TRAVEL consultants looking for ethical wildlife components to include in their north-east Thailand itineraries can explore the elephant tours offered by Isan Explorer.
The tours allow travellers to walk alongside and observe the elephants as they frolic in the forest and watering holes, and also help the mahouts bathe them in the Mun River.
“Interacting with elephants in a natural environment such as this is an intimate and immensely rewarding experience,” says Tim Bewer, founder and director of Isan Explorer.
The tours come in one- to four-day versions covering the Isan region. While spending time with the elephants are a major part of the itineraries, trips to other attractions in the area such as historic Buddhist temples, Khmer ruins and a silk-weaving village can also be included.
Isan Explorer works with the Save Elephant Foundation to ensure the tours are responsible and beneficial to elephants involved, and elephants remain off-chain. There are no elephant chair rides as carrying heavy loads can cause permanent damage to the animal’s weak spine.
With consumers are becoming more conscious of the social and environmental impact of tourism, travel agencies such as STA Travel have halted sales of elephant rides, tiger temple visits and trips to SeaWorld.
