Location: Kitulgala
Top Things to do in Kitulgala
Countries
6 Things to Do in Kitulgala That You Shouldn't Miss
Kitulgala is a small town in the west of Sri Lanka. It is in the wet zone rain forest, which gets two monsoons each year, and is one of the wettest places in the country. Nevertheless, it comes alive in the first three months of the year, especially in February, the driest month. The Academy Award-winning 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 (and, supposedly, the submerged train cars that plunged into the river in the climactic scene). Kitulgala is also a base for white-water rafting, which starts a few kilometres upstream and also popular as a location for adventure based training programs.
Restaurants in Kitulgala
1. Xclusive Adventures - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Xclusive Adventures offers a complete range of customized tours and exciting adventure sport activities. Our Mission is to deliver the trip of a lifetime to customers, by providing expert travel advice, easy and flexible booking facilities, exceptional customer service and itineraries to satisfy beginners to even the most intrepid of travelers!
Reviewed By Manoj K
I visited Lanka in December, it's been 5 months and I still remember the Xclusive Adventure experience.l!!!!
Their machaan /treetop tents are unique still comfortable experience, located next to the river that does away with a need for music due to the constant gushing sound, their barbeque under the star and a highly motivated team that is always willing to help. The owner worked in Dubai for a few years and had come back to his home country and set up this beautiful place giving us a loveable experience. I don't remember the gentleman's name now but keep up the fabulous work, good for the Lanka tourists that you returned and set you such a beautiful place.
The place doesn't even cost much which is against the belief that good things in life don't come cheap!!!
I also did the rafting and canyoning with them. I have done Rafting in Rishikesh, Manali and Kundalika (all in India) and found kitulgala rafting to be equally good. The owner even took care of my 1yr infant when I went for rafting!!! But, canyoning was out of the world experience. Jumping from the rocks, flowing with the waterfall and all other crazy stuff we did... this happens only in Lanka and you've got to opt for canyoning if you visit Kitulgala.
Xclusive Adventure is recommended to all those that visit Lanka. I took my friends and family along and they appreciated and enjoyed it. Close your eyes and trust them blindly because they believe in tourists satisfaction and extending all the warmth to make our a memorable one!!!
2. Rafting Team 39
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Rafting is great fun and it is perfect for beginners as well as rafting experts! the enthusiastic and experience staff will be happy to take u through the rapids of the kelani river. Starting upriver outside of kithulgala you will begin the five kilometre stretch that includes a series of seven rapids with great names such as the virgin's breast, killer falls and head chopper!
Reviewed By vontroba123
The rafting, equipment etc. was all good but the price agreements before that - not really.
Over the phone I was told that the price was 2000 LKR if I go with the group and 3000 if I go alone. On the spot I was shown a "official pricelist" with higher prices and was told that no groups will be available within several hours. When I told I'll go check the nearby places (there are loads of them), miraculously the owner remembered that there is another guy coming and he arrived in like 10 minutes. And I saw one bigger group arriving about an hour later.
We ended up going just tje two of us and each paid 3000. Also it looks like there is a separate price list for locals and foreiners. At the hotel I stayed I was told that 1500 LKR would be a fair price if going in a bigger group.
All in all, didn't leave with a good feeling and if I would go aigan aigan, I would first check out other providers.
3. Ceylon Adventure
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By Henry P
We didn't book before and arrived with the bus just right next to the reception
He was offering us a good price 23000 for rafting/canyoning/dinner/breakfast/hotel/lunch including drinks for 4 people.
The hotel and the rafting was really nice and we really enjoyed staying here.
The rooms were nice but after one night there was a really bad smell coming out of the bathroom.
Why we are just giving 2 Stars is because of the payment.
When we were about to leave they wanted to charge us another 9000 for the lunch and drinks.
We told him that he said everything was included but he got really mad.
In the end we paid the beers we had (more on the Bill).
He was really rude and was trying to rip us off, taking pictures of us and threatening us to call the Police.
If you want to stay here let him write down all the things that are included.
4. Makandawa Forest Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By buddhika w - Colombo
nice to have a two km walk inside a rain forest with lot of leech's hanging around in your feet.you can see two Waterfalls if you willing to spend more time in the forest
5. Belilena Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Rajikadesilva - Colombo, Sri Lanka
It is a 3 km round trip from the place where we stayed ( Palmstone retreat ) and was well worth it
This is one of the larger prehistoric caves on the island, where the 12,000-year-old skeletal remains of ’Balangoda Man’ (Homo Sapiens Balangodensis) were found.
There is no proper place for a vehicle to park or turn around at the entrance so it's best to either take a three wheeler to make this trip on foot !
