Sri Lanka’s best adventure activity day – Grade 2 and 3 white water through a jungle river gorge that was used as the filming location for the Bridge on the River Kwai, with the option to add rainforest birding and waterfall swimming to an already excellent active day. If you’re in the area and you don’t do this, you’ll regret it.
Tour 11 – Kitulgala White Water Rafting Tour
Highlights
+ White Water Rafting on the Kelani River
Five major rapids through a continuous corridor of lowland rainforest – physically demanding enough to be seriously fun, manageable enough for travellers without prior rafting experience, and set in a river gorge that is spectacularly beautiful regardless of what the water is doing. The run takes about 2-3 hours in the water and most people want to do it twice.
+ Rainforest Birding & Jungle Trekking
Kitulgala’s surrounding lowland rainforest is one of the most productive endemic birdwatching habitats in Sri Lanka – the river environment attracts a remarkable range of specialised species, and a guided walk through the surrounding forest with a local naturalist is a genuinely excellent complement to the rafting. Even committed non-birders tend to find this one of the more interesting nature experiences on any active Sri Lanka trip.
+ Waterfall Swimming & River Pools
The Kelani River’s calmer sections between the rapids offer river jumping into deep natural pools and swimming in clear, cool jungle water that makes a perfect counterpoint to a morning of white-knuckle rapids. The Bridge on the River Kwai original film set foundations are still visible in the riverbed – a small but satisfying piece of cinematic history.
Inclusions
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Bottled water
- Rafting equipment and safety gear
- Professional rafting instructor and briefing
- Hotel pick-up
Exclusions
- Meals and drinks
- Entrance fees
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Meals and refreshments
- Towels and change of clothes
- Personal river insurance