Gampola: Views and history near Ambuluwawa

Near Gampola lies Ambuluwawa, a destination featuring a hike, a distinctive tower, gardens, forests and other cultural elements. This combination may appeal when planning your holiday if you want to explore more than a single viewpoint. At the same time, it is useful to distinguish between the two: Gampola is where you can look for a holiday rental; Ambuluwawa is the main focus of an excursion in the surrounding area. Which aspects appeal to you most depends on whether you are primarily interested in discovering the landscape, the destination’s different areas or its historical connections.

Hiking and views

The hike up Ambuluwawa is considered relatively easy and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, forests, rivers and towns. So the panorama takes in more than mountain ranges: rivers and settlements are also part of the view. The Ambuluwawa Tower is about 48 metres high. This figure refers to the tower itself. Ambuluwawa is also about 1,965 feet above the level of the town of Gampola. These are different measurements: the height of the structure and the elevation of Ambuluwawa in relation to the town’s level. When planning your visit, you can therefore consider the tower and the landscape hike as two distinct aspects of this nearby destination.

Other aspects of Ambuluwawa

Ambuluwawa includes Kuttam Pokunas and lakes, flower and medicinal-plant gardens, natural forests, a museum and an open-air theatre. This range of features complements the scenic hike with water and plant life, as well as cultural elements. When planning your trip, you can consider whether the hike, the different areas of the site or both will shape your excursion.

A historical connection

The area around Ambuluwawa also has a specific historical connection to Gampola. The palace of King Buwanekabahu IV was located near Ambuluwawa; Buwanekabahu IV ruled in Gampola from 1341 to 1357. This makes the geographical distinction clear: the reign relates to Gampola, while the palace was near Ambuluwawa. This historical connection offers a different perspective on your excursion from the views and nature.

Route and accommodation in Gampola

The route runs from Kandy to Gampola and then follows Gampola-Hemmathagama Road for four kilometres to the entrance of the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Center. For your planning, it is helpful to keep these details separate: the four kilometres refer to the stretch of road to the entrance; the hike is a separate experience. Check local access conditions before your visit. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Gampola, you can consider whether to include Ambuluwawa as an excursion during your stay. This lets you choose your base with the landscape and history that interest you in the surrounding area in mind.

Discover more destinations: Daulagala, Digana, Gatambe, Nawalapitiya, Wattappola, Kandy, Kadugannawa, Peradeniya

Go to the main travel overview: Kandy.