Full Day Program Itinerary
- Chiang Mai Pick up Between 8:00 - 8:30 AM With English Speaking Guide.
- Arrive at Elephant Sanctuary In The Mountains, Approximately 1 Hour.
- Brief orientation and introduction to the elephants and the project.
- Prepare Food To Feed Our Majestic Friends.
- Elephant Hike into The Jungle, Experience Our Friends In Their Natural Habitat.
- Lunch in The Mountains With The Elephants.
- Elephant Hike Along The River, Truly A Fun Experience.
- Mahout Swim & Bathing The Elephants.
- Journey To The Waterfall. Bring Your Bathing suit if You Wish.
FULL DAY PROGRAM
PICK UP TIME 8:00 - 8:30am
DROP OFF 5.00 PM
8:00 – 8:30 AM
- Complimentary pickup from your hotel in Chiang Mai City. Travel time to the Elephant Retreat sanctuary is approximately one hour.
9:30 – 10:00 AM
- Arrival and introduction to Elephant Retreat and the program’s schedule. Feel free to grab a cup of coffee, snack, or bottle of water, free of charge.
10:30 AM
- Our guests are offered Karen clothes for the day. These Thai outfits are made of light cotton and perfect for your journey. We then prepare the food we will serve our majestic friends.
11:00 AM
- After watching the Mahouts feed the elephants, we will journey on a hike into the forest and watch our gentle giants in their natural habitat. As we do not force our friends into any unnatural acts, you will see firsthand what the elephants do when left to their own whim. This is as authentic as you can imagine.
12:00 PM
- After returning from the jungle, we will clean up and prepare for lunch. We will enjoy a traditional Thai lunch while spending time with the elephants.
12:45 PM
- After lunch, we will take a quick hike back to the camp, where we will prepare various vitamins and supplements to feed the elephants.
1:15 PM
ELEPHANT HIKE ALONG THE RIVER
- After feeding the elephants their vitamins and supplements, we will start our journey hiking along the river. This is certainly one of the highlights of the journey. We will walk along the river and cross it with our friends. They will stop and play, eat along the way, and bathe in the river.
1:45 PM
ELEPHANT MAHOUT RIVER SWIM & BATHING
- This is without a question a favorite among all our guests. Not many people can say they opbserved the elephants swimming or being bathed by Mahouts. Get ready to remove this item from your bucket list. It is an incredible experience, truly majestic.
2:15 PM
START OUR JOURNEY TO THE WATERFALL
- They say it’s all about the journey, not the destination. In this case, both the trip to the waterfall and the final destination of arriving there are great FUN.
2:30 PM
ARRIVE AT THE WATERFALL
- Now, we take a small ten-minute hike to the waterfall. Here, you can swim or sit back and enjoy the scenery. This is one of those hidden spots you would never find alone.
3:30 PM
- After our fun at the waterfall, we will return to the camp. It will be time to freshen up, grab a coffee or water (included), and get ready for our journey back to Chiang Mai.
4:00 PM
- Sadly, the day has come to an end. The memories you have will last a lifetime. We start our journey back to Chiang Mai and wish our new friends all the best with their travels. Your support for Elephant Retreat means the world to us.
WHAT IS A MAHOUT
- Since antiquity, mahouts have been used for both civilian and military purposes. Traditionally, mahouts came from ethnic groups with generations of elephant-keeping experience. A mahout retained his elephant throughout its working life or service years.
5:00 – 5:30 PM DROP YOU OFF AT YOUR HOTEL
Click here to download FAQ
