# Aek Nauli Elephant Conservation Aek Nauli Elephant Conservation (ANECC). Located in the Aek Nauli forest area, it offers a unique experience of interacting directly with Sumatran elephants in a lush, cool pine forest. ANECC is more than just a place; it's a conservation and education center for the Aek Nauli Research and Development Center for Environment and Forestry (BP2LHK). Medan Travel Agents, as the organizers of the [Lake Toba Travel Package](https://switourmedan.com/) program, can arrange tours for tourists to visit this place. Main Attractions of Aek Nauli Elephant Conservation 1. Close Interaction with Sumatran Elephants Here, visitors can get up close to a herd of tame Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus). You'll have the opportunity to feed them fruit, take photos with them, and even observe how the mahouts (elephant trainers) care for these intelligent giants. The uniqueness of the Lake Toba Tour Package program here is the exciting interaction between tourists and the elephants. Of course, feeding methods and the types of food allowed are regulated by the elephant trainers on site. 2. Educational and Conservation Tourism ANECC aims to educate the public about the importance of preserving the endangered Sumatran elephant. Visitors will receive information about elephant behavior, their natural habitat, and conservation efforts undertaken to maintain their population in the wild. 3. The Refreshing Pine Forest Located at an altitude of approximately 1,100 meters above sea level (masl), the Aek Nauli area is surrounded by dense pine forests. The air here is fresh and cool, making it the perfect place to unwind before continuing your journey to Parapat or Samosir Island. Visiting the Aek Nauli Elephant Conservation Area as part of a Lake Toba Tour program doesn't actually add to the itinerary, but simply adds a destination. Therefore, it's easy for tour operators to incorporate this attraction into their existing tour programs. 4. Light Trekking Activities For nature lovers, there are light trekking trails around the forest area. You can take a leisurely stroll while enjoying the chirping of birds and the diversity of flora within this research forest. Location and Accessibility Aek Nauli Elephant Conservation is located at KM 35 of the Medan-Parapat Highway, Sibaganding Village, Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra. From Medan: It takes approximately 3-4 hours by road. From Parapat: Only about 15-20 minutes. Strategic Location: It's located right on the main highway, making it very easy to find for tourists heading to Lake Toba. **Another popular trip by SWI Tour & Travel:** The journey from Medan to Bukit Lawang actually holds a wealth of beautiful potential that is often overlooked when using the [Bukit Lawang jungle trekking](https://switourmedan.com/bukit-lawang-jungle-trekking/) tour. This allows you to stop at any time to enjoy the views of villages, plantations, and the pristine rural atmosphere. This experience offers an added value that cannot be achieved with other modes of transportation. This is what makes your trekking more than just a tour, but part of the travel experience itself. Tourists can choose from several routes outlined on the topographic map of the [Mount Sibayak sunrise tour](https://switourmedan.com/mount-sibayak-hiking-medan/). There are routes ranging from moderate difficulty to moderate difficulty, as well as the tourist route. One of the hiking routes from the foot of the mountain is Raja Berneh Village, or Berna. Known locally as Semangat Gunung Village, it is approximately 15 kilometers from Berastagi. This short route is the easiest because the terrain is relatively smooth and well-maintained. Tips for Visiting ANECC To maximize your visit, keep these tips in mind: Best Time: Come in the morning (around 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM) to see the elephants at their most active. Follow Mahout Instructions: Always listen to the elephant trainer's instructions during interactions for your safety and the elephants' comfort. Wear Comfortable Clothing: Wear sneakers or hiking sandals, as the conservation area consists of dirt and forest paths. Bring a Camera: Don't miss the rare opportunity to take photos with the elephants and the aesthetic pine forest as a backdrop. Find Us on IG: [Medan Tour Package](https://www.instagram.com/switourmedan/) Entrance Fee The entrance fee to Aek Nauli Elephant Conservation is very affordable. The fee is typically used to support elephant care and conservation facility maintenance. (It's recommended to check the latest pricing information on-site, as fees are subject to change at management's discretion.) Aek Nauli Elephant Conservation is a perfect destination for families, students, and nature lovers. It offers more than just entertainment; it also provides a deeper understanding of the importance of maintaining ecosystem balance and the need to protect Sumatran elephants from extinction. Be sure to include ANECC on your itinerary when visiting the Lake Toba area!