village and lake were seen.

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It’s my turn

We four on top…

The drop

The drop

.	Nearby other rock. Dhanigala range is seen behind.

Beautiful Galoya Valley.

Straight section of Inginiyagala-Bibile road.

.	Govinda Hela

There is a road from Maha Oya via Pollebadda to Rathugala. But it is not good for low ground vehicles.

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Paddies surrounded by forest

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Nilgala Hills

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Upcoming clouds added more beauty here.

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Arrack …She is a cross of a Pit-bull and a stray dog

Coming down

Aerial photos taken from top of Monkey Mountain

Monkey Mountain with back drop of Dhanigala

We four on top….

Monkey Mountain

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Viyana Hela

Rest of Viyana Hela range

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Galoya Lodge Hotel-Bibile (7.301946, 81.384814)
This report might be incomplete if I don’t discuss about Galoya Lodge. This unique hotel is situated at Inginiyagala-Bibile road more closer to Bibile. (That’s why I mention it as Bibile). It is a boutique hotel with separate bungalows situated within a forest patch. This area is out of mobile phone signals. Therefore this would be the ideal place to hide from external environment.
Other than Monkey Mountain hike, you can enjoy the boat safari at Inginiyagala Reservior, Bird walk, Bicycle tour and candle light dinner at Galoya Lodge.
The Corona outbreak opens new dimensions in travelling for me. Most of these hotels were out of our reach before that but reduce their prices as foreigners are not coming.
Galoya Lodge is one of that and we benefited of it.

.	Sky view of Galoya Lodge

Surrounding of Gal Oya Lodge

Pool with the restaurant

Restaurant of Galoya Lodge

Swimming pool and Viyana Hela

Galoya Lodge at night

Galoya Lodge at night

At candle light dinner

Main restaurant of Galoya Lodge

Pathways

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.	So called bungalows

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Thank You.