At a time when elephants in South East Asia need tourism more than ever, Intrepid Travel has rounded up its elephant friendly trips for 2021 to mark this year's World Elephant Day.

Thousands of captive elephants across South East Asia rely on income generated from tourism to live. While global tourism is at a near standstill, many elephant sanctuaries are struggling to find the money to provide food, water and medical care for these beautiful animals.

Intrepid was the first global tour operator to ban elephant rides on its tours six years ago, and now supports a selection of genuine elephant sanctuaries through its not for profit The Intrepid Foundation. The following trips allow travellers to witness these gentle giants in a safe and cruelty-free environment.

Thailand & Laos Adventure (from £1,122 per person)

On this trip you'll visit MandaLao Elephant Conservation which is supported by The Intrepid Foundation. MandaLao opened in 2016 as the first non-riding elephant sanctuary in Luang Prabang, Laos. Each of the 11 elephant residents has a history of demanding physical labour, from logging to long days of giving rides to tourists. But here, they're free to feed naturally and wander the forest. You'll walk side by side with recently rescued elephants on a stroll through their natural habitat and watch them taking a dip in the lake.

Sri Lanka Expedition: Wilderness and Wildlife (from £1,350 per person)

Visit Project Orange Elephant, run by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society. You'll spend the day learning about the complex relationship between some farmers and wild elephants in Sri Lanka. For Sri Lankans who rely on subsistence or commercial farming, elephant populations can be incredibly destructive. Crop raiding by elephants is commonplace, and farmers who have had their livelihood destroyed often retaliate with violence. With support from The Intrepid Foundation, SLWCS encourages more sustainable farming practices – particularly of crops like oranges that elephants do not eat – to help wildlife and humans coexist peacefully. Take the opportunity to meet some the local farmers and learn about life for both the elephant and human inhabitants that live in the area.

Explore Northern Thailand (from £710 per person)

See how elephants choose to spend their days at ChangChill, home to six female elephants who are free to roam, graze and bathe as they please.  You'll learn how this organisation supports the protection, conservation and lifestyle of free roaming elephants in the Chiang Mai region. You'll observe the daily patterns of these jungle giants from a safe distance, seeing how they graze and socialise with their friends. The expert local guides will be able to give you a 'live lecture' on the elephants themselves, its sustainable tourism practices and conservation efforts in the area.

All trips can be booked at intrepidtravel.com; 0808 274 5111

Prices include accommodation, ground transport, selected meals. They exclude international flights.

-Ends-

Images:

https://intrepidgroup.bynder.com/web/745a75ae656a2ad2/world-elephant-day-images/

Note on Covid-19 Safety

All trips will operate under Intrepid's new Safe Travels health protocols, developed in partnership with the WTTC. All travellers will complete a health questionnaire at the start of the trip and be required to wear masks in certain settings, in line with local laws and regulations. The group will be accompanied by a local leader who has received specific COVID-19 training, which covers hygiene, sanitation, physical distancing, PPE as well as supplier monitoring.

About Intrepid Travel

Independently owned by the founders and staff of Intrepid Travel, Intrepid is a collection of three tour operator brands and 25 destination management companies united by the vision of Changing the Way People See the World. For more than 30 years, Intrepid has been taking small groups to travel the local way, on real life experiences that give back to the places and people we visit. As this style of travel has caught on, Intrepid has grown, and in 2019 offered more than 2,700 trips to more than 130 countries and on all seven continents. We cater for all ages, budgets, and appetites for adventure through Intrepid Travel, Peregrine Adventures and Urban Adventures. Globally renowned as a leader in responsible travel, in 2018 Intrepid became the world's largest travel business to be certified B-Corp, joining a growing community of businesses looking beyond the bottom line. Our not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation has raised over AUD $10M for more than 130 charities around the world.  

For further information on Intrepid or to download the company's 2019 Integrated Annual Report, visit www.intrepidgroup.travel.