I’ll never forget learning to ride horses and camels. Now I can officially say I’ve ridden an elephant too! I thought riding a camel was scary, but when riding an elephant you literally sit on the top of their heads! The best part was when I first got on, the guys kept telling me to move up and I thought, ‘Omgosh I am going to fall forward and the elephants going to squash me!’
I visited an elephant camp in Chiang Mai about an hour a half outside of the city. It was an early day, as they pick you up at around 8am. The camp has been around for over 15 years it’s called Mahout’s Elephant Training Camp. I chose this camp because it was recommended from a friend who said they treated the elephants good. I can absolutely agree with that!
Lunch was provided. Because this is a whole day thing in the middle of nowhere! I don’t remember how much I paid, but I believe it was 2400BAHT which is $68.00 USD.
Okay I will let you see for yourself! Check out my video below…
(Also, please feel free to share any advice. I appreciate the advice I’ve already received from people about editing and wanting to hear me speak more.)
https://youtu.be/Q5BQPV8zuKo
Heya Jen, It sounds like you had a lot of fun. I remember when I first moved to Thailand I rode an elephant too… who wouldn’t want to ride such a majestic animal?
I was sad to learn later, however, that breaking an elephant is not like breaking a horse 🙁 Sadly they must endure years of torment and abuse to break their spirits to be able to ride them… unfortunately there is no ethical elephant riding. Period. No matter what they tell you. I encourage you to have not to feel guilt, but rather anger at the industry that lied to you, and try to discourage others from doing the same. Become an ambassador for the well being of the animal you felt so close to!
You don’t know what you don’t know… but when you know, you can help educate others 🙂
Have a look at this article for more information regarding the truths of elephant riding (from someone with first hand experience) http://www.dtravelsround.com/2015/08/11/truth-about-riding-elephants-in-thailand/
Ian thanks so much for sharing and you’re absolutely right. I saw this abuse at another camp. Decided not to ride the elephants. I felt so bad! ? regardless, I like you’re way about it. It is about educating others. Informing them and letting them make their own decisions.
Sad to see you promoting riding of elephants as well. It’s clear in the first few seconds when the elephants come into frame that one of them is “weaving” or rocking back and forth. That’s not a natural tendency of elephants in the wild, and arises out of boredom, frustration or desolation.
Raymond that moment where I am riding the elephant and its going back and forth its only because I was learning to ride and the it wasn’t rocking back and forth. It only looks like that because I edited to the footage so it’s speeding up. Not what is actually happening. Sorry for the confusion. I know that most of these elephants treat elephants badly, as I have seen it before, but there was no harm to these elephants. They are constantly roaming, eating, and bathing.