Elephant Bath Time at the River
Watch elephants cool off in the river with their mahouts and, where it's currently permitted, help scrub them from the shallows.
- Length
- 1 day
- Price from
- $30 per person
- Where
- Rapti riverbank, Sauraha
- Group size
- Up to 8
- Activity level
- Easy
- Bring
- Clothes that can get wet
About this tour
In the heat of the day, working elephants are taken down to the river to drink and cool off. On this short outing, a guide takes you to the bank to watch bath time and talk with the mahouts.
Where current rules allow, you may wade into the shallows and help scrub, always under the mahout's direction. If that isn't running on your date, you'll watch from the bank instead, and the price stays the same.
Elephant activities depend on current park and welfare rules. We'll confirm exactly what's running for your date before you pay, and there's no elephant riding in this program.
Highlights
- Elephants cooling off in the river
- Talk with the mahouts
- Hands-on only where permitted
- Short outing from Sauraha
Program
- Your outing
- Walk to the riverbank with your guide.
- Bath time with the elephants and mahouts.
- Return to your lodge.
Activities may be reordered on the day for weather, river levels or park rules.
What the price includes
Included
- Local guide.
- Fees for the experience.
Not included
- International flights, Nepal visa and travel insurance.
- Drinks, snacks and personal shopping.
- Tips for guides, drivers and lodge staff.
- Anything not listed under what's included.
Meeting point and cancellations
Where we meet
Your lodge in Sauraha, or the Sauraha tourist bus park if you arrive by bus.
If your plans change
Cancel 7 or more days ahead for a full refund (minus card fees); 3–6 days ahead, half is refunded; inside 72 hours there is no refund. Read the full cancellation policy.
Good to know
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Your guide will choose routes for the season and the day's conditions. Check what each month is like and what to bring before you travel, and read our safety notes if you're traveling with children.