• Day excursion to elephant sanctuary

Day excursion to elephant sanctuary

What this tour is about: This is a day excursion from Colombo to visit the Millennium Elephant Foundation. While there are many elephant-related places in this area, we have selected Millennium because of their concern for elephant welfare. Millennium provides injured, abused and neglected elephants with a new home where they can spend their days in relative comfort and freedom, under veterinary guidance. Elephants at Millennium are not hobbled in metal chains.

How it works:

  • Pickup from hotel in Colombo at 7:30 am (please ask your hotel for packed breakfast)
  • Arrive at the foundation 10 am
  • 10:30 am to 1 pm – Introductory talk, tour of the elephant museum, 30 minute walk with the elephant around the grounds (observing and learning about elephant behavior during the walk), bathing the elephant in the river, elephant feeding, and tour of the elephant dung paper factory
  • 1:30 to 2:30 lunch at a popular local restaurant
  • 5:00 pm drop to hotel in Colombo

Tour Notes: In an ideal world, there would be enough funds available to elephant sanctuaries, for the elephants to live in peace without interacting with tourists. However, we do not live in an ideal world. We recognize that income from tourists is necessary in order to provide for these elephants. We have therefore included the “Walk with Elephant” program, a compassionate alternative to riding elephants.

Millennium also offers bare-back rides without the use of howdahs (seats). This kind of ride is the least damaging to elephants, according to them. However, we do not recommend or sell rides as a matter of policy. If you wish to ride elephants, please do not book this elephant excursion with us.

Duration: 9 to 10hrs

Group size: Can be done by individuals / couples / families / groups.

Costs:
US$ 100 per person for 9 to 15 persons
US$ 110 per person for 5 to 8 persons
US$ 120 per person for 4 persons
US$ 130 per person for 3 persons
US$ 140 per person for 2 persons
US$ 200 for solo traveller

Please write to us for specific pricing if you have a larger group, or if you have children below 12.

Includes: Pickup from the hotel, air-conditioned transport, experienced chauffer-guide, fuel, parking charges, tolls, entrances to sanctuary, tickets to Walk with Elephant program, lunch, bottled water, drop back to the hotel, and all taxes.

Excludes: Tips, travel insurance.