Elephant Ecotourism

Elephants have always played a larger than life role in the annals of South and SE Asian peoples. The mystical majesty of these animals penetrates to the core of Myanmar’s Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Buddhist texts tell how the mother of the future Buddha dreamt of a white elephant approaching her which resulted in conception and eventual birth of Buddha. In Hinduism, Ganesha-the elephant headed god- is one of the most precious divinities of the Hindu pantheon. But, the elephant also plays a much more functional role in the life of many in Myanmar. Venture into rural Myanmar and the elephant will become ubiquitous.  On a practical level the elephant today continues to assist with all heavy labor and construction-especially with timber removal. 

At Woodlands we have a special place in our hearts for the elephants. Woodlands founder Win Aung’s thirty years in the forests enabled long acquaintances with the elephants of Myanmar and the mahouts that train them. Today in a world that is increasingly urban, many of these elephants, even in rural areas, are actually unemployed. Woodlands elephant tourism programs provide gainful employment to many elephants and their mahouts. Our ecotourism programs include itineraries that enable participants to ride elephants into various national parks in all corners of Myanmar such as Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park or the Hukaung Valley Tiger Reserve. These elephant treks can be customized to last  a half day or multiple days. Most of our elephant tours are designed to give visitors to Myanmar a taste of the natural world in between visits to many of our wonderful cultural sites. This truly ancient way of travel is a wonderful experience that all hoping to catch a glimpse of old Burma, should definitely consider. For a close up look at elephants of Myanmar, please click on the short film clip taken from the documentary film called ‘Elephant Power’ which Woodlands produced for the National Geographic Channel. This film was largely shot in Myain Hay Wun Elephant research camp in Taik-gyi Township. Below you will find suggested itineraries. For more information on these and other custom elephant itineraries, please contact us.

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