Wild Elephants & Emerald Lakes
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrival in Gal Oya
Today you will leave the tourist trails behind and journey into the wild heart of Sri Lanka for an ultimate jungle experience in the unspoilt Gal Oya National Park. After a few hours in a car and a short jeep ride down the dusty track, you will reach your charming accommodation – a well-deserved retreat surrounded by lush jungle.
Your home for the next few days is a dreamy eco-lodge. Built from the natural materials in traditional Sri Lankan style it’s packed with character and rustic charm. And with a swimming pool and misty mountains as a backdrop, it’s just the spot to unwind and enjoy and serenity of the jungle. If you want to explore the area, your driver is at your disposal and we’d recommend checking out the nearby Buddangala Temple set atop a hill with amazing views of the valley.
Day 2 – Wildlife spotting boat trip and free time
This morning you will have some free time to explore the area or just laze around the pool. After lunch, the real adventure will begin! You’ll hop in a jeep whisking you through the jungle and right to the lake shore where the boat would be waiting. You will spend the next few hours gliding down the lake’s mirror surface, spotting wildlife from the water. Gal Oya is home to Asian elephants and you can sometimes see them bathing on the edge of the lake. If you are extremely lucky you may spot them swimming from island to island in search of food so keep your eyes peeled and camera at the ready!
After the boat trip, you will return to the lodge. There are no other activities planned for today, but if you would like to learn more about wildlife in the area, why not chat to one of the local naturalists or join them for a short cycling or walking tour? For the adventurous souls, there are plenty of other activities that can be arranged at your accommodation, from hikes to jungle trails and additional safaris.
Day 3 – Departure from Gal Oya
Today your time in Gal Oya comes to an end. Enjoy a beautiful sunrise one more time, have a dip in the pool and after breakfast, your driver will be ready to whisk you off towards your next adventure! If you would like to extend your stay in this nature’s paradise, let your travel specialist know while planning your trip and we will add an extra night for you!
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Glamping in Gal Oya
For this bite-sized trip we have an alternative glamping option available for your accommodation. Stay overnight in a comfortable, spacious tent, made from locally sourced, eco-friendly materials, designed to blend in with the natural surroundings. If this is more your style then select our glamping option for this bite-sized trip below.
