Trip Info
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Free transfer service to all places of Chiang Mai’s Old City
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10
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Drinking water
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Only morning session include Thai picnic lunch.
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English, Thai
Know Before You Go
⏰ Session Options:
Morning (7:30 AM – 3:30 PM): Includes Thai picnic lunch.
Afternoon (1:00 PM – 6:30 PM): Includes light break (no full lunch).
👕 What to Wear/Bring:
T-shirt, long pants, sneakers, sandals, swimsuit, sunblock, insect spray, towel, and change of clothes.
🐘 Group Size:
Choose between 1 person/1 elephant or 2 people/1 elephant (shared experience).
👶 Children: Kids aged 1–4 join free. The program is suitable for all ages and abilities.
🚐 Transport: Free pickup within Chiang Mai Old City. Outside pickup available on request.
📅 Weather Dependency: Activities are subject to change due to weather conditions.
📸 Photo Service: Complimentary digital photos provided after the program.
Overview
Join the Patara Elephant Farm in Chiang Mai for a meaningful “Elephant Caregiver for a Day” program. This is not a typical tourist ride—it’s an immersive, educational experience where you’ll learn how to care for elephants under the guidance of professional mahouts.
You’ll perform health checks, prepare food, feed, bathe, and even ride bareback on your elephant. With over 15 years of successful elephant care and 43 babies born with zero mortality, Patara offers one of the most ethical and rewarding elephant encounters in Thailand. Suitable for families, solo travelers, and even persons with disabilities.
Highlights
- 🐘 Full-Day Elephant Care Experience: Become an elephant caregiver for a day and learn to approach, inspect, feed, bathe, and ride your elephant bareback.
- 🌿 Educational & Ethical Interaction: Gain deep understanding of elephant health, behavior, and conservation efforts from professional caretakers and the farm owner.
- 👨👩👧 Family and Child-Friendly: Children 1–4 years old join free. The program is open to all, including persons with disabilities.
- 📸 Complementary Photos: Receive free photos of your unforgettable interactions with the elephants.
- 💧 Bathing & Skin Care: Brush and bathe your elephant in a natural river setting.
Package Description
Elephant Caregiver for a day – Morning Session
Duration: 6-8 hours
Itinerary:
7:30-7:45 Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Patara Elephant Farm.
Briefing on history of domestic elephant in Thailand.
8:30-9.00 Arrive at the farm. Make registration. Get change to our training outfit.
Prepare for training.
9:00 Training session includes, hiking to find the elephant in the bush.
Learn about elephant farm management and our breeding program.
Train to approach and be near elephant. Learn to observe elephant temperament.
Introducing to every of our elephants. Morning feed.
Daily health care for elephant. Pregnancy test for elephant and care taking for
mother with small baby.
Learn about elephant skin care and bath your elephant.
Instructed training to get on the elephant neck with difference technique, sitting on
the elephant, basic riding skill and spoken commands for elephant
Practice on getting upon and coming down from the elephant.
12:00 Bare-back riding session.
13:00 setting of for a long up hill trip to visit waterfall for picnic lunch and refreshing in
the water with your elephant.
14:30 Transfer back to your hotel.
Elephant Caregiver for a day – Afternoon Session (Exclude Thai picnic lunch)
Duration: 4-5 hours
Itinerary:
13.00-13.10 Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Patara Elephant Farm.
Briefing on history of domestic elephant in Thailand.
13.45-14.00 Arrive at the farm. Make registration. Get change to our training outfit.
Prepare for training.
14.00-17.15 Training session includes, hiking to find the elephant in the bush.
Learn about elephant farm management and our breeding program.
Train to approach and be near elephant. Learn to observe elephant temperament.
Introducing to every of our elephants. Morning feed.
Daily health care for elephant. Pregnancy test for elephant and care taking for
mother with small baby.
Learn about elephant skin care and bath your elephant.
Instructed training to get on the elephant neck with difference technique, sitting on
the elephant, basic riding skill and spoken commands for elephant
Practice on getting upon and coming down from the elephant.
Bare-back riding session. Practice on easy riding trip within the farm.
17:30 Transfer back to your hotel.
Includes/Excludes
Includes
- Free transportation to and from your hotel
- A very specialized and educational trip with elephants
- Thai picnic break
- Drinking water
- Training outfit
- Photos of activity
Excludes
- Riding elephant bare back
- Thai picnic lunch
FAQs
The Morning Session (7:30 AM – 3:30 PM) is longer and includes a full Thai picnic lunch. The Afternoon Session (1:00 PM – 6:30 PM) is shorter and includes a light break or snack, but not a full lunch.
The “Share” option means two participants will be paired together to care for one elephant. The standard option is one person per elephant.
Yes, free round-trip transportation is provided for hotels within Chiang Mai’s Old City. For pickups outside this area, please contact the farm directly to arrange service, which may incur an extra fee.
Yes, it is very family-friendly. Children aged 1-4 years old can participate for free. The activities are adaptable for all ages and abilities.
The safety and comfort of guests and elephants are the priority. Activities may be modified, rescheduled, or canceled in case of severe weather. You will be notified of changes.
It is recommended to wear a t-shirt, long pants, and sturdy sneakers or sandals. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunblock, insect spray, and a change of clothes.
Yes, a key part of the experience is learning to ride your elephant bareback (on its neck) using traditional and safe techniques under expert guidance.
Yes, complimentary digital photos of your experience are provided after the program.
The activity involves a moderate level of physical activity, including walking, light hiking, and bathing the elephant. It can be adapted for most fitness levels; please inform the staff of any concerns.
Patara has a renowned focus on elephant welfare and conservation, with a successful breeding program (43 births) and zero mortality in over 15 years. The program is designed around elephant care, not just tourist entertainment.
