Elephant Nature Park

13 recommendations and reviews from 13 people

• Referral from March 20, 2018
  

  Katie E. asked:

  Thailand honeymooners!! Any recommendations on where to go/where to stay in thailand? We are thinking 2 ish weeks. Definitely want to spend some time at the amazing beaches we've heard about but are open to other ideas of things to do/see. Also, were getting married next July but are debating waiting until November to go to avoid the rainy season. Any thoughts on this? Thanks :)

  

  Maria W. replied:

  The most incredible experience we had in Thailand was playing with the elephants, washing them in mud, feeding them, and supporting great elephant sanctuary efforts. Sign up early to experience this magic up near Chiang Mai! https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/ And please please please don't ride any elephants. It really hurts them. It's terribly depressing to see what state they're in for tourists <3 Also, a great cooking class in Chiag Mai are these guys: http://www.asiascenic.com/ It's worth doing the longer tour where they bring you to their farm. Happy Honeymoon!

  

  Angela K. replied:

  We did Chiang Mai (for the elephant sanctuaries and the New Year's Eve lantern releases), Koh Samui (for the relaxing beaches), and Bangkok (for the city/shopping). We were married in July and went in Dec/Jan and I highly recommend it doing it the way we did/you're thinking and waiting for a better time of year than summer (or burning season)! It was an amazing trip that took a lot of planning, so it was nice to have time to do it after the wedding and not try to plan both at once. My biggest tips: If you want to see elephants, really research so you go to an ethical sanctuary and not one pretending to be one to get tourist money. Elephant Nature Park is one of the best and there are websites evaluating others. We saw multiple accidents with motorcycles and mopeds ranging from a minor tap to road rash on the driver's hands to a broken leg to one was really, really graphic accident. I know a lot of tourists like to rent them, but it's pretty risky, so keep that in mind. Public transport is easy in all of those cities. There's Uber, taxis, or tuk-tuks (I recommend those in most cities, except Bangkok, where they're way more expensive than other public options or the trains). Look up night markets in various cities and eat amazing food! Chiang Mai had a weekend market and another area with a nightly street food area. Koh Samui had a different night market each day of the week on various parts of the island. Bangkok is full of markets, but the JJ/Chatuchak Market is one of the largest markets in the world with tons of great deals. We loved the street food in Chinatown at night the best. For intercontinental travel, Bangkok Airways gives frequent flyer members extra weight in their checked baggage. There's no fee to sign up. Do it before you go, since it's harder at the airport counter.

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• Referral from August 8, 2016
  

  Tina C. asked:

  Wanting to go to Thailand in July of next year we want to be safe but yet had some Adventures where would be the best place to fly into and stay. My daughter also wants to go to an elephant sanctuary that is known for not abusing animals. Any ideas?

  

  Kent K. replied:

  My sister in law is very passionate about elephant sanctuary's that treat animals properly. She highly recommends this one: http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/

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• Referral from July 18, 2015
  

  Sallyanne S. asked:

  I am off to Thailand with my good mate Ursual for 10 days in a month. Does anyone have advice or names of good hotel names or deals, travel sites? We are thinking of flying to Chiang Mai for 3or 4 days, a couple of days in Bangkok and then perhaps a fews days in Hua Hin or Koh Samui or... medium level hotel accommodation. Your ideas are truly appreciated as we haven't travelled around Thailand before. We want to see a bit of culture but also relaxing - not big on long treks or lying on beaches (pale skin).

  

  Louise B. replied:

  For an ethical elephant experience- check out Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. These eles are rescued from trekking and working. There's no riding allowed, instead visitors watch them be happy and free. You can take a day trip about an hour in an air conditioned mini bus. It's an experience you'll never forget. http://www.elephantnaturepark.org Just steer clear of the horrific Tiger and Monkey temples that the locals will try to sell you. Hotel wise, the Raming Lodge was really nice. Central, clean and has a pool which lots of the surrounding guest houses didn't.

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• Referral from August 6, 2014
  

  Stanley B. asked:

  Hello Surichada Moleechart Samui. I am coming to Thailand in Septemebr and wondered if you have any recommendations on Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai ?

  

  Stanley B. replied:

  Thanks Alajanun, I will take a look. This is the place I found that looks like a true sanctuary;http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/

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• Referral from August 3, 2014
  

  Haley W. asked:

  I highly recommend staying at 3 sis bed and breakfast in Chiangmai if you are going to Thailand at anytime. In the heart of the old city- clean- beautiful rooms and friendly staff.

  

  Linz Z. replied:

  p.s. I really liked Chiang Mai. Go there! Do it! And visit the Elephant Nature Park. www.elephantnaturepark.org Interesting note: you can do a volunteer program there for the elephants, but it's costly. buuuuut if you want to stay a few days there and volunteer for the DOGS, that is completely free. They don't really advertise that. You would be there for the dogs, not the elephants - you won't be working with the elephants. But you'll SEE the elephants and there's always the possibility to interact with them briefly. I did not do this program, but I learned about it during my day trip to the park (for the elephants) (which I saw, and interacted with) (which was totally awesome).

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• Referral from June 7, 2014
  

  Cherie J. asked:

  After a recommendation of a place to visit elephants in Thailand... thank you

  

  James W. replied:

  Elephant nature park in Chiang Mai. K Lek has dedicated her life to protecting and caring for elephants saved from the logging trade etc. amazing day out. http://www.elephantnaturepark.org

  

  Chris T. replied:

  Elephant Nature Park in Chiangmai is great fun and good for the animals too. Don't just go to the cheapest place. Even the national animal isn't treated well at many "sanctuaries" / camps / temples. The elephants are stolen from their family in the wild when they were babies. They are then sold and spend their days giving tourists rides on the same baking roads and monotonous treks.

  

  Nico M. replied:

  Elephant Nature Park, ChangMai no exploitation, lots if love n help i had a great day wish could have stayed overnight but was fully booked

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• Referral from December 9, 2013
  

  Negar S. asked:

  Anyone have recommendations for hostels in Chiang Mai?

  

  Christy R. replied:

  https://www.facebook.com/TheElephantNaturePark

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• Referral from November 30, 2013
  

  Jessica L. asked:

  Can anyone recommend an elephant trekking company in Chiang Mai?

  

  Ewan H. replied:

  Hey Jess, how's it going? When I was in Chiang Mai we went to the Elephant Nature Park. They don't do trekking but are a home for mistreated and orphaned elephants. We got to feed and wash the elephants, and had a great time. Their site is: http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/

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• Referral from November 4, 2013
  

  Lily B. asked:

  What do you recommend doing/seeing in Thailand? (or near Thailand)

  

  Jennifer C. replied:

  This is a must do: www.elephantnaturepark.org. Learn about Alek, the revolutionary woman who started raising elephants without violence. There's a national geographic documentary on her and her start of the elephant sanctuary. Amazing story, amazing woman, amazing time with the elephants, north of Chiang Mai.

  

  Erin S. replied:

  Another vote for Elephant nature park outside of Chang Mai, which was my favorite city! Have a great time!!!

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