Millennium Elephant Foundation

The Hill Country


The Millennium Elephant Foundation houses elephants rescued from aggressive mahouts, and elephants retired from working in temples. Be aware that though elephants are well-cared for here they are chained for quite long periods and elephant rides are offered; we recommend against these because of the harm they can cause to the elephants. Volunteers are welcome at the foundation. It's two kilometres from Pinnewala, on the Karandupona–Kandy road.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Hill Country attractions

1. Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage

1.88 MILES

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2. Gadaladeniya Temple

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This Buddhist temple with a Hindu annex dates from the 14th century, and the main shrine room contains a stunningly beautiful, gilded seated Buddha. Built…

3. Lankatilake Temple

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4. Embekka Devale

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5. Athagala

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6. Peradeniya Botanic Gardens

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These stunning gardens were once reserved exclusively for Kandyan royalty. Today, even commoners are allowed in to enjoy the most impressive and largest …

7. Kandy War Cemetery

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This small and beautifully melancholic cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It is the final resting place for those who died…

8. Ceylon Tea Museum

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This museum occupies the 1925-vintage Hantane Tea Factory, 4km south of Kandy on the Hantane road. Abandoned for more than a decade, it was recently…

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