The Ellie Experience
Sri Lanka & The Maldives
August 2026 | 8 nights, 9 days
The Ellie Experience
Join The Ellie Experience, an unforgettable hosted journey led personally by Heather Kasey, founder of Ellie Travel and the Elephant Education Initiative. Designed for travelers who crave connection, adventure, and purpose, these group tours bring together like-minded explorers who share a passion for wildlife and meaningful conservation. Each itinerary is designed by Heather, featuring exceptional accommodations, immersive cultural experiences, and opportunities to engage with local conservation efforts. It’s the perfect blend of travel, adventure, and purpose.
Travel to Sri Lanka
Traveling to Sri Lanka is like stepping into a world where every moment feels rich with color, culture, and natural wonder. From misty tea plantations and rolling emerald hills to golden beaches kissed by the Indian Ocean, the island offers a breathtaking variety of landscapes in a compact, easily explored space. Ancient temples, bustling markets, and sacred sites reveal a deeply spiritual culture, while encounters with elephants, leopards, and exotic birds connect travelers to the island’s extraordinary wildlife. Sri Lanka is a place to slow down, immerse yourself in vibrant traditions, savor unforgettable flavors, and witness nature and history intertwine in ways that stay with you long after you leave.
Travel to the Maldives
Traveling to the Maldives is an invitation to experience paradise in its purest form. With crystal-clear turquoise waters, powdery white-sand beaches, and vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, every day feels like a postcard come to life. Here, time slows down — whether you’re snorkeling alongside manta rays, sailing into the sunset, or simply lounging overwater in serene luxury. The Maldives is more than a destination; it’s a place to reconnect with nature, rejuvenate your spirit, and create unforgettable moments in an utterly breathtaking setting.
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Upon arrival in Colombo, you'll be transferred to the historic Galle Face Hotel for a relaxing overnight stay, allowing you to recuperate after your journey.
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Embark on a scenic two-hour drive from Colombo to Weligama Bay, where you'll spend two nights at the exquisite Malabar Hill Boutique Resort, enjoying the tranquil coastal atmosphere.
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Journey north to the famed Golden Triangle, where Thailand meets Myanmar and Laos. Your stay at Anantara Golden Triangle offers sweeping views, exceptional cuisine, and meaningful encounters with rescued elephants who roam freely across the resort’s 160 acres. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, spend the night in a transparent jungle bubble, dining under the stars beside these magnificent animals.
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Conclude your journey with three nights of seaside luxury on the Andaman Sea. The Surin Phuket, nestled along a private stretch of sand, offers the perfect setting to unwind and reflect. Enjoy spa treatments, sunset dining, and time to simply be — surrounded by turquoise waters and tropical tranquility.
Where You’ll Stay
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Galle Face Hotel
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Malabar Hill Boutique Resort
Weligama Bay, Sri Lanka
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Uga Chena Huts
Yala, Sri Lanka
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Velassaru Resort
Maldives
Meaningful Encounters with Elephants
Sri Lanka offers some of the most rewarding and intimate opportunities to connect with elephants in the wild. During your stay at Uga Chena Huts, you’ll embark on safari adventures in Yala National Park and Udawalawe National Park, home to large populations of elephants roaming freely in their natural habitat. These game drives provide unforgettable sightings of elephants foraging, playing, and moving gracefully across the landscape.
Guests also visit the Elephant Transit Home, a rehabilitation and release center dedicated to orphaned baby elephants, where you can witness the care and dedication involved in preparing these young elephants for life back in the wild.
Each encounter is designed to foster understanding, respect, and appreciation for these gentle giants, leaving a lasting impression that goes far beyond a typical wildlife experience.
The Highlights
Wildlife Adventures
Witness elephants, leopards, and other wildlife on guided game drives through Yala and Udawalawe National Parks, and visit the Elephant Transit Home for an unforgettable conservation experience.
Pristine Beaches
Relax on the soft white sands and swim in crystal-clear waters at luxurious Maldives resorts like Velassaru, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life.
Cultural Immersion
Explore historic Colombo and coastal towns like Galle, where colonial architecture, bustling markets, and rich local traditions bring Sri Lanka’s layered history to life.
Luxury Stays
Enjoy exceptional accommodations from boutique coastal retreats at Malabar Hill to eco-luxury safari lodges like Uga Chena Huts, blending comfort with stunning natural surroundings.
Scenic Landscapes
Journey through lush tea plantations, rolling hills, tropical forests, and breathtaking coastal vistas, capturing the island’s diverse and vibrant scenery.
Marine Exploration
Snorkel or dive among colorful reefs in the Maldives, swim with manta rays and reef sharks, or enjoy whale watching along Sri Lanka’s southern coast, connecting with the ocean in extraordinary ways.
