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Chiang Mai boasts zip lining, hot-air balloons and hiking, but one of its biggest draws is the elephant camps that let you get up close to the animals. We headed to the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, the only government-owned elephant camp and one of the preeminent schools for pachyderm trainers (it’s also well-respected for its treatment of the animals). Usually, the select 10 to 15 slots for visitors to become mahouts (elephant trainers) for the day fill up quickly. During our time there, the camp was relatively empty, which we were told is a rarity. We did the one-day mahout training (two- and three-day programs are also available) and were assigned See Dor Dor (which means “come first”), a smart, gentle female elephant, and a seasoned mahout named Song, who was very hands-off. After donning the provided all-denim outfit—the thick material protects you from the creature’s surprisingly coarse neck hair—we lit incense at a shrine to pay respects to Ganesh (the Hindu god of elephants) and then sat down to learn about the animals and the Thai commands necessary to direct them. We had to muster our courage for the next part: a run and jump to mount the bareback elephant. The ride is nerve-racking at first—you have to hold your cheat sheet of Thai orders while gripping the animal’s ear to steady yourself. But after you get the hang of it, the ride is relaxing. That is, until it comes time to bathe the giant—she’ll drag you through a lake (bring a bathing suit). You’ll do some more trekking along trails, and the day ends with a graduation ceremony, where you’ll be presented with a mahout certificate.
In Chiang Mai, we made Anantara Chiang Mai Resort & Spa our base. The tranquil, minimalist hotel along the Mae Ping River puts you close to the action in Thailand’s second-largest city. One of the biggest attractions is the markets—the daily Night Bazaar is a five-minute walk from the hotel and the Saturday Wua Lai Market is 15 minutes away. Without the usual hordes of tourists, you’ll feel like a local perusing Wua Lai’s Thai silk scarves, hand-carved soaps that resemble flowers and other handicrafts while aromas from dishes like shumai (pork dumplings) or noodles with coriander, chile and spring onion tempt you.
เข้าร่วมกิจกรรมChiang Mai boasts zip lining, hot-air balloons and hiking, but one of its biggest draws is the elephant camps that let you get up close to the animals. We headed to the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, the only government-owned elephant camp and one of the preeminent schools for pachyderm trainers (it’s also well-respected for its treatment of the animals). Usually, the select 10 to 15 slots for visitors to become mahouts (elephant trainers) for the day fill up quickly. During our time there, the camp was relatively empty, which we were told is a rarity. We did the one-day mahout training (two- and three-day programs are also available) and were assigned See Dor Dor (which means “come first”), a smart, gentle female elephant, and a seasoned mahout named Song, who was very hands-off. After donning the provided all-denim outfit—the thick material protects you from the creature’s surprisingly coarse neck hair—we lit incense at a shrine to pay respects to Ganesh (the Hindu god of elephants) and then sat down to learn about the animals and the Thai commands necessary to direct them. We had to muster our courage for the next part: a run and jump to mount the bareback elephant. The ride is nerve-racking at first—you have to hold your cheat sheet of Thai orders while gripping the animal’s ear to steady yourself. But after you get the hang of it, the ride is relaxing. That is, until it comes time to bathe the giant—she’ll drag you through a lake (bring a bathing suit). You’ll do some more trekking along trails, and the day ends with a graduation ceremony, where you’ll be presented with a mahout certificate.In Chiang Mai, we made Anantara Chiang Mai Resort & Spa our base. The tranquil, minimalist hotel along the Mae Ping River puts you close to the action in Thailand’s second-largest city. One of the biggest attractions is the markets—the daily Night Bazaar is a five-minute walk from the hotel and the Saturday Wua Lai Market is 15 minutes away. Without the usual hordes of tourists, you’ll feel like a local perusing Wua Lai’s Thai silk scarves, hand-carved soaps that resemble flowers and other handicrafts while aromas from dishes like shumai (pork dumplings) or noodles with coriander, chile and spring onion tempt you.
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