Kitulgala, a small town nestled in the Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka, is a mere three-hour drive from Colombo, the capital city. Located just two hours from Kandy and three hours from Nuwara Eliya, Kitulgala is also a convenient base for those heading to the trailhead of Adam’s Peak, which is only a two-hour drive away. This charming town has earned its reputation as the premier destination for white water rafting in Sri Lanka.

Bordered by the lush Makandawa Rain Forest to the south, which extends all the way to Adam’s Peak’s Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Kitulgala is a critical biodiversity hotspot. The Kelani River flows gracefully through Kitulgala, flanked by verdant rainforests, making the area a haven for nature lovers. With its dense rainforests, cascading waterfalls, sparkling streams, and quaint villages, Kitulgala is the perfect destination for a variety of thrilling adventures such as Kitulgala White Water Rafting, Kitulgala Rain Forest Exploration, Waterfall Abseiling Kitulgala, Canyoning Kitulgala, Bird Watching Kitulgala or a well-earned retreat in a tropical rainforest.

The town’s cinematic fame was cemented when the Academy Award-winning film “The Bridge on the River Kwai” was shot on the Kelani River near Kitulgala in 1956-1957. This classic war film is still considered one of the greatest ever made.