Famed as the film setting for the 1957 movie “The Bridge over the River Kwai”, Kitulgala is perched on the banks of the Kelani River east of Colombo. It’s renowned as a base for whitewater rafting expeditions and adventure-based activities, with spectacular caves and waterfalls found in the surrounding region.
Things to do in Kitulgala
Spend a day trekking through Kitulgala’s lush rainforest, which is fed by two annual monsoons and is one of the wettest places in Sri Lanka. The area attracts birdwatchers from around the globe, with endemic species such as Sri Lanka spurfowl, spot-winged thrush and green-billed coucal among the highlights. The country’s most recently discovered bird, the Serendib scops owl, was also heard making its distinctive “poo-ooo” call here.
Join one of the local operators on an adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting adventure down the mighty Kelani River. In addition to tackling its five major rapids (plus four smaller ones), the journey offers scenic views of the Kitulgala rainforest and its mountainous surroundings.
Kitulgala is an excellent base for visiting Aberdeen Falls, a 98-metre-high cascade on the Kehelgamu Oya, one of the major tributaries of the Kelani River. It lies on the northern edge of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, which is home to the sacred summit of Sri Pada/Adam’s Peak. Join the pilgrims ascending its stairs in the early hours of the morning, with the reward being unforgettable sunrise views across Sri Lanka.
Getting around Kitulgala
Kitulgala is around 2.5 hours’ drive from Colombo and Bandaranaike International Airport, with regular buses connecting to the Sri Lankan capital. The town itself is compact enough to explore on foot while an abundance of tuk-tuks is available for accessing the surrounding tea plantations and natural wonders.