Vang Vieng and the Asian Elephants

After receiving a tip in Luang Prabang, we went to Vang Vieng to visit the Elephant Sanctuary. Since we didn't want to spend too much time in Vang Vieng, we were limited in terms of time. Unfortunately, they initially didn't have any spots available for the day that worked for us because the tour was fully booked. However, since the tour seller didn't speak English very well, he eventually connected us with his boss over the phone after some discussions. After a short time, we found out that the fully booked tour wasn't the problem, but rather the full car going to the camp, which was 1 hour away. After explaining that we only had that day available, we finally agreed to ride on the back of the pick-up truck's cargo area for a discount of around 5 € per person💪. That was the theory at least. When we were finally picked up, there was an empty pick-up truck in front of our guesthouse and the driver asked us to sit on the regular back seat despite our question if we didn't have to sit on the cargo area. The cargo area was later simply occupied by the four French people who got in after us. Classic case of 'First come, first serve' 🤷🏼‍♀️😇.

The ride took us, a group of 10 people, deep into the Laotian mountains surrounded by dense jungle, where we were kindly welcomed by the Sanctuary owner, 'Mr. Go'. Before we started, we were given some information about the elephants, the camp, and of course, the further course of the tour 🧐. Equipped with a shoulder bag full of bananas, we embarked on the approximately 20-minute walk through the jungle to the elephants. When we arrived on a clearing further into the jungle, our guide made a 'mooing wolf howl,' and three elephants emerged from the thickets from two directions and ran towards us 😳🐘. As he explained to us, they were three female elephants. Since it is currently breeding season and the male elephant is very agitated, they had led him further into the jungle beforehand so that we wouldn't come into contact with him. The afternoon tours were also canceled because of this. They are hoping for offspring🍆😉.

It was very impressive to stand between the elephants and be sniffed by their strong trunks. Of course, they had smelled the provisions and didn't leave our side. In order to build trust with the animals, it was our task to feed them the bags of bananas. The guide even let Nathalie put a banana between the elephant's teeth and she was kissed by the elephant. She thanked him with a 'Khop Chai,' and the elephant responded with a nod of its head.

After all the bananas were consumed, it was time for bathing. Following the Sanctuary motto 'First elephant, second people,' we followed the elephants to a pond. The elephants led us to the bathing spot, not the other way around. Everything at their pace. If they wanted to stop and eat something, we had to wait. If they wanted to digest their bananas, we also waited 🤷‍♂️. None of the guides had any tools to force them or make them move further. Simply amazing! 🥰

At the water, we witnessed their bathing ritual and later jumped into the water with them and 'scrubbed' them. During this, we also got splashed by them with their trunks 🐘💦.

Unfortunately, our trip was mostly over at this point. We returned to the camp, where Mr. Go was waiting for us with some really interesting information and a delicious (although vegetarian) snack 🍜😉. But before we ate, we were allowed to feed the three elephants some sugarcane and say goodbye to them.

One of the great things about the camp is that all the elephants are free and can simply enjoy their existence after having had not so nice stories in the past. One of them had worked for us humans before and had to carry trees, and the other one even stepped on a landmine, which is still quite common in Laos outside of the cities. So the elephants really didn't have a nice time before. Mr. Go collects the money for the care of the animals through the tour fees. He himself wants to buy as many elephants as possible and slowly release them into the wild through the Sanctuary. The cost for one elephant is around 50,000€, but since he can't afford it yet, he borrowed the elephants from their owners for about 600€ per month to provide them with this life.

By far the most beautiful trip so far and definitely recommended 😊. It had nothing to do with the typical animal abuse of elephant riding like you see in other places.