Visiting the Elephants In Northern Thailand

Elephants play a huge part in tourism in South East Asia. Although it is tempting to want to choose the first place that offers you a trekking tour, or those great photos on top of the elephants, it is very crucial to do your research and choose a sanctuary or an elephant care farm. There are many places that offer elephant riding, elephant trekking, and elephants doing tricks. Although this seems harmless, it is not, many of these elephants are not treated well, they are beat and whipped just to do these tricks and to amuse the tourist. These elephants are not treated ethically, they are strictly used for tourism and making money. The best way to avoid these types of tourist scams is to do your research and read the reviews! Try and look for places that say they are a sanctuary, but even than be careful. When we were doing our research In Chiang Mai, we read the brochures on what they offered with the elephants, if it was not ethical, we moved on to the next option. We chose to spend the day in an elephant sanctuary outside of Chiang Mai, called Blue Daily Elephant Care.

We loved our experience with them, and here is why!

1. The elephants were not forced to take extreme pictures with us, and we were NOT allowed on top of them for that "famous" photograph. Everything was in a relaxed natural setting and environment.

2. The guide and elephant keepers teach you how to make healthy snack for the elephants and then you get to feed them! They also teach you the important term that tells the elephant in Thai to open its mouth, "Bon Su".

Elephant Sanctuary

Blue Daily Elephant

Blue Daily Elephant

Blue Daily Elephant

Blue Daily Elephant

Blue Daily Elephant

3. You get to go adventuring with the elephants and the keepers and there is strictly NO riding of any sort. We got to explore the forest with the elephants and bathe them in the near by creeks after watching them drench themselves in mud. (this is how they stay cool) During this time the guide teaches you fun facts about the elephants and answers any and all questions you may have.

4. The groups were small, making it a more personal and educational experience. This is better for the elephants because they are not over whelmed, and they will trust you more.

Our experience with the elephants was amazing. All three of the elephants we spent the day with was related. One was a mama, one a teenager, and one a baby (3 years old). I can't wait to go back and see how much they grow. Whenever visiting Northern Thailand, I highly recommend visiting a sanctuary for elephants. Just be careful and do your research before booking. Elephants have feeling too!

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