Far off Things

Day 01 | Hasalaka

We meet you in Hasalaka, a tiny village in the Kandy district. Remote and lesser known this village can be easily accessed by a tuk tuk. You either love this road monster or hate it. However you must admit that it is a saviour when you are exploring unknown territories. As you reach the trail head try not to rush in, but take a few minutes to drown in the exquisite views. The start of the trail is a definite sign of what’s ahead.

Haul your gear and begin the 5 kilometre walk to the isolated village of Medakele. Located at the base of the Knuckles mountain range, this trail is the only access to the village with the iconic Yahangala hill as the backdrop.

The hosts will welcome you with a refreshing bath and a heavenly lunch. Give your feet a few hours of rest before exploring a mesmerising village that isn’t tainted by technology or 21 st century apprehensions. Nestled in nature, the community readily preserve their inheritance. Water buffaloes lug each other into the muddy waters to sit and leisurely ‘chew the cud’ while watching you with wise but weary eyes. Every house retains lush home gardens teeming with fresh fruits or vegetables. Main source of income for these villages are basically agriculture produce. Famous for jaggery, many villagers rely on the fish tail palm. Thus toddy tapping is a common sight in these outlying villages. Unpretentious and astute in their own way these villagers show you that money cannot really buy happiness or most importantly peace of mind.

The birds will hand over the orchestra to cicadas and crickets as the mountains shroud themselves with mist. The fireflies will dance around the silent compounds lighting up your dinner table. The wind melodiously disrupts the silence as you lull yourself into a deep sleep in the far-off Medakele.

Day 02 | Knuckles range

The breakfast is a must before you conquer the long day ahead. To arrive at the base of Yahangala you will have to surmount a steep climb over grass glistening with morning dew and blue mountains still veiled in the morning mist. In front of you is the endless plains known as ‘pathana’. As far as the eye can see it is a rug of emerald grass running over to kiss the cerulean sky. Solitary wind beaten trees stand against the soaring winds unperturbed, helping create astounding views.

Navigate through the elephant grass, across crystal clear streams and creeks. You will be halting every five minutes to capture or simply revel in the enchanting vistas that spread across miles. While you potter around absorbed in the surreal charm keep an eye opened for elephants. Wild and cautious it is better to steer clear of them keeping in mind that though gentle they are still giants.

Grab a cup of tea before diverting towards the Kehelpathdoruwa range. Compared to Kehelpathdoruwa, Yahangala looks like a sleeping yet an intimidating goliath. Being an arduous climb we save Yahangala for another day and continue towards Kehelpathdoruwa. Enjoy the fresh crispy air, incomparable vistas of mountains reaching up for the blue sky cloaked in thick mists and clouds. The jade backgrounds splattered over blue mountains and cobalt skies are spellbinding and beyond comparison. Grab a quick lunch and return to the camp site for a night of starry skies, fairy lights and jungle calls. Confront the evening chill with murmured songs of yesteryears and warm bonfires. You are just a tiny being in a vast universe of enigmas. Yet you sleep, unbothered and unaffected.

Day 03

Wake up at sunrise to chirps and tweets. A simple breakfast and morning coffee on a makeshift stove of wood and stones. Start the slow descend to Kalugala village capturing and admiring more of the greens and blues that surround you. You can take a freezing yet a reviving dip in the streams you pass. The locals will thaw you back to life with warm cups of tea with tasty morsels. Sadly it is time to face reality. Hold on to your dear life as the tuk tuk brings you back to civilization and frustrations that come along with it. It doesn’t matter. You just had the three most wonderful days away from it all and filled your weary soul with new hopes and anticipations. Don’t forget the memories and a camera full of amazing moments whenever you feel blue.