Laxapana Falls is 126 m high and the 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 625th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Maskeliya area in Nuwara Eliya District, about 16 km from Maskeliya town on Maskeliya-Norton Bridge road, in a village called Kiriwan Eliya.
The name's derived from the words "Laksha-pahana", with "Laksha" denoting 100,000 and "Pahana" meaning lamps. Ergo, 100,000 lamps; which was apparently a reference to how the water diverted from here could be used to generate electricity to light up that many lamps.
Best time to Visit Laxapana Falls
The best time to visit Laxapana Falls is from September to December. Because the rainfall in the area is at its peak during these months, the waterfalls appear magnificent during this time. The powerful waterfalls makes it also the perfect circumstances to take spectacular photos.
How to Reach?
You can choose easy way to reach Laxapana Falls. Distance from Colombo to Laxapana Falls is 121km.
What You Can Do Here?
If you visit in Laxapana Falls, there are lots of things to do for your enjoying. You can relax, sightseeing, take photos, reach base of the fall, visit Horton plains, visit laxapana dams & many more.
Here is a long list of major things to do in Laxapana Falls. Which the first time travelers can visit and experience.
Reach the Base of the fall
While the view of the falls from above is stunning, make the descent towards the bottom to enjoy the falls in its entirety. The downward climb consists of more than 500 steps amid dense flora, and it ends with the sight of the stunning natural Pool.
Unwind at the Top
One can take a dip in the water at the top of Laxapana Falls amid the spectacular vistas of the Seven Virgin Mountains in the vicinity. A separate set of steps can access the head of the falls. Although many visitors are often spotted swimming in the pool at the base, it is not recommended as the currents are rather strong here.
Visit Laxapana Dam
The Laxapana Dam is a gravity dam built across the Maskeliya Oya, 2.8 km downstream of the Laxapana Falls, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.
Get to know about Laxapana Power Station
The dam creates the Laxapana Reservoir, which is sustained from water flowing in from the Kelani River, and discharged water from the Old Laxapana Hydroelectric Power Stations and New Laxapana Hydroelectric Power Stations. The Old Laxapana and New Laxapana hydroelectric power stations belong to the Norton Dam and Canyon Dam respectively, delivered via penstocks.
The combined hydro resource of the Laxapana Reservoir is fed into another penstock to a further 7.8 km (4.8 mi) downstream for utilization of power generation at the Polpitiya Power Station, located at 06°58′40″N 80°27′24″E. The power station, which is also called as the Samanala Hydroelectric Power Station, consists of two generation units rated at 37.50 MW each, both of which were commissioned in April 1969
Visir around Pedro Tea Estate
This tea factory is closest to the town, compared to the other tea factories. Tea produced here is popular all over the world, and is one of high priced as well. An half an hour tour is provided at this tea factory at Nuwara Eliya. Since the tea processed here is very light, it generally takes place at night.
Watch Aberdeen fall
Aberdeen Falls is a 98 m high waterfall on the Kehelgamu Oya near Ginigathena, in the Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka. Aberdeen is named after Aberdeen, the third largest city in Scotland and the capital of Aberdeenshire. Kehelgamu Oya is a major tributary of the Kelani River
Take Photos
There is a wonderful green view nature. You can take lots of pictures. If you have several lenses and, or, a drone, it is highly recommend to use them when you’re at the Laxapana waterfall! There is enough space to move around and use different focal lengths. This will give you different perspectives of the waterfall.
