Kitulgala is a beautiful village located closer to the hill capital Kandy with sweeping green fields extending up to the horizon. The scenery is spectacular with forest-covered hills and deep gorges plunging down to the Kelani River. This area considers as one of the wettest places in the country because it gets heavy rains from both monsoons each year. Surrounded by wet zone rainforests, Kitulgala gets its name from the Kitul palm trees. These trees are present in thick groves around the Kitulgala area. The sap of the Kitul tree can be used to make yummy jaggery and palm wine call as toddy.
Nevertheless, this small town is a popular adventure destination for thrill-seeking locals and tourists. Nicknamed as the “Adventure Capital in Sri Lanka”, it is a world-famous hot spot among adrenaline junkies. Kitulgala has a well-developed adventure sports base with highly trained instructors and safety equipment. Thus, adventure lovers who want to experience some serious thrills in Sri Lanka always select Kitulgala as their destination. Without a doubt, Kitulgala is the best place in Sri Lanka where you can get an adventurous thrilling rush of exhilaration.
It’ s numerous adventure offerings make Kitulgala a great holiday getaway for travelers. In this post, we will show you the 10 best things to do in the adventure capital of Sri Lanka.
Access to Kitulgala
Kitulgala locates around 90 km from Colombo. So, it is 2.5 hours drive from the capital. Since there isn’t any train station in Kitulgala, you can use only buses. Board the bus bound for Hatton from the Colombo Pettah bus station and get off at Kitulgala junction to reach your selected adventure spot. If you are using the train, travel to Kandy station first and use a bus to cover the remaining distance.
1. White Water Rafting
Kitulgala is best known for being the most popular location in Sri Lanka for white water rafting. Adorned by the forested hills and beautiful Kalani River, a visit to Kitulgala is a terrific combination of nature and thrill. Certainly, the Kelani River is at its grandest when it reaches Kitulgala. This creates a perfect ambiance for great white river rafting along the strong gushes of water. You can discover the crystal-clear waters of the Kelani River and breathtaking views of the roaring water that stumbles through its rocky gorge.
When the rafting starts at Kitulgala, the river soon takes you down along the water rapids. You will encounter 5 major rapids which are graded 2 or 3 and 4 minor rapids. This wonderful experience takes about 90 minutes. You’ll pass through the dense jungles where only the sound of the gushing river and occasional bird calls break the silence. The river currents are so swift and you’ll get your adrenaline rush as battling with the rapids. As well you can take a dip in the river during this trip at a place where the water calms down.
The best time for white water rafting in Kitulgala is between May and November. Particularly, White water rafting in the Kelani River does not require a higher degree of rafting skills or swimming experience. Even the people who are experimenting it for the first time, or families and small groups can go for a thrilling ride down the river. Without a doubt, this is a wonderful experience that leaves you with an everlasting memory.
2. Waterfall Hunting
Kitulgala is full of scenic beauty and adorned with many gorgeous waterfalls. By trekking through the jungle, you’ll see the beauty of these spectacular hidden waterfalls. There are several small waterfalls in this area. Above all, Aberdeen Falls on the Kehelgamu Oya river is one of the most popular places among visitors.
Aberdeen waterfall is 98 m tall, the 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is a great addition to your schedule if you are planning waterfall hunting in this area. The surging water of the stunning Aberdeen Falls cascades into a deep rock pool at its bottom. Although the base pool of Aberdeen Fall is extremely deep, there are many other waterfalls where you can enjoy a dip in the cool water.
3. Waterfall Abseiling
Apart from being the base for white water rafting, Kitulgala has plenty of options for adventure sports that sound too good to resist. One such amazing activity is waterfall abseiling. You can fully enjoy the view of a stunning waterfall by abseiling along the rock surface of the waterfall. This is a marvelous adventure far beyond the limits of a normal sightseeing tour. The best thing is you don’t need swimming skills or any previous experience abseiling. The tour guides provide you with all the instructions and safety measures to ensure you have a wonderful experience.
Waterfall abseiling gives an intense and powerful feeling combined with the fact that you are hanging on a rope and that there is nothing but water beneath and above. This will give you an adrenalin rush like you have never experienced before. The height of the waterfall is 105 ft and the duration of the adventure is 3 hours.
This experience is available at Sadun Ella in Kitulgala, a waterfall hidden away in the lush greenery of nature. It also offers a breathtaking view of the rainforest at the peak of the fall. A small hike to the top is required for this activity you are ready to begin the adventure. This is an ideal activity to test your confidence and to have the most memorable abseiling adventure in the Sri Lankan wilderness. So, ready to conquer the heights in Kitulgala.
4. Cave Exploration
Belilena is a well-known large cave located in Kitulgala, just closer to Aberdeen Falls. It is renowned as an archeological site where the 32,000-year-old remains of the prehistoric Balangoda Man (Homosapiens Balangodensis) were discovered. The researchers have found ancient stone tools, bone artifacts, and human skeletal remains inside this cave. Thus, it is a popular attraction for locals & foreign visitors alike. You can learn a lot about the evolution of human being by exploring this archaeological reserve which dates back a millennium.
Belilena has located about 8 km from Kitulgala town, altitude of 2,000 ft above sea level. The road to Belilena cave runs through rubber plantations and then you need to trail through the dense jungle to reach the cave. Although the trail would be pretty challenging as the ground is slippery with dense undergrowth, you will encounter many wildlife species during this trail. The cave locates behind a beautifully cascading waterfall and it adds a charming beauty to this place.
Belilena cave occupies a very special place in the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. More archaeological research by future generations with more advanced technologies and methods is needed to yield more knowledge. Thus, the site has been declared as an archaeological reserve in Sri Lanka.
5. Bird Watching
There are many other attractions in Kitulgala for those who do not wish to partake in thrill-seeking river and jungle adventures. Bird watching is a relatively common activity at Kitulgala, especially in the Makandawa Forest Reserve. There are countless species of birds in the region. One can also see endemic bird species including the rare Serendib scops owl, Orange-billed babbler, Chestnut-backed owlet, and mammals such as the Slender red loris.
Makandawa rain forest offers various nature trails for bird watchers. Kitulgala area has most of the bird species that are found in the Sinharaja rainforest. Since the secondary forest and cultivation at Kitulgala are more open than in Sinharaja, elusive endemic species may be easier to see. Rare species like Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Green-billed Coucal, and Spot-winged Thrush live in these jungles. So Kitulgala is a prime spot for bird watching enthusiasts.
6. Mountain Biking
There are many leisurely activities available for visitors who will absolutely love the natural beauty of Kitulgala. Apart from adventures, cycling is one of the fun activity popular among tourists. You can embark on this delightful uphill and downhill cycling expedition starting from Hatton to Kitulgala that enables you to explore the real beauty of Sri Lanka.
This ride through rugged mountainous terrain takes you through stunning tea estates and rubber plantations. Make your way through beautiful tiny villages and witness the daily life of farmers and locals. By enthralling this trip, you can enjoy the stunning scenery and the local village lifestyles from close.
7. Outdoor Camping
Considered to be a hub for adventurists, the scenic beauty of many attractions in Kitulgala makes it a prime destination for nature lovers. Outdoor camping is one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery in this area. Since the mountain terrain of Kitulgala is full of breathtaking hiking trails, it is a wonderful place for camping in Sri Lanka.
8. Zip Lining
Ziplining in Kitulgala gives visitors an adventurous ride on a steep and inclined cable among the lush green surrounding. This is a wonderful experience where you will fly like an eagle to get a flattering aerial view of the Kelani River running through the forest. Although it is a few-minute excursion, the memory will be an eternal one.
Ziplining is a totally safe adventure where you can clip into a harness and zip across the river enjoying the fresh air and stunning views from a different angle. The drop is around 60 feet. Without a doubt, ziplining gives the opportunity to see Kitulgala in all its glory.
9. Rock Pool Bathing
The trek to the natural rock pools of Kataran Oya is another wonderful activity in Kitulgala. This is a highly famous adventure among tourists. There are 7 natural pools which are extremely beautiful. There you will be able to experience several activities including the confidence jumps to the natural rock pool. Then you can swim and bathe in crystal-clear cool water.
10. Stream Sliding
Canyoning is a famous activity among adventurists and it is related to going down along the flowing stream in a gorge using a variety of techniques including abseiling, climbing, sliding, and jumping. The canyon is a natural gorge that has been carved out of the rocks by a water current. There are several natural canyons in the Kitulgala area.
Canyoning in Kitulgala is mainly related to rock sliding. You can slide down inclined waterfalls into the rock pool. There’s a tributary of the Kelani River that has many small waterfalls and rock pools where you can slide down along the slippery rocks. This is one of the most popular fun things to do in Kitulgala.
To sum up, whether you seek the adrenaline rush of adventure or solitude and tranquility amid nature, Kitulgala is the perfect place for you. Your thrill-seeking adventure trip will give you the opportunity to explore nature and its scenic beauty. Without a doubt, you’ll enjoy yourself a lot in the adventure capital of Sri Lanka. Wish you all an adrenaline-filled holiday in Kitulgala.!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Dreamstime, Facebook, and Twitter. All copyrights are reserved by the original authors.
