Situated about 4 km from Udagama (25km from Belihuloya towards Colombo on the Balangoda - Colombo road), the entrance to the Andirilena Caves is only about 4ft high, but the space inside is huge and magnificent. The main cave divides into two, giving rise to several smaller caves on the way and joining together after about 500 meters.

Batatotalena Cave is situated at Sudagala, about 5 km away from Kuruwita (85 km from Colombo on the Colombo - Badulla road). In order to reach it, you will need to walk about 400m from Sudagala to the base and then climb a further 50m to enter. It measures about 50ft in height, 60ft in width and 80ft in length. As an extra point of interest, about 30m from Batatotalena itself, there is an underground cave, partly submerged in a stream. To reach this, you will need to swim about 20m, but it is worth it to add this to your list of cave exploring!

In the Buddhist literature, it is suggested that this cave is the sacred ‘Diva Guhawa’ where the Lord Buddha rested on his way back from Sri Pada. The archaeological findings have proved that Batatotalena dates back over 25,000 years and has been used as a dwelling place during many historical eras. For example, various skeletal remains, ancient paintings, a Buddhist shrine room and a ‘Devalaya’ belonging to the Kandyan era have been excavated, whilst findings of ceramic tile and glass particles prove that it was also used as a dwelling during the Dutch era. Even at present, a Buddhist priest resides here.

The Batadombalena Cave is definitely a must explore on our list of cave tours. This cave is roughly the same size as the nearby Batatotalena Cave and it is of great historic importance due to archaeological findings such as the skeletal remains of the prehistoric ‘Balangoda Man’ (Homo sapiens balangodensis) and various land and freshwater shells, dating back to over 28,000 BC. To reach the cave, you will need to travel to ‘Eknelingoda Walauwa’, situated 3km from Eratna along the Kuruwita - Eratna road. From there, you will continue 2 km to the end of the road and walk about 1 km up the hill.

Belilena is a very large cave, in which the 12,000-year-old skeletal remains of prehistoric men have been found. In order to reach the cave, you have to walk through the jungle, close to the Inoya estate (approx. 8 km from Kitulgala itself).

The Pannila Calcarious Cave consists of two main caves situated about 400m from a 15m high waterfall. A stream flows through the first cave and, after about 300m, you will enter in series of smaller caves leading to the second main cave (500m in length). Stalactites and stalagmites found in the caves are estimated to be about 100 million years old. Visitors will see also a wide variety of amphibians, reptiles, fishes, butterflies, birds, and bats.

When you go cave exploring, you will not fail to be fascinated by the Waulpane Cave ('Cave of Bats') is renowned for its many beautiful stalactites and stalagmites that are approximately 500 million years old, as well as the hundreds of thousands of bats that live there! It is an isolated cavern set against the eastern slopes of the Rakwana mountain range, located about a 1 ½ hr. drive from Pallebedda. Once entering the cave, you descend approx. 300 meters underground to discover this prehistoric world of ancient fossils in the cavern walls, a stream that runs through the cave and a beautiful waterfall located in the centre. As well as the many bats, watch out for the water monitors, various amphibians and fascinating luminous fish!

The Sthripura Cave consists of a series of three caves, located at Kiriwanagama about 16 km from Welimada (55 Km from Belihuloya). According to the legend, King Rawana of Sri Lanka used these caves to hide the beautiful princess Sita, whom he abducted after defeating her husband, Prince Rama of India. Join us on this tour of cave exploring to find out more!

Legend has it that the Sri Lankan King Walagamba used the Bogoda Cave as one of his many hide-outs from the invading South Indians. It is considered to be part of a complex ‘tunnel network’ of other hide-outs such as the Narangala Mountain Cave, Dowa Rock Temple in Bandarawela and Rawana Ella Cave in Ella. However at present, the cave only leads about 15m into the tunnel through a narrow passage.

The Rawana Ella Cave is located about 2 km from the picturesque town of Ella. It is quite a small cave, measuring about 50ft wide, 150ft long and 60ft high. However, once inside one can find several others that run 20 to 40 ft. deep into its walls. Like the Sthripura Cave in Welimada, legend has it that it was used by King Rawana to hide the Princess Sita. It is also thought to be connected to the cave at the Dowa rock temple in Bandarawela (part of King Walagamba's famous 'tunnel network'). Archaeological findings include a human skull dating back to 20,000 BC.