RatnapuraThe mystical passage through Black River on a canoe – Rathnapura

Black River or 'Kalu Ganga' invites you to a magical canoeing experience… through tender waters filled with bouts of silence interrupted by birds, river folk village life, water birdwatching and more, in Rathnapura.


SLDT/1702/Can01

Why should you book this trip?

  • Canoeing in “Kalu Ganga” (Black River) gives you some of the rare and rewarding experiences of Sri Lanka and its people who live in the riverine villages.
  • You are able to witness the most untouched scenic beauty of the country, encounter locals and learn their way of life on this canoe trip.
  • An opportunity to visit and be blessed in one of the most sacred shrines – Saman Devale (dedicated to God Saman) – in the country and evoke blessings.
  • The journey will take you through the silent waters of Kalu Ganaga amidst the varied bird life.
  • It’s a fun-filled adventure for an expert and even for an amateur to try his/her hand.

Important

  • Personal effects for warm, windy, rainy conditions should be carried by clients
  • Insect repellent and sunscreen are recommended
  • Disclaimer to be signed by the clients

Programme

End Point

Km to Canoe

Grading

Hours Taken

1 Person
USD

2 Persons
USD

3 Persons
USD

4 Persons
USD

One Day Programme

SLDT/1702/Can01

Day 1

Kiriella

16

Soft/
Moderate

3 to 4

224

136

107

90

1 Night. 2 Days Programme

SLDT/1702/Can02

Day 1

Kiriella

16

Moderate

2 to 4

585

334

244

191

Day 2

Anguruwathota

28

6 to 7

1 Night. 2 Days Programme

SLDT/1702/Can03

Day 1

Anguruwathota

44

Hard

8 to 9

697

395

288

244

Day 2

Kaluthara

32

6 to 7

2 nights. 3 days Programme

SLDT/1702/Can04

Day 1

Kiriella

16

Moderate

3 to 4

994

587

426

330

Day 2

Anguruwathota

28

6 to 7

Day 3

Kaluthara

32

7 to 8

 

 

 

 

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HOTLINE
+94 70 222 8222

EMAIL
fit@ecoteam.lk

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Included in the Price

  • Professional and experienced river guide/s
  • Life jackets and other required accessories for canoeing
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • Full-time backup vehicle parallel to the canoe with radio communication
  • lunch
  • Required emergency assistance
  • All Government and other stakeholder approvals

 

 

Exclusions

  • Any other transportation
  • Tips to the staff
  • Beverages other than water

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Tour in Brief

Your first encounter with us will be at the meeting point at Saman Devalaya (a temple/shrine dedicated to God Saman), where you will be greeted by our staff and blessed prior to the commencement of the journey.

Saman Devalaya is set in Rathnapura – famous for its gems. You will be given a short brief on the safety, terrain and other important aspects with regard to the journey.

The first part of the journey is comparatively easy and does not require any special canoeing skills, although you need to be fit to canoe for a long period of time, and may want to rest if you are weary. Along the route, you will witness the beauty of Mother Nature, including varied birdlife from white bellied eagles to bright coloured kingfishers to turquoise parrots to the darkest of commarants. The local activities take place on the river beds which include catamarans topped with wood and men in loin clothes digging up sand.

The landscape is always unique and never a repetition with hibiscus in its colourful glory sitting amidst the greener patches of trees. The gaggles of the women folk and the men getting about in their daily farming are bountiful. You may even find a herd of buffaloes keeping you company along the river beds.

Your adventure will end at “Kiriella”, a village where you will be met with our land crew.  

On the way, we will stop at one of the houses near the river bank to have lunch.

Kalu Ganga (The Black River)

The Kalu Ganga provides a relaxing and an adventurous experience with its relatively slow flow. Measuring 129 km (80 mi) in length, the river originates from Adam's Peakand reaches the sea at Kalutara. The Black River flows through the Ratnapuraand the Kalutara districts and passed the city of Ratnapura. The mountainous forests in the Central Provinceand the Sinharaja Forest Reserveare the main sources of water for the river.

Saman Devalaya

The Saman Devalaya is an important shrine for Buddhists. It is a shrine devoted to the God Saman, a Buddhist deity who is regarded as the guardian of Ratnapura. Inspired by the Lord Buddha’s doctrine, following the Lord Buddha’s Dhamma, listening to his holy preaching, Saman attained the higher state of Ariya. Later, after his demise, Saman became a symbol of worship and was acclaimed as the God Sumana Saman.

Stanzas in the poems of ‘Saman Siritha’, written during the Kotte period, refers to a procession carrying the sacred statue of God Saman passing the Galkada village in Ratnapura on its way to Sapara-gamuwa. This would be the present Devalegawa village where the Saman Devalaya is situated.

 

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