You are here: Home / Destinations / KITHULGALA
A Destination of Adventure and History
Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of Sri Lanka, Kitulgala is a small town with a big story. It's perhaps best known as the filming location for the Academy Award-winning movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai." While little remains of the iconic bridge today, visitors can still catch a glimpse of its history as they explore the concrete foundations that stand as a testament to a bygone era along the tranquil Kelani River.
Kithulgala lies on the banks of the Kelani River and is located 100km from Colombo. Kithulgala, better known as the adventure playground of Sri Lanka, attracts the greatest number of adventure enthusiasts on the island. The remote adventure holiday spot with rocky outcrop provides all the ingredients for many adrenaline-pumping activities such as white-water rafting adventures, canoeing, mountain climbing, waterfall abseiling, and many other activities. Kitulgala is one of the best places for a one-day adventure trip in Sri Lanka.
While Kitulgala's history is fascinating, it's not the only draw for visitors. This charming town has also gained a reputation as an adventure enthusiast's paradise. White-water rafting is a major attraction, offering a thrilling experience for those seeking an adrenaline rush. The Kelani River provides the perfect setting for this heart-pounding adventure, with its turbulent waters and breathtaking scenery.
For those who crave more excitement, Kitulgala offers a myriad of other leisure and adventure activities. You can explore the lush rainforests through jungle treks, discovering a wide array of flora and fauna that make up Sri Lanka's incredible biodiversity. Canyoning and waterfall abseiling are other options for those who want to combine their love for nature with a splash of excitement.
Visitors to Kitulgala often find themselves retracing the steps of Sir Alec Guinness and William Holden, who starred in "The Bridge on the River Kwai," and experiencing the allure of the natural beauty that served as a backdrop for the epic tale. As you walk along the riverbanks and gaze at the remnants of the bridge, you can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the golden age of cinema.
The history of Kitulgala is intertwined with the filming of "The Bridge on the River Kwai." This 1957 classic, directed by David Lean, captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide. The film, set during World War II, depicted the construction of a bridge by Allied prisoners of war. Though the original bridge constructed for the movie has long since been dismantled, its cinematic legacy endures.
For birdwatchers, the Kitulgala Rainforest is a birding paradise. With over 50 species of birds, including the endemic Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Red-faced Malkoha, and the elusive Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, this area offers a unique opportunity to connect with the avian world.
Beyond the thrills of adventure, Kitulgala also provides a tranquil escape for those seeking peace and relaxation. The lush greenery, calming river, and serene atmosphere create an ideal environment for relaxation and introspection. Whether you're unwinding in a riverside resort, picnicking by the Kelani River, or simply taking a leisurely stroll, Kitulgala's natural beauty is sure to enchant your senses.
There are many other attractions in Kitulgala that should not be missed. Chief among these is the historic Beli Lena Caves, which are reached by a 10km drive off the main road through the Kitulgala tea estate. Archaeological evidence indicates that the prehistoric Balangoda Man lived here 20,000 years ago. David Lean’s epic war film, "Bridge on the River Kwai," was filmed on the Kelani River in Kitulgala, and remnants of the concrete structure of the bridge still remain. The Kelani Valley Forest Reserve on the far bank is a low elevation forest where rare and endemic birds can be spotted, including the Serendib Scops Owl (Otus Thilo Hoffmani). The Forest Reserve also has a host of other rare amphibians, reptiles, frogs, endemic tree snails, and endemic fishes in its stream. Freshwater fishing offers great sport here as the Kelani River has the largest game fish found in Sri Lanka, the Mahseer (Barbus Tor), and also the Freshwater Shark (Wallagonia Attu) and Loola. Kitulgala can be conveniently reached from most popular beach holiday destinations on the western and southern coast of Sri Lanka. Kitulgala is also very close to Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, making it easy to reach Kitulgala from any of the aforementioned places.
In conclusion, Kitulgala is a place where history and adventure intersect, making it an exceptional destination for all types of travelers. Whether you're a film enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply in search of a tranquil retreat, Kitulgala welcomes you with open arms. Explore the remnants of cinematic history, navigate the thrilling white-water rapids, or immerse yourself in the unspoiled natural beauty that makes Kitulgala a truly unique and memorable destination.
 " Dear Cyril, We are fortunate to have you as a friend here in Sri Lanka. You are extremly Knowledgeable and more than ever - having an attitude of helpful nature and the willingness to solve issues on hand whilst on our tour around Sri Lanka. As I have said to you we will reccommend you to all our friends who wish to tour in Sri Lanka. My family Karen, Kalvin and Andre also liked your company and wish you and your family well. God bless you all and we will keep in touch, for sur..." Alwyn Santhumayor & family
 "We had excellent 8 days tour with CYRIL TOURS. It's all credit goes to Mr. Cyril. From the welcoming at Air port to hotels we stayed,food we had and driver who was provided was excellent. We always introduce CYRIL TOURS to all who wiling to tarvel to Sri Lanka. Swaran Kaur and family Kuantan - Malaysia 2012 May 18 - 25 May" Swaran Kaur and family from Malaysia
 " Our Tour in Sri Lanka Traveling through the beautiful Sri Lanka has been great. Cyril warmly welcomed us at the airport and drove us with his always clean car in every part of the country. He provided daily information about the history and the different sites of Sri Lanka. Also, he taught us a lot about Sri Lankan culture, starting from food, traditions, animals and nature, and suggested authentic and less known places we c..." FILIPPO MASI FROM ITALY
 "Dear Cyril, Here are some photos for you as we promised, and also little gift to you. Here is some photos of elephant boy which we were took on elephant ride. Please give to them when you go to Habarana again. We are very grateful to you for your services that you have done to make our holiday in this beautiful country. Still we are thinking over our nice trip with you. It was fantastic, really! Here in Holland, life is normal again. Greeting for your wife and daughter too. George and Cala ..." George and Cala
 "Thank you so much for your great service and making our honeymoon in Sri Lanka, so special and joyful. Best regards from Yuffa and Elad Abbo – Israel- 10 July 2008 " Yuffa and Elad Abbo - Israel
 "Excellent tour guide Cyril is a great tour guide and is very knowledgeable. He made our entire trip super comfortable. His vehicles are clean and well maintained. He is also very flexible if changes are needed. Definitely recommend!" Berenice Coelho
 "Thank you Cyril for making our Christmas holiday fun so smoothly and easy. We loved Sri Lanka and look forward to retuning again. Cyril, your knowledge and service was outstanding and it was so refreshing to have such a very highlevel of service. We will be sure to recomond your service and travel agency to our friends. Please feel free to use us as a reference, you can use my email or phone number to clients." Bruce Larson & family from USA
 "We had a fantastic holiday in Sri Lanka, thanks Cyril Tours, Our driver, Amiila, was brilliant and nothing was too much trouble for him. The places we visited were really interesting and we saw some lovely scenery.I would definitely recommend your company to other people. Emma - UK 2010 December " Emma Patterson
 "We are glad to meet Cyril. He is very kind and patient, very professional in his work. He have lot of knowledge about history of the places and the things that happened in Sri Lanka. He knows all the roads and places very well. Very friendly and stand on time. The tour he recommended us and places were excellent. He replied immediately for mails which we send. He was flexible when we asked him to stop in different places and to change our program. He speaks very good English and explanations..." Ruty Ben Haim from Isarel
 "Hello my dear friend Mr. Cyril We are all fine dear, I have visited Sri Lanka and I loved the country, Insha’Allah I will visit again your country, it is amazing place. This is the first day at work , really I enjoy the tour to sri lanka with my family and it was very nice and I wish to go again to sri lanka and of course you were very good and polite and respectable guy -thanks a lot for every thing and I wish you ..." Nasser Mohamed from Oman