Kalpitya Escape 2023

the spot | accomodation | what’s included | what’s not included | travel info | map

January 2023

Are you in love with kiteboarding and exotic destinations? Do you wish to escape the last throes of winter and travel to a place where you can put up a hammock under swaying palm trees? We put together a completely new destination – Sri Lanka! The only catch is that the wind whispering in the trees will give you itchy feet and you won’t be able to resist playing with the kite. Who can say no to endless gliding over a deliciously smooth lagoon? Definitely not us!

The island that looks like a tear dropped off the southern tip of India has long been at the crossroads of tradesmen and boasts a variety of different religions, for example Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and cricket, a colourful mix of Asian and English culture, numerous festivals, pristine beaches and lush jungle that is home to elephants and leopards. In 2009, a bitter civil war between the majority Sinhalese and the Tamil minority ended and the country opened its doors to exploring many untouched kiteboarding spots in the northeast. After devastation caused by tsunami in 2004, the tidal wave of travellers is returning to this country of swift smiles, spicy food and crazy driving on overcrowded roads. Hospitality of local people is proverbial and conversations with shopkeepers, fishermen and kids will light up our face with a smile long after we’ll return home.

The area around Kalpitya in the northwestern part of the island is a true kiter’s paradise. The closest spot is directly in front of our camp where the Indian ocean with its gently undulating waves creates perfect conditions for freeriders. A few kilometres away from the shore there is a reef with a mellow wave peeling off it. If you are a flat water lover, the sight of the Puttalam lagoon will give you grin from ear to ear. A perfectly flat water surface is an ideal playground for learning how to jump and try new tricks. A well-known kiteboarder, Craig Cunningham, also ranked it among 5 Best Flatwater Kitesurfing Destinations. Due to ideal conditions, we’ll also carry out kiteboarding school: a one-week kiteboarding course for beginners and kite clinic for advanced kiteboarders.

There are two wind seasons in Kalpitya: the first one runs from May to October when the wind ranging from 18 to 25 knots blows from morning to night; the second season is from December to March when we can expect constant wind ranging from 15 to 23 knots.

In the summer season, we can organise a downwind trip and spend a night camping on the little islands scattered throughout the Puttalam lagoon. Boats carrying our gear and ready to give a hand will follow us for 10km downwind while we’ll cruise past tranquil fishing villages propelled only by wind. There’ll be plenty sand bars to jump over if you wish. Our reward will be a secret spot where off-shore wind creates sublime conditions and a perfect playground with butter flat water. Who knows, perhaps we’ll never want to leave. And, in the winter season, if we’re really lucky, we’ll be able to kite with the dolphins.

We’ll be staying in the Kandakuliya village in the Puttalam peninsula, which is a three hour drive from the Bandaranaike international airport. The area around our camp is a coconut estate surrounded by the Puttalam lagoon on three sides and bursting with natural beauty. There are several accommodation options: family bungalows (with private bathroom), premium bungalows (with private bathroom), standard bungalows (with private bathroom) and comfortable tents (shared bathroom) where we’ll sleep like a dream after a long day kiteboarding or exploring the local culture. All rooms are facing the Indian ocean so the beach will never be far!

The kite camp is really well-organised and neat. We’ll get together and share our stories of the day in the main common area, a chill-out corner and bar. It is also where we’ll eat our breakfast, lunch and dinner, make new friendships and log on to WI-FI.

All meals are included in the price of accommodation, the food will be fresh and healthy, and more than thousands spices will make it deliciously tasty. The table will be overflowing with local fruit (you won’t be able to resist super sweet orange coconuts and ripe pineapples), vegetables, freshly caught fish, crabs and prawns, curry, rotti, chicken etc.

The price also includes unlimited amounts of filtered water, coffee and tee, transport to the lagoon and back, kite equipment storage, boat rescue, help on the beach, room cleaning, Wi-Fi as well as SUP, kayak and bycicle rental.

• 7 nights in Kalpitya (in the accommodation option of your choice),
• 1 day tour to Sigiriya
• 6 nights in Mannar (new spot location, quite secret yet),
• 3 daily meals,
• unlimited amounts of water, coffee and tea,
• transfer Colombo–Kalpitya–Sigiriya-secret spot-Colombo,
• transport to the lagoon,
• kite spots introduction,
• kiteboarding gear storage, help on the beach, boat rescue,
• Wi-Fi, room cleaning,
• SUP, kayak, bycicle, snorkelling gear rental,
• EJA tourist agency services.

Mandatory supplements

• Plane ticket to Colombo,
• visa – 30€,
• exit fee – 10€,
• agency application fee – 15€.

Optional supplements

• private Colombo–Kalpitya–Colombo transport,
• one day trip to Anuradhapura, Kandy etc. (cca. 30€),
• single bed room (available on request),
• health insurance with medical assistance abroad that covers kiteboarding accidents,
• kiteboarding course – 400€ per person,
• kite clinic for everyone who wants to progress faster – 120€ per person,
• kiteboarding gear rental – 250€ per week (100€ for kiteboarding course participants),
• comprehensive travel insurance.

The closest airport is Colombo and it also has the most inexpensive flight connections. You can fly via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines or Muscat with Oman Air. Several other Middle-Eeastern airlines offer inexpensive flights. We’ll pick you up from the airport and then drive to the camp together.  If you wish us to organise the flight, please contact us.

LOCATION & WIND