Only just an hour away from Ella lies Diyaluma Falls. This 220-meter-high waterfall is the second-highest in Sri Lanka, featuring several levels and natural pools at its summit. We thought it was amazing to experience the water coming down with great force on the rocks. You can also explore the top, although you need to hike quite a bit to reach it. Explore Diyaluma from Ella for 3 to 6 hours: we’ve put together everything you need to know in this complete guide.
Visiting the Diyaluma Falls
Tucked between the lush Sri Lankan jungles, you’ll find the impressive Diyaluma Falls, easily one of our favorite things to do in Ella. It lies slightly off the beaten path and has some of the best natural infinity pools to discover.
Also read: best things to do in Ella
How to Get to Diyaluma Falls
The foot of the waterfall is relatively easy to reach within an hour (or two) by tuk-tuk, car, or motorbike from the city of Ella. Although we did this trip ourselves, it’s worth going here by tuk-tuk. The falls have gained in popularity over the last years, so most tuk-tuk drivers know exactly where to go when you ask.
The journey is quite comfortable until the last 15 minutes, which is a bumpy uphill road. Once you get to the foot of the waterfall, pass the bridge and follow the path to the powerful stream.
Once you have explored the foot of the falls, watching the water plummet down across 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 did) is to hike to the top of the falls from Poonagala. Here’s the starting point of the trek. This route takes about 20 minutes
If you’ve first visited the foot of the falls, continue on the road to the nearby town of Koslanda. Once you get to the village, take a sharp turn right here and follow the road for another 15 minutes. Eventually, you’ll reach a split where you turn right and continue until here. From that point on, let the locals guide you to the best place to park your vehicle.
We recommend to rent a car in Sri Lanka through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
From the tiny car park, you can ask a local to guide you to the waterfall. It’s a beautiful 30-minute walk: you’ll follow an unmarked trail through long grass with some of the most incredible views. Tip: Wear good shoes for this hike!
Please note: Elephants are active in this area. Do 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 is a 2.5-kilometer loop trail that 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.
The Guides
Once you’ve parked your vehicle or your driver has dropped you off, locals might offer to guide you on the route. For a small sum (1500 SLR/4.50 USD), they can bring you to the pools atop the falls. This isn’t mandatory, but it’s a way to support the locals. Besides, it’s super helpful as the route isn’t always that easy to find.
Swimming at Diyaluma Falls
Once you get to the top, you’ll find a series of natural pools where you can go for a swim, and even jump from one into another. We still can’t believe that nature created this incredible waterpark!
You can visit the upper falls and their natural pools, perfect for cooling off, as well as the infinity pools located 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 of one of the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka and spot the bridge where you started.
Tip: Always check the forecast, chat with locals, and don’t dive in head first. During the monsoon season, for example, it’s not safe to swim in the infinity pools near the drop-off due to much higher water levels and stronger flow.
Make sure to bring enough water and food, as you can easily spend the whole day on top of this incredible waterfall. Nowadays, you’ll likely find a few stands near the falls that sell
The area offers plenty of shade, and there are often friendly locals hanging around here as well. Diyaluma Falls definitely needs to be on your Sri Lanka Route!
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. Ella is full of fantastic accommodation options, from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts with swimming pools and beautiful views.
We opted for a fun hillside guesthouse outside of town, where you’ll have great views and easy access to hiking trails—I highly recommend it!
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The images are looking cool i think you really had a chill time over there. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Thanks for reading!