Adopt an Elephant for a Day: The Best Thing to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand
A whole day of bonding and cuddling with this animal and you’ll know that the largest creature is but a gentle giant and can easily be man’s best-est friend. They are fun-loving, warm, compassionate mammals that some people regard them as both special and sacred.
However, all over South East Asia, the elephant’s population continuously declines over the years that elephant conservation sites and breeding sanctuaries were organized to help. One of them is Patara Elephant Farm in Chiang Mai, Thailand, offering a guided tour called “Elephant owner for a day”. The program basically lets you adopt an elephant for a day and aims to provide a hands-on learning with the elephants, as well as generate sufficient resources to keep the farm’s daily operations going.
For the social elephants with highly developed brain, a loving caretaker will be forever remembered. If you decide to adopt an elephant for a day, the activities will include the following:
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Create a bond, offer food and establish trust
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Learn how to use commands to communicate
- Observe signs of good health and well-being
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Learn proper bare-back riding
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Bathing and washing the elephant in the river
After you adopt an elephant for a day and go through all of the hard work, you may also enjoy picnic in the jungle. A spread of yummy treats for the hungry tummies will await you.
What Else is There to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand?
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Cooking Schools – Everyone is in-love with Thai food that the city is bursting with cooking lessons.
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Market and Food Tours – For those who only enjoy the ‘eating’ part more than the preparation, a guided food tour around Chiang Mai, Thailand is recommended. Since Thai food is so delicious, it is worth a few inches gain on the waistline.
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Shopping at night bazaars and getting a Thai massage after a long walk. – This sounds like the perfect holiday on its own.
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Wat and temple visits, sightseeing, museum, nature and historical trips – There will be endless things to do and see even if you stay for a week or longer.
How to Get to Chiang Mai, Thailand from Manila?
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Both Cebu Pacific and Air Asia offer round trip flights with connecting flights either from Bangkok or Singapore. (There are no direct flights from Manila to Chiang Mai, Thailand.)
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Fly to Bangkok and either take the Bangkok-Chiang Mai bus or the train.
Whilst Bangkok is a fun jungle to party up in, up north in Chiang Mai is where real nature lovers and elephant fans (like me) will truly enjoy. A day to own an elephant is definitely a dream come true. So, on your next visit to Thailand, consider owning an elephant yourself.
Patara Elephant Farm
299/22 Siwalee Rachapreuk MaeHea, Chiangmai, Thailand
https://www.pataraelephantfarm.com/
