A mere 2 hour drive from Colombo-Nuwara Eliya road, Kitulgala is a Rain Forest patch which attracts many resident and foreign tourists for its natural beauty. The Academy Awad-winning movie The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed on the Kelani River near Kitulgala, although nothing remains now except the concrete foundations for the bridge Kitulgala is the base for white-water rafting in Sri Lanka but there are myriad of leisure and adventure activities that can be done in Kutulgala.
White Water Rafting
Pick up from Nuwara Eliya hotel & transfer to Kitulgala - Approximately 2 hours drive Experience White Water Rafting in the picturesque Kelani River, covering 5 major rapids and 4 minor rapids. This activity is for anyone above the age of 10 years with safety gear, modern rafts, and a comprehensive safety briefing will be given by our white water rafting instructors beforehand. The distance covered is around 5 KMs.
Jungle Walks
Experience various fauna and flora of the Rain forest of Kitulgala Forest Reserve and see beautiful sceneries of waterfalls and streams hidden inside the forest. Have cool dip in a scenic flowing water stream during your Rain Forest Trekk in the Jungle of Kitulgala.
Mountain Biking/ Cycling Trips
e conduct uphill and Downhill Mountain Cycling/Biking. Our Mountain Cycling tracks cover Tea Estates, Rubber Estates and other scenic locations, towns and sleepy hamlets. This is a great way to experience the sceneries and the local village lifestyles.
River bathing in the shallow branches
This is a famous place among local people and foreigners as well. I must say this is only one another beautiful place made of Kelani River. People are attracted to here because of its natural beauty. In this area the river becomes totally white in colour because of the ups and downs and the barriers the river meets with.
Belilena Cave
The word speleology, describes the exploration, surveying, mapping and photographing of caves, which is performed by the scientific community. These caves are home to a great variety of creatures that are nocturnal in their habits and most of the recently discovered species are from caves which have been around for at least 500 million years. These caves especially the Belilena Cave in Sri Lanka is abound with stalactites and stalagmites, formations of conical calcium deposits sometimes as tall as a small child.
Waterfall Abseiling
Enjoying the view of a stunning Waterfall is already amazing but abseiling takes this adventure far beyond the limits of a normal sightseeing of a tourist. The intense and powerful feeling of the water combined with the fact that you are hanging on a rope and that there is nothing but water beneath and above, will give adrenalin push like you have never experienced before.Water fall height is 105 ft and duration will be 3 hours for 4 people. Waterfall Abseiling is an ideal adventure activity to test your confidence.
Stream slides & Confidence Jumps
The trek to natural rock pools and waterfalls of kataran-Oya" -1.5KM. There are 7 natural pools which are extremely beautiful and a gift of nature where you will be able to experience Sliding down an inclined 05 meter water fall with safety gear in to the rock pool, A confidence jump with safety to beautiful natural rock pool and Swimming in the cool and clean waters of the rain forest
Bird Watching
Bird watching in Kithulgala is considered as a main interest of a nature lover and can result in you seeing many of the country's endemic bird species such as Sri Lanka Orange-billed babbler and chestnut-backed owlet, as well as reptiles such as green pit viper and earless lizard and a variety of butterflies.
Sri Lankan Rice and curry for lunch
Sri Lankan Rice and curry for lunch and Curd with honey must is highly recommended to experience the local food flavours. While one night or two nights stay is recommended Kitulgala can be enjoyed in one day also. But staying a night will be a nice experience. A night out in a eco lodge near the river bank in Kitulgala is amazing experience amidst a roaring.