Adventure World has expanded its portfolio of responsible journeys with the launch of a NEW four-day itinerary in Vietnam’s lesser-visited Central Highlands, placing cruelty-free elephant tourism firmly at its core.
Available for travel from October 2026, Vietnam’s Highlands & Elephants offers conscious travellers a 4 day/3 night immersive journey across Buon Ma Thuot, Yok Don National Park, and Lak Lake. The highlight of the journey is a full-day experience with Animals Asia’s landmark ethical elephant project, directly supporting the transition of former working elephants away from traditional riding tourism into a cruelty-free, observational welfare model.
Developed in close collaboration with Yok Don National Park, the project empowers visitors to track and observe gentle giants as they roam, forage, and bathe freely in their natural habitat—accompanied by expert guides and former handlers who have transitioned into elephant guardians. A direct contribution fee is integrated into every booking, securing essential ongoing operational funding for the welfare project.
Dave Neale, Global Programmes & Sentience Director for Animals Asia said, “Animals Asia has supported Yok Don National Park to transition elephants from riding-tourism to observational tourism only. Tourists now have the opportunity to walk alongside guides in the forest, tracking the elephants as they go about their day—free to choose how they spend their time resting, eating, bathing, and socialising.”
“This new tourism model has led to significant elephant welfare improvements, with animals gaining greater access to natural browse and freshwater supplies while roaming freely alongside their companions in their natural environment”, adds Neale.
Adventure World’s Product Manager Asia, Eric Finlay, noted, “The itinerary was specifically designed to inspire travellers to look beyond Vietnam’s classic coastal and city hubs while championing purpose-driven tourism. We wanted to give travellers a compelling reason to explore the Central Highlands and experience a totally different side of Vietnam. The elephant project at Yok Don is a pivotal part of that vision, demonstrating how tourism can actively advance animal welfare when executed responsibly.”
“Beyond wildlife conservation, the region boasts striking volcanic landscapes, a deep-rooted coffee culture, and vibrant indigenous communities, offering both first-time visitors and seasoned Asia travellers a genuinely distinct experience”, says Finlay.
The journey blends wildlife conservation with authentic cultural discovery. Highlights of Vietnam’s Highlands & Elephants include:
- 4 Days/3 Nights (Return from Buon Ma Thuot) From AU$1205/NZ$1479 per person, twin share (includes Animals Asia direct conservation fee).
- Ethical Elephant Tracking: Observe wild elephants with guides in Yok Don National Park.
- Coffee & Heritage: Experience Buon Ma Thuot’s coffee museum and traditional tastings.
- Serene Lakeside Stay: Stay at LAK Tented Camp with cycling, walks, and local culture.
This trip with Adventure World is available for travel from October 2026. For more information and to book, visit adventureworld.com or call 1300 363 055(AU)/ 0800 238 368 (NZ).
