Experience Travel Group Start Planning
Call Explore
Experience Travel Group
Experience Travel Group
Explore 020 7924 7133 Start Planning

White Water Rafting the Kelani River, Kithugalla

Sri Lanka, Hill Country
  • Info
  • Map

Whitewater rafting travel experiences are very accessible in Sri Lanka, especially on the Kelani river starting from Kitulgala. What was previously best known as the location for the filming of the film 'Bridge over the river Kwai' is fast gaining a reputation of a far more thrilling nature. The area around Kithulgala is stunning ('Kitul' is a type of palm tree) and one of the most fertile regions of Sri Lanka. There are a number of good places to stay in Kithulgala itself, including the Rafter's Retreat, who also offer the activity as part of an accommodation package. It is possible to visit Kithulgala in a day trip if you are staying in the hill country.

There are numerous companies operating rafting trips down the river and you will come across these on any drive through Kitulgala town. As with many of our other activities we have chosen Borderlands as our provider here. This is for two reasons. First and foremost is safety. Their boats are of the highest quality and their life jackets are modern international standard and checked frequently. Their staff are also highly experienced in handling boats and with the changing conditions on the river itself. The second is that their product here is the best available. The ride is longer as they stop en-route down to explore jungle trails and hidden rock pools which are suitable for swimming. They also provide a room in a hotel at the end of the journey where you can shower and freshen up before having a cup of tea or something a little stronger! For your ultiamte whitewater rafting travel experience, Borderlands in Kitulgala is our top pick.

Whilst not for the feint hearted, the rafting here is not as 'wild' here as certain other destinations and provides a good opportunity for those experimenting with the sport for the first time. It also excellent for families and small groups.

White Water Rafting is also possible on other rivers in Sri Lanka. If you are keen on the sport and want to find the hardest graded rivers, the team will be more than happy to help you.

Discover for yourself why whitewater rafting travel is fast gaining popularity here...

Map centered on White Water Rafting the Kelani River. Zoom out to view other hotels (H) and experiences (E) in the area.

Travel Guide to Sri Lanka
CURIOUS TRAVELLER'S GUIDE TO SRI LANKA

Wondering when to visit Sri Lanka? Our Curious Traveller’s Guide to Sri Lanka will give you a more detailed breakdown of the best time of year to book a holiday, as well as tips on the best beaches, unmissable sites, and much more.

Download Now
More Sri Lanka
Holiday Inspiration
  • Classic Holidays
  • Family Holidays
  • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holidays
  • Luxury Holidays
  • Slow Holidays
  • Nature & Wildlife Holidays
  • Off the Beaten Track Holidays
Guide to
Sri Lanka
  • Sri Lanka Guide
  • Weather & When to go
  • Hotel inspiration
  • Experiences inspiration
  • Sri Lanka Travel Blog
Places in
Sri Lanka
  • Regions of Sri Lanka
    • Overview
    • The Cultural Triangle
    • Colombo, Negombo & Around
    • Kandy and Around
    • The Hill Country
    • West Coast Beaches
    • Galle and Around
    • The South Coast
    • Puttalam & the North West
    • The East Coast
    • Jaffna & The North
  • National Parks
    • Overview
    • Bundala National Park
    • Flood Plains National Park
    • Gal Oya National Park
    • Horton Plains National Park
    • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
    • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
    • Lahugala National Park
    • Lunugamvehera National Park
    • Maduru Oya National Park
    • Minneriya National Park
    • Somawathiya National Park
    • The Knuckles Range
    • The Sinharaja Rainforest
    • Udawalawe National Park
    • Wasgamuwa National Park
    • Wilpattu National Park
    • Yala National Park
ETG - immersive holidays that give back, since 2004.
Don’t just see Asia - feel Asia.
Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates and travel inspiration...

How it works
  • Get in touch
  • Booking with confidence
  • How much does it cost?
  • Financial protection
  • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
  • Working with in-country partners
  • My Online Account
  • Come and see us
  • Request a Brochure
About Us
  • Why choose ETG?
  • Our Story
  • Meet the Team
  • Reviews
  • Our Promise
  • In the Press
  • Our Offices
  • Jobs
Information
  • Our Rating System
  • Exclusive Signature Experiences
  • Your Protection
  • Travel Insurance
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Package Travel Regulations
  • Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) Travel Advice
Sustainability
  • Travel Better
  • Give Back Experiences
  • Partnerships
  • Carbon Roadmap
  • B Corp Certified
  • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
Get Social

facebook.com/experiencetravel twitter.com/ExpTrav instagram.com/experiencetravelgroup

  • Visit us on Facebook
  • View @ExpTrav Twitter Feed
  • Visit our Travel Blog
  • Follow our Instagram page
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Book Club

© Experience Travel Group Ltd
Registered in England, Company No. 5071391 | ABTA Member | 9324 ATOL Protected
Site by Livingstone Creative

Website Terms of Use | Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy

  • Sri Lanka
  • India
  • Maldives
  • Nepal
  • Bhutan
  • Oman
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Cambodia
  • Laos
  • Indonesia
  • Borneo
  • Multi-country

Explore
  • Use our Smart Search
Get in Touch
Sri Lanka Holidays
  • Classic Holidays
  • Family Holidays
  • Sri Lanka & the Maldives Holidays
  • Luxury holidays
  • Slow Holidays
  • Nature & Wildlife holidays
  • Off the beaten track holidays
Guide to Sri Lanka
Curious Traveller's
Guide to Sri Lanka
Get Your Copy
Inspiration
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
  • Weather & when to go
  • ETG newsletter: inbox inspiration
  • Unique hotels in Sri Lanka
  • Unique experiences in Sri Lanka
  • Travel gems in the ETG blog
Jungle River Safari in South Asia
"The possible's slow fuse is
lit by the imagination"
Inspire Me
About Us
  • Our Story
  • Why Choose ETG?
  • The Important Bits
  • Meet the Team
  • Sustainability
  • Come and see us
  • Make an Enquiry
Get the Newsletter
  • Destinations
    • Bhutan
    • Borneo
    • Cambodia
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • The Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Oman
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
    • Multi-country
  • Holidays in Sri Lanka
    • Classic Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holidays
    • Luxury Holidays
    • Slow Holidays
    • Nature & Wildlife Holidays
    • Off the Beaten Track Holidays
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Sri Lanka Travel Blog
  • Places in Sri Lanka
    • Regions of Sri Lanka
      • Overview
      • The Cultural Triangle
      • Colombo, Negombo & Around
      • Kandy and Around
      • The Hill Country
      • West Coast Beaches
      • Galle and Around
      • The South Coast
      • Puttalam & the North West
      • The East Coast
      • Jaffna & The North
    • National Parks & Sancturaries
      • Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
      • Horton Plains National Park
      • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
      • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
      • Lahugala National Park
      • Lunugamvehera National Park
      • Maduru Oya National Park
      • Minneriya National Park
      • Somawathiya National Park
      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
      • Yala National Park
  • About us
    • Why choose ETG?
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Reviews
    • In the Press
    • Our Offices
    • Our Brochure
    • Travel Blog
    • Newsletter Signup
  • How it works
    • Get in touch
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Come and see us
  • Immersive Holidays
    • Immersive Family Holidays
    • Immersive Honeymoons
    • Ideas & Inspiration
    • Holidays by month
    • Family Holidays by Month
    • Download Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Give Back Experiences
    • Partnerships
    • B Corp Certified
  • Come and see us
  • My Online Account
  • Brochure
  • Travel Blog