Knuckles Mountain Range

Explorer by Mahoora Camps - Knuckles Mountain Range

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Private Tented Safari Camp Experience in Knuckles

Living Experience
Explorer by Mahoora is a highly unique and immersive experience of living with untamed Sri Lankan wildlife inside National Parks and Nature Reserves across the country. Our Private Tented Safari Camp Experience in Knuckles Mountain range is a surreal escape from city life - to live and breath the fresh mountain air.  

The tented accommodation, set amongst a canopy of tall trees hides the sharp rays of the sun, giving a sense of privacy and seclusion. As the rain spatters, at times tropical downpours, you will hear a melody of songs from frogs that were in hiding. The sounds of the water gushing in the adjoining river ( Thelgamu Oya) is therapeutic.

Mornings are simply amazing, as you sit outside the verandah of your tent and sip a cup of warm coffee or tea that has been attentively made and served by our staff. Wake up to the lazy mornings as sunshine creeps slowly through the leaves and to the singing of an array of birdlife that have made those trees their home.

If you are up for more activity, a dip in the river at the lower edge of the campsite or a quick visit to the farmers - to watch them in action in the paddy fields or the Chena (Slash and Burn cultivation).

a mahoora tent at explorer by mahoora knuckles in sri lanka

Accommodation

The Explorer by Mahoora Living Experience combines rustic with modern. Enjoy a spacious, tented accommodation (15.6’x 8’) which includes a cosy bedroom, en-suite bathroom with a flushable toilet and complimentary toiletries, as well as a private veranda/ porch outside the tent. Your stay with us will always be carbon neutral.

Dining Experience

Truly private and relaxing atmosphere of the campsite gives you the kind of ambience that bites into the delectability of Chef’s special for the day.

The culinary experience includes a few specialities that have been firm favourites of the locals for generations. Our Special herbal porridge, made with three herbs, is based on an age old recipe that the locals swear by for good health and vitality.

living experience at explorer by mahoora knuckles in sri lanka

Walking Trails

Walking trails are the best way to explore the beauty of the Misty Mountains, Knuckles range. We have painstakingly developed a number of trails for the faint hearted travellers as well those who seek the thrill and fascination to explore greater heights.

elephant's head at knuckles nature reserve in sri lanka

Elephant’s Head Trekking Trail

Reaching the rock that is formed like an Elephant’s head, is a full day trekking trail that takes you through the Knuckles Nature Reserve Sri Lanka. The highlights of this challenging trekking trail are the diverse forest patches, different species of flora and fauna that are unique to this Knuckles Mountain region. The trail takes you through a number of small, age old villages that are a rarity in Sri Lanka today. You get to encounter and experience the village life, smiles and warmth of the villagers of this valley surrounded by the Knuckles mountain range.

elephant head trail trekkingA truly rewarding and an exhilarating walking trail that is a must for anyone visiting Knuckles Mountain Range.

a waterfall at explorer by mahoora knuckles in sri lanka

Satiny Falls Trekking Trail

A picturesque and one of the most amazing trekking trails that is both soothing to the eyes and the body, is the trail where the highlight is Satiny Falls.  This beautiful Fall is located near an isolated rural village in the Knuckles Mountain Range. It showcases its best face in November, when monsoons begin with its beautiful streams of satiny waters down the rocks. Roughly 10 metres in height, it can be observed from both the front and the rear -  which is a unique feature of the Falls.

satiny falls trail knuckles mountain range 1There are a number of options to cater to your trekking needs.  We have designed these moderate to low intensity trails to choose from.

Although it is hard to be absolutely precise about how hard a walk may be, we have developed a guideline that is likely to help you understand the level of intensity of the trail.

village people at knuckles in sri lanka

Misty Valley Trail

The Misty Valley trekking trail takes you back in time; reminiscent of childhood stories of ancient Sri Lankan village life. To some of you travellers, these villages may not even exist and to some of you - they may simply be part of the imagination.

It is our joy to take you on a journey that still exists, a  trekking trail that takes you from Chena (slash and burn) cultivations, to picturesque terraced paddy fields and forests patches, to reach sleepy villages in the Misty Valley. What’s more, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the villagers’ genuine warmth and sip a cup of freshly brewed tea or enjoy typical regional cuisine, made to perfection by the womenfolk.

Misty Valley Trail Knuckles Mountain Range Sri Lanka 1We will visit a house in one of the villages where you will be hosted for a cup of tea or lunch a place where you will be able to experience the local hospitality and flavour some local delicacies based on recipes that are passed down from generation to generation.

Nevertheless modernization is imprinting it’s arrival. The changes are inevitable. The panoramic hills and the stretches of grasslands are slowly beginning to fill with small hotels. The  gravel roads that were used as walking paths are now paved allowing motorists to access the villages by vehicles,

walking trail at knuckles nature reserve  in sri lanka

The Forgotten Village Trekking Trail

The foothills of Knuckles Mountain Range have many folktales and mysteries that linger around, creating a sense of curiosity amongst the villagers and travellers alike.

As the frequented footpaths and the enormous forests have silent stories to share, a visit to the Forgotten Village is certainly…  unforgettable.

This trekking trail consists of two sections:  Village Trekking Trail and the Forest Trekking Trail. We start the journey from Explorer by Mahoora Knuckles Campsite and go through the Illukkumbura village. At a turnoff, we take a forest trail in an ascending 2.5 km small motorable road.

Our forest trekking trail up to the Forgotten Village is 3 kilometres one way on an easy, flat terrain trek. In the past, many people lived in this area for a number of decades, yet due to difficulties in accessibility and the presence of wild elephants, many chose to relocate - leaving a very small number of inhabitants who continue to live in the area.     

Although it is hard to be absolutely precise about how hard a walk may be, we have developed a guideline that is likely to help you in understanding the level of intensity of the trekking trail.

Knuckles Mountain Range

Knuckles mountain rangeThe Knuckles covers parts of the Kandy and Matale districts in Sri Lanka. It is separated from the Central Hills by the Mahaweli Valley to the South and East and the Matale Valley to the West. 

view at knuckles in sri lanka

A mountain range situated in Central Sri Lanka that takes the shape of clenched fists is referred to as Knuckles Mountain range. The colonial British gave this name based on its formation of recumbent folds and peaks.  However, it is known in the local tongue as Dumbara Kanduvetiya, meaning ‘mist-laden mountain range’.

It has an amazing diversity of plants, and species that makes it stand out as one of the most amazing places to visit in Sri Lanka. A unique feature here is that the Knuckles seems to have its own climatic microcosm and is home to a higher percentage of the island’s biodiversity - despite its small size. The vegetation found at Knuckles is divided into five types, these are: semi-evergreen, sub montane, montane and riverine forests and the pathana and savannah grasslands.

31 species of mammals have been recorded in the Knuckles, four of which are endemic. Wild Buffalo, Wildboar, Black-naped Hare, Jackal, the endemic Toque Macaque & Purple-faced Leaf Monkey are commonplace. Fishing cats and mouse deer have also been seen.

a girl relaxing at knuckles nature reserve in sri lanka

Weather

The weather is influenced by both locality and the influence of the dry and rainy seasons. Usually the mornings tend to be chilly and as the day progresses, the warmth sets in with a boldness. 

The temperature can range anywhere from 5 to 35 degrees Celsius while humidity is generally quite high. The rainy season makes its presence from late October and lasts for some months.  Strong, gusty winds and sudden, enveloping mists are known to take over without invitation - naturally, Knuckles gives you diversity in climate too. Come evening, the inevitable chill of the night makes you want to gather around the campfire with a warm drink in hand.

Facts

Itineraries

Explorer by Mahoora is a highly unique and immersive experience of living with untamed Sri Lankan wildlife inside National Parks, Nature Reserves or on the borders of National parks/ Nature reserves across the country. Our Private Tented Safari Camp Experience in Knuckles Mountain range is a surreal escape from city life - to live and breath the fresh mountain air.

Knu01The tented accommodation, set amongst a canopy of tall trees hides the sharp rays of the sun, giving a sense of privacy and seclusion. As the rain spatters, at times tropical downpours, you will hear a melody of songs from frogs that are in hiding. The sounds of the water gushing in the adjoining river is therapeutic.

The Explorer by Mahoora campsite is truly private and unique. Sounds of ever flowing waters of the stream that borders the campsite is a continuous melody, while the private rock pool awaits eagerly coaxing the guests to take a dip after a trail. If you are in a mood for a stroll, you may just linger around and enjoy the beautiful landscape that overlooks part of Manigala.

Truly private and relaxing atmosphere of the campsite gives you the kind of ambience that bites perfectly into the delectability of Chef’s special for the day. The culinary experience includes a few specialities that have been firm favourites of the locals for generations. Our Special herbal porridge, made with three herbs, is based on an age old recipe that the locals swear by for good health and vitality.

Explorer by Mahoora is for the adventurer who is looking for a sense of comfort and glamour in the midst of the wilderness. The tent (15.6’x 8’) comes with a bedroom and an en-suite bathroom along with a private veranda/porch outside the tent.

Dining Experience

1 night/ 2 days Itinerary

Dining Experience

2 nights/ 3 days Itinerary

Walking Trails

Walking trails are the best way to explore the beauty of the Misty Mountains, Knuckles Range. We have painstakingly developed a number of trails for the faint hearted travellers as well those who seek the thrill and fascination to explore greater heights.

nature surrounded at knuckles nature reserve in sri lanka

Mahoora tented safari camps Sri Lanka.

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© 2025, Eco Team - Sri Lanka

Resort Locations

Mahoora Tented Safari Camps,
20/63,
Fairfield Garden,
Colombo 08,
Sri Lanka
(10800)

Booking & Query

E. fit5@ecoteam.lk
P. +94 (0)702228222

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