EXPERIENCE ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP WILDLIFE SPECTACLES IN SRI LANKA WITH CHAAYA HOTELS & RESORTS

‘The Gathering’ elephant phenomenon in Minneriya National Park

With close to five thousand wild Asian elephants in Sri Lanka, ‘The Gathering’ offers an incredible opportunity to witness the 6th greatest wildlife spectacular in the world, as recognised in 2011 by the internationally acclaimed travel guide, Lonely Planet.

Taking place in the north central province of Sri Lanka during the dry season, the mega wildlife phenomenon ‘The Gathering’ begins to unfold late July as scattered herds from various forests begin to assemble around the great Minneriya National Park reservoir as the drought takes full effect. During the height of the drought in August and September, every evening the breath-taking setting of the Minneriya plains, receding water line and fresh grass sprouting, draws an awe-inspiring sight with up to 300 elephants gathering to drink water and graze the grasses growing on the tank bed.

Staying at Chaaya Village Habarana offers guests the opportunity to easily visit Minneriya to witness ’The Gathering’. Located just 15 minutes from the hotel, guests are accompanied by Chaaya’s in-house team of expert naturalists – the ‘Nature Trails’ team – who will share their specialist knowledge whilst experiencing the phenomenon first-hand.

Located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle in the Anuradhapura district, Chaaya Village Habarana is situated across 27 acres of lush forestland bordering the Habarana Tank and a vast and tranquil lake. With 108 rooms set among thousands of towering trees the property is a must for nature-lovers. Guests will enjoy cosy Sri Lankan village-style cottages with impressive views of the natural world. Its first class facilities include an Ayurvedic spa, open-air restaurant, bar and coffee shop and a choice of once in a lifetime excursions.

Responsible tourism and conservation is at the heart of the John Keells owned Chaaya Hotels & Resorts group. Its ‘Nature Trails’ programme drives critical education and conservation projects for Sri Lanka to educate both its visitors and its local people to understand and respect its precious wildlife and to develop and teach new skills and careers around its conservation, whilst also supporting livelihoods and bettering opportunities for local families.

Each Chaaya Hotels property has an in-house naturalist to educate both visitors and local people whilst also protecting and nurturing its environment. The Nature Trails naturalists were honoured to be chosen as to support an Austin Stevens Animal Planet production on ‘The Gathering’ which was aired worldwide.

Kuoni is offering seven nights at Chaaya Village Habarana in August or September with prices starting from £1055 per person based on two sharing and subject to availability. Prices include accommodation on a half-board basis in a standard room, return economy Sri Lankan Airlines flights from London Heathrow and return airport transfers.

For more information on Chaaya Village Habarana and Chaaya Hotels & Resorts visit www.chaayahotels.com