Ramboda Falls is a 109-metre, two-tiered waterfall at Ramboda Pass on the A5 road between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. It is the eleventh-highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and one of the easiest to see, as it spills down a forested cliff right beside the main road through tea country.
Most travellers stop here on the drive up to Nuwara Eliya, often combined with a tea-factory visit along the same road.
Plan your visit to Ramboda Falls
- Entry: free to view
- Best in daylight, after rain
- Time needed: 30–60 minutes
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History of Ramboda Falls
The falls are formed by the Panna Oya, a tributary of the Kotmale Oya, and lie at about 945 metres above sea level in the Kotmale area of Nuwara Eliya District. The steep A5 road climbs past them through a series of hairpin bends.
In 2008 Sri Lanka’s longest road tunnel at the time, the Ramboda tunnel, opened nearby to bypass a landslide-prone section of the pass. The Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple on a ridge above Ramboda links the area with the Ramayana, as it is said to be where Hanuman searched for Sita.
Attractions at Ramboda Falls
- The falls: two main drops framed by forest, best after rain when the flow is strongest.
- Roadside viewpoints: the upper fall can be seen from the A5 and from the terraces of hotels and restaurants above the road.
- Lower viewpoint: a path and steps lead closer to the base of the falls; take care, as rocks are slippery.
- Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple: a Hindu temple with valley views, a short drive away.
- Tea estates: the A5 here passes several tea centres, including Labookellie, where you can see tea processing and taste fresh tea.
Things to Do at Ramboda Falls
- Stop for photos: the view of the upper fall from the roadside is the classic shot.
- Walk to the lower fall: wear shoes with grip and avoid the path after heavy rain.
- Tea tasting: combine the falls with a visit to a nearby tea factory.
- Don’t swim: currents and slippery rocks make bathing dangerous.
Ramboda Falls – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Entry: free to view from the road; some private viewpoints or paths may charge a small fee.
- Hours: visit during daylight; the falls are most impressive during and after the monsoon months.
Tours
- Nuwara Eliya day tour from Kandy (Ramboda Falls, a tea factory, Gregory Lake and the town): on Klook
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How Long to Spend at Ramboda Falls
Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour for photos and a short walk, longer if you add a tea factory or the Hanuman temple.
How to Get There
- By car or taxi: Ramboda is on the A5 between Kandy (about 2 hours) and Nuwara Eliya (about 45 minutes), so it is an easy stop on the drive between them.
- By bus: buses between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya pass the falls; ask to be dropped at Ramboda.
- By train: Ramboda is not on the railway; the nearest useful station is Nanu Oya, near Nuwara Eliya.
- From Colombo: around 5 hours by road via Kandy.
Coming from Colombo or the airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer for a private door-to-door ride to Nuwara Eliya.
Eateries Nearby Ramboda Falls
- Roadside hotels at Ramboda: a few hotels and restaurants on the A5 overlook the falls and serve rice and curry, snacks and tea.
- Tea centres: tea rooms along the A5 serve fresh tea and cake.
- Nuwara Eliya: the nearest town with a wide choice of restaurants, about 45 minutes away.
Other Attractions Nearby Ramboda Falls
- Gregory Lake and Victoria Park: in Nuwara Eliya.
- Hakgala Botanical Garden and Seetha Amman Temple: south-east of Nuwara Eliya.
- Horton Plains National Park: World’s End and Baker’s Falls.
- Ambuluwawa Tower: near Gampola, on an alternative route towards Kandy.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Nuwara Eliya: stop at Ramboda on your way up from Kandy and stay in town.
- Get a Sri Lanka eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
Ramboda Falls is a dramatic 109-metre waterfall right beside the Kandy to Nuwara Eliya road, perfect for a stop on the way into tea country. Come after rain for the strongest flow, and take care on the slippery path to the lower fall.
Continue up to Nuwara Eliya for Gregory Lake, and save an early morning for Horton Plains National Park.
