most ethical elephant sanctuary chiang mai

Under the name Happy Elephant Valley, the camp let tourists ride, feed and bathe the elephants. Being sent to the river multiple times a day every day isnt natural, and the elephants shouldnt be forced to do anything they wouldnt do in the wild. Fuel is also a big ongoing cost at BEES. Go beyond the sightseeing. Located south of Chiang Mai City is the Karen village where the Freedom Program by Elephant Nature Park is held. These are all grown locally and seasonally which means that the money can be paid to local farmers, increasing the income for the community. . I recommend highly Asia Highlights as a travel company. Arrive at BEES and go through some health and safety regulations. If a sanctuary allows you to feed the animals, it should be limited to mealtimes only. Albee went above and beyond to make our trip perfect. You can find out about similar activities and how to be an ethical traveler in our community. But are they all as they seem? DO read up on the history of the sanctuary, DO donate time or money to ethical sanctuaries if possible, to support their cause, DON'T trust a park's practices just because it's called a sanctuary, orphanage, or rescue. Goi gave us plenty of time to take in the beauty of the creature we were all there to see. Horses have been living alongside humans for thousands of years, and have been bred to develop a tame disposition. Along with the typical donations and sponsorships, Elephant Nature Park also has some unique ways that it has developed in order to raise money! This is what we did, and we had a fantastic time (plus youd have extra activities included too). Mr. Prassert was our guide for the 4 days we spent in Bangkok. The sanctuary employs five full-time local staff members and supports various part-time jobs for villagers in construction, maintenance, and other services. She had a great attitude that made exploring the city fun and exciting, as well as an abundance of knowledge and experience. It is certainly known as one of the most ethical as well. They do this by providing jobs to members of the Karen hill tribe and providing provisions to the surrounding neighborhoods. Kerri is a fountain of knowledge and you can really see her passion for the animals and her community. As BEES is one of the ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai that is a 4 hour drive away from the city, I would recommend visiting for more than just one day. If the flight wasn't so long I would visit Southeast Asia more often. BEES has a strict no-touching policy, so you wont physically be more interactive with the elephants, but youll get the chance to help make food supplements, and clean their enclosures (sweeping poo might not be a selling point for most people but its a unique thing to do!) We sat and chatted with Kerri about their elephants, and one story I love is about how KSES have managed to keep three generations of family together! 6 Completely Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand - iExplore Debbie Woods. Save Elephant Foundation is a non-profit organisation created to manage different projects supporting animals and the eco-tourism industry. Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Small Group Ethical Tour . There is also usually a half-day option, which is even better if you want to cram lots of other Chiang Mai activities in as well. 4. Youll get to feed them, walk with them, hug them, play with them, bathe with them and so much more. An ethical sanctuary strives to replicate the natural habitat of the elephants as closely as possible, offering them plenty of space to roam and socialize with other elephants. In the morning, we were given breakfast and met Kerri for the start of our walk. All the elephants were so beautiful and roaming free which is great to see as a lot of elephant sanctuaries in Chiang mai are not ethical. He even let our taxi driver relax for a few hours before his long trip home, and gave him some breakfast which was so kind and thoughtful. Come find out. This is a place where you can observe elephants in a natural setting and help with other aspects of their care.. When visiting Elephant Nature Park, you can expect a truly immersive and enriching experience that focuses on the well-being of these magnificent animals. If not, then you need to find somewhere else! Its also a good idea to bring a change of clothes just in case you decide to go swimming in the river yourself, or just get too muddy! I was ever so grateful to have a point of contact while in a foreign country for the first time, alone, that helped me through the Ins and outs of getting to and from my destination. Your personal Have as much flexibility as possible. Thank you, Albee. Sorry this activity is not available. These are incredibly unique opportunities where you can get really involved in activities such as collecting data on the elephants, or taking photos of the elephants and assisting with social media promotion. We walked back to the base with the elephants, who were put away for the evening into their large enclosures for their own safety and welfare. You can't witness elephant tricks such as painting, standing, etc. The local villages also benefit from the sanctuary by earning an income from the homestay guests, the land they rent out and the jobs that the organisation creates. You wont just find elephants there, however. Making the vegan Diet easy. Kindred Spirit is one of the elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai focusing on looking after the local community as well as the animals. Understand the destinations by practicing the local Despite the weather being hot all day, It was cool enough at night that we didnt even need to use the fan which was a nice change from the city! Riding elephants can cause severe physical and psychological stress to the animals, as their spines are not designed to support the weight of humans. These are made from banana, cane sugar, salt, rice and a date like fruit. Their expertise in plant-based nutrition is reflected in the supplements. When we arrived, we were met by our guide and all the details were attended to. . The Most Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai She offered her amazing ideas to other tours I wanted. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back. During the days, youll take part in the typical day tour activities, and in the late afternoon/evening, you will get the chance to visit a local farmer and collect vegetables for dinner. Our double room was well equipped, with a good mosquito net, plug sockets, a fan and water. There are extremely lightweight, breathable and have memory foam insoles to make them super comfy. One of the most significant indicators of an ethical elephant sanctuary is the absence of elephant riding activities. However, there are still several elephant attractions that use inhumane practices in order to make a cheap buck. 2. They have a good amount of space but they dont live in the forest like the others do, which you could argue is not the best life for them. After wed been fed and watered, we began preparing for our elephant walk. Blue Daily Elephant Care Sanctuary Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand The following "sanctuaries" are an example of the mistreatment of elephants and should be avoided: While you may have seen friends' vacation snaps and thought how incredible it looks to ride an elephant, the truth behind riding these majestic beasts is a lot uglier than it appears. It also comes with two lids so you can choose whether you need a straw or just a mouthpiece. These stainless steel bottles are BPA-free and come in some beautiful colours too! Thats just one example of how far out of her way she went to make our trip easier and more enjoyable. Bella has been an outstanding customer service rep. She was responsive and knowledgeable. There were times when the elephants had walked quite far in front, but we were still enjoying ourselves so much. Elephant Rescue Park is the best elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai. Ethical Elephant Sanctuary, Chiang Mai: See 112 reviews, articles, and 181 photos of Ethical Elephant Sanctuary, ranked No.307 on Tripadvisor among 307 attractions in Chiang Mai. For example, you might be hooked on the idea of visiting one of these ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai for a whole week but none of my recommendations gives that option thats where the list below comes in handy! Future Kind is also a certified B Corp, noteworthy in the eco-conscious community. Our walk carried on into the park, and we began meeting the elephants and learning about their stories. Considering visiting one of the elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai? It was so interesting hearing about how each elephant has its own social life sometimes they like to be alone, sometimes they have a best friend who they spend all their time with, and sometimes they argue with their friends and decide to keep themselves to themselves again! Ethical Elephant Sanctuary | Chiang Mai, Thailand Their aim is to allow elephants to live as they should and just BE, free from performing for tourists. There is limited or no feeding of the elephants, There is limited or zero physical contact with the elephants, You may be thinking "why is it bad to feed or touch an elephant?". 8 Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries In Chiang Mai: A Responsible Traveler's The aim of the Sanctuary is to provide as many elephants as they could with good health, freedom and happiness. Goi and her team were super attentive and answered so many questions from our group. Sharon was fantastic. We had a really good time talking with everyone, enjoying nature and trying to avoid sinking in the mud (we did not succeed!). However, I would only recommend visiting Elephant Nature Park if you have children as its one of the closest sanctuaries to the city, and it doesnt require hiking through the forest. How to Plan a Trip to Thailand and Cambodia (2023/2024)? because the story behind the elephants and their mahouts in Thailand was so interesting. This is linked to all of the activities above. All of us guests had taken cover from the rain in one of the shelters, but that didnt stop the baby elephants from storming in and weaving through us. The tour guide was brilliant too his English . Finding the most ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai can be overwhelming. You can choose to go in the morning or afternoon, and the programme is similar to the full day one, but just finishes earlier. ETHICAL ELEPHANT SANCTUARY (Chiang Mai) - All You Need to Know BEFORE Through these efforts, Burm and Emily continue to foster a strong sense of community and environmental stewardship. This policy further prioritizes the well-being of the elephants and ensures a peaceful environment. We joined the Single Day Visit, which began at 8 am when our guide Tommy picked us up from our hotel. Elephant Nature Park is running a rainforest restoration scheme that includes planting 25 acres of trees every year for five years. Wonderful Experience at Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Would not want to do it any different when we travel to Asia from now on. Full-day tours cost 2,400 baht per adult and 1,800 baht for children 3-10 years old with less than 3 years free. Check out the price here. This guide will help you make informed decisions when planning your next visit to Chiang Mai. The bed was comfortable too! From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! The hike to the elephants was about another 15 minutes it wasnt too hard but it was very much uphill so definitely bring good shoes! Elephant Nature Park is committed to educating visitors about the plight of elephants in Thailand and the importance of conservation efforts. The vegetarian buffet was huge, with a selection of tasty Thai food and a few Western dishes too. Once wed arrived, we had around a 5-minute walk down to the main area where we could leave our bags and where we would eat lunch. Next, we had an elephant cooking class! The park conducts various programs, workshops, and volunteer opportunities to spread awareness and inspire positive change. Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. If the only reason youre visiting Thailand or Chiang Mai is to spend time with elephants, then this is a good option but if you havent got a week to spare, dont feel like you will be missing out by just spending 3 nights here! Luckily we've done the research for you and found just four places that truly treat the animals with the care and respect they deserve. Formerly known as Happy Elephant Valley, Chang Chill has moved away from interactive activities, such as riding, bathing, and feeding the elephants, that youll commonly see at other camps. These sanctuaries avoid confining the animals to small enclosures or chaining them up for extended periods. This is because its important that they dont go roaming around on other peoples land, stealing food and damaging crops or buildings. This meant that we missed the first few hours of the programme, but this was our choice as we needed to visit both places in a short amount of time and for a normal trip for you, this wouldnt happen! Take a look on Amazon here. The main question you have to ask yourself when considering where to go is this: would the elephants be doing this in the wild? We spent some time watching them and learning about their past and how they came to be at Kindred Spirit. At Asia Highlights, we are committed to providing you a premium, Over the last 5 years we've used Asia highlights twice. Their journey began when Emily, deeply moved by the plight of captive elephants, made a promise to create a sanctuary for their rescue and rehabilitation. All funds go towards things like food (for the dry season as its more difficult for elephants to get what they need at this time), helping the community and bringing more elephants back home to the forest. Contact us if you are interested in a responsible elephant tour.. The park has provided a loving home for dozens of mistreated elephants from all over Thailand for decades. The founders of BEES are deeply committed to the well-being of the local community and the environment. The minute we arrived, we spotted elephants walking around the park, meeting their friends and snacking on the trees. The vast majority of elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, and elsewhere, focus on taking care of rescued animals. A delicious vegetarian buffet lunch is included in the price. This is an experience like no other. Elephant Nature Park is a highly regarded ethical elephant sanctuary located in the picturesque region of Northern Thailand. The Into The Wild Elephant Camp team is dedicated to giving back to the community. As a fellow animal lover, I understand the importance of ethical tourism and the impact it has on the lives of these majestic creatures. They need to use the trucks for transport, collecting food and taking sick animals to and from a vet service in the area if necessary. Elephant Sanctuary Park in Chiang Mai (Thailand). It makes for some difficult viewing but is definitely educational in highlighting just how badly elephants can be treated for the amusement of tourists in other less ethical places. I worked with Alisa and she is fantastic! Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai: EPISODE 2 - Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary, Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai: EPISODE 3 - Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary, Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries Chiang Mai: EPISODE 4 - Elephant Nature Park, Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai: EPISODE 1 - BEES Elephant Sanctuary, The Most Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries In Chiang Mai. Here are our Top 3 of the best elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai. I booked tickets to the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Nov 2022. Couple, 8 At the end of the day, you will have the chance to watch a film about how elephants are trained to work and perform in shows and camps in Thailand. Elephants are wild, regardless of if theyve lived their whole lives in captivity because they have not been domesticated for hundreds of years. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai - All You Need to - Tripadvisor It is incredibly insulated and keeps liquids cold for 24 hours, or hot for 12. Alternatively, our knowledgeable travel advisers are on hand to take the hassle out of planning your trip and to help you create your own customized trip . On top of this, an elephant used for tourist experiences is never allowed to retire, even when injured or disabled. The walk to the elephants wasnt very difficult for most people if you have mobility issues then Id recommend staying on the observation platform and waiting for the afternoon when the elephants come down for their snack and water play! Established in the 1990s, the parks aim has always been to provide a safe haven for rescued elephants. Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary: This sanctuary, also known as BEES, in the district of Maechaem invites visitors to feed and walk alongside their troupe of pachyderms. Read More: The Chiang Mai To Bangkok Sleeper Train. Your tour will be tailor-made to suit you by a destination expert. Experience a unique and ethical journey into the world of elephants and Thai culture while giving back to these majestic animals and the community that supports them. From the outside, it seems as though you would simply hop on your elephant and take a leisurely stroll through the jungle with an elephant handler who gently guides the animal along the correct path. Think of it this way, if someone you knew were to give you a cuddle, you'd probably find it lovely, but if that cuddle was from a stranger and it happened all day longyou might feel a little traumatized, right? We really dove into finding an ethical and sustainable program that works to rehabilitate abused elephants. On a different but relevant note, this sanctuary only serves vegan-friendly food, which is a big plus in our eyes. You can volunteer for a longer period of time at Kindred Spirit and Elephant Nature Park. Many Words by Caitlin. culture and interacting with local people. Chang Chill is now one of the most ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai. Getting up close and personal to these incredible creatures at a Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary is a dream for so many people, but recently more and more of us are realising that our dreams often mean a nightmare for the elephants. We don't leave for 9 more months. It was a relaxed 1.5-hour drive to the park, and our guide Goi introduced herself and explained to us how the day would go. If you need protection from the sun then grab a hat before you travel. Yes! During the trip she was again flexible to add new activities/transfers and this went on the smoothest possible way. No riding, no bathing, and certainly no tricks. In our opinion, experiencing elephants in their natural habitat is a must-do activity during your Thailand trip, and our premade itineraries can easily accommodate a trip to one of these amazing sanctuaries. In the end, despite the fact that I changed my mind on location multiple times, I ended up booking a 17 day trip to Thailand for this upcoming November. 28 Hiking Tours from 54.97 per adult 3 Experiences: Doi Inthanon Tour, Elephant Sanctuary, Trekking Trail 173 Full-day Tours from 52.67 We are the Two Tall Travellers, Jade & Kev (aka Jev). More and more people are now looking for ethical elephant sanctuaries where the elephants can live out their lives in peace without the threat of mistreatment. You can also adopt one of their beautiful elephants for a 6 or 12-month period. And both times we've had fantastic vacations. Afterwards, our homestay host brought over our dinner and we were given a traditional blessing called a geeju before we ate. Plus, you can choose between a Full day or morning or afternoon tour. Find out more about BEES and its elephant programmes here. BLES actively acquires land surrounding the sanctuary to create a larger, safe habitat for the elephants to roam, forage, and thrive. Remember you can not do it all and see everything in 3 weeks. What makes an elephant sanctuary? The Best Elephant Sanctuary To Visit In Chiang Mai. health. BEES is a place where humans now work for them. Take a look and book a visit to your favourite!
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