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Kitulgala? Where even is that?

Kitulgala, about a 3 hour drive east of Colombo, lies in the hill country of Sri Lanka. The name is derived from the Kitul tree which is used among other things to make kitul syrup – Sri Lankas maple syrup.
With its lush jungle, the Kelani river, canyons, waterfalls and wildlife all around it’s the perfect spot to experience Sri Lankas nature and take on adventure activities all year round.

Our Surroundings

The Kelani River

The Kelani river stretches all the way from the Sri Pada Mountain Range to Colombo. One of the most famous locations along the Kelani River is Kitulgala – our home base. The river runs along our campsite and offers level 2 – 3 rapids upstream – perfect for white water rafting or kayaking. Quiteter streches are great for canoeing swimming or stand up paddling.

Wildlife

Wildlife thrives in the misty mountains of the Kitulgala rainforest. 54 rare species of birds, giant squirrels, deer, water buffalo and even elephants roam the jungle surrounding Kitulgala. Take a village walk or a hike through the Makandawa Rainforest Reserve to spot the animals in their natural habitat and appreciate the beauty of the lush flora around Kitulgala.

Take a village walk or a hike through the Makandawa Rainforest Reserve to spot the animals in their natural habitat and appreciate the beauty of the lush flora around Kitulgala.

Sandunella Waterfall

A sight to behold: Sandunella waterfall. A stunning 105 meter high waterfall up in the hills, Sandunella offers stunning views of the rolling hills, and the tea and rubber estates. It’s not only a stunning location but also the ideal spot for a thrilling abseil and an unforgettable canyoning experience.

Our Canyons

Kitulgala has two amazing canyons suitable for all levels of experience. Both canyons offer a great adventure with slides, jumps and beautiful scenery.

The base canyon is just a 15 min hike uphill and takes you all the way down into the valley by way of slides, jumps and crawls. If you want a more challenging canyoning adventure Marvel canyon is your pick. It’s aptly named for it’s marvelous views, 10 meter jump and waterfall.

Belilena Caves

Cut through tea estates and local villages for a leisurely journey laced with extraordinary views of the surrounding hill-country landscape whilst strolling through rubber tapping and tea-plucking communities to reach the Belilena Caves. The largest prehistoric caves in Sri Lanka, Belilena is famous for the skeletal remains that were found in the caves which date between 18’000 to 32’000 years ago. An amazing hiking or mountain biking adventure awaits!

Agriculture

The wet hilly climate in Kitulgala is ideal for agriculture – fertile soil and abundant rainfall allow the cultivation of various crops, including vegetables and fruits, which are often grown for local consumption and sale in nearby markets. Nesteled within the rainforest you can find large rubbe rand tea estates as well as banana and kitul plantations. Take a peek at the estates and plantations while driving to our adventure sites or take a closer look at local agriculture and village life on a walk or hike.