Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
RATNAPURA
Sitting in well-irrigated valleys between Adam's Peak and Sinharaja Forest Reserve, busy
Ratnapura ('City of Gems' in Sanskrit) is a famous trading centre for the area's ancient
wealth of gem stones. The region's wet and humid climate encourages the formation of
riverbeds, which are the perfect environment for gem stones to develop.
There are several 'gem museums' that contain modest displays on gem lore, along with
less-than-modest showrooms where you're encouraged to purchase 'local' gems at 'loc-
al' prices.
The outskirts of town are dotted with
gem mines
and, although none cater specifically
to tourists, most guesthouses can arrange visits.
You can also observe
gem merchants
selling their wares along Saviya St northeast of
the clock tower. The biggest local gem market, however, convenes most mornings (poya
full-moon days being an exception) in
Newitigala
, a 40-minute drive away. Both markets
are usually over by 3pm.
Another reason to visit Ratnapura is that it's the take-off point for one of the oldest
routes up
Adam's Peak
. Peak-baggers and pilgrims pick up the Gilimalai pilgrimage route
from the road head at Carney Estate, 15km, or one hour, away from Ratnapura by bus. It
takes six to eight hours to reach the top of the peak, and five to seven hours to descend.
Leeches are a particular menace on this trail.
Getting There & Away
There are several park access points, but the most relevant to travellers are those via
Kudawa in the northwest and via Mederapitiya (reached from Deniyaya) in the southeast.
The Mederapitiya entrance is the easiest to reach by public transport.
BUS
From Ratnapura to Deniyaya there are buses (Rs 185; five hours) roughly every hour from
6.45am until the afternoon. There are also several buses to and from Galle (Rs 120; three
hours).
For Kudawa you can get a bus from Ratnapura to Kalawana (Rs 74) and from there to
Weddagala (4km before Kudawa, Rs 32), and then, finally, hop on one to Kudawa (Rs 30).
A three-wheeler from Weddagala to Kudawa is around Rs 500.
