Kitulgala
Kitulgala, a pleasant town whose name is derived
from the kitul tree, vast numbers of which grow
in the area is 80 kilometres from Colombo on
the A7 - the road to Nuwara Eliya through Avissawella.
Kitulgala had a brush with fame when it was
chosen as the location for David Lean's 1957
epic, Bridge on the River Kwai. The film crews
and stars may be long gone, but many still stop
here to gaze across the Kelani River where once
stood the most famous bridge in cinematic history.
You have to use your memory to fill in the missing
timbers, but as the film is screened so often
that shouldn't be a problem. Known as the white
water rafter’s paradise Kitulgala offeres
the best eco holiday tours you could ever imagine.
It is the ideal resort for outdoor sports enthusiasts
and likes.
The town is situated on a particularly delightful
stretch of the Kelani River that incorporates
rock-strewn sections and rapids, often enclosed
by high banks of tall bamboo, conditions ideal
for the sport of white-water rafting. As a result
Kitulgala has become the capital of white-water
rafting in Sri Lanka.
The Kitulgala run is 6.5 km in length and takes
about 90 minutes to complete. It rates between
grades 2 and 3 and there are seven rapids to
tackle, each with their own unique names. On
a run down the river you run into the likes
of Virgin's Breast, Butter Crunch, Killer Fall
and the Rib Cage. As the names suggest, they
each have their own distinct character.
A calm stretch in the river between two rocky
outcrops on either side is the site where the
bridge from the film Bridge on the River Kwai
was constructed nearly half a century ago. The
water flows silent here, deep and sluggish.
Yet within months nothing was left of the wreckage
from the bridge and train, it having been either
salvaged or pilfered.
A most interesting rapid is the Head Chopper.
The water picks up speed and forces its way
through a channel on the right bank of the river.
The speed shoots the boat around the corner
and directly into the path of a low-lying branch.
The adrenaline rush is brought about more by
the sense of speed than actual proximity to
the branch. For taller rafters, though, it is
very advisable to duck!
Contrary to the image it portrays, white-water
rafting is not a sport that requires immense
physical strength. An average level of fitness
and a calm disposition are enough. The ability
to swim is an advantage but not strictly essential,
for each rafter is provided with a Personal
Flotation Device. However, rafting is not advisable
for those with heart ailments, epilepsy or who
are simply uncomfortable in water. Being under
the influence of intoxicants is also inadvisable.
A second choice is the Sitawaka run, which takes
place on the Sitawaka river off Avissawella.
Lasting for 2 hours, this run is classified
between grades 3 to 4. Because of the higher
degree of skill involved only those with prior
rafting experience should give it a try.
For groups of 10 or more experienced rafters,
specials runs can be arranged by the operators.
One run starts at Ulapane, near Nawalapitiya,
and heads down to Gampola on the Mahaweli River,
Sri Lanka's longest river. It has rapids graded
between 2 and 5 and takes about 3 hours to complete.
Another spectacular run is on the Kotmale River
near the Hatton - Nuwara Eliya road. It starts
just below St. Clair's Falls, lasts for nearly
6 hours, and offers rafters challenging rapids
ranging from grade 4 to 5. The run takes place
at a much higher elevation than the others and
offers magnificent views of the mountains. The
higher elevation also means refreshingly cold
water!
While the alternative runs offer exhilarating
rafting, they are definitely for the more experienced
enthusiast. Kitulgala is the popular choice
as a result of its position on a main tourist
route and because of its facilities. And the
water does offer a full complement of holes,
laterals and standing waves to keep keen rafters
content.
When contemplating Kitulgala take into account
that the Kelani River is dam-controlled. The
best time to raft is during the period May to
December. In April the water levels can be too
low, resulting in more technical rapids. During
periods of heavy rain the water flow can become
too fast to maintain safe rafting. Levels, however,
do drop surprisingly fast, reducing the river
to its normal state.
There is an interesting alternative on Poya
days. For the three days either side of the
full moon holiday, operators offer Black Rafting.
Given sufficient ambient light, these nighttime
forays down the river are a totally different
experience. Each rafter is kitted out with a
headlight.
Though Sri Lanka may not be as famous a destination
as Nepal or Zimbabwe for white-water rafting,
and may not require the same degree of proficiency,
it does make up by still being uncommercialised.
It is also a good place to give rafting a try
as the sites are within easy reach and well
serviced. Therefore if you don’t mind
a little trekking to liven up your holidays
topped with fresh water rafting come to Kitulgala
and open yourself to a wide handful experience
never to be missed.
