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Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Kandy To Pinnawala Tour By Tuk Tuk Pinnawala Sri Lanka

1. From Kandy To Pinnawala Tour By Tuk Tuk Pinnawala Sri Lanka

🟢Start @8.45 in Kandy ➾ (18km) Kadugannawa View Point ➾ (22km) Pinnawala ➾ (29km) Geragama Tea Factory ➾ (6km) Royal Botanical Garden ➾ (4km) Spice Walk ➾ (5km) Kandy City View Point ➾ (100m) Gem Museum ➾ (600m) Kandyan Culture Dancing ➾ (1km) Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic ➾ (1km) Drop-off Your Hotel 🔚 🛑 Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage , is a captive breeding and conservation institute for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village, 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of Kegalle town in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2023, there were 71 elephants, including 30 males and 41 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala. The orphanage was founded to care and protect the many orphaned unweaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC). On 31 August 2021, a 25 year old elephant named Surangi gave birth to twin male baby elephants at the orphanage. It also marked the first instance of the birth of twin elephants in Sri Lanka after a gap of 80 years since 1941.

From Colombo: Kandy, Pinnawala and Tea Factory Full-Day Trip

2. From Colombo: Kandy, Pinnawala and Tea Factory Full-Day Trip

Delve into Sri Lanka's history, religion, and industry on a full-day trip from Colombo to Kandy and Pinnawala. Spend some time with elephants at Pinnawala Elephant Sanctuary, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and discover gem, craft, and tea factories. Begin the tour with pickup at your hotel in Colombo or Negombo, then travel in air-conditioned comfort to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. There, capture charming pictures of groups of elephants feeding and bathing in the river. Next, continue to Kandy to explore the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses the Buddha's left canine tooth. Take time to marvel at one of the most sacred and famous places in Sri Lanka before discovering Sri Lanka's last kingdom. Stop for lunch at your own expense afterward at a restaurant with a viewpoint over Kandy. After lunch, visit a gem factory and learn about its products and processes. Then, head to a craft factory and a batik factory, where you'll have the chance to buy souvenirs. On your way back to Colombo, stop at a tea factory and hear about its tea plantation. Enjoy the chance to try and buy teas before returning to your accommodation in Colombo or Negombo.

Kandy, Pinnawala day trip from Bentota, Kalutara beach

3. Kandy, Pinnawala day trip from Bentota, Kalutara beach

Your one-day tour starts from Beach hotels on the west coast like Bentota Beach and Kalutara Beach and then relax in air-conditioned comfortable vehicle on the journey to Pinnawala elephant orphanage. The drive lasts around 2 hours. Later explore the spice/herbal garden with an indigenous plantation that produces spices such as cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, cocoa, cinnamon and many hundreds of other spices and herbs. Later visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic to see the sacred tooth of Buddha, a symbol of status that proved the worthiness of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka. Admire the beautiful architecture of the palace and look at the golden figurines in the shrine. At Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage we guarantee that you witness a big herd of elephants that are in different ages. Then, explore some of the ancient crafts by traditional artisans, including gems, wood carving, and batik. Watch craft demonstrations and buy souvenir gifts before lunch at a local restaurant at your own expense. Continue to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, and go for a stroll on the 147-acre grounds. See over 4,000 different species of plants, including an exclusive collection of orchids, spices, and medicinal plants. Learn the history of the 19th-century gardens, and see famous plants such as the cannonball tree, giant fig tree, and 40-meter-tall Burma bamboo.

From Colombo: Full-Day Pinnawala and Kandy Tour

4. From Colombo: Full-Day Pinnawala and Kandy Tour

Start your journey at 0600 hrs from Colombo and proceed to Kandy, pausing at Pinnawala for a visit to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. This is the home for young elephants who have been displaced from their natural habitat at Pinnawala village in the Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka. Now housing 70 elephants, Pinnawala is home to the largest group of captive elephants in the world. Next, visit Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, renowned for its variety of ornamental, decorative & medicinal plants, more than 4000 species. This garden is best known for its collection of orchids, the largest in Asia. Thereafter, visit the Temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls. Lounge among delicately carved pillars and be amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Followed by a lunch break at a location of your choice. Finally, you will begin your journey back to your hotel in Colombo at approximately 1830 hrs. En-route, you will stop at Ambepussa (restaurant of your choice) and have dinner.

Kandy City Explore By Tuk Tuk , Like a Local

5. Kandy City Explore By Tuk Tuk , Like a Local

🟢Pickup 8.45am In Kandy ➾ (13km) Nelligala Temple ➾ (9km) Geragama Tea Factory ➾ (6km) Peradeniya botanical garden ➾ (3km) Kandy Spice Walk ➾ (4.5km) Bahirawakande Temple ➾ (4km) Kandy City View Point ➾ (1km) Kandyan Culture Dancing ➾ (1km) Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic ➾ (1km) Drop-off Your Hotel 🔚🛑 Learn about the history and traditions of Kandy on this city tour by tuk-tuk. Visit various temples and cap off your day by watching a cultural show. After being picked up from your hotel, start your day by visiting the Kandy temple. Pay your respects at the Palace of the Sacred Tooth Relic where the tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined. Then, head over to the audience hall which boasts unique Kandyan architecture. Proceed to the hidden treasure that is the Bahirawakanda temple. Marvel at the large seated Buddha statue enshrined in the temple, which is visible from almost anywhere in Kandy. At the top of the temple, admire the incredible views of the city. Continue your tuk-tuk ride to visit the flourishing Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. Wander through the paths of green lawns and learn about a wide variety of plants including orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees. Enjoy some free time for shopping before finishing your tour with an unforgettable traditional Kandyan dance performance with drummers, fire dancers, and more. This cultural show will captivate your ears and eyes with displays of local culture and art. Tharanga

Explore Kandy, Pinnawala, and Tea Plantation from Kandy

6. Explore Kandy, Pinnawala, and Tea Plantation from Kandy

Start your day with a pick-up from your hotel, and set off to the enchanting destination of Pinnawala. Immerse yourself in the heartwarming experience of visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a haven for wild Asian elephants. Established in 1975, the orphanage cares for and safeguards many orphaned and unweaned elephants found wandering in Sri Lanka's forests. Witness the world's largest captive elephant herd, and observe newborns and adult elephants roaming freely. Don't miss the unforgettable moments of bottle-feeding the elephants at 9.15 am, 13.15 pm, and 17.00 pm, as well as watching them bathe in the nearby river between 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm. Your time shared with these gentle giants will be truly life-changing. Proceed to the captivating city of Kandy. En-route visit Giragama Tea Plantation & Tea Factory. Immerse yourself in the world of tea by visiting the Giragama Tea Plantation, a renowned tea estate in Sri Lanka. Located in a picturesque setting, this plantation offers a fascinating insight into the tea production process and allows visitors to experience the lush tea gardens firsthand. Take a guided tour through the plantation, learn about the cultivation and harvesting of tea leaves, and witness the art of tea processing in action. The Giragama Tea Plantation visit is a must-do activity for tea enthusiasts and those looking to explore Sri Lanka's tea heritage. On completion you will visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, located approximately 5.5 kilometers west of Kandy in the Central Province. The gardens, situated near the Mahaweli River, are renowned for their vast collection of orchids and diverse plant species, including medicinal plants, spices, and palm trees. Established in 1371, the gardens have a rich history and were originally part of a palace complex. Enjoy the serene surroundings and explore the lush greenery under the care of the Department of Agriculture's Division of National Botanic Gardens. Begin your exploration of Kandy, the cultural and religious capital of Sri Lanka, nestled amidst picturesque mountain ranges. Visit the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1988. Discover the rich history of Kandy as it once served as the final capital of ancient Sri Lankan rulers and witnessed battles against colonial powers. As your eventful day comes to an end, you will be taken back to your hotel, cherishing the cherished memories of the elephant orphanage encounter, cultural wonders of Kandy, Giragama Tea Plantation & Tea Factory.

Private Kandy Day Tour From Colombo Sri Lanka

7. Private Kandy Day Tour From Colombo Sri Lanka

Kandy is the Last Remaining Kingdom in Sri Lanka and the 2nd Capitol also of the country. Sri Lankan Last king also was there. This Day Tour from Colombo will cover all the sightseeing in Kandy. This will take around 10 - 12 hours. You will be picked up from your Hotel in Colombo by our Chauffeur in the morning (7:30 am) . Then Start the journey to Kandy. First Stop is Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage! This is an orphanage. Sri Lanka has lot of wild Elephants in the national parks in Sri Lanka. From this Place you can see the lot of Elephants who missed their herd or parents. This is one of the main place to look after such elephants. Second Stop is Ayurvedic Herbal and Spice Garden! Sri Lanka is a country who has a unique reputation for its art of spices that make food delicious and Ayurvedic Herbal medicine which has a history of over 2500 years. From this place you can get to know about all these spices and herbal plants for free. Third Stop is Giragama Tea Factory and Garden! Sri Lanka is world's Best Tea Exporter. Ceylon Tea is a brand that has conquered the world for many years. From this place you can see the whole procedure of making Tea and Taste a cup of Ceylon Tea for Free. And If you need to buy Ceylon Tea, This is the only place that you can buy tea for factory price (Best quality product for Cheap Price). Forth Stop is Kandy City View Point! This is a viewpoint. From here, You can see the Whole city of Kandy. A best place also to take Photos in your Journey. Fifth Stop is Ceylon Gem Museum! Sri Lanka has a high demand for blue sapphires in the world. Currently found only in Madagascar and Sri Lanka, this sapphire is one of the most valuable gems in the world. Here you can see about Sri Lanka's mining industry and other different types of gemstones, as well as how to polishes them and creates jewelry, for free. Sixth Stop is Kandy Temple, Also known as the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic! This is the main tourist attraction of local and foreign tourists who come to Kandy. This is the royal palace where the last king of Sri Lanka lived. Today, this is a great shrine of every Buddhist people. That is because one of the tooth relics of the Lord Buddha is kept in a special chamber here. So everyone must wear clothes that cover their knees and shoulders and take off their shoes to enter this place. Seventh Stop is Kandy Cultural Dance show! This is an one hour show that starts at 5 pm. Here you can see many beautiful cultural dances unique to Sri Lanka. Various traditional drummers and fireworks are also included. At the end of the show, there is also a event of walking on burning red charcoals. Tour Finished! Next return back to your Hotel in Colombo from Kandy.

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What people are saying about Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2 reviews

Really good experience! At one of the attractions we should have visited, there was a really long queue and too many people, so our guide was good at coming up with a lot of other options we could see if we wanted. All the experiences were quite exciting! Our guide also found some great eateries along the way with really nice views each time. He was good at assessing when he was needed as a guide and when it was better for us to be alone and she stayed close by (eg at the restaurants). On the slightly long drive, he was also good at explaining what we saw when we looked out the windows and in general what Sri Lanka was like.