Ambuluwawa tower is undoubtedly a unique place that you MUST visit and add to your Sri Lankan itinerary. So, this instructive article will help you with everything you need to know about this amazing site!
Ambuluwawa tower is located in Gampola, Sri Lanka. It is situated in a biodiversity complex and in the midst of Sri Lanka’s first multi-religious sanctuary. You will catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing 360-degree view of the surroundings as you climb up the tower. The tower reaches a height of about 48 meters, and this is one of the most adventurous things to do in Kandy.
Come- let’s take you on this sweet little adventure to the breathtaking Ambuluwawa tower!
Ambuluwawa Tower And Its Experience
Ambuluwawa is situated in Gampola, Kandy, Sri Lanka. This site is renowned as Sri Lanka’s first biodiversity complex and the first multi-religious hub. In this Trigonometrical Station, you will find a conventional Buddhist stupa, a Christian Church, a Hindu Kovil, and a Muslim mosque.
The elevated freestanding tower is about 48 meters in height, and you can get to the top of the breathtakingly beautiful Ambuluwawa tower with its twisted Burton-esque staircase. There are several observatory platforms where you can indulge in the most amazing 360-degree views of the surrounding forests, hills, mountains, waterbodies, and towns.
Sometimes you’ll get to experience the surroundings, which can be covered by a thick layer of mist, creating a fairy-tale-looking atmosphere. And once you get to the top, you’ll witness how the Piduruthalagala surrounds Ambuluwawa mountain peak from the east, Adam’s Peak from the south, Bible Rock (Bathalegala) from the west, and the Knuckles Mountain Range from the north.
Shall We Do A Quick Dig Into The History Of Ambuluwawa?
There is actually little evidence about the history of this site. However, the historical sources claim that the history of the Ambuluwawa mountain dates back to the 13th century during the reign of King Buwanekabahu IV. It is also believed that the Ambuluwawa peak was the center of the Kingdom of Gampola during his rule.
The modern Ambuluwawa tower is an initiative of the former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr. D.M.Jayaratne. The Ambuluwawa biodiversity complex was built in 2009 and was opened to the public in the same year.
What Kind Of Experience Can You Get At The Ambuluwawa Tower?
The experience at Ambuluwawa Tower is simply phenomenal! The Ambuluwawa mountain is approximately 3560 meters above sea level and is a relatively easy hike that delivers scenic views of the surroundings. It is remarkably diverse, with blossoming flower plants, evergreen forests, creepers, and roughly 200 different plant species, including assorted medicinal plants.
It is not a challenging trek, and it only takes a little time to reach the top of the tower. Make sure to bring your selfie stick so that you can take a lot of photos and film your way as you move up. However, if you don’t stop for any photos or videos, you’ll be able to reach the top in about 10-15 minutes.
What is The Fun Part?
The staircase that gets to the first few floors is inside the tower, and you’ll reach the first viewing platform after a bit of climbing. And from then on, you will experience the lifelike beauty of this place.
The real fun begins once the staircase reaches outside after the viewing platform! As you get higher, the stairs get narrower and narrower, which is quite the “adventure” you will experience at the Ambuluwawa tower.
However, in some places, it even gets so tapered that you’ll find it impossible to cross people moving in the opposite direction. But, you will be able to find a few small chambers inside the tower that you can enter to let others pass easily.
The Panoramic Views From The Top Of The Tower…
The views you get will get better as you climb to the top, and you will be rewarded with a panoramic 360° view over the surroundings. You’d also catch the scenery of the verdant Hanthana Mountain Range, especially on a bright, mist-free day.
Moreover, you’ll also find a viewing platform behind the tower. You’ll get an amazing view from here if you visit this site on a clear day. Since most people come to visit the tower, chances are high that you’ll have this place vacated totally for yourself!
What Should You Know About Safety And Security?
Ambuluwawa mountain is a one hundred percent safe zone to travel with your entire family. All of you can enjoy the multi-religious site down the tower and surrounding area. But, Ambuluwawa tower could only be the ideal place if you are fearless of heights. Climbing this tower is not at all risky or dangerous, but avoiding taking your kids and infants up is advisable.
It is also not a good idea to climb if you are pregnant since the height and views down could scare you unnecessarily. However, the staircase is bordered by a strong railing all the way up. But still, it is important to remember to avoid leaning on the railing to film or click photographs. Especially when you reach the top, it could be quite risky, and you could easily slip off.
Moreover, it would be better if you could leave your backpack behind before climbing up the tower. Since it gets narrower as you reach higher, you could get stuck, which might be dangerous and cause trouble to other visitors.
How Can You Get To Ambuluwawa Tower?
If you need to reach Ambuluwawa, you should first get to Gampola town. Gampola is about 15.5 miles away from the main city of Kandy and roughly 79 miles from the capital city of Colombo. You could either use public or private transport to get to Gampola city.
However, most visitors prefer traveling to Gampola by train as it will offer you a pleasant experience and scenic views all the way to your destination. There is a railway station at Gampola, so you can book your tickets and take the train from your current location directly to the Gampola station.
Your Journey To Ambuluwawa Tower Once You Reach Gampola Town…
Ambuluwawa tower is located about 3 miles from Gampola city. So once you get to the town, you can either take a tuk-tuk or travel by private vehicle to reach the mountain and almost to the entrance of the Ambuluwawa complex.
In addition, you could also seek the help of a tourist guide and hike all the way up to the mountain, allowing yourself to enjoy the area’s biodiversity more closely. And, if you travel by private vehicle, you can get down by the entrance and stroll up to the tower, which is about 1.5 miles in the distance.
Other Attractions Nearby Ambuluwawa Tower That Might Be Engaging To You!
After visiting Ambuluwawa tower, do not miss to experience the biodiversity complex and see the neighboring religious places. Then, after completing all your stops at Ambuluwawa, you could even plan your trip all the way to Nuwara Eliya.
Or else, you can take a detour towards Kandy and visit places like The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, etc. In addition, you can also reach Pilimathalawa and visit Embekka Devalaya Lankathilaka Temple, Gadaladeniya Temple, etc.
Besides, since Kandy is a culturally rich place, you’ll be able to find plenty of brassware, handcraft, gems, and handloom or Batik shops around this area.
More Travel Tips From CeylonPulse…
- Ambuluwawa is extremely popular among local and foreign visitors. Hence, this place can be extremely crowded during weekends and holidays. So, it would be best if you could visit this site on a weekday (the complex opens around 8.30 AM)
- Make sure to obtain your ticket at the entrance.
- Take enough water with you, and note that you will not get any restrooms on top.
- If you are traveling by a tuk-tuk or a taxi, ask your driver to drop you off at the entrance of the tower.
- Lastly, don’t forget to click tons of photos and film your adventurous little journey! But make sure to handle your devices carefully, as they could topple down the tower.
Final Thoughts
Ambuluwawa tower is a spot you must enter on your bucket list as a unique travel destination during your stay on this beautiful island! This place holds prominence as a popular location that attracts many adventure lovers.
So, do not miss your chance to visit the Ambuluwawa complex and climb the tower to catch some of the most breathtaking views you could ever have in your life! And we at CeylonPulse request our beloved readers to protect this location, as it is your responsibility to preserve these unique attractions for future travelers.