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Bopath Ella waterfall in the forest near Kuruwita, Ratnapura District

Activity · Ratnapura

Gem pit and washing visit

A visit to a working gem pit outside town, where miners haul up gravel in baskets and wash it in the river to find stones.

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Best season
January to March. Ratnapura is one of the wettest towns on the island.
Time to allow
1 hr 30 min (at least 1 hr)
Best time of day
Morning
Entry
LKR 0 to LKR 3,000 (estimate)
What to wear
Everyday clothes. Sun hat and sunscreen help.
Good for
Easy going, families

Often arranged free by gem dealers, who will expect you to look at their stones; an independent guide charges a fee.

Around Ratnapura

The entrance gate of Maha Saman Devalaya, Ratnapura
The entrance gate of Maha Saman Devalaya, Ratnapura
Washed gem gravel being sorted by hand at a gem pit near Pelmadulla
Washed gem gravel being sorted by hand at a gem pit near Pelmadulla
Forested hills around Ratnapura
Forested hills around Ratnapura

We have no photo of Gem pit and washing visit itself yet. These show the area.

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