Report on Sir John s Bungalow. (Riverston Matale.)

Transcription

1 Report on Sir John s Bungalow. (Riverston Matale.) Location: Riverston Matale District Located north of the Knuckles Mountain Range overlooking the northeastern plains. Access routes and distances From Kandy From Matale From Dambulla (Via Matale) From Habarana (Via Matale) Km (Kandy > Matale > Rattota> Riverstone) Km (Matale > Rattota> Riverstone) Km (Dambulla> Matale > Rattota> Riverstone) Km (Habaraba >Dambulla> Matale > Rattota> Riverstone)

2 Google earth view of the Bungalow from the East. Rattota and Matale are in the background. View from the Bungalow towards the East (Laggala, Wasgamuwa etc.)

3 The former holiday Bungalow of Sir John Kotalawela which was restored is now a fully functional holiday Bungalow with a blend of both modern and colonial comforts. The Property consists of 05 rooms. These are sold at a flat rate to groups. The two highlights are the Riverstone suite (Room 04) which has a cozy underground bathroom and the Sir John s suite (Room 05) for a family of four/five. Room categories Room 1 - Standard Double Accomodation Room 2 - Standard Triple Accomodation Room 3 - Standard Triple Accomodation Room 4 - Luxury Triple Accomodation Has an underground bathroom with a bath tub. Could also promoted as the honeymoon suite. Flat screen TV(cable TV) Room 5 - Luxury Quad Accomodation Flat screen TV(cable TV) - Future plans include a private garden All rooms have hot and cold water and clean linen and towels. The entire Bungalow has been redesigned to harness solar energy for most electricity requirements. The staff of 6 includes the Manager Mr. Tennekoon, Chef and a well trained support staff of 4 who are eager to assist a guest at any given time.

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6 Excursions from the Bungalow 1. Mani Gala Trek Description of trek: Provided by Sir John s Bungalow Wake up to view the breaking of dawn on the Eastern plains of Sri Lanka. After breakfast on the terrace you will travel down to the knuckles valley. You will commence our trek from the village of Rathkinda situated at the base of the elephant shaped rock Manigala. The villagers whose descendents were banished from the ancient kingdom of Kandy. Have traditionally used the shadow of the elephant shaped rock to read the time of the day. In local language Mani means time and gala means rock. Whilst trekking through the foot paths of the village of Rathkinda you can observe the serene life style of the villagers whilst going about their day to day activities of farming & animal husbandry. You leave the village and walk past terraced paddy fields and enter the forest canopy of the valley to the sounds of rushing streams to view the bio diversity of the vegetation, colorful wildflowers, birds & butterflies which are uniquely endemic to the knuckles area. You will then leave the valley and climb 500 meters up Manigala through montane pygmy forest stunted by strong winds. Whilst walking on the flat area of Manigala which resembles the back of an elephant you will take a break for a picnic lunch to enjoy the panoramic view of the knuckles range and the village of Rathkinda. You will then descend Manigala and have a river bath in the Thelgamu-Oya river. Total length of trek eleven kilometers (valley four kilometers and Manigala seven kilometers). Drive back in the afternoon to the Bungalow for a siesta followed by tea & dinner.

7 Trek Details: Approx Drive time to start point 25 min. Starting altitude approx 600m highest altitude approx 1000m end altitude approx 400m Short trek approx 3 hrs (excluding Manigala) Long trek (including Manigala) hrs Short Trek The Manigala trek can be done as a short trek avoiding the steep climb to the peak of Mani gala. This trek is approximately 3 hours. Sights on this trek include a view of the western face of Manigala and the surrounding paddy and other cultivations. Long Trek This is the complete trek

8 Manigala - Images of western face Actual Google

9 Views shortly after commencing the trek Crossing Thelgamu Oya Natural foot therapy courtesy the fish

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11 2. Proposed Camp Site on abandoned rice terraces

12 3. Excursion to Wasgamuwa National park. Distance from the Bungalow 045 km (approximate drive time 1 hour 15 min) Main Attraction Elephants For more information and facilities we offer, please visit or call Dilkie