There is a lot of differing opinions surrounding elephant trekking in Thailand. While some will say it is an unforgettable experience, others are quick to criticize the cruelty of this activity. I fall somewhere in between. I do think there are atrocious companies who treat the animals badly in order to turn a profit. However, I believe with careful research, you can find a place that suits your needs and treats their elephants with care.
There are also many places you can go and stay and care for an elephant in the time you are there. Many of these places are like elephant retirement homes or have elephants that have been abused and saved from other places. I have heard the experience is phenomenal; however I unfortunately did not have the time to participate in such a thing (places like you to stay more than a day typically).
I researched a lot about elephant trekking in Thailand because while I thought riding an elephant through jungles sounded awesome, I was really scared about how the animals were treated. I looked into all the cities we were going to be in and where had the best programs. I finally found a small place in Pai, a small village located in northern Thailand. They offered different packages with elephant trekking and there was an office in the village where I could go and ask questions. I preferred this instead of booking online so I could get a feel for the place.
The staff was extremely friendly and even had a video and other information to explain everything to us. They explained how it was different than the other companies and assured us activities such as making the elephants water-color or perform other circus tricks were not going to happen. After getting a good vibe, we decided to book an elephant trek. It included the ride out to the property as well.
One of the reasons I chose to do this in the surrounding areas of Pai is because it is known for its beauty and also because prices are substantially lower in northern Thailand than the rest of the country. I was so excited when we arrived but that was quickly masked by the fear caused by the small, long-haired Thai man sitting at the table. He was intense looking–young but had weathered skin. His hair was long and unruly and his tiny t-shirt was filled with holes. I try to let out a little smile but it was only welcomed with his intense glare. However, I carried on my way and decided to make the most of it.
Little did I know that in the next 3 hours I would get to know Joy (he said that was his Thai name…his English name was Enjoy) and fall in love with his witty sense of humor and laid back attitude. His English was a bit tough to understand but we made it work. Joy was definitely a joker and hearing his philosophy on girlfriends may have been one of the highlights of the trek!
The ride lasted 3 hours and took us through a lot of beautiful scenery. At the end of the trek, we were able to relax in some jacuzzis they had on site. I never would have thought but elephant trekking sure takes a lot out of you! We definitely needed a Thai massage afterwards!
Have you ever been elephant trekking in Thailand? What was your experience?
The post Elephant Trekking in Thailand appeared first on MISS COCO MARIE.