Bomburu Waterfalls near Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka: Guide for Nature Explorers
Sri Lanka is an island country that boasts multiple destinations ideal for nature exploration and a diverse culture. The country has many excellent places for tourists like Colombo, Kandy, and Ella offering multiple options for tourist activities but, another one of its major tourist attractions is the city of Nuwara Eliya, which is home to Bomburu Waterfalls.
Located in the central region of Sri Lanka, this town is well known for its tea plantation, waterfalls, religious sites, and British-style buildings. Among its most popular places for tourists, the Bomburu Waterfalls stand out as a premiere choice for those tourists who wish to add a natural touch to their trip. So, let's see how nature explorers can prepare for a trip to Bomburu Waterfall.
How to Arrive at Bomburu Waterfalls?
To reach this waterfall, you first need to arrive in the city of Nuwara Eliya. Because it is located in the central region of Sri Lanka, you can reach here from any city in Sri Lanka. The most ideal path that you can take is to board a train from Kandy, which is going towards Ella if you are in the Northern region of Sri Lanka or vice-versa if you are in the Southern region.
For tourists just arriving at the Sri Lanka International Airport or having just finished exploring Colombo, you can take a taxi to get to Nuwara Eliya. Once you arrive in Nuwara Eliya, the waterfalls can be reached via one of the following means.
Auto-Rickshaw: This is the most common means of transport used to reach Bomburu Waterfalls. Remember to adjust your price beforehand and ask for the driver to wait while you explore the Bomburu Waterfalls.
Moped: If you are comfortable riding a Moped or even a scooter, then you are in luck as these can be rented in Sri Lanka. This also allows you to take breaks and observe the natural scenery surrounding the roads leading to the waterfall.
Public Bus: Using this method to reach the waterfalls is going to cost the least amount of money but, this is because it is also the slowest means to reach the Bomburu Waterfalls. If you choose to go via this mode, then you will first have to arrive at Hakgala and then board a different bus to reach the Bomburu Waterfalls.
Private Car: This method is the fastest method that you can reach the Bomburu waterfalls but, it may not be affordable for everyone.
Bomburu Waterfalls is around 14 Km away from Nuwara Eliya and usually, a drive to Bomburu Waterfalls lasts around 30 minutes. It is possible to reach the Bomburu Waterfalls from Ella itself but it is not recommended because the drive gets extended to 50 Km and your options become limited.
The Hike to the Waterfalls
The drive to reach Bomburu Waterfall is just one part of the entire journey. After you arrive at the car park, you will reach the start of the trek that leads to the actual waterfall. Don't worry as the trek is only about 2 Km and, for the most part, is easy to navigate thanks to the boards pointing you to the right location and the stairs that have been carved there.
Be mindful of some steeper rocks on the stairs while climbing and take a few breaks if you feel tired. The path is surrounded by stalls where you grab yourself some snacks and a drink to keep you going. While you are climbing the stairs, take a good look at the beautiful natural scenery that surrounds you during your journey.
It won't take long until you can see the Bomburu Waterfalls through the cover of the forest. You can expect a heavy crowd in this place during daytime but you should have plenty of space once you reach the pool of the waterfall as this area is very wide. If you don't wish to deal with a heavy crowd, then it is recommended that you arrive here in the early morning.
Interesting Things About Bomburu Waterfalls
Nuwara Eliya is known for its abundance of waterfalls nearby for tourists to visit with each one having something distinct to separate it from the rest. In the case of the Bomburu Waterfalls, they are famous for being the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka with a width of more than 20 meters.
Tourists can swim in this waterfall's pool; however, it is not recommended that you swim in this pool as the force with which the water usually falls here is very high and the pool is filled with pointy rocks. There are surrounding pools close to the main pool where you can swim but these are usually crowded during peak time.
Along the trek leading to the main waterfall, 8 shorter waterfalls can be observed at the top of Bombura Waterfalls. All 8 of these waterfalls contribute to creating the waterfall towards which the trek leads.
Suitable Places to Take a Break in the Nuwara Eliya
When it comes to suitable places to stay before and after you visit the Bomburu Waterfalls, most of the available options are only in Nuwara Eliya. There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to hotels in Nuwara Eliya, so below you will find our best recommendations for places that are worth considering:
CheRiz Boutique Villa Hotel
This hotel is an excellent choice due to its close vicinity to a tea estate. Its location is a bit on the outside of Nuwara Eliya; however, it offers a great view of the tea plantations that are the main attraction of Nuwara Eliya.
It also contains an outside restaurant for its guests so that they can enjoy the amazing smell and sights of the tea plantation during their meals. This is an ideal hotel for those who want to stay close to nature.
Nuwara Eliya Mountain View Homestay
If you are looking for a nice place to stay without spending too much on a hotel, then Nuwara Eliya Mountain View Homestay is the best choice for you. You get an excellent view of the British-style city of Nuwara Eliya, along with breakfast and dinner. It is also in a favorable position due to its close distance to the Nuwara City Centre.
The Ramp
The Ramp is another excellent choice for a hotel to stay in Nuwara Eliya. It has very spacious rooms along with a balcony for its guests, an onsite restaurant, and elegant interior designs in rooms.
Be sure to book these itineraries in advance since Nuwara Eliya is a tourist hotspot in Sri Lanka, and these popular itineraries get booked really fast.
Ideal Time to Visit Bombura Waterfalls
There is no specific time when you can visit Bombura waterfalls since the waterfalls are open to the public throughout the year. If you are looking to take some breathtaking photos of this place, then it is recommended that you visit during the rainy season which starts after June.
However, beware of the fact that Nuwara Eliya experiences rainfall for almost half a year and this period is a part of that timeframe. So, if you don't have any plans of staying around Nuwara Eliya, only then should you plan a visit during the rainy season.
Otherwise, visit the Bombura Waterfalls between March and June as this will allow you to explore more of Nuwara Eliya without needing to deal with constant rain.
Bombura Waterfalls is one of those places that most tourists pass over. However, the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka is a sight to behold and is a great option for a tourist destination. So, if you plan to visit the Bombura Waterfalls, make sure to get your Sri Lanka eTA ready and other necessary things to have a safe and wonderful trip.
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Imagine a place where ancient temples stand next to pristine beaches, where lush jungles hide secret waterfalls, and where you can spot elephants roaming freely. Such is the beauty of Sri Lanka, a small island that packs a big punch when it comes to travel experiences. Learn more at Popular Travel Destinations in Sri Lanka.
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