Kithulgala

Kitulgala situated in the West of Sri Lanka is a small picturesque village located in the foothills of the wet zone rain forest, bordering the gushing waters of the Kelani River. Kitulgala is famed for being the main filming location of the Oscar Award winning film "The Bridge on the River Kwai". With its lush green countryside, beautiful scenery and friendly locals, Kitulgala is indeed the ideal location to relax and rewind, whilst listening to the sound of the river gushing by or for the more daring, it is the perfect adventure location for white-water rafting, cave explorations, bird watching and nature trips to the nearby forest reserves. The best time to visit Kitulgala is the first three months of the year when the weather is relatively drier than the rest of the year.Kitulagala situated in the foothills of the Sabaragamuwa Province is 80 km from the capital city of Colombo and 110km from the Katunayake International Airport, the only International Airport in the country. Kitulgala can also be reached directly from Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Ratnapura and Kegalle.Kitulgala has a significant historical background with the discovery of the Beli-lena caves and the fossils of the pre historic Balangoda Man which are believed to be more than 32,000 years old. This quiet village is also famed for being the location where the award winning 1956.film, "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed.

Roadside vendors offer visitors a wide array of Kitulgala Specialties; namely "Kitul Panni" sweet honey taken from the Kitul Palm (Sago Palm) that grows abundantly here, and pots of delicious Buffalo curd (fermented creamy white milk) which when mixed together makes a delicious desert. Also on sale are a range of traditional sweetmeats made from Kitul Panni and freshly plucked banana, mango and other fruits that grow profusely in the area.A popular destination and probably one of the best in Sri Lanka for adventure seekers; there is white water rafting down the Kelani River on Grade 3 and 4 rapids which makes it ideal for both beginners and veterans. Bird watching and nature trails in the 1095 acre "Banadara Kele" (Rain Forest Reserve) is found just across the river and can be reached by canoe. Travel back 35, 000 years in time with a visit to the Beli-lena caves and waterfall where the pre-historic Balangoda man once dwelled. Kitulgala's natural setting makes it ideal for mountain biking, jungle trekking, canoeing and camping. A visit to the spot where the famous movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed reveals the remains of the bridge constructed for this purpose almost fifty five years ago.The Beli-lena cave situated about 8 km from the Kitulgala town is situated on a tea estate, 2000 ft above sea level. A walk through jungle and a fairly steep climb awaits those who wish to visit the cave which lies amidst a picturesque setting of a small waterfall which cascades down at the entrance of the cave. Known to be the largest cave in Sri Lanka, archaeological excavations at Beli-lena have unearthed skeletal remains of the prehistoric \"Balangoda man\" (Homesepiens Balangodensis) believed to be more than 32,000 years old.