Kitulgala Sri Lanka: Complete Guide To Adventure 2025
- Kate Colliety
- Jun 15
- 9 min read
We stumbled upon a small town in the heart of Sri Lanka, tucked between some of the most beautiful jungle valleys we’ve ever seen. Kitulgala is famous for its adrenaline water-sports and it certainly lived up to the expectation when we arrived, with the Kelani Ganga River running right through the middle of town. From canyoning and jungle hikes to exploring caves and waterfalls, Kitulgala is full of surprises for nature lovers and thrill-seekers, making it a hub for adventure tourism.
White water rafting in Kitulgala turned out to be one of the most memorable things we did during our two month trip around Sri Lanka. Before we arrived, we surprisingly found little about Kitulgala online. While many tourists visit on a day tour from Colombo or Nuwara Eliya, we decided to stay for two nights and were so glad we did. Kitulgala feels like a hidden gem, and we’re glad we took the time to explore it properly as there’s so much more to do than just the Kelani River Rafting.
Waking up in a riverside hut to the sounds of the jungle was truly incredible and if you’re looking for an off the beaten track adventure in Sri Lanka, then Kitulgala is the place. In this blog we’ll share everything we wished we knew before visiting Kitulgala: including how to get there, the best time to visit, where to stay and more.
Where Is Kitulgala?
Kitulgala is located in central Sri Lanka, between Nuwara Eliya and Colombo. Surrounded by thick jungle, endless mountains and waterfalls, it feels like Kitulgala has been swallowed by nature. Sitting along the Kelani Ganga River, it's the perfect and most famous hub for white water rapids in Sri Lanka.
We visited Kitulgala before heading to Sri Pada, Adam’s Peak.
Discover The Top Things To Do In Sri Lanka!
While driving around the country for 2-months, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited and were recommended in Sri Lanka. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your Sri Lankan adventure! Don’t miss out...click here to view for free!
Top Things To Do Kitulgala Map
Best Things To Do Kitulgala Sri Lanka
For nature lovers and thrill-seekers there are so many things to do in Kitulgala! We wished we had another day to chill-out and just sit on the banks of the river, but we chose the adventure instead.
Kitulgala Mountain Biking Experience
For the adrenaline junkies, the Kitulgala Mountain Bike experience has great reviews. A roughly 2.2km track through the stunning scenery of Kitulgala.
Rent a mountain bike and ride through the jungle trails and small local villages. The guided tour offers a route through tea plantations and river crossings, a great chance to explore off the beaten track. You can book online here.
White Water Rafting
By far the best and most popular thing to do is Kitulgala Rafting. You and a team of others will float down the river in an inflatable raft, paddling hard through rapids and relaxing through the calm sections.
The river offers grade 2-3 rapids however our guide said during floods the rapids are extreme. Make sure to take a walk down to the river and speak to the locals before heading out. For us, we had a very calm day for the Kelani river rafting, making it the perfect mix of adventure and scenic beauty for our first time white water rafting.
Fun Fact: Kitulgala’s Kelani Ganga River was the filming location for the Oscar-winning film The Bridge on the River Kwai.
Belilena Cave
A scenic hike through a place not many people are lucky enough to explore, Belilena Cave is a significant archaeological site dating back over 12,000 years old. Water flows over the cave, forming a waterfall spraying mist down into the river below. As you enter the two large caves, you’ll see trench-like formations that are the foundations of an old Buddhist temple.
Makandawa Forest Reserve
Explore the thick jungle rainforest trails surrounding Kitulgala. You can hike to hidden waterfalls, spot rare birds and butterflies, and even visit some remote jungle villages. AllTrails is a great app for finding hikes in the local area, just make sure to bring some leech oil! We learned this the hard way while doing Knuckles Best Hikes and had so many leeches on us.
Bird Watching
The nature in the surrounding jungle around Kitulgala is incredible and the area is home to a variety of rare birds. During our rafting tour, as we floated down the river we saw many kingfishers and monitor lizards on the banks. If you take a walk down to the river banks and get a small boat across to the Makandawa Conservation Centre, you’ll be able to stroll through the rainforest and spot rare birds. Make sure to watch out for leeches and snakes, and visiting early in the morning will be when the birds are most active.
Stay in a Riverside Eco-Lodge
One of the main things to do in Kitulgala is to stay in a riverside eco lodge accommodation, you’ll wake up to the sounds of water rushing through the narrow river, monkeys in the trees and birds singing as the sun rises, a truly unforgettable experience.
We chose to stay in Kitulgala Eco-Cabins, situated right on the banks of the river. These bamboo huts are back to basics and close to nature, but they’re incredible. Another more expensive hut option closer to the town is the Borderlands Eco-Lodge which looks a lot less basic. For something a little less exposed to the bugs and nature, The Cave Kitulgala has nice clean rooms with four walls!
Kayaking the Kenali River
Instead of taking on the river with a team of others in a raft, some places offer a kayak when the waters aren’t too crazy. It can be much more difficult to control the kayak on your own without a guide so most travellers opt to raft, but if you’re looking for a solo adventure then why not try kayaking instead?
Kitulgala River Tubing
If all of the adrenaline and adventure activities sound like too much, then this one's for you. Spend the morning calmly floating down the Kelani River in a rubber ring, you’ll have a guide and a river tube each and as you float down the river you’ll really get an appreciation for being in nature.
Canyoning & Waterfall Abseiling
Back to crazy adventures, the canyoning involves a 1km trek into the wilderness of Kitulgala to Kataran-Oya where you’ll have the chance to hike and swim through seven pools. As you traverse through the pools, each one offers a cliff jump or slide, perfect for the adrenaline junkies out there, we loved canyoneering so much as it’s just you and the canyon, no rafts, kayaks or tubes.
Kelani Bridge
One of the most aesthetic things we saw in all of our time in Sri Lanka was the Kelani Suspension Bridge in Kitulgala. As we left our eco-cabin accommodation located right on the banks of the river, we floated down towards the town under the Suspension Bridge. It was early in the morning, so the town was silent, the birds were chirping and the mist was sitting heavy lining the river banks.
During your time in Kitulgala, it's definitely worth walking over the suspension bridge and taking some photos. We recommend an early morning stroll or sunset walk for the best wildlife. Location
Where To Stay in Kitulgala
From budget accommodation in Kitulgala to riverside eco-lodges, there's plenty of options of where to stay. We highly, highly, recommend the riverside lodge as it was one of the most memorable mornings waking up to the sounds of nature.
Best Time To Visit Kitulgala
Generally, the best time to visit Kitulgala is between December & April, during the dry season where you’ll most likely have sunny days ideal for all of the outdoor activities. The monsoon season brings heavy rainfall and causes the rivers to rise, typically from May to September. We chose to visit in October which was the shoulder season meaning it wasn’t too busy but we also had okay weather, perfect if you’re looking for less crowds.
How To Get To Kitulgala
Bus
Located on the Colombo-Hatton-Nuwara Eliya road, Kitulgala is easily accessible by car or bus. To get to Kitulgala from Colombo, regular buses depart from the Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Kegalle, passing through Kitulgala. The journey takes approximately 3.5 hours and costs between LKR 3,000–3,800.
Tip: When arriving in Kitulgala, avoid disembarking at the Kitulgala junction. Instead, continue a bit further and get off the bus closer to Borderlands for better access to accommodations and activities.
Private Taxi
By far the most convenient way to get to Kitulgala will be with a private transfer, however this will cost. Ideal for families and your luggage will be sorted and you’ll be dropped off at your next hotel. You can pre-book taxis online before your journey so you have a set price!
Car or Tuktuk Rental
While travelling Sri Lanka, we opted to go for Tuktuk Rental and fell in love with the adventure. It gave us the freedom and flexibility to explore everywhere while travelling slow enough to appreciate everything on our drives. We highly highly recommend it, you can also use code “KandM” for 5% off your trip!
For families, a car rental would probably be much more comfy and reliable.
Internal Flight
A one of a kind experience is flying with Cinnamon Air, Sri Lanka’s domestic airline. You could fly to Hatton and get a taxi/tuktuk to Kitulgala.
Best Kitulgala Tours
Kitulgala Common Questions
How far is Kitulgala from Colombo?
Kitulgala is located nearly 100km away from Colombo and easily accessible by road (3 hour drive). The most convenient way to get there is via private taxi which you can pre-book on 12Go. Alternatively, a rental car will give you flexibility and allow you to visit Adam’s Peak afterwards.
How long does it take to get to Kitulgala from Nuwara Eliya?
The travel time from Kitulgala to Nuwara Eliya or vice versa is just over 1 hour driving, easily accessible by road.
Is one day enough in Kitulgala?
Wondering how many days to spend in Kitulgala? Many people opt for only one day, choosing to do a day trip from Colombo. While this is okay and still worth the journey for Kitulgala’s Water Rafting, we highly recommend spending at least one night sleeping on the river. Borderland Eco-Lodge is a slice of paradise, we chose to stay in Eco-Cabins which is a budget alternative.
Do I need to book Kitulgala activities in advance?
To book Kitulgala tours in peak season, booking before you go will confirm your place on the river, however waiting until you get there might lead to a slightly better deal. During peak season Kitulgala tours can be booked up quickly.
What are the best eco-lodges in Kitulgala?
The best accommodations in Kitulgala are the eco-lodges on the riverbanks, we woke up one morning listening to the sounds of the water rushing through, birds singing and monkeys calling. It was one of the most memorable mornings of our two month Sri Lanka trip.
We stayed in Kitulgala Eco Cabins, a budget option. You can pre-book online here.
A more luxury Kitulgala Accommodation option is Borderlands Eco-Lodge. You can pre-book online here.
Are there budget hotels in Kitulgala?
Yes, there are plenty of budget accommodation options in Kitulgala, from riverside eco-cabins (where we stayed, book here) to homestays in the town.
Can you do activities in Kitulgala during the rainy season?
You can, but make sure to double check with the guides first! The hikes will be full of leeches and the river might be flooded.
What wildlife can you see in Kitulgala?
On the rafting tour, we saw monitor lizards, butterflies, monkeys, kingfishers and so many more birds. If you take a hike to the Makandawa Forest Reserve you’ll also see plenty of monkeys and potentially snakes. Also watch out for leeches!
Is Kitulgala better than Ella for adventure activities?
We think so, yes! While Ella is a much more popular spot with many more restaurants and things to do, if you’re looking for an off the beaten track adventure, then Kitulgala is the place.
The misty Nuwara Eliya tea plantations were incredible to drive through on the way towards Adam's Peak Hike.
Top Tips For Travelling Sri Lanka
If you’re visiting Sri Lanka here are our top travel tips:
Rent a Tuk Tuk as Transport - This made our trip! Not only did we have complete freedom and flexibility it allowed us to have authentic relationships with locals. Use our code "KandM" for 5% off Tuktuk Rental
Stay in Homestays - Staying in local homestays meant we experienced authentic food and the local way of life. Everyone was extremely friendly and happy to help.
Don’t Forget the North - Many tourists stick to the south coast but if you have time explore places such as Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Arugam bay!
Embrace The Chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
These are some of the travel tools we love and use daily, by booking through our links you support our blog and help us grow, thank you.
Thank you for reading and enjoy your Sri Lankan adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
.png)
Comments