Kegalle District

The District of Kegalle is situated in between the central highlands and western southern plains and has an enchanting environment. The height of the western region is 50 m (160 ft) above sea level while the eastern region exceeds 1,800 m (5,900 ft). Rubber cultivation has stretched over most of the area of the District and minor export crops from the district include coffee, cocoa, pepper, clove and nutmeg. Sri Lanka’s best graphite mine is situated at Bogala in Kegalle District. The extent of the District is 1,692.8 km2 (653.6 sq mi).
Once home to many up country aristocrats, regional leaders and freedom fighters, the district today boasts of a rich rubber and spice cultivation, island’s oldest and biggest graphite mine, a booming clay industry and world’s only elephant orphanage. The oldest archaeological evidence of the district’s rich history was found during the archaeological excavations at Beli Lena cave in Kithulgala. The 30,000 year old geometric micro lithic stone tools found at the cave premises among the oldest discovered to date in the world.

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

Spread over an area of 10 ha in Pinnawela village, this government-run elephant orphanage is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist attractions. Originally set up in 1975 to take care of five orphaned elephants, today it is home to the world’s largest group of captive elephants. Pinnawela is now home to over 80 elephants of all ages; these include orphaned and abandoned elephants as well as those found injured in the wild. In addition, there are some baby elephants that were born here in captivity. The younger elephants are herded into the feeding sheds three times a day – 9:15am, 1:15pm and 5pm- to be bottle-fed with huge quantities of milk. At 10am again at 2pm, the elephants are taken across the road and down to the Ma Oyariver, where they can be seen splashing around and playing for about an hour.

Kitulgala

Surrounded by low wooded hills, the small village of Kitulgala is perhaps best known for being the location where David Lean filmed Bridge on the River Kwai(1957). A path signposted from the main road leads to the banks of the Kelaniyariver, where the filming site can be seen. Those familiar with the Oscar-winning film will recognize some of the riverside scenery and the remains of the bridge’s concrete foundations.
Kitulgala serves as a base for a range of adventure activities, such as whitewater rafting. Most hotels in the area can also arrange rock climbing, cycling, abseiling and overnight river trips. A boat trip across the river leads to the Kitulgala Forest Reserve,which offers good bird-watching and trekking in lowland rain forest. Among the many birds that can be spotted here are the grey hornbill, the yellow-fronted barbet and various kingfishers.
Sri Lanka Dream Tours organize various tour activities that includes folk dance & music program, local house visits, local market visits, dinner or lunch with a local family of the area and much more like this. These activities are organized as part of your tour program and gives real experience of India to any guest visiting India with us.