Upper Diyaluma Waterfall
Above the main 220 meter drop of Diyaluma Falls, a separate tier of cascades and pools sits at the very top of the cliff, a spot travelers have increasingly come to treat as its own distinct destination rather than simply the source of the more famous plunge below.
Reached via a roughly 45 minute to one hour hike from Poonagala village, the trail climbing steadily through tea plantations, open grassland and exposed rocky terrain, Upper Diyaluma delivers what's widely regarded as the single most striking set of natural infinity pools anywhere in Sri Lanka, a series of rock carved basins sitting right at the literal edge of the falls, water spilling over the lip into open air with nothing but valley and sky visible beyond.
The pools themselves vary in depth and character, some shallow enough for a casual, easy dip, others deep enough for more adventurous swimmers to attempt natural rock slides or, when conditions and confidence allow, small cliff jumps of around 7 meters into the deeper basins. That adventurous appeal comes with genuine risk though, currents in several of the pools can run surprisingly strong, especially after rain, and there are no barriers or safety railings anywhere along the exposed cliff edge, a real and frequently repeated warning among visitors and guides alike, since a slip near the wrong pool has serious consequences given the sheer drop just beyond.
Beyond the swimming itself, the upper falls offer sweeping, largely unobstructed views across the surrounding hills and valleys, tea estates rolling away toward the horizon in every direction, a genuinely different perspective than what's visible from the base of the main waterfall down below. Most hikers time their visit for the morning, both to beat the day's heat on the exposed climb up and to enjoy the pools before the trail draws its steadiest stream of visitors, treating Upper Diyaluma as the rewarding, slightly riskier payoff to what's already one of the more demanding waterfall hikes in
At a glance
- Entry fee: Around LKR 300 to 500, sometimes bundled with the main falls ticket.
- Opening hours: Best visited during daylight, roughly 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Time needed: About 2 to 3 hours covers the hike and swim.
- Best time: Morning hours, avoiding heat on the exposed climb up.
Getting there
About an hour's drive from Ella near Poonagala village, followed by a 45 minute to one hour hike from the trailhead up through tea plantations and open grassland to reach the upper pools.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Upper Diyaluma Waterfall?
- Around LKR 300 to 500, sometimes bundled with the main falls ticket.
- What are the opening hours at Upper Diyaluma Waterfall?
- Best visited during daylight, roughly 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- How long should I spend at Upper Diyaluma Waterfall?
- Plan for about 2 to 3 hours covers the hike and swim.
- When is the best time to visit Upper Diyaluma Waterfall?
- Morning hours, avoiding heat on the exposed climb up.
- How do I get to Upper Diyaluma Waterfall?
- About an hour's drive from Ella near Poonagala village, followed by a 45 minute to one hour hike from the trailhead up through tea plantations and open grassland to reach the upper pools.