Do you expect an elephant ride on your holiday in Southeast Asia? Have you always been interested in getting closer to one of these noble beasts? Is it wise to experience elephant riding in Cambodia, Mondulkiri, where the bulk of elephant riding in the country takes place?Going to Cambodia, you can still find riding elephants available. Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri are the provinces of Siem Reap having elephants used for rides. Sadly, every year, there are fewer and fewer elephants remaining in Cambodia Indochina tours.

Eco Tourism in Cambodia – The Elephant Valley Project

Besides the legendary heritage of Angkor Wat, which makes Cambodia famous, the Kingdom is also blessed with enormous unspoiled natural charm. Ecotourism in Cambodia draws an increasing number of tourists to this country and the Elephant Valley Project situated in the Mondulkiri Province, near the Vietnam border promises you exceptional experience.

The Elephant Valley Project

The Elephant Valley Project Sanctuary, 11km from the town of Sen Monorom in Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia, near the Vietnam’s border, is an initiative of an NGO also called as the Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment (E.L.I.E).

The sanctuary of the Elephant Valley Project is set up to provide a secure location far away from the nearby villages to treat injured and sick elephants. In return, this project, which generates local employment, is a great site for ecotourism for local as well as foreign tourists.

In the provincial parts of the Kingdom, they treat elephants well and use them for commercial usage. This Sanctuary, which is a series of inter-connected farms surrounded by dense forest, was setup with the hope that these majestic animals will be looked after well in an environment that they used to.

The Elephant Valley Project – SHINING EXAMPLE OF CAMBODIA’S ECOTOURISM

Not only simulating the same environment that mahouts (caretakers) look after their elephants, the objective of EVP also is to provide an area of forest large enough for elephants to get escape from all human activities for the longest duration possible. The elephants can take their days to hang out by the river spraying mud on one another and blast through the forest in search of food. Cambodia travel tours

 

There, tourists do not have allowance to ride the elephants. Alternatively, simply walking with these elephants through the forest and observe them in their habitat. During this trip, you know more about not only elephant routine but also forest ecology and local culture.

No matter how long your trip is, you will have a chance to meet local families and learn more about the forest, conservation, community and of course these gentle giants themselves. With multiple options for visitors offered by the Sanctuary, you can stay on to do volunteer works and help the project teams look after these elephants.

Ranging from backpacker dorm rooms, private rooms to elegant bungalows tucked into the jungle on a ridge which overlooks the valley, there are a handful of overnight options available to you. A day trip with volunteering costs USD55 and an exotic 5D/5N immersion experience costs USD$455. A two-day package in private bungalows cost US$145 while in dorm-style accommodation costs US$125. Also available are longer stays of five days (US$455/405) and three days in the dorm/bungalow (US$265/235). Full board is included in the prices. 12 is the maximum number of day-trippers allowed a day.

You are advised to check the Sanctuary’s website or facebook page as it runs periodical specials. Make sure you book well ahead before arriving in Mondulkiri as it is very popular and the entry to the premises is strictly controlled. However, once doing land there, you will have a guaranteed unforgettable experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. You have to pay US$55 for half day or US $85 for a whole day.

How to reach the Elephant Valley Project?

 

To get to this sanctuary, you can take a 6-7 hour direct bus journey from Phnom Penh to Mondulkiri.

For those who are in Mondulkiri at the weekend, it is wise to consider an alternative elephant experience, such as trying out newer programs such as: Mondulkiri Elephant & Wildlife Sanctuary or Mondulkiri Project or paying a visit to a community-owned elephant in the villages of Phulung or Putang.

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