Waking up and bathing with elephants in Thailand
If you're looking for a unique and heartwarming experience in Thailand, and if ypu have ever dreams about bathing with elephants in the river or waking with them in the Jungle , then Chiang Mai Elephant Friends is a destination you shouldn't miss.
Nestled in the lush hills surrounding Chiang Mai, this eco-friendly sanctuary focuses on ethical elephant tourism, providing visitors with a chance to connect with these gentle giants in a responsible way. My recent visit for 2 days was simply magical.
Chiang Mai Elephant Friends is located just a short drive from the bustling city of Chiang Mai, making it easily accessible while still offering a serene, natural setting. Just to enter the property you need to cross a hanging bridge above the river, so it’s an exciting start. The sanctuary is surrounded by stunning mountains and verdant forests, creating the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable experience with elephants.
During our stay, we were accommodated in charming bungalows that provided a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. The bungalows are thoughtfully designed to blend harmoniously with nature, offering a tranquil retreat after a day of activities.
Prices for a night’s stay at Chiang Mai Elephant Friends typically start from around $60, which includes accommodation, and breakfast for 2 people , but doesn’t include the elephant activities. It’s a great value considering the one-on-one experiences you have with the elephants and the knowledge imparted by the staff.
Fortunately, you can't ride the elephants here - I paid special attention to this, and also the elephants are raised and trained using a rewarding method, this was another important aspect. Corn is one of their favorite treats, while bathing, he asked for his reward every half minute and reached out with his trunk or opened his mouth to let the corn fly into it. You can choose from several programs, you can walk in the jungle with the elephants, bathe them in the river or ask for a morning elephant wake-up call - we booked the last two experiences, both experiences cost approx 50 USD
One of the highlights of our stay was the incredible opportunity to participate in elephant bathing. This was an experience unlike any other! We bathed a super cute 10-year-old elephant named Chai Lai, who immediately captured our hearts. It was wonderful to bathe in the river with him, to wash him, and to give him many hugs - although I think he bathed me more.
Did you know that an elephant can absorb more than 10 liters of water in its trunk? Well, he liked to spray this water on me all the time. It was a pleasure to watch him enjoying the bath, it was obvious how much he liked being taken care of, and of course the treats that he constantly received.
Another unforgettable experience was the "Elephant Wake Up" service. This is the first time I've heard of this. Of course, we definitely wanted to try this special experience, which is why we asked for a 9:30 a.m. wake-up call. I thought I would get up before that and wait for the elephant all dressed up on the terrace with a coffee, but my plans were changed, because the elephant arrived at 8:30 a.m. - so it was really the elephant wake up, because I woke up to the sound of him moving around our terrace.
It was an incredible experience to pull back the curtain and see his "little" head! In addition, the cat was also there and looked at me from the chair with a surprised face like he was asking what is going on. It was a perfect start to our day, we immediately received a bag of corn from his trainer, and we had the opportunity to feed him directly from our terrace and pet him, he was there for at least half an hour.
I want to wake up like this every morning! The whole experience seemed so unreal, I couldn't believe I had actually woken up to this.
Chiang Mai Elephant Friends is more than just an elephant sanctuary; it’s a place that promotes education, compassion, and sustainable tourism.
From the warm hospitality of the staff to the unforgettable activities with the elephants, every moment spent here is magical.
Whether you’re an experienced traveler or visiting Thailand for the first time, Chiang Mai Elephant Friends is a destination that deserves a spot on your itinerary!
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