Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0 5301 0660;
www.treetopasia.com
;
29/4-5 Th Kotchasan; 3hr tour 3400B)
This adventure outfit in
Chiang Mai started the zipline craze a few years ago. Nearly 5km of wire with 33 staging
platforms are strung up through the forest canopy some 1300m above sea level. Multiday,
multi-activity tours include a night at a homestay in Mae Kampong, a high-altitude village
an hour's drive east from Chiang Mai.
Elephant Nature Park
ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER
( 0 5381 8754;
www.elephantnaturepark.org
; 1 Th Ratchamankha; 1-/2-day tour 2500/5800B)
A pioneer
in the new wave of elephant tourism, Khun Lek (Sangduen Chailert) runs this sanctuary
for injured and rescued elephants. The park is in the Mae Taeng valley, 60km from Chiang
Mai, and provides a semi-wild environment for the animals. Visitors help wash the ele-
phants and watch the herd, but there is no show or riding. Volunteering is also available.
Patara Elephant Farm
( 08 1992 2551;
www.pataraelephantfarm.com
; day tour 5800B)
Khun Pat is a passionate and thought-
ful player in Chiang Mai's elephant-conservation tourism industry. His primary focus is to
support the mother-baby bond, and combat Thailand's declining domesticated elephant
population through tourism. His elephant farm is in a beautiful forested setting and offers
an intimate and educational elephant encounter. Guests become 'caretakers' for a day by
conducting a health inspection, feeding, bathing, and exercising the animals. The farm is
30km west of Chiang Mai in Samoeng.
ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER
Baan Chang Elephant
Park
ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER
( 0 5381 4174;
www.baanchangelephantpark.com
;
147/1 Th Ratchadamnoen; tours 2400-4200B)
Educating
visitors about elephants and their preservation, Baan Chang is a solid choice in the conser-
vation tourism model. Tours involve a day of mahout training, including guiding, riding
and bathing. Less expensive tours are for two people to one elephant. It is located in Mae
Taeng, 50 minutes north of Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures
ROCK CLIMBING
