Nestled in the rolling hills north-east of Kandy, Elkaduwa is a tiny village in the heart of Sri Lanka. It’s home to residential homes, traditional eateries and a charming temple with a whitewashed stupa. On the doorstep of Elkaduwa are several cascades and a recreational lake.
On the edge of Elkaduwa is Wegala Watte Ella Waterfall, which cascades 15 metres into a small pool. Further south is Hunnas Waterfall, a 48-metre-high cascade that can be reached along a short walking trail. Fed by a stream that flows down Hunnasgeria Mountain, it’s surrounded by landscaped gardens.
Elkaduwa also makes an excellent base for visiting Sembuwatta Lake, which lies on the edge of Campbell’s Lane Forest Reserve. Surrounded by tea plantations and pine forests, it provides an idyllic setting for recreational pursuits. Adjacent to the lake is a natural swimming pool and a restaurant serving Sri Lankan cuisine.
Getting there
Elkaduwa is around an hour’s drive from Kandy and 3.5 hours from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Renting a car and driver is the most convenient way of getting to Elkaduwa and the village is small enough to explore on foot.