Diyaluma Falls: The Second Highest Waterfall in Sri Lanka

Visiting the Diyaluma Falls

Diyaluma Falls lies tucked between the lush Sri Lankan jungles and was easily one of our favorite things to do in Ella. Although it lies slightly off the beaten path, we spent 4-6 hours in and around the falls, cooling off in its incredible natural infinity pools.

How to Get to Diyaluma Falls

We reached the foot of the waterfall in an hour by car from the town of Ella. However, it’s also worth going here by tuk-tuk. The falls have become popular over the last few years, so most tuk-tuk drivers know exactly where to go when you ask.

The journey is quite comfortable until the last 15 minutes, when it becomes a bumpy, uphill road. Once we got to the foot of the waterfall, we passed the bridge and followed the path to the powerful stream.

After exploring the base of the falls and watching the water plummet over the rocks, it’s worth checking out the views from the top. There are two options to get there:

Option 1: Hike down from Poonagala

Option one (which is what we chose) is to hike to the top of the falls from Poonagala. Here’s the starting point of the trek. The route took us about 30 minutes.

If you’ve first visited the foot of the falls, continue on the road to the nearby town of Koslanda. Once we got to the village, we took a sharp turn right here and followed the road for another 15 minutes. Eventually, the road splits, where we turned right and continued until here. From that point on, let the locals guide you to the best place to park your vehicle.

From the tiny car park, a local guided us to the waterfall. It’s a beautiful 30-minute walk along an unmarked trail through long grass, offering some of the most incredible views. Tip: Wear good (closed) shoes for this hike!

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Please note: Elephants are active in this area. One of the most important tips we’ve gotten is to not walk alone or in the dark.

Option 2: Hike up from below

Another option is to hike uphill towards the Upper Falls. After admiring the foot of the falls from the bridge, drive on towards this point to begin your hike.

This 2.5-kilometer loop trail winds through the lush scenery of the Sri Lankan highlands and takes roughly the same time as hiking down from Poonagala. However, keep in mind that this option is more challenging as it’s uphill.

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The Guides

Once you’ve parked your vehicle or your driver has dropped you off, locals might offer to guide you on the route. We paid a small sum (1500 SLR/4.50 USD) to have them guide us to the pools at the top of the falls.

This isn’t mandatory, but it’s a way to support the locals. Besides, we thought it was super helpful, since the route isn’t always easy to find.

Swimming at Diyaluma Falls

Once at the top, there’s a series of natural pools where you can go for a swim. We even jumped from one pool into another! It’s still unbelievable that nature created this incredible waterpark.

After visiting the upper falls and their natural pools (perfect for cooling off!), we went to the infinity pools that lie just in front of the 220-meter-high drop. Please be careful when swimming and walking on the rocks here (for obvious reasons).

It’s possible to dip in the pool nearest to the edge, but be extra careful. It’s better to just take a look over the edge from the rocks and spot the bridge where you started.

Tip: Always check the forecast, chat with locals, and don’t dive in headfirst. During the monsoon season, it’s not safe to swim in the infinity pools near the drop-off due to much higher water levels and stronger flow.

We spent a whole day on top of this incredible waterfall. Make sure to bring enough water and food. These days, you’ll likely find a few stands near the falls selling drinks and snacks.

The area offers plenty of shade, and there are often friendly locals hanging around here as well. Diyaluma Falls was definitely a highlight on our Sri Lanka itinerary!

Where to Stay Near Diyaluma Falls

Although Diyaluma Falls is an off-the-beaten-track destination, it’s only an hour’s drive from the beautiful hilltop town of Ella. We spent 2 days here in a fun hillside guesthouse just outside of town (this is the one). From there, we had amazing views and easy access to hiking trails, which we highly recommend.

Our favorite hotels in Ella 😴

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Royal Mount

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