Elephant Camps - choosing and booking

I%26#39;ve only recently realized that there are multiple options out of Chang Mia to visit an elephant camp or conservation center.

My plan was to just book something after I arrive (after picking up loads of tourist info).

Do I need to be careful in my choosing - and can I get advise about where to go. Can people advise me as to where to go - or where to avoid.

I%26#39;m not really interested in seeing them do ';tricks'; etc., just to learn a little and see them in a happy environment. I could probably take or leave riding them.

thanks

Elephant Camps - choosing and booking

I would highly recommend that you look into the Elephant Nature Park...http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/index.htm

You will not be able to ride an elephant but you will be able to see elephants being elephants and not slaves to %26#39;tricks%26#39;. My friends and I went earlier this year and it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my trip to Thailand. The founder was named as Asia%26#39;s woman of the year a few years back.

For the nature park I recommend that you book ahead of time on their website. They tend to get full as they only allow a certain number of %26#39;tourists%26#39; a day.

Have a great time!

Elephant Camps - choosing and booking

The only place that doesnt do %26#39;rides%26#39; or %26#39;tricks/shows%26#39; if the Elephant Nature Park. The website is www.elephantnaturefoundationonline.com . You can only book this one through their office in CM or website. They dont sell through any agents. They only allow a certain number of people each day so it would be best to book online, depending on when you will be there. Maybe email them and find out how busy it is looking at the time you will be in CM.

The other popular one people recommend is the Conservation Centre at Lampang outside CM - this one has the show etc.

Sorry for repeating that! Yaya posted the msg while I was typing mine. It is the same place. The website I mentioned is their new one, however the old one still works I think.

If you have more time, head up to the Anantara resort at the Golden Triangle or the Four Seasons Tented camp (if you%26#39;re very rich!) - both have elephant camps, which is part of the conservation effort. You can take courses (1 to 3 days) for mahout training. They%26#39;ll tell you about the lives of the elephants and get you to ride and command them, as well as take them into the river for washing etc. Fun and informative.

Then you MUST visit the Elephant Nature Park. This is certainly the one for you I am sure of that. Many stay for 1 night or 1 week, depending how much time you would like to spend with the elephants.

Lek (real name is SANGDUEN CHAILERT) was awarded Asian woman of the year by Time Magazine and National Geographic did a very good documentary on the park last year.

Very very interesting and I think you will never ride an elephant in Thailand. It had an amazing impact on all 16 people we met the day we went to visit the reserve.

You will not regret checking it out if you are up North!

The reference is elephantnaturepark.org

The elephand nature park sounds like the ideal visit for us.

How long a drive is it from Chaing Mai?

I don%26#39;t want to do an overnight because of time restrictions.

Should we hire a guide and car, or just a car?

Thanks

Bev

Hi Bev

They are apparently an hour out of Chiang Mai but they pick you up from your CM accommodation as part of the price... you then apparently go to the markets to get the elephants food then head out there. They drop you back late afternoon..

Their new website where you can book is www.elephantnaturefoundationonline.com (think the old website still works as well but this is a really good website the new one with lots of into)

You cant book them through any travel agents but if you are in Chaing Mai they do have an office there that you can book at. It is best to book ahead though as they only take a limited number of people each day!

Emjay xx

Elephant Nature Park is the only place that does not exploit the animals. You can book through their web-site and receive a confirmation e-mail and yes they will pick you up from your hotel. You can also book through their office which is located in the Night Market.

Please note that when you try to book through your hotel they probably will try and sell you a different package to a different camp as most receive kick-backs.

Lek is an amazing woman and her devotion to the Elephants is an experience that I was happy to have been able to be a part of.

I agree with all the other posters -- and not because we went to the Elephant Nature Camp or the Conservation center near Lampang, but because we ended up at one of the touristy places that exploit the elephants. My guide apparently didn%26#39;t understand when I said we did NOT want to go to one of the places with shows and loads of people riding the poor ellies all day long. I thought we were heading to the Nature Camp, and when I realized we were at one of the other camps, it was too late -- and my 7 year old wanted to see the elephants. I felt so sorry for these magnificent animals.

Be clear where you want to go. We were lucky enough to spend a couple of days at the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort (a most lovely place) and there we saw how elephants are supposed to be treated. It was a great experience to wander down in the morning and feed and help to bathe the elephants. My husband and daughter took a walk thru the forest one afternoon and ran into several of the elephants there -- adults on long ankle chains so they could forage, and the baby and juvenile free.

Hello,

You can book elephant nature park through Gem Travel 23-25 Chareonpratet Rd Soi 6, Chaing Mai, (big green building), or www.elephantnaturepark.org We booked our trip through there small office along the night bizzar road,difficult to find at night suggest looking during the day. It%26#39;s on same side as large food hall.

Pick up from hotel 0815-0830 onto market to pick up 500kg of bananas. Then onto the camp takes about 90 minutes. returned late afternoon. things to take hat, sunscreen, towel if you want to help wash elephants, water

Enjoy we did (watch the video!)

Lindsay