Elephant trekking, already popular in other parts of Asia, is scheduled to take-off with eco-tourism company Asia Green taking over management of the Pho Kyar Forest Resort (above) and the Myaing Hay Wun Elephant Nature Camp.

AS a country that is environmentally diverse and rich in natural resources, Myanmar has the potential to become a major worldwide destination for ecotourism in the coming years. Many travel companies are already attracting tourists by arranging nature-based expeditions that include visits to national parks, mountain trekking and bird watching.

Another facet of ecotourism that is ripe for development is elephant trekking, which is already popular in Thailand and some other places in Asia but remains little known in Myanmar.

However, this could change in the near future as earlier this year the private-sector Asia Green Travels and Tours Co, Ltd signed a contract with the government to take over two of the three elephant trekking camps previously run by the Myanma Timber Enterprise.

According to travel industry sources, in the past several years the camps that were run by the enterprise – the sole government authority over elephant-based businesses and the owner of most of the country’s domesticated elephants – only accepted special bookings for elephant treks from a handful of travel and tours firms.

The contract has allowed Asia Green to take over management of the Pho Kyar Forest Resort in Bago Division and the Myaing Hay Wun Elephant Nature Camp in Yangon Division. The company also plans to open another elephant camp in Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park in Sagaing Division.

The general manager of Asia Green, U Kyaw Moe Tun, said the main objective of taking over the camps is to promote Myanmar’s ecotourism industry in general, and elephant trekking in particular.

“We want local people to participate in this industry, and we believe this is one of the most effective ways to conserve the rich ecology of Myanmar,” he said.

He said that last May, after the contract was signed, the company began renovating the basic accommodation infrastructure at the camps and recruiting staff members who had completed tourism training programs conducted by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

Visitors can ride elephants into nearby forest and lowland mountain ranges at the Pho Kyar Forest Resort.

The Pho Kyar Forest Resort is in a small tract of forestland located about 50 kilometres north of Taungoo in the foothills of the Bago Yoma mountain range. The area is bordered by the winding Swa Creek, which provides plenty of water for the resort and for bathing the elephants.

The resort has seven lodges, constructed using wooden logs, set among 100-year-old teak trees. Each of the 26 available rooms is fully furnished and equipped with electricity, air conditioning and a water supply.

Adventurous visitors can enjoy riding on the backs of the elephants into the nearby forest and lowland mountain ranges. The lives of elephants that work in the timber industry can also be observed, from moving logs to bathing in the creek after a long day of work. Some elephants are specially trained to perform for the guests.

Visitors can also experience the culture of local ethnic groups in nearby villages, and can also drop by the community of elephant trainers to see how they keep elephants as family pets. Adult domesticated elephants are allowed to roam the surrounding forest in freedom as they forage for food, only to be called back when it is time to work. Meanwhile, young and sick animals are kept close to the village under the watchful eyes of the trainers.

Pho Kyar Forest Resort is also a prime destination for bird watching. A survey organised by the Myanmar Bird and Nature Society last May counted a total of 103 bird species – the first record for the resort – even though it lasted only three days. It included rare sightings of the oriental pied hornbill, mountain imperial pigeon, red-billed blue magpie and velvet-fronted nuthatch.

U Thet Zaw Naing, a secretary of the society who participated in the survey, said afterward, “The area is the nearest place to Yangon with good transportation where the greatest variety of forest bird species can be sighted.”
He said the number of bird species sighted could double if a trip were to be conducted during the winter season when wintering birds come.

A wide range of butterfly species can also be spotted in the forests around the resort.

U Kyaw Moe Tun said Asia Green Travels and Tours can also arrange longer, harder treks into the nearby mountains upon request.

He said he expected the other elephant camp, Myaing Hay Wun, to become a favourite destination among visitors to Myanmar since it is only a two-hour drive away from Yangon.

The camp has facilities similar to those at Pho Kyar, and can accommodate up to 10 visitors at a time in five Myanmar-style bungalows, said U Kyaw Moe Tun.
He said that so far, most of the visitors to the elephant camps have been European, mostly from Germany and France, since many locals lack knowledge of ecotourism and prefer to visit religious sites and beach resorts during their vacations.

However, he said he is optimistic about the development of elephant trekking and ecotourism in Myanmar, and has already received many bookings for the upcoming high tourist season, which began this month.

Asia Green Travels and Tours already has plans to expand its elephant trekking options to include tours targeted at academic researchers, schools and other organisations, U Kyaw Moe Tun said.

“In the future we will arrange special trekking tours for those who want to combine study with recreation,” he said, adding that the company will recruit experts who can act as guides for this type of tour.

Three-day/two-night expedition tours to Pho Kyar Forest Resort are priced at about US$220 and up, while a one-day trip to Myaing Hay Wun costs about $90 and up.