The Best Destinations To Spot Elephants Up Close With Culture Trip

Seeing the largest land mammals on Earth in the flesh is an experience you’ll cherish forever. Experience the majestic beauty of these gentle giants up close with these unforgettable elephant encounters, courtesy of our Culture Trips.

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Elephant spotted on a safari in Sri Lanka

Udawalawe National Park – Secrets of Sri Lanka by Train

Nothing matches seeing an animal in its natural habitat, totally wild and free to roam its land as it pleases. That’s the beauty of elephant-spotting in Sri Lanka, which has multiple protected national parks that they call home. On our 10-day Rail Trip around the island you’ll witness ancient temples, surreal rock fortresses and one of the most scenic train rides on the planet, but nothing will match the majesty of the moment you spot a trunk curling round from behind a branch. On day eight we’ll go to Udawalawe National Park, the best place in the country to spot them, with over 600 elephants calling this place home, usually in herds of up to 30. You’ll embark on an expert jeep safari in search of a herd or two, before following that up with a visit to Elephant Transit Home, a sanctuary that rehabilitates and releases orphaned or abandoned babies back into the wild.

From US$1519

Next available from 18th May 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Colombo, Sri Lanka

ENDS AT

Colombo, Sri Lanka

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

12

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.