Full Itinerary

Day tour highlights & Community Benefits:

• Spend a day at the working elephant rescue sanctuary & hike through local forest & natural habitats.
• Contribute to working elephant’s rehabilitation & community based conservation project in Mondulkiri.
• Hand feed elephants and observe them in their natural habitat. You won’t see any performance tricks or elephant riding here.
• Lunch break at the sanctuary’s base camp by O’tey river & waterfall swimming.
• Visit an indigenous village where you can learn about their unique culture & traditions.

8.30am – 9.00am  

Introduction & Transport

Meet at your guesthouse in Sen Monorom, for an introductory talk. We will then head south to the Elephant Sanctuary Forest (12km, about 20 minutes from Sen Monorom). The drive offers lovely views over the community forests our project is helping protect.

9.00am – 12.00pm

Morning hike through the Sanctuary’s rainforest & elephant discovery walk.

We begin with a short scenic hike into the valley. Before meeting the elephants, our guide, will explain the project goals & the importance of protecting Mondulkiri’s wildlife & habitats.

Next, we’ll meet, greet, feed and follow the elephants & their mahouts (elephant care takers) as they freely walk and eat in the jungle. We will follow them to observe the elephants’ natural behaviors for example the way in which they consume bamboo, grasses and different plant roots as natural medicine. This is an ideal opportunity to take lots of photos of the elephants enjoying life in their natural environment.

12.00 – 2.00pm : Lunch at the visitor hut:

Time to hike to the Sanctuary’s visitor hut, which is located by the river to enjoy a local Khmer lunch. Following lunch, you can relax in a hammock while enjoying the wild jungle views. It may be possible to spot birds & other wildlife in this area.

2:00 – 3:00 : Elephant bath & water fun:

In the afternoon, we hike back into the forest & make our way to the Sanctuary’s natural river pool. The mahouts will slowly walk the elephants into the water, for their daily shower & mud bath. The elephants love grooming each other, scratching against trees and playing in the mud.- Swimming with the elephants is an unforgettable experience and can be messy! Mud coating is important in order to keep an elephant’s skin moist, protected, and healthy.

3:00 – 4.00pm : Bunong

In the afternoon, we hike back into the forest & make our way to the Sanctuary’s natural river pool. The mahouts will slowly walk the elephants into the water, for their daily shower & mud bath. The elephants love grooming each other, scratching against trees and playing in the mud.- Swimming with the elephants is an unforgettable experience and can be messy! Mud coating is important in order to keep an elephant’s skin moist, protected, and healthy.

Additional | Useful Information

Occasionally, this schedule may change in case of extreme weather conditions, emergency or other unusual circumstance.

Things to Bring

• Comfortable footwear for hiking (shoes might get wet during river crossings).
• Swimming costumes and towel or sarong.
• Binoculars
• Light, long sleeved cloths to wear during the day (clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty).
• A hat and sun cream/protection.
• Insect repellent.
• Rain coat or poncho.
• Lunch is included, however you may bring additional snacks.