White Water Rafting In Sri Lanka
Ideal For Beginners And Moderate
River Rafting
Sri Lanka’s premier Rafting location is the
beautiful village of Kithulgala. This area has the
lushest vegetation in the island, on account of its
high rainfall, with tall palms, ferns and wild orchids
in forests enveloped by mist and pretty rubber
plantations dotted around the landscape.
Anyone familiar with Sir David Lean’s classic war
film The Bridge On The River Kwai will be able to
appreciate the supreme beauty of Kithulgala, as
the entire film was shot on location here in 1957,
right next to the river rafting site in fact!
Water Rafting is done on the gushing rapids of the
Kelani River. There rapids are suitable for
beginners, so no previous experience is necessary.
White Water Rafting At Kithulgala
The Kithulgala run is 6.5 km in length and takes
about 90 minutes to complete. It rates between
Grades 2 and 3 and there are seven rapids to
tackle, each with their own unique names. On a
run down the river you run into the likes of Virgin's
Breast, Butter Crunch, Killer Fall and the Rib
Cage. As the names suggest, they each have their
own distinct character.
A calm stretch in the river between two rocky
outcrops on either side is the site where the bridge
from the film Bridge On The River Kwai was
constructed nearly half a century ago. The water
flows silent here, deep and sluggish.
A most interesting rapid is the Head Chopper. The
water picks up speed and forces its way through a
channel on the right bank of the river. The speed
shoots the boat around the corner and directly into
the path of a low-lying branch. The adrenaline rush
is brought about more by the sense of speed than
actual proximity to the branch. For taller rafters,
though, it is very advisable to duck!
NOTE: White Water Rafting is dependent on river
levels of the Kelani River at Kithulgala. it may not
be possible to do White Water Rafting if river
levels are too low on a particular day.
Where To Stay At Kithulgala
The Royal River Retreat
There are no luxury or resort hotels at Kithulgala.
The best hotel by far is the delightful Royal River
Resort, a boutique lodge high up in a rubber
plantation, full of antiques and a natural waterfall
that flows into the swimming pool!
Other Activities At Kithulgala
The Kithulgala Rainforest
The river can be crossed in a dugout canoe to take
you to the rainforests that cling to the slopes right
up to the foot of Adam’s Peak far away. Here you
will find paths that lead to remote hamlets deep in
the forest. Kithulgala is famous for elusive
endemic bird species like Sri Lanka Spurfowl,
Green-billed Coucal and Spot-winged Thrush.
Mountain Biking
Sri Lanka's mountainous terrains are among the
finest in the world for mountain biking. Among the
slopes, valleys and the tea plantations are tracks
and trails that will lure any mountain biker. Tours
range from lush tea estates to caves, rain forests,
ancient temples and waterfalls.
Note : If you wish to consider adding White Water
Rafting to your Sri Lanka holiday arrangements,
please request this on your contact e-mail for the
main holiday.
Local Village Ferry
Hanging Bridge Over The Kelani River
Rapids On The Kelani River
