Elephant in Thailand Experience

Thailand - Your chance to really get up close and personal with these gentle giants in their jungle habitat. There is also time to discover Bangkok, explore the jungle, and float down the river on bamboo rafts.

Itinerary (12 nights / 13 days)

Day 1, Bangkok
Arrive and check in to our hotel. Tonight you will meet your tour leader, for a briefing about the fantastic adventure that lies ahead. Then we will enjoy our first night's dinner together, a great chance to start making friends with the rest of the group. (D)

Day 2, Bangkok
This morning we take a guided tour of the Grand Palace and the magnificent Wat Phra Keow (temple of the Emerald Buddha), then make an exciting journey by longtail boat along Bangkok's canals or ‘klongs'. Later this evening, we board our overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai. (B)

Day 3, Chiang Mai
Arrive and check in to our hotel in the lovely city of Chiang Mai , known as the capital of northern Thailand . Today we visit the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep , which legend says was founded by an ancient Thai king after he saw a white elephant at the site. We will also visit the orphanage supported by our tour company for children from the area's hilltribe minority groups, which is located on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. There may even be the chance to join the children for a game of football. (B)

Days 4 - 6, Elephant Nature Park
This morning we leave Chiang Mai and travel to the ‘ Elephant Nature Park ', our home for the next three nights. In the jungle of Northern Thailand , Lek, the founder and her team of volunteers house, feed and care for elephants that have been injured or abused. You and your family will have the chance to join in all the daily chores, from maintaining the camp to feeding and bathing the elephants. It is a great chance for children to learn about these amazing animals, whilst helping to protect both them and their habitat for future generations. (BLD)

Day 7, Bangkok
Today we take a guided walk in to the jungle to explore, then continue by bamboo raft down the river. Later, we return to Chiang Mai and transfer to the airport for our flight to Bangkok . (BD)

Day 8, Krabi
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Krabi. (B)

Days 9 - 11, Krabi
Three whole days to relax on the beautiful sandy beaches of southern Thailand . There are many opportunities to go snorkelling, and take part in many other optional activities. (B)

Day 12, Bangkok
We return to the airport for our flight to Bangkok . On arrival transfer to our hotel. (B)

Day 13, Bangkok
Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

The Volunteer Programme

Elephant Nature Park - Chiang Mai
An exciting and memorable time awaits you at the ‘ Elephant Nature Park '. You'll be bathing elephants, shopping for and preparing the masses of food they need, helping elephant trainers to trace the wandering giants in the park's wide perimeters, amongst many other duties.

Volunteer Programme Hosts
The Elephant Nature Park was founded by local resident, Sangduen Chailert (Lek) around 10 years ago. Having had an elephant in the family Lek was always fond of these gentle giants and decided to make it her mission to help as many as she could after the logging ban in 1989. The park not only looks after the elephants but also employs and trains their original mahouts (trainers).

The Volunteer Programme
Alongside other volunteers and under the supervision of local park staff we will take part in a week-long volunteer programme. We stay in village houses located at the park. Bathroom facilities at the park are basic, Asian-style squat toilets and bamboo hut showers with fresh rainwater tanks. Meals for volunteers are included in the programme.

What does your donation cover?
100% of your donation goes to the Elephant Nature Park . It is used for general park running costs, including park upkeep, elephant food and medicines, mahout wages, vehicle and lodgings maintenance. (See the fundraising section for ideas on how to fundraise for your donation).

As volunteers it is important to remain flexible and keep in mind that sometimes emergencies may arise within the park that mean your duties could change at short notice.

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