This special trip is perfect for elephant lovers! You spend time learning basic elephant training, their way of life, elephant riding bareback and elephant bathing. You get to know the elephant men (mahout) who train and care for the animals. You also learn how to cook northern Thai food, explore the local villages, shower in a waterfall and float down the river in tubes and on handmade bamboo rafts. Accommodation at the Spicy Villas is included.

Trip Summary:

Trip code: TJEE | Area: Mae Wang | Fitness level ***

Day 1 – We pick you up at 9 AM from either your accommodation or a convenient place, such as the airport or train station. We make a short stop at a local market for an opportunity to buy some supplies for your stay, including cooking ingredients for the cookery class.

Then we drive up the mountains in Mae Wang to a hiking start point. We go on a three hour trek through the jungle, which includes a stop at a waterfall and a Karen hill tribe village along the way.

After lunch we drive to a local elephant camp for the first class of elephant riding. The elephant trainers (mahouts) and your guide give you an introduction which includes information about how to communicate with the elephants and how to ride them correctly. You ride the elephants bareback like the trainers and ride in the jungle for an hour. During your trek you get to see what the elephants like to eat and learn about herbal medicines. The class finishes with elephant bathing in the river which is a favourite activity for the elephants!

Then we drive up a mountain to Spicy Villa Eco-Lodges for a cooking class. We teach you how to prepare some traditional Thai dishes with fresh ingredients picked from our organic garden.

You spend a night at Spicy Villa in a jungle bungalow.

Day 2 – After breakfast we drive to the valley for your second lesson in elephant riding. This time you get to ride your elephant through the jungle on your own, with the mahout walking along beside you. After an hour long ride you stop at the river for elephant bathing. Then it’s time to say goodbye to your elephant and drive to a local restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, we drive to the river and go bamboo rafting followed by a more exhilarating river tubing experience.

Afterwards we drive back to Chiang Mai.