Visit Chaingmai – don’t miss a visit to at least one of the Elephant camps, this is a MUST do tour in Chiang Mai because it’s a really great experience to ride elephants in the Forest area (kind of), where you will be able to touch and interact with them. You will experience the special relationship between the elephant handlers and their elephants.
There are several camps in Chiangmai, at least 3 of them!
I’ll review two Elephant camps, Mae Sa and Mae Taeng (because I have been there!) They both offer some of the same activities but different options…
Both elephant camps provided the elephant rides and the basic shows, Dancing, Painting and eating!
I checked the admission, and both are about the same price at 200 THB ($7) per person – this admission is for the shows, so if you get there for elephant ridding only, you don’t have to pay that fee…
But why are you there at the camp if you don’t see the show – stay and enjoy the show, you will see how elephants love to show off their skills!!!
The regular performance involves painting, basketball, darts, dancing and best of all, football by the huge creatures!
***Picture from Maesa Elephant Camp***
I think the show is really good for kids. The elephant show is almost the same for every camp but they are unique.
The most amazing part was to see the elephants each painting a different design. Just like today, there were 4 elephant artists showing how to paint…
They hold the brush by their trunk – no body helping!
And they sell the painting right after show – the price is about 2,000 Baht – 3,000 Baht ($66-$100) each. But if you can’t get it, Maesa has a big gallery next to the stadium with different prices from 800baht or you can check out at http://www.gallerymaesa.com/
FYI Maesa elephant artist was recorded in Guinness World Record in 2009 for the biggest painting by 8 elephant artists!!!
The other activity that we have to mention about is, elephant bathing, it’s a free show – no schedule! (Most of the time, they will bath the elephant before showing)…
I like watching elephant bathing, you will see how much they enjoy playing in the water…
***Picture from Maesa Elephant Camp***
For me, I like the show in Maesa – it’s nice and just right and they don’t just talk too much!…
But Maetaeng is kind of under roof (for audience) because it’s really hot out there. The show is nice and cute but I don’t like the microphone speaker, it’s just loud but nobody knows what they are talking about…
Elephant Riding…
The price for riding elephant is very similar. An elephant can be rode by 2 people but they charge about 600-700 baht per person per an hour…So if two of you, would be 1400-1500 baht (~$15 per 2 person per 1 hour ride)…
***Picture from Maetaeng Elephant Camp***
You can ride at most of the elephant camps without going to the show…but they offer different packages.
If this is your first time on Elephant back, keep in mind that you could be motion sick – remember you are on top of the elephant, the biggest animal in this world…
By the way, provide some small money – Like lots of 20 Baht banknotes… I’m sure that you would like to treat your elephant to some snack food, I wanted to make sure my elephant was happy !
***Picture from Maetaeng Elephant Camp***
Mae Sa offers rides through the local village and back to the camp but Mae Taeng (and Mae Taman) offer the ride in to the nature area and if you bought the package that you ride the elephant out and then take ox cart ride the way back to the camp…
***Picture from Maetaeng Elephant Camp***
The full package also included bamboo rafting, don’t worry about the dangers, it’s a very calm river and nice view and you will get a life jacket!
They will provide at least 2 men to raft for you. For full package would cost about 1,600 baht per person.
Mae Sa and Mae Taeng employ some 70+ elephant/mahouts, they have enough for several “work” shifts each day for elephant riding…so the elephant won’t get too much stressful!
I could say that all the elephant camps treat their animals well…
Well, it’s hard to say which is the best Elephant camp in Chaingmai – it depends on what you are expecting…
Another great option, the Elephant Nature Park where they don’t allow you to ride the elephant but you can spend day or night time with elephants, feeding , bathing or watching elephants (I’ve never been there yet…)
So it doesn’t matter which elephant camp you would like to visit in Chiangmai but at the end, you will have a really great time with elephants…
Remember to wear flat walking shoes, sun hats and bring your camera!!! You will find out the manhout is good with your camera!
See more trips in Chiangmai:
 Must See – Chiangmai Temples…Here are TWO worth a visit. Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple, And The Legend of The Four Buddhas’ Footprints |
 ***YOU ARE HERE***Chiangmai Elephant Camps – Must Do! Mae Sa and Mae Taeng – don’t miss a visit to at least one of the Elephant camps, this is a MUST do tour in Chiang Mai. |
 Ideas for Day trips in Chiangmai – Must Go! Doi Inthananon, the highest point in Thailand!, ‘Karen long neck’ village, The Orchid and Butterfly farm, Chiangmai Zoo, The monkey School and The snake show!!! |
 Chiangmai at Night – Must Try!3 things to do in Chiangmai at night like the Night safari, Khantoke dinner and Night Market (especially Sunday night market!) |
