Our day began at 6am with a 2-hour elephant back jungle safari that took us deep into the jungles of Chitwan National Park. Most of the group members were able to spot animals including rhinoceros, deer, monkeys, crocodiles, a variety of birds and more. It was rare adventure for most and a most memorable one indeed.
After our morning safari we had breakfast then headed out on jeeps (some of us took this opportunity to ride on top of the jeeps) to the river about 20-minutes away where we boarded canoes and sailed down the river for a while. It was so very peaceful. We landed on shore about 30-minutes later then hiked back for an hour to the lodge.
After lunch we treated to probably what has been the highlight for most of the trip…..bathing elephants in the river. Not much could be said about such an experience that is best understood when experienced in person only. The photos below try to capture some of the moments we shared with these gentle and loving giants.
Looks straight out of a National Geographic. Pictures so great I feel like I’m there with you.
Surely one of the most memorable experiences in the lifetime!!!
This must be the cleanest elephant (and most pampered) in the world. Other male elephants must be very jealous of his “handlers.” All pictures from this and other days are just wonderful. Captures the moment(s)!
These pictures brought a big smile to my face. Yay for elephants. And Holy Moly you saw a Rhino in the wild!!!! That’s wild!!!! (literally)
Can’t believe I missed this trip, Dandapani!
Very much enjoying these pictures – beautiful.
@Sandy – Thank you for your kind comments and for following along on the blog. Your daughter is having an amazing time.
@Gloria – Yes, these elephants are very clean especially after we were done with them. And did they ever enjoy that spa treatment we gave them.
@Tatiana – We know how much you love elephants, Tatiana, and riding and scrubbing them from the last trip.
@Nienke – Hope you will be able to join us on a future trip Nienke. Glad you enjoyed looking at the photos and it is good to hear from you.
Dear Dandapani,
I loved this video as a souvenir. It brought back the wonderful experience we had, bathing the elephants.
It was a ‘dream come true’ for me, as I have always loved elephants from the days I had seen them at the temples in South India. This trip has been etched in my memory forever. Love you for sending us this video. May God bless you.
Please tell your brother that the music was exciting and so appropriate !! I loved it. May he continue to make music and bring Joy into the hearts of his listeners !!
Love,
Prema and Ramani.