Hands on Elephant Training Park

There are several dozen elephant “tours” and parks operating in and around Chiang Mai and I have been on a number of elephant “rides” over the years and seen several of the elephant shows and so it was with a very healthy dose of skepticism  that I booked two tickets for my mother and I to visit the Baan Chang Elephant Park.

The Bann Chang promotional brochure promised a “once-in-a lifetime opportunity to participate in hands on Elephant Training” and I can quite honestly say it was a fantastic experience.

Being a fan of way off the tourist trail adventure, there are not that many “tourist” activities  ( ie pick up up from your hotel in a van ) in Thailand that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone but this is definitely one of them. In fact I was so impressed with the one day experience I will be heading back in the coming couple of months for the 3 day course !

Washing down the elephants at the end of the day was the highlight for me, its a real experience to get hands on with these majestic animals.

One Day Elephant Training Course Outline

Pick up time is 08:30 am at your Guesthouse – you can arrange a pick up location close to the major hotels if your staying with friends in town.

The day starts off with a trip to a local market for buy fruit for feeding to elephants followed by a one hour drive to Baan Chang Elephant Park where you will learn, how to be a Mahout (Elephant caretaker). Your tour guide will provide instruction and  information’s about the Elephants  including guidance and for riding your own elephant

You will then be taken back to your guest house in Chiang Mai.

Items to bring: Towel, Cloths, Shampoo, Soap, Camera, Mosquito spray, snack.

Price includes:

* A air-conditioned vehicles with English-speaking driver.

* Lunch

* Mahout Clothes – you will get dirty and wet !

* Accident insurance

* Transfer from / to hotel. Exclusions:

* Personal expenses such as drinks, tips etc.

* Other services not mentioned in the program.

Contact Telephone: (+66) : 053 814-174

Fax: (+66) : 053 814-174

Hot line: 089 – 635-5206

Address Baan Chang Elephant Park 147/1 Rachadamnoen rd., A. Muang Chiang Mai 50000

Tourist visting Chian Mai can stay overnight at the Bann Chang Elephant Park and participate in the one, two or three day Elephant training course.