Kitulgala

Rapids, Rubber and Relaxation

Southwest of Kandy and north of Adam's Peak, Kitulgala hugs the Kelani Ganga (river) as it meanders through the Sri Lankan 'jungle'. Made famous by the Oscar-winning epic Bridge on the River Kwai, which was filmed here in 1956 by Sir David Lean, Kitulgala is now a popular area for nature walks and bird watching, and it is one of the few places in Sri Lanka where white-water rafting is possible.

Why visit Kitulgala?

Nestling between the hot sandy beaches of the west coast and the vertiginous Hill Country, Kitulgala is a convenient place to break your journey either into or out of Sri Lanka's cooler 'Up Country' region. Whether interested in nature walks, bird watching, white-water rafting, or relaxation, Kitulgala is a quiet and peaceful retreat.

Featured Accommodation

Royal River Resort

Kitulgala

Tucked away in a working rubber plantation alongside the Ing Oya rapids at Eduru Ella, Royal River Resort is a quirky and secluded place to stay surrounded by jungle and waterfalls. It has four colonial-style timber cottages built around a series of boulders overlooking a natural, freshwater swimming pool adjacent to a succession of cascading cataracts.

More Accommodation

Tika Tasters

There is so much to do during your visit to Sri Lanka that it may be hard to know where to start. We have put together some taster itineraries for you to see the range of accommodation and activities available on the island. You may like to use them as a starting point to plan your very own trip, or we can do it all for you if you prefer - the choice is yours!

Tika Tasters