Chiang Mai Elephant Rides

Thailand is well known for its elephant rides. Chiang Mai elephant rides are well known too. Elephants are a symbol of pride for the Thai people. Once a vital part of the Thai labor force, most elephants are now cared for in camps around the country. Chiang Mai is home to many such camps, where the elephants are given a chance to live in appropriate surroundings.

There are few elephants in Thailand that still roam wild. Some estimates put the number as low as 500 elephants in Thailand that are not in a domesticated environment. Most elephants that are used for tourism live in suitable surroundings. There are many camps throughout Thailand that provide a safe work environment for Thailand's Asian elephants. Most of the work is providing rides for tourists visiting Thailand.

Perhaps the most popular place to take a Chiang Mai elephant ride is at Maesa Elephant Camp. Elephant show times are 8:00 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. We recently attended an 8:00 a.m. show and the group was very slim. Most of the tour groups arrive for the 9:40 a.m. show. Joining a tour is the most economical way to ride an elephant The tour operators receive large discounts for group bookings. I think it is more fun to find our own transportion to the camp and that way we can be in control of our schedule.

It costs 120 per person to get into the camp, which includes the elephant show. Elephants rides are an additional 800 baht for a 30 minute ride, or 1200 baht for one hour. Each elephant will carry two adults and one small children, or one adult and two children.

Mahout Courses

If you really enjoy spending time with Chiang Mai elephants, then why not sign up for a mahout course? Mahouts spend their whole life with one elephant. Mahout means "Elephant keeper" or "Elephant driver". Maesa Camp offers a variety of Mahout courses, lasting from one to three days. For more information, visit the Maesa Elephant Camp website.

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