Ethical encounter at jumbo sanctuary

12 Jun 2025

Asian Trails’ team in Luang Prabang, Laos, recently had the privilege of spending time with some of the country’s most remarkable residents – the elephants of Mandalao Elephant Sanctuary.

Dedicated to ethical, non-riding interactions, the sanctuary offers a respectful and intimate experience, limited to just six guests per visit. The journey began with a peaceful boat ride to the site, followed by an engaging introduction to elephant welfare and conservation in Laos.

In the open pasture, the team met the elephants and their mahouts before embarking on a guided jungle trek, walking alongside the elephants in their natural habitat. After observing the elephants cooling off in the river, the group returned to the sanctuary for a well-earned lunch.

This memorable experience reflects Asian Trails’ ongoing commitment to safe, ethical and responsible animal interactions. To learn more about our approach to sustainable travel, read our Animal Welfare Policy or visit our Responsible Travel page.

Send an inquiry

Stay up to date

Get more B2B travel news direct to your inbox.

More news from around Asia

INCLUSIONS

A full day tour with a professional English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request and may be subject to supplementary charges
Transportation by car / mini-van with professional driver.
All entrance and donation fees for visits as mentioned in the description.
All applicable taxes and service charges
Lunch at a local restaurant is included (food only)

EXCLUSIONS

Tours, inclusions of any kind and other services that are not outlined in the tour description
Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
Single supplement charges for single travelers, where applicable
Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

GOOD TO KNOW

This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply.
Transfers are only operated within the downtown Chiang Mai areas and restricted to main hotels only.
Regions outside the central business district such as Mae Rim, Hang Dong, Doi Saket, Mae Taeng and Chiang Mai International Airport are excluded and supplementary charges apply.
We regret that are unable to provide pick-up and drop-off transfer services from and to apartment complexes, local guest houses or private apartments. We advise you kindly to head on your own arrangement to the nearest hotel inside the downtown Chiang Mai area.
We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this excursion; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local restaurant.
Due to the nature of this tour, we regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Guests are advised that some walking is required during this excursion; we always ensure that we take the most comfortable ways from the entrance of the sight to the sight itself.
The road up and down Doi Angkhang is not suitable for large coaches; for group travel, note that the group needs to be split up into mini-vans. We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation.
For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
Due to the absence of ATM machines and credit cards payment portals, we highly recommend to bring sufficient cash with you. Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the excursion in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests.
It is recommendable to bring a jacket / sweater with you as temperatures on Doi Angkhang are often much cooler than around Chiang Mai.
It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package.
Any changes in accommodation outside 48 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 48 hours may be on request.

Ethical encounter at jumbo sanctuary

Ethical encounter at jumbo sanctuary

Stay up to date

More news from around Asia

Ethical encounter at jumbo sanctuary

Lao Airlines resumes Vientiane-Xiengkhoung route

New airline to launch year-end 2025

Premium MICE destinations in Singapore and Borneo

Indochine dining reopens

Asian Trails delivers large-scale incentive in Thailand

Asian Trails renews Travelife Partner status in Cambodia and Malaysia

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closed for annual maintenance

Visa-free access granted to Middle Eastern citizens

New UNESCO Global Geopark honour

A Yangon landmark returns

Asian Trails strengthens commitment to animal welfare

MICE market manager appointed in Indonesia

Asian Trails Indonesia announces new operations manager

Explore the Mekong on a premium cruise

New wellness haven thrives in Hoi An

Head back in time in Lenggong

New era in aviation with airport opening

New e-ticket system for kingdom’s marine parks

Phnom Penh welcomes new open-top bus ride

Phuket dining rises to new heights

New tourist train elevates Hai Phong journey

New ethical elephant encounters in Krabi

Air Arabia to fly direct to Krabi

New hotel accommodates adventurers

Search latest news

Search MICE Experiences

Search Trails

INCLUSIONS

EXCLUSIONS

GOOD TO KNOW