Port
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Activity Level
Moderate
Excursion Type
16,All
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Starting At
$399.95
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
Duration
9 Hours
Meals Included
Meals included
Board the train for your journey to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Established in 1975, the facility began with seven orphaned elephants. Today, some of these original orphans enjoy seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage was inclined more towards attracting tourism, but it soon became a conservation and educational center. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding program for elephants. Freedom of movement for the herd increased the chances for individuals of both genders to get together and mate, and in 1984, the first Pinnawela baby was born. The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.
During your time at the orphanage, you will watch these gentle giants playing, eating and bathing in the river before enjoying your own riverside lunch.
Notes:
Travel time to Pinnawela is approximately 2½ hours each way by train. Shade is limited; please dress accordingly. Bring a hat and wear biodegradable sunscreen. Due to the fact that there are currently no baby elephants at the orphanage, there will be no bottle feeding of the elephants.