The elephant is an iconic animal in Thai tradition however typically misused as a vacationer attraction. After I deliberate my 3-week Thailand itinerary I in fact needed to go to an elephant sanctuary. My youngsters wished that too. So, I needed to discover a Chiang Rai elephant camp. After analysis, speaking to associates and locals I made a decision to go to the Elephant Valley close to Chiang Rai. I used to be advised it’s a real sanctuary the place no abuse of animals takes place. That’s true, and I had a good time studying about elephants and the way to deal with them on the Chiang Rai Elephant Valley.
Chiang Rai Elephant Valley
The Chiang Rai Elephant Valley is the second elephant sanctuary of the identical administration in South East Asia. It began with their Elephant Valley in Cambodia and now Chiang Rai is open too. It’s a bit smaller however nonetheless covers 40 acres of lush inexperienced forest the place 6 elephants discovered their new residence. Your contribution makes positive they’ll increase however that’s not all. They supply jobs and a method or one other assist over 2000 locals too.
On the Elephant Valley Thailand, the employees permits the elephants to expertise a brand new life with out stress which can make their life satisfying. The ethos of the Chiang Rai Elephant Valley could be very strict to ensure the elephants have second life. The 6 elephants come from the logging and vacationer business the place they have been abused. Now these 6 elephants’ life in peace and might do what they need. The employees takes care of them, washes them, does dental care, and makes positive they’re wholesome. No extra abusing.
Using an elephant? NO! Swimming with an elephant? NO! Kissing an elephant? NO! Feeding an elephant? YES, on the feeding time on the finish of the day for a really brief interval.
Attending to Chiang Rai Elephant Valley
Until you’re going to volunteer and/or keep on the homestay of Chiang Rai Elephant Valley I like to recommend visiting the white temple (Wat Rung Kun) within the morning first. The temple just some kilometers away and collectively it’s a fantastic day journey. I’ll lined the white temple already within the 3-week Thailand itinerary and can do an in-depth story later. You can even go to Elephant Valley as a day journey from Chiang Mai if you happen to go early!
After I journey sustaining a dependable web connection is essential for navigation, communication, and accessing journey assets. An eSIM Asia plan from Actually affords seamless connectivity with out the effort of swapping bodily SIM playing cards. My eSIM Asia got here in useful a number of instances to translate one thing and discover instructions simply within the Chiang Rai space.
I arrived on the Chiang Rai elephant sanctuary at about 12:30. Automobile parking is on the market on the entrance as not each automobile can simply enter due to attainable micro organism getting into the sanctuary. My information, who was already ready for me, escorted me to the farmhouse for a brief briefing. At 13:30 I used to be watching elephants bathe and have enjoyable. I like wildlife recognizing and right here it’s simply as seeing an Asian elephant of their pure habitat.
Visiting Chiang Rai Elephant Valley
As talked about a go to begins with a quick introduction concerning the Chiang Rai Elephant Valley. You’ll be taught that an elephant doesn’t work. Not logging timber nor entertaining vacationers. They loosen up, eat grass, bamboo, drink water, cowl themselves in mud and play with one another. All these actions YOU can see at this elephant sanctuary.
The information took me to a viewing platform simply subsequent to the water the place a mom and daughter elephant have been enjoying. Simply 100 meters additional one other elephant was destroying a tree. Consuming grass. Enjoying with mud and getting some contemporary bamboo as a snack. I simply spend there 2 hours watching these magnificent animals and making images. THAT you are able to do!
Elephant feeding
After 2 hours it was time to get again to the farmhouse. One elephant acquired a bathe, his toes cleaned and a little bit of dental care. The employees takes care of the elephants in order that they don’t get sick. Round 16:00 it was feeding time. Just a few bamboo shoots which I used to be allowed to feed too. They’re used to individuals and feeding, only a bit, is all proper. My youngsters beloved this! They did wish to experience and elephant too however after being on the Chiang Rai Elephant Sanctuary they don’t wish to try this anymore. They discovered.
If you’re on the lookout for a spot to see elephants in Thailand (or Cambodia) then go to Elephant Valley. They really care concerning the animals. Do NOT go to any sanctuary or camp the place you possibly can experience or swim with elephants. NEVER NOT go to a spot the place elephants make methods. I had a good time on the Chiang Rai Elephant Valley and so did my youngsters. If I had identified you possibly can keep in a single day earlier than I deliberate my 3-week Thailand itinerary I in all probability would have performed that. Now, I went additional north the place I stayed at Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa.
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Gallery Chiang Rai Elephant Valley
Click on a picture for a full display gallery of extra images taken throughout this journey. When you like to make use of any photograph for business, personal or editorial use please contact first for permission and/or pricing.
