A new four-day itinerary through Vietnam’s Central Highlands will place ethical elephant tourism at the heart of the journey, alongside coffee culture, local communities and time around Lak Lake.
Adventure World’s ‘Vietnam’s Highlands & Elephants’ itinerary will operate from October and travel through Buon Ma Thuot, Yok Don National Park and Lak Lake.
The key experience is a full day with Animals Asia’s elephant welfare project in Yok Don National Park, where former working elephants are observed roaming, foraging and bathing freely rather than being used for riding.
Guests will explore the forest with guides and former elephant handlers who have transitioned into guardian roles, while a direct contribution to the welfare project is included in each booking.
Dave Neale, Animals Asia Global Programmes & Sentience Director, said the project had helped shift elephants away from traditional riding tourism.
“Tourists now have the opportunity to walk alongside guides in the forest, tracking the elephants as they go about their day, free to choose how they spend their time resting, eating, bathing and socialising,” Mr Neale said.
The itinerary also includes visits linked to Buon Ma Thuot’s coffee culture, including the city’s coffee museum and traditional tastings, along with a stay at LAK Tented Camp with cycling, walking and local cultural experiences.
Eric Finlay, Adventure World Product Manager Asia, said the trip was designed to encourage travellers to explore beyond Vietnam’s better known coastal and city destinations while supporting a more responsible wildlife tourism model.
“The elephant project at Yok Don is a pivotal part of that vision, demonstrating how tourism can actively advance animal welfare when executed responsibly,” Mr Finlay said.
‘Vietnam’s Highlands & Elephants’ is priced from $1,205 per person twin share, including the Animals Asia conservation contribution.
