A 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist rock temple 5km from Wellawaya - seven colossal figures carved from granite, with traces of original gilt paint still visible on the standing Buddha. Almost always visited without a crowd. On the direct route from Ella to Yala, it adds only 30 minutes.
Gal Oya National Park
Boat safari on an ancient reservoir - elephants swimming between the islands
Gal Oya’s boat safari on Senanayake Samudraya is one of Sri Lanka’s most unexpectedly extraordinary wildlife experiences - wild elephants swimming between islands in a vast reservoir, sometimes within metres of the boat. Almost no other visitors. Gal Oya Lodge is among the most thoughtfully run eco-properties on the island.
