Itinerary

Day 1

Chiang Mai - Mountain Village
At around 8am you'll be collected from your hotel in Chiang Mai and travel by săwngthăew (converted pickup truck taxi) to the forestry elephant training camp to the north of Chiang Mai. This is where these magnificent beasts are taught to become proficient, trustworthy forestry workers. From the elephant training camp you'll drive for about 30 minutes to a small restaurant to have lunch. After your lunch and a short rest, you'll travel for a short while further into the hills and jungle by săwngthăew. Your afternoon is a little more active with a hike of between 2-3 hours to a village of the Palong people, where your guide will prepare a wonderful local meal for you. Your accommodation is simple - a small wooden hut, just like the villagers, with a mattress on the bamboo floor. A mosquito net is also provided.

Day 2

Mountain Village - Elephant Trek and Bamboo Rafting You'll wake early and with a bit of luck the chickens scratching around the village will have laid some eggs for your breakfast! Afterwards you'll climb on your elephant for a 1 hour journey through thick jungle, valleys and river crossings. Step by step, these impressive beasts negotiate their way on the difficult paths. High on their back you have a great view of the countryside. The elephants will bring you to a riverside camp where a bamboo raft is prepared for you. You'll take your place on the raft and the helmsman, armed with a long pole, will float you peacefully down the Ping river. On the way back to Chiang Mai you'll stop to visit an orchid farm, arriving back into Chiang Mai at around 4pm.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Accommodation with breakfast and guide

Exclusions -

Drinks and other meals, excursions and entrance fees not listed in the daily itinerary