Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Elephant Training Center of
Chiang Dao
( 0 5329 8553;
www.chiangdaoelephantcamp.com
;
show 100B; shows 9am & 10am)
In a lovely wooded
setting near the highway, this elephant camp enjoys a good reputation. It hosts educational
training exhibitions in which visitors are offered a rare insight into how young elephants
are taught to obey mahout commands, work with other elephants and accept mahouts on
their backs. The camp also has a 'joy ride' program (8000B for two people), in which vis-
itors spend two hours riding, bathing, feeding and caring for the elephants. There are also
one-hour riding tours along the river and river rafting.
ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER
Sleeping
Many of the guesthouses are spread out along the road leading to Tham Chiang Dao and
enjoy a view of the mountain and butterfly-filled gardens. They can arrange trekking
tours, give sightseeing advice and rent bicycles and motorbikes.
GUESTHOUSE
$
Hobby Hut
( 08 0034 4153; r from 250B)
Chiang Dao's cheapest backpacker choice, Hobby Hut has
simple A-frame huts with shared bathrooms surrounded by rice fields. Meals with the
family are available.
Chiang Dao Hut
( 0 5345 6384;
www.chiangdaohut.com
; r 350-750B)
This cute collection of bungalows has a 'cent-
ral' location near the cave. Some bungalows practically kiss the mountain, while others
are closer to the road. There are just eight huts with varying sizes and amenities.
GUESTHOUSE
$
Chiang Dao Nest
( 08 6017 1985;
http://nest.chiangdao.com
; r 895-1500B; )
The guesthouse that put Chiang
Dao on the travellers' map creates an inviting rural retreat. Simple bungalows get the ba-
sics right - comfy beds, privacy and immaculate interiors. Those closest to the restaurant
have terrific views from the rickety rear porches.
There's a secluded, forested swimming pool with mountain views. The garden has lots
of chill-out spaces, including a pavilion filled with kids' toys. Goats from a nearby farm
come for daily visits to tame the grass and be petted by guests. The owners are know-
ledgeable about the area and can arrange a variety of intimate trekking tours. But the
GUESTHOUSE
$$
