Experience riding an elephant to visit the largest freshwater lake in the Central Highlands

Lak Lake, located in Lak district (Dak Lak province), is the largest natural freshwater lake in the Central Highlands, the second largest in Vietnam after Ba Be Lake (Bac Kan).

Lak Lake is located on Lien Son town, next to the traffic route between Buon Ma Thuot and Da Lat, about 56 km south of Buon Ma Thuot city along Highway 27. The lake is about 5 square kilometers wide. The lake is surrounded by high mountains, so the lake’s water is always calm and there are large primeval forests with rich flora and fauna. Around the lake, there are also historical architectures such as the palace of Emperor Bao Dai, the long house of the M’Nong people. Many traditional long houses are preserved here, besides, many new modern style houses are also built to serve visitors. Tourists come here not only to visit Lak Lake but also enjoy the cultural features of the Central Highlands such as fire dance, seasonal dance, gong performance, silk silk, k’long put, rock flock, elephant riding or boating. walking alone on the lake or crossing the lake. Currently, there are only about a dozen elephants left on the shores of Lak Lake to serve tourists. The elephants here are all caught from the forest since childhood. Up to now, there is an elephant that is 30-40 years old. The youngest child is also 29-30 years old. In the past, many tourists came to Lak Lake to experience the lakeside elephant riding service, however, recently, with the call for animal protection, many people are not interested in elephant riding anymore. According to the elephant manager in Lak Lake, a male elephant can weigh from 4 to 8 tons. Female elephants are smaller. Male elephants have tusks, female elephants only have fangs, very small. Currently, in Lak Lake, the elephant Y Kham Sen has the longest tusks, but only one side. The name Y Kham Sen means “golden child, gambler”. Normally, elephants are fed grass, sugar cane, vegetables, stems and bananas. Each child can eat tons of vegetables and fruits every day. If serving tourists riding elephants, a trip for two people, about 15 minutes, will cost 300,000 VND. The sun and wind of the Central Highlands this season is also a memorable experience for everyone who comes here. However, recently, not many people are interested in riding elephants, because the campaign calls for animal protection. In addition to activities by Lak lake, visitors can visit Buon Bip waterfall, a wild stone stream next to romantic coffee and rice fields.