DAY 1 – ELEPHANT TOUR ITINERARY:
Please note occasionally, this schedule may change in case of extreme weather conditions, emergency or other unusual circumstance.
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 for a local specialty lunch at the sanctuary visitor hut, afterwards you can enjoy relaxing hammock time, while taking in the surrounding wild jungle views. This is an excellent opportunity to look local birds & other wildlife in this area.
2:00 – 4:00pm: 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).
4:00 – 4:30pm: Say “Goodbye” to the elephants and head back to the Jungle Lodge
4:30pm Onwards
After returning to the Jungle Lodge it is time to spot birds & other wildlife in this area and relax by the fire. You will meet your Bunong guide who will prepare traditional Bunong soup cooked inside bamboo. After dinner it is time for trying rice wine with pork/chicken BBQ and sleep time in hammocks.
DAY 2 – ELEPHANT TOUR ITINERARY:
7.30 – 11:30 am: Wake up then be ready to head to the Seima Forest 35km, (about 40 mins from your jungle lodge).
A Morning hike through the Seima Protected Forest & animal discovery walk.
Arriving at the ‘Seima Protected Forest’, meet your Bunong local Ranger and begin the day with a short scenic hike into the rain forest. Listening to Gibbon voice, following and having the chance to potentially observe a rare viewing to see them in wild. You take a break for a small breakfast of bread, fruit and then continue to explore other animals and the nature around you. There is also a chance to spot birds, insects, and rare flora and fauna on the hike.
11.30am – 1.00pm: Lunch by a scenic spot in the jungle:
Time for a lunch picnic by a scenic spot in the jungle. While enjoying lunch and relax, there is also a fair chance to spot birds & other wildlife in this area.
1:30 – 4:00
1:00pm – 3:30pm: Afternoon trek through the jungle:
After lunch, you continue your trek through the jungle to continue to observe the wildlife and jungle scenery. Your local guide will show you bats living inside the tree holes and bear print climbed up on tree. Trek through a stunning bamboo forest and head back to the drop off point. You will be met, picked-up and head back to Sen monorom.