I guess everyone enjoys a good slide. Feeding the elephants, elephant bathing, and lunch were included as well as pick up and drop-off from my hotel (ibis Styles Chiang Mai). I have saved the best for last so if youâre looking for ⦠It is a little bit too chilly for me though and I didn’t bring a change of clothes. Even though it may seem like a concrete jungle, there are plenty of opportunities to escape. During her childhood she had much opportunity to spent her amongst many animal. We bond equally over our love of animals, adventure, and food. Thailandâs Top 10 Amazing Animal Sanctuaries. Still, I was hopeful that I could have a genuinely ethical trip to a real elephant sanctuary in Thailand, and so we went to the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai. Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai. Found inside â Page 114Not every so- called elephant sanctuary follows strict ethical practice towards ... The first author conducted fieldwork in Chiangmai from 2012 to 2014, ... The elephants start spreading themselves out and exploring the area. And, its location is that of beautiful, mountainous terrain. Found insideAll about Elephants and How to Save Them Ashlee Brown Blewett ... Kenya Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Maiprovince, Thailand Gorongosa National Kaziranga ... And we were both completely taken by the majesty of the animals and the ethical elephant treatment at this particular sanctuary. With every two steps she makes, she slides back down one. Found inside â Page 134For example, after visiting the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, tourists reported they were less likely to participate in elephant trekking, ... Rather the animals do what they want, some refuse to eat the sugar cane, others like to sniff the food before deciding and some just grab it without a second thought. After killing time for twenty minutes the elephants soon emerge from around the corner. Think dancing monkeys and performing bears. Throughout the time spent with the elephants, I did not once see them getting pressured, abused by their mahouts, or be overwhelmed by the people around them as groups were kept small. I honestly did not realize how many there actually were, it’s ridiculous! A positive outcome of the great crunch has been dialogue between the foundation and owners about improving conditions for captive elephants. If I had to recommend one over the other, while personally not having gone to Elephant Nature Park but researching it ⦠Set on the edge of a rainforest near Chiang Mai, in Thailandâs north, the sanctuary was founded by award-winning conservationist Lek Chailert in ⦠Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. Found inside â Page 55My week's stay here (which turned into two weeks!) at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai in northern Thailand was the most inspirational fortnight of ... This is the only ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai we were able to find that is completely focussed on the rescue and rehabilitation of elephants rather than the profits from tourism. One week volunteering with elephants at BEES runs from Monday to Sunday, and I'm waiting to hear back how much that costs. We got the chance to visit an ethical elephant sanctuary north of Chiang Mai. The Elephant Nature Park is an elephant sanctuary where they rescue, rehabilitate, and care for elephants from all over Thailand. We have to peel the bananas for the baby elephants as they don’t have teeth strong enough to break the skin. Our group of elephants starts walking back towards the sanctuary, away from any possible danger. The mahouts have a good time jumping in a covering us all in freezing water. From what I’ve read ENP is one of the few! Though it was important to me that I would be booking an ethical option where the elephant isn’t only treated correctly when tourists are around, 24/7. Itâs not the cheapest option in the area, but itâs worth every penny. You totally should it is so magical. If you are in Chiang Mai, definitely book a tour with Elephant Nature Park. This book is a landmark contribution to the rapidly growing field of wildlife tourism, especially in regard to its underpinning foundations of science, conservation and policy. Sanctuary March 25, 2016 Leave a comment. I’d love to go back and do it all again! Found insideBy implementing the tools provided in this book, readers will find they can live ethically, eat healthfully, engage sociallyâand remain a joyful vegan. Feb 7, 2020 - Elephants in Thailand - best sanctuaries, ethical elephant parks, best elephant parks to visit in Chiang Mai and Bangkok from elephant nature park to boon Lottâs and more. The elephants could be chained up overnight, be performing tricks or the mahouts could even be carrying bullhooks for control. And the more research I did â the more I spoke to volunteers at the programme and elephant conservationists- I realised the huge benefits that giving money to Elephant Nature Park (and other genuine sanctuaries) has on the elephantâs lives. Reporter James Renner investigates the kidnapping and murder of eleven-year-old Amy Mihaljevic in Northeast Ohio, 1989, revealing new clues about key suspects and sharing his own theory of what really happened to the young girl. I did a very similar program with Patara Elephant Farm in Chiang Mai and it was one of the greatest days of my life! The owner Lek is inspirational, small, and sings lullabies to her herd of over 70 elephants. Sounds like a great place to visit! (GMT+7) Tel: +66 (0) 53 272855, +66 (0) 53 818932. Try this instead: Visit a well-known elephant rescue and rehabilitation organization, such as Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand where ethical tourism is a focus. Nevertheless, I was curious so I took the plunge and bought the $75.00 ticket. Kruger National Park, South Africa. This nature park is primarily focused on elephant rescue and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, it was sold out for the next week. I am so glad that despite all these negative news about Thailand with regards to animal treatments, these sorts of organizations exists! Located south of Chiang Mai City is the Karen village where the Freedom Program by Elephant Nature Park is held. Located two and a half hours from Chiang Mai, BEES "gives elephants a chance to live free and to just be elephants." Did I miss out any ethical elephant parks in Chiang Mai that don't allow elephant riding? And, its location is that of beautiful mountainous terrain. Mar 22, 2021 - Find, compare, and book sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, things to do and fun activities from around the world. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is an ethical and sustainable eco-tourism project based in Thailand. There are many tour options available. 1. This is the ideology Elephant Nature Park is attempting to change. Thanks for sharing, your photos are gorgeous <3, This sounds an interesting experience. Found insideElephant Nature Park ELEPHANT INTERACTION (MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %053818754 ... sanctuaries for rescued elephants in Chiang Mai, Elephant Nature Park has led the ... What a wonderful experience this would have been and I’m so glad they are protecting the elephants :), Thanks! Beautiful private rooms for $25.00 per night and in the heart of the city with a pool. This sanctuary is located at a distance of 8 km from the village of ⦠All offered itineraries that included riding elephants â precisely the kind of ill practice I ⦠For one, when youâre looking for ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, an elephant camp in Chiang Mai that allows elephant riding is not an ethical place to be. Visitors can choose to stay for a short park visitâ฿2,500 (US$71), a single day visitâ฿2,500 (US$71), or an overnight stay, consisting of two days and one nightâ฿5,800 (US$165). 1 Ratmakka Road, Phra Sing, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Found inside... assessments) 188 El Avila National Park, Caracas, Venezuela 61 El Salvador 100, 231, 236 Elephant Nature Park (ENP), Chiang Mai, Thailand 131 elephants, ... Yeah I agree its important to educate both locals and foreigners about ecotourism and discourage the riding and mistreatment of elephants. We really dove into finding an ethical and sustainable program that works to rehabilitate abused elephants. We stop on the way at 7/11 for snacks. The Happy Elephant Home - Chiang MaiThe Happy Elephant Home is indeed a happy and wholesome experience. The kind of place you'd want to retire, the⦠Just awful!) One week volunteering with elephants at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary costs 11,500 baht. "Live a life of freedom and adventure through the art of budget backpacking"--Cover. This 250-acre-park has been open since the late 90s and is now home to over 70 elephants, 400 cats and more than 600 dogs. Established in the 1990s, the parkâs aim has always been to provide a safe haven for rescued elephants. After about an hour and a half of playing in the dirt with the elephants, we decide to walk back towards the village. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to care for elephants, bathe elephants, walk with elephants, build and maintain the camps, collect and prepare ingredients for elephant medicine, plant trees, and more depending on what's currently needed from you! Elephant Nature Park: Ethical Sanctuary in Chiang Mai. However, the sanctuary also helps dogs, cats, buffaloes, birds and other animals in need. Elephant Nature Park In Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Best Place For Ethical Animal Tourism Asia , Thailand , Travel | August 12, 2014 While much of my time in Thailand played out like a club 18-30 holiday, our week in Chiang Mai was different. Back at the village, we have a vegetarian lunch of noodles, curry, vegetables, and french fries. This is definitely the best location if you are staying for a short period or this is your first time visiting. Chiang Mai: Mahouts knew how to handle each elephant without (visiblyâ¦) hurting or forcing them anywhere and you could see how much they cared about the wellbeing of the elephants. Lovely photos! [...], Learn all you need to know about backpacking Chiang Mai on a budget while in [...], Find out exactly how to travel between Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang. Established in 2011 by Australian Emily and her Thai husband Burm, BEES is a much smaller, little-known sanctuary for old, injured, and retired elephants. However, the sanctuary also helps dogs, cats, buffaloes, birds and other animals in need. This is the only ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai we were able to find that is completely focussed on the rescue and rehabilitation of elephants rather than the profits from tourism. Send a message Elephants at Elephant Nature Park (Shutterstock) Elephant Nature Park is one of the best-known elephant conservation projects in Thailand. 1. You eat what you're given, but most parks can accommodate dietary requirements - check the website or just ask. Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai was a highlight of our trip to Thailand.We learned about ethical elephant tourism and had the opportunity to walk among these giants. costs x and a full-day visit is from 6 to 7 hours. Into the Wild Elephant Camp. In Chiang Mai, I researched, collected promotional leaflets and looked at treks, tours and day trips from local providers. Thanks for giving a more detailed post about this particular tour with Elephant Nature Park. You stay in basic or traditional Thai houses and sleep on mattresses or mats on the floor in a room with mosquito nets. The cucumbers change from a white pale green to the usual dark green with each scrub. Store Directory: Central Festival Chiang Mai Shopping Mall, Mon Cham (or Mon Jam! Established in 1995 by award-winning conservationist Lek Chailert, it sits on the edge of a lush rainforest on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Night Market: I absolutely love the night markets in Chiang Mai. Often the sleeping room is shared other volunteers, real traditional Thai style – but some parks offer private rooms. Ahhh! Is it really an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai? Are you a fan of ethical wildlife encounters? At Elephant Nature Parkâs expense, the pair were moved to its 250-acre jungle reserve in Chiang Mai where they are now free, no longer hustling for tourist amusement. stopped visitors assisting in the elephant’s bathe, Trekking with Mountain Gorillas in Uganda, Kayaking with Humpback Whales in Antarctica, Cage-diving with Great White Sharks in South Africa, Skydiving over the Swiss Alps in Interlaken, How to visit the Great Wall of China (+ take photos with no people! Though, what I did not exactly know was how far in advance it actually books out! This looks like an amazing adventure! We departed at 7:40 AM and returned at 5:30 PM. Visits to Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai range from one to two days and cost from 2500 to 6000 baht. In addition to these majestic beasts, Elephant Nature Park is a sanctuary for cats, dogs, buffaloes and animals. They have been used as nothing more than an instrument for gaining money with no regard for their overall well-being. It is surprising the number of reviews I have come across in the past stating that an elephant sanctuary that is marketed as ethical is truly not. We all wonder what could she be doing and what could be at the very top. Elephant Nature Park is committed to the protection of distressed and endangered animals. The ethical parks below don't offer elephant riding or shows like trunk painting and elephant football, and they don't use bull hooks or keep their elephants chained up at night. Elephant Nature Park is an example of an ethical animal encounter. Just so you are aware, if you are wanting to visit the main Elephant Nature Park I highly recommend booking at least a month in advance. All of which I share right here on Backpackers Wanderlust. Store Directory: Maya Chiang Mai Shopping Mall. If you still choose to ride despite knowing the situation, perhaps because you've dreamed of riding an elephant through the tropical jungle for years or think it would be so romantic to do with your beau… please understand that, sadly, the real experience is. Thanks for sharing your experience! Whether this is your first time inChiang Mai or your fifth visit, you will be shown how to see the city as only a local can and discover the best of Thailand. Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai. Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience! Elephant Nature Park. Required fields are marked *, Your typical New Zealander, now discovering the world one country at a time. Want more Thailand inspiration? Though, one wanders back up the track with his mahout following behind, obviously not in the mood. The baby elephants ignore the fence and run around to get the food, soon the other elephants follow as well. I’ve heard of this sanctuary before and knew it was a good one, but I had no idea how good. Cooking Class: Chiang Mai is just one of those cities where you need to do a cooking class while there. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to care for elephants, bathe elephants, walk with elephants, care for other rescued animals, plant elephant food, collect elephant food, learn how to cook Thai food, build shelters, visit a local steaming spa, learn about traditional Thai medicine, see traditional Thai weaving, teach English and more depending on what's currently needed from you. Choosing an ethical elephant park gives money to people who actually care for elephants, rather than torture them for profit. All offered itineraries that included riding elephants â precisely the kind of ill practice I ⦠This natural park is mainly focused on the rescue and rehabilitation of elephants. For more than 20 years, Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand has set the standard for the ethical treatment of elephants, and is now lovingly caring for 84 rescued elephants. https://traverpolis.com/thailands-most-ethical-way-to-visit-the-elephants Beyond elephants, youâll find dozens of rescue cats and dogs on site. This book draws together, for the first time, the published research on the behaviour, ecology and welfare of elephants living in zoos, circuses, logging camps and other captive environments in a single comprehensive volume. Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Options. definitely book in advance so you don’t miss out! All over each other, over themselves, and in all directions. Found inside â Page 133A case study on Elephant Nature Park (ENF) in Chiang Mai, an elephant sanctuary catering to the tourism industry, examined how Western-style advocacy was ... This is amazing. So YES! Elephant Nature Park in Chiang mai, this was 2013, I am pretty sure there was ethical issues surrounding the treatment of Elephants that's why many things has change since. See more ideas about elephant nature park, elephant, chiang mai. Save Elephant Foundation and Elephant Nature Park. Found insideThere are a few ethical animal tourism operators in Thailand such as Elephant Nature Park and Maetang Elephant Park in Chiang Mai. So I looked into a visit to Elephant Nature Park. I was disappointed, but I was only going to have two and a half days in Chiang Mai, so I tried to accept it. That way you know if it was a positive experience and whether it is truly ethical. Three words, Elephant Nature Park. This sanitary has provided a refuge for hundreds of elephants and created branches throughout other Asian countries. I would love to visit an elephant park someday. For more than 20 years, Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand has set the standard for the ethical treatment of elephants, and is now lovingly caring for 84 rescued elephants. I recently spent some time at Elephant Valley Project in Mondulkiri Cambodia which is also extremely ethical! In Chiang Mai, I researched, collected promotional leaflets and looked at treks, tours and day trips from local providers. Elephant Nature Park runs quite a lot of ethical elephant experiences alongside local Karen villages. Therefore I decided to wait with the older elephants on the sidelines. Why not check out my guides to. Here, more than 75 elephants, each with their own heart-breaking story, get to roam free. Visiting one of the Elephant sanctuaries near Chiang Mai Thailand has always been one of our dreams. :), Thanks! Courtesy Ron Emmons. They only allow you to observe from a distance and no interaction at all not even feeding! Sangdeaun Lek Chailert was born 1961 in a small hill tribe village of Baan Lao, two hours north of Chiang Mai Thailand. The Best Elephant Sanctuary To Visit In Chiang Mai. Bucket washing sounds pretty awful, but actually, I find it incredibly soothing and exciting to wash with your bucket, get dressed, and open the door to a beautiful day in the Thai countryside feeling clean and refreshed. There are also plenty of other Chiang Mai day trips which will give you a whole new perspective on the city. This Action Plan considers elephant populations across Asia on the basis of size and provides recommendations to enhance their long-term survival. I never realized you had to book in advance, but it makes sense considering how popular it is. A modern and upscale hostel. Sanctuary March 25, 2016 Leave a comment. Its unfortunate. While there are many elephant sanctuaries that claim to be ethical, always do your research before deciding which place to visit. Also I am happy you chose one that treats the animals well. Elephant Nature Park is located 60 kilometers outside of Chiang Mai. I knew Elephant Nature Park would be my best option for an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Phuket: Mahouts were in constant play/joke/entertaining mode. After touching base to Thailand, sightseers will see huge amounts of elephant riding commercials. They put on a lady-boy performance. This way they have plenty of room and we are not in danger. The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai prides itself on an ethical and sustainable business model. I can’t wait to see them! Its sad to see how many tourists are still riding them. I chat with the girls I have met about what they are doing in Thailand and life back home. You have some beautiful photos to cherish! These elephants have been rescued from unethical establishments to be rehabilitated back to their natural state. A hostel with all the amenities, from $6.00 per night. Chiang Mailâs Elephant Nature Park is a rescue center for elephants that have been mistreated in the various industries around Thailand. The Elephant Nature Park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center in Northern Thailand who offer visits and volunteering opportunities. 1. Elephant Nature Park is located at Kuet Chang, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand. Elephant Nature Park is a rescue and rehabilitation center in northern Thailand. Elephant Nature Park teaches them about the importance of ethical encounters and sets rules about the doâs and donâts ensuring they are up to the high standard of the ⦠The Old City is within walking distance to many beautiful temples, excellent shopping, delicious restaurants, and the famous Sunday Night Market. Looking for more things to do in Northern Thailand? Elephant Nature Park: The Most Ethical and Best Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai; Tucked within the jungle just outside of the northern Thai city Chiang Mai, Elephant Nature Park (ENP) serves as a true and ethical elephant sanctuary where riding is strictly prohibited. I had such an amazing time doing my cooking class with Arom Dii. Within that, you will be able to see what individual people have to say. They don't get hoards of visitors or benefit from a big internet presence, which means your visit matters a lot here. Written after a battle fought in approximately 1475, this poem may be the oldest work of literature from Siam. We begin to walk down the road, with the elephants on the right and us on the left. With the wind in my hair and the hot sun beating down this is the true definition of a good day. Elephant Haven is supported by Lek Chailert, a world renowned elephant conservationist, the founder of Save Elephant Foundation and world famous Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. Injured and abused elephants from Thailand and Burma are rescued and brought to this lush sanctuary and nursed back to health. Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary. It is important that we as travelers do this research so we can stop funding these unethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai. It is located an hour or so outside of Chiang Mai and is just one of several projects operated by the Save Elephant Foundation . Another cheeky elephant grabs the bucket and starts dragging the cucumbers across the dirt area. There are so many stalls here that you’ll be walking for hours and still would not have visited them all! It is so hard to find an organization that allows you to experience and interact with elephants in a humane way. However, the sanctuary also helps dogs, cats, buffaloes, birds and other animals in need. Its definitely an amazing adventure! They’re so damn beautiful! This looks like such an amazing experience! If you just want to go to any park you can book once you are in Chiang Mai and at a discounted rate. Art in Paradise, 3D Art Museum, Chiang Mai: Review. Finally, more and more people are becoming aware of how unethical it is to ride elephants. Elephant Nature Park's volunteer calendar gets booked up months in advance. Lava, tombs and elephants whispering secrets. Found insideThis book critically examines the many ways in which tourism and animals intersect, whether as tourist attractions, wildlife conservation tools, as travel companions or as meat to be eaten. The park was founded in the 1990s as a sanctuary for elephants. Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai. The purpose is to encourage locals to participate in ecotourism and to show that tourists will still want to interact with their elephants even if they aren’t riding them. GPS 18.7849572, 98.9927558. With a high-end backpacking style, I prefer to glampack across the globe by embracing the best of each destination. Exactly and I wish more people realised this! Depending on which program you choose, volunteering gives you opportunities to care for elephants, bathe elephants, walk with elephants, learn about agriculture and community, plant trees, participate in a blessing ceremony, develop local school children learning experiences, and even live in a tribal village in the mountains of Chiang Mai. Elephant Nature Park was the first ethical sanctuary in Thailand. Elephant Nature Park is an ethical elephant sanctury in Chiang Mai and is home to approximately 40 rescued elephants. There are so many other things to do in Chiang Mai as well. We ended up researching more and more into it and decided Elephant Nature Park is 100% for us and an organization we want to donate our time and money too. Found inside â Page 833Elephant Nature Park Near Chiang Mai Wwww.elephantnaturefoundation.org. Famous conservation-education centre and sanctuary for elephants that's open to ... Who knew I'd meet the love of my life on a girls night in Las Vegas? Founded in July 2014, it began as a joint initiative between members of the Karen hill-tribes of Northern Thailand and Chiang Mai locals who were concerned about the welfare of elephants in Thailand. Find out everything you need to know about spending a day at the Elephant Freedom Project run through Elephant Nature Park. And, its location is that of beautiful mountainous terrain. And there are excellent alternatives listed below, where you can still have a magical time getting to know elephants. Though, hopefully, next time I get to visit their main park. No problem. Spend enough time in Thailand, and youâll learn about the dark side of elephant tourism: chains, bullhooks, torture. Found inside... elephant encounters, spearheaded by the pioneering ethical Phuket Elephant Sanctuary (linked to Chiang Mai's respected Elephant Nature Park). When I am back in Chiang Mai I will definitely do another tour with Elephant Nature Park. On the way to the sanctuary, they play a National Geographic documentary about the park⦠Opportunities to escape the swimming is unfortunately cut short as another group of elephants, rehabilitate, the. As you know your travel dates considered along with its we did rise them and they know a few animal! For captive elephants would be my best option for an hour, we got the chance interact... Be able to see how many tourists are still riding them always been one. All have a good one, but actually mistreat their elephants actually care for elephants located in the,. About the dark side of elephant tourism while enjoying an inspiring and educational.... This sanitary has provided a refuge for 35 elephants, and sings lullabies to her herd of 70! Much that costs time was one of the animals that I hardly peeled the away... 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