Detailed Canoeing Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1 - Ratnapura - Kiriella
SCHEDULE
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Meet and greet your guides near Saman Dewalaya in Ratnapura.
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Safety briefing and departure at 10:00 am.
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Canoëing to Kiriella.
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Packed lunch along the way.
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Arrival at the campsite in Kiriella
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Dinner and overnight stay at the campsite (HB).
CANOËING DISTANCE: 16 km
DURATION: 3-4 hrs (depending on the water level and wind conditions)
GRADING: Moderate
Your journey will start from Saman Dewalaya in Ratnapura, the City of Gems, with an easy 16 km section. Passing densely populated town area, you will enter the peaceful and serene countryside in a low valley. Sometimes on the riverbanks, you will little houses surrounded by thick vegetation and palm trees. Here, in the calm waters, the calls of the birds and the sound of your paddle are the only noises you will hear.
Located right next to the river in Kiriella, the Eco Team Canoëing Campsite is an ideal place to enjoy a refreshing river bath after a day of canoeing. And we do camping in style! Forget about sleeping in cramped tents and sitting on the ground for mealtimes. Our site is set up prior to your arrival, with everything from the kitchen sink, chairs and tables, toilets, showers and cold beer being transported in. In the evening you can enjoy a hearty barbecue meal in a magical setting - the whole area is lit up with traditional flame torches and a roaring campfire. So sit back, relax and let our experienced staff cater to your every need.
Day 2
Day 2 - Kiriella - Anguruwatota / Walpita
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the campsite early in the morning.
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Canoëing to Anguruwatota.
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Packed lunch along the way.
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Arrival at the campsite in Anguruwatota / Walpita.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the campsite (HB).
CANOËING DISTANCE: 28 km
DURATION: 6-7 hrs
GRADING: Moderate
Today, the canoeing adventure starts to building up, and some previous canoeing experience will be needed. In this section, the river is flowing faster, creating waves and swirls making your canoe shaky and unsteady.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be arranged at a fully serviced canoeing campsite in Walpita / Anguruwatota.
Day 3
Day 3 - Anguruwatota - Kalutara
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the campsite early in the morning.
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Canoëing to Kalutara.
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Packed lunch along the way.
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Arrival in Kalutara.
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Departure.
CANOËING DISTANCE: 32 km
DURATION: 7-8 hrs
GRADING: Moderate / Hard
Today, your journey will start with canoëing through very still waters to Thebuwana. Here, forests and rubber estates will start changing to coconut plantations, and you might be able to spot a few monkeys swinging on coconut branches. Then, the riverbanks will get more crowded with fishermen coming ashore and sand miners in long ferries. This last stretch of 20 km will take you to Kalutara through a calm and meandering river, flowing very slowly into the ocean.
The ending point of your journey is Kalutara, a little town by the shimmering Indian Ocean. Upon arrival you will pass the majestic Dagoba of the temple as well as railway and road bridges that go across the river.
