Travellers on the lookout for a luxury hotel Chiang Rai ranks among its best rests should look no further than the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort. Offering guests the finest contemporary amenities this stylish establishment also houses its very own elephant camp as well.
Often described as one of the must-have experiences on a holiday in Thailand elephant treks have been the mode du jour among visitors since time immemorial. As a cultural rite of passage of sorts this unique activity involving one of the planet’s most majestic and gentle giants is not for the faint of heart as the adventure of a lifetime awaits those willing to play mahout for a day.
Available through a plethora of resorts and hotels in many Thailand tourist hotspots sunset elephant rides are best enjoyed when one is vacationing near forested areas of the country as this particular type of tour offers one more than the unique vantage point atop an elephant. The typical sunset elephant trek kicks off during the magical hours of dusk when a professional mahout informs riders on the finer points of riding an elephant and maneuvering the gentle giant. After the do’s and don’ts are mastered the guided tour begins in earnest with a trek across native forest terrains. Surrounded by towering trees and jungle foliage riders can experience a ride of a lifetime atop an elephant while discovering the indigenous flora and fauna found in the landscape. The trek will then cross pastoral rice paddy fields that are cultivated by nearby villages and discover the traditional way of life and the picturesque beauty of the Thai countryside by trekking along vast plains near river banks. A rare look in to the life and times of a Thai mahout is also part of the package as visitors uncover the special bond mahouts share with the elephant and how each depends upon the other for companionship and survival.
It is important that tourist select an eco friendly and environmentally accountable elephant trek tour organizer as these institutions play a pivotal role in ensuring the survival of the Asian elephant and maintain ethical practices when it comes to caring for the majestic creatures.
Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.
