Ambuluwawa (Gampola)

Ambuluwawa Launch

Ambuluwawa is an isolated mountain pinnacle just outside Gampola, crowned by the iconic 48m spiral tower of the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex. CSFA is preparing it as a new flying site, with tandem flights soaring at eye level with the tower and views across Adam’s Peak, the Knuckles Range and the Mahaweli Valley.

International Paragliding Festival 2027: Ambuluwawa is one of the festival flying sites, 26 Feb – 2 Mar 2027, based in Kandy. Transport, accommodation and food are free. Register on the festival page.

Site Overview

The launch sits at roughly 1,000m above sea level, below the tower summit at 1,087m (3,567 ft). Takeoff clears the mountain forest canopy straight into the valley air, and the deep river valleys around the peak produce steady convective lift.

Flying Conditions

• Thermal Updrafts: Best in the morning with North East, East or South East winds of about 12 - 22 km/h. Flights only go ahead inside these limits.
• Flight Profile: Typical tandem flights last 15 - 25 minutes depending on thermals, with room for spirals and a long scenic glide down to the Gampola valley.
• Airspace: Flights operate in a designated CSFA flight sector under APPI and CAASL safety rules.

Who Can Fly

• Tandem Passengers: No experience needed. You fly with an APPI-certified tandem instructor (ages 12+, 35 - 110 kg).
• Solo Pilots: APPI 3 (or FAI equivalent), valid third-party insurance and an on-site briefing with the CSFA Site Duty Officer.

Access & Logistics

Ambuluwawa is about 45 minutes (24 km) from Kandy via Peradeniya and Gampola, and about 2.5 hours from Colombo via the Central Expressway. CSFA runs a dedicated 4x4 shuttle from the landing zone back up to takeoff.