Kitulgala Tourism
Nestled among forested hills, Kitulgala is a small Sri Lankan town in the western region of the country. Best known for being the most popular location in Sri Lanka for white water rafting, a visit to Kitulgala is a terrific combination of nature and thrill. It is also one of the wettest places in Sri Lanka. The Kelani River which flows through the town served as a filming location for the Oscar-winning movie ‘The Bridge On the River Kwai’, released in 1957.
Apart from being the base for white water rafting, Kitulgala has plenty of options for adventure sporting that sound too good to resist. These include jungle trekking, outdoor camping, mountain biking and waterfall abseiling. The natural attractions at Kitulgala are the most diverse, ranging from the Belilena Caves, where the 12,000-year-old remains of the prehistoric Balangoda Man (Homosapiens Balangodensis) were discovered, to the nearby picturesque Aberdeen Falls. Birdwatching is relatively common at Kitulgala, especially at the Makandawa Forest Reserve, owing to the myriad species of birds in the region. One can also see endemic bird species at Makandawa include the orange-billed babbler and chestnut-backed owlet and mammals such as the slender red loris. Whether you seek the adrenaline rush of adventure or solitude and tranquillity amid nature, Kitulgala is hands down the best of both worlds.
Kitulgala day tour is a mere 2 hour drive from Colombo-Nuwara Eliya road, Kitulgala is a Rain Forest patch which attracts many resident and foreign travelers for its natural beauty. The Academy Award-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.
We at Best of Lanka, suggests following things to do during Kitulgala Day Tour,
- White Water Rafting in Kelani River
- Rain forest walks to see beautiful rivers and waterfalls
- Mountain biking on the roads or in the forest
- Visiting prehistoric Belilena caves in which the 12,000 year old skeletal remains of the prehistoric ‘Balangoda man’ (Homesepiens Balangodensis) have been found
- Waterfall Jumps and Waterfall Abseiling
- Bird Watching
- River expeditions
While one night or two nights stay is recommended, Kitulgala can be enjoyed in one day also. But staying the 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.
