Camping on Vantage point of Nagrak (1800m)

Year and Month	2017 March 25th and 26th
Number of Days	Two
Crew	04-Keshan, Chamara, Prabath and Myself
Accommodation	Camping at Vantage point of Nagrak
Transport	Bus, Car and hiking
Activities	Photography, Waterfall seeing and Camping
Weather	Gloomy on first day, Excellent on second day
Route	Day 1 : Colombo-> Belihuloya Rest House-> Galpoththenna (Ihala Galagama)-> Nagrak Division of Non Pareil Estate-> Galagama Falls-> Vantage point of Nagrak Day 2: Vantage point of Nagrak-> Non Pareil Estate->Belihul Oya-> Colombo
Tips, Notes and Special remark	If you haven’t trekked from Belihuloya to Nagrak division of Non Pareil estate, better have a guide. It is a moderate hike along the foot path to Nagrak division. Nishan is the best person can recommend to visit Galagama waterfall. Better clarify about water level before go there. No water source found along the foot pathway except the water tank found in Pinus patch. There are several places to camp on Vantage point. No water there. We camped at the face of wind. Therefore it was difficult to regulate our camp fire. Early morning is the crucial time due to sun rise and clear surrounding. If you are tired to descend along the estate road you can arrange a three wheel from line houses. (They have some contact numbers) Start the journey early morning. Then you have enough time to enjoy surrounding view.
Related Resources	Trip report : Vantage point of Nagrak (1800m)
Author	Niroshan
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Vantage point of Nagrak is an amazing view point situated at Non Pareill estate. We have noticed it’s situation as a nice view point in our Gommolliya-Balathoduwa journey. Ashan’s journey was the first documentation of this place and it was Chamara’s dream to camp there.
I designed a trip to start from Belihuloya and trekking to Non Pareil estate and then visit at Galagama waterfall. (Though I have visited at Galagama others haven’t). Then we planned to visit at Vantage point of Nagrak and camp there.
Next day morning we will descend to Non Pareil estate road and to Belihuloya. Let’s see how this round trip has worked.

Star shows where this Vantage point of Nagrak is situated…

Vantage point of Nagrak is seen as a good view point. Photo was taken when I was at Gommolliya

First day early morning we left from Colombo by bus and met Prabath at Balangoda. Next part along A4 road was continued by his car till Belihul Oya rest house where we parked our vehicle. Then we walked up along Landuyaya road but luckily came across the vehicle to trail head: Galpoththenna (ගල්පොත්තැන්න)
Weather was brilliant when we started the journey and soon we entered the foot pathway to Nagrak Division of Non Pareil estate. It was a refresh of my memories along this scenic foot pathway. Sooner weather was misty and it was a misty day when we reached the tea estate after 5 hours journey. (It was a quite slow journey as we wanted to enjoy the surrounding).

1. Trekking from Belihul Oya to Nagrak division of Non Pareil Estate

Starting the journey: Keshan (left), Prabath and Chamara (Right)

Paddies at Galpoththenna

Getting water

Close up…

Entering to the Pinus patch

Pinus patch

Hiking along Pinus patch was bit strenuous due to slippery leaves. Therefore it needs frequent breaks.

Looking for water

Posed

Along the forest patch

As we had enough time, we hiked leisurely

Scenic foot pathway at the edge of the mountain

Beauty

Enjoying the journey

Towards Hawagala and Belihuloya

Zoomed view of Belihuloya valley

Along the edge of the mountain

Surrounding beauty

Scenic foot pathway

Having another break

බෝවිටියා

මහරත් මල්

Enjoying the journey

First set of line houses

Entering to Non Pareil estate

Zoomed view of line houses

Nishan waited for us to complete part one of the first day-Visit Galagama Falls. Unfortunately it was a dry fall on that day. It made me smile when Nishan has shown a printed photo of Galagama waterfall with good water level. It was the photo I have sent him following my visit. Then we came back to Nishan’s home and had a wash from “Peella” (පීල්ල). It was bit dark when we reached the camp site and we had to set everything with aid of our head lamps. There were enough fire woods and wind was so fast at Vantage point of Nagrak.

2. Journey to Galagama Falls

Heading to Galagama Falls with Nishan

Macro view

Mushroom

Mountainous forest

Dry Galagama Falls

It is also called Kathigana Falls (කැතිගාන ඇල්ල)

Back to line houses

Sun set at Nagrak

Camp fire

3. Camping at Vantage point of Nagrak

Most important thing of this trip was the sun rise. We waked up at 5.30am and sunrise was started making colorful sky. We didn’t give a rest to our cameras and tried to capture number of shots with sun rise. Number of ranges with land marks could be identify: Hawagala, Pettigala, Dethanagala, Kiribathgala, Sri Pada, World’s end, Hortain Plains, Balathoduwa-Gommolliya range, Adarakanda etc.

Sun rise at Vantage point of Nagrak

Towards Balathoduwa-Gommolliya range

Our star class hotel

Sun rise at Vantage point of Nagrak

Keshan and Prabath

Keshan in action

Photography time

It’s Chamara

It’s me….

Ashan’s pose…

Good morning….

Hawagala and Pettigala…

Samanala Wewa Reservior

Towards Hortain Plains

Can you notice Sri Pada??

Chamra is enjoying the surrounding view….

Towards Balathoduwa-Gommolliya range

Line houses of Nagrak division of Non pareil estate

Colorful….

Hawagala and Pettigala back…

Sabaragamuwa University

Hawagala is zoomed….

Dethanagala…

Balathoduwa-Gommolliya range and Adarakanda

Zoomed view of line houses

Sun rays are kissing grasses

4. Return journey along estate road

Following breakfast and morning tea we cleaned the camp site and started to get down along the estate road to Belihuloya. As weather was bright, it was a scenic journey to walk along Non pareil Estate road. Once we passed the school we got a three wheel to end the journey.