Elephant Bonding Tour

Day 1
Training course in our own elephant camp:
Pick-up between 8.15 and 8.45 am: We will pick you up from your hotel in Chiang Mai. We will drive you by car to your accommodation in Mae Sapok. You will receive an introduction to the behavior and lifestyle of elephants. Accompanied by your English-speaking guide, you will learn the basics of elephant guiding. In addition to bathing the animals, the program also includes a ride into the surrounding woods.

While the elephants enjoy their evening, you will get to know the village of Mae Sapok. Most of the inhabitants here are people from the Karen hill tribe. We present the Karen way of life with impressive excursions and in-depth background knowledge. After a relaxing shower in your room, you can enjoy a multi-course dinner in the dining area of your accommodation.

Day 2
Further introduction to elephant husbandry:
After a hearty breakfast, you will drive to the elephant camp together with your trainer. From there you start a hike through the forest, where you pick up our elephants from their sleeping places and ride back to camp. After lunch, you bathe the elephants and begin a beautiful ride through the impressive vegetation of northern Thailand. After your time with the elephants, you will visit a local royal project that has had a major political and social impact in the area.

Day 3
Excursion to a Buddhist mountain temple and opportunity to relax with a bamboo raft ride or a massage:
In the morning, visit the beautiful local temple “Wat Luang“, which is located off the beaten track in the middle of the Thai forest, or “Wat Phra That Hui Thong”, which is home to an impressive Buddha statue. You will spend lunch by the Mae Wang River. You have the afternoon at leisure. There is the optional possibility of taking a bamboo raft ride or enjoying a pleasant massage.

Day 4
Adventurous ride to our old elephant camp:
Today you set off on a very special adventure into the deep mountain landscapes of northern Thailand. On the back of your elephant, you will cross dense forests, narrow paths and beautiful rivers and reach the idyllic setting of our old elephant camp after around one and a half hours. During the lunch break, you can relax and enjoy the view of picturesque waterfalls and the elephants splashing around, before setting off on the exciting return journey – invigorated and full of impressions.

Day 5
Last impressions with the elephants:
Experience the last activities with your elephant in camp. A final ride through the mountains of Thailand on the neck of the largest land mammal on earth lets you recapitulate all the great experiences of the past few days.

After lunch you will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique memento to keep special memories of your stay at Elephant Special Tours. A T-shirt provided by us will be printed with the elephant’s footprint together with you. Finally, you will accompany our elephant calves and their mothers on their afternoon walk and experience first-hand their playful, loving moments as they explore their environment.

After a pleasant shower in your accommodation, you will finally set off on the return journey to Chiang Mai – organized by Elephant Special Tours, of course. Arrival in the city will be at 6 p.m. at the latest.

✓ Full board

✓ English-speaking tour guide

✓ Transfer from / to Chiang Mai

not included:

– Lemonades, fruit juices, alcoholic beverages

– Personal pocket money & tips

– national & international flights