Loolkandura Exploration-2015

Loolkandura tea state is a place where most of the nature lovers are attracted by its eye catching scenarios apart from being the first ever commercial tea estate in Sri Lanka. The exploration of loolkandura was done by the University Explorers crew consisted of 84 participants on 29th of March, 2015. The journey was started around 8.45 a.m. from science faculty premises and the path we used was (B364)

Galaha Junction> Hindagala> Mahakanda> Deltota>Loolkandura.

ROUTE B364: TO LOOLKANDURA FROM UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

There is around 35km s to Loolkandura tea estate from Peradeniya and another few kilometers inside the state to reach the peak. The bus was travelled along the narrow and bendy roads and reached boundry of loolkandura state. From that point all the hikers stepped together into the state through the forest area to seek out its hidden beauty and historically important places. The journey seemed to be little bit harsh along to steep and narrow footpath but helping each other made the walk easy and more memorable to all. Lunch was taken while resting on the first plane area we have met and we were able to reach the top by 3.00 p.m. On the way to the top an elk and foot prints of a leopard could be observed. The state is surrounded by gigantic mountains such as Hunnasgiri mountain range, Knuckles range and Brandy gala.

LOOLKANDURA ESTATE

When returning the pathway was much easier as foot path through the tea plantation area was selected to climb down. Passing a plot of recently trimmed tea plantation, we were able to reach the site where the cabin of James Taylor who was the founder of this state was located. There the chimney made with rubble in masonry work, James Tailor seat, ode to James Taylor could be observed. However we retraced our steps from loolkandura while thanking James Taylor who had made this state as his first and last love and reached our destination, Science faculty by 7.30 p.m.