Overnight Stay 4,800THB/person (Food, Homestay, Transportation, and Insurance included)
8:30am Pick up from Hotel – stop at local market on the way
10:30am Arrive @ EFV
10:45am Intro. Presentation
11:15am Elephant Interaction – feeding at feeding barrier
1:30pm Lunch in the forest
2:15pm Elephant Interaction (take to the waterfall + trekking)
3:30pm Snacks at camp
4:00pm Rest time(/Nap time) OR Guests are welcome to explore the area
5:30pm Tour of our (Karen hilltribe) village + local coffee at a 150yo organic garden
6:30pm Dinner at a villager’s home
9:00pm Retire to Homestay
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7:30am Breakfast and coffee at homestay
8:30am Interact with elephants
10:30am Leave EFV and arrive in Chiang Mai around 12:30pm
JUNGLE DRIVE TO THE CAMP
Our adventure at EFV starts off with an hour and a half drive through the luscious jungle. As you watch, you’ll see westernized buildings started to fade away and transition to Karen-style bamboo and wooden houses. On either sides of the road you will see the that valleys are filled with rice and corn fields and surrounded by untouched jungle on the mountains.
You’ll be surprised how fast the time goes as there is so much beauty to take in, from the fields to the water buffalo, the birds and the trees and the rivers and waterfalls.
Once we arrive at camp, you will be given a few minutes to take in the view (which is really quite astounding) and use the restroom. Don’t be afraid to ask for coffee and other snacks, should you feel so inclined!
We will ask you to first get changed into your swimming attire for the day. Don’t worry about bringing your own clothing to wear- we will provide traditional Karen-hilltribe style attire for you to wear over your swim gear.
You will then meet our elephant keepers and your tour guide for the day. You’ll be able to see the elephants foraging in the forest not far away while we talk with you!
ELEPHANT TIME!
We always start off elephant-time by discussing the intricate history of elephants and Karen people, as well as things have unfolded over time (for better or for worse). Education is a very important aspect of what we do here- there is a LOT of misinformation surrounding elephant tourism in Thailand, and will always do our best to set the record straight! We will discuss any questions you may have both before and during the tour. Your tourguides have a seemingly infinite wealth of knowledge, so ask-away!
Then, the moment you’ve waited and paid for: ELEPHANT TIME!!!
Our elephants know when visitors show up they will get yummy treats. Don’t be surprised when their trunks start searching you over for the fruit and snacks they know you’re carrying!
Your tour guide will take pictures for you, so don’t worry and enjoy the experience! Your tour guide will then show you where the elephants go to forage in the forest and the elephants will lead the way there.
LUNCH OVERLOOKING THE WATERFALL
Following this interaction, you will be given lunch overlooking a private waterfall that is cooked by one of our villagers! Traditional-level of spice is available upon request, but is NOT THE DEFAULT for visitors.
Your tour guide will eat lunch with you; this is a great time to ask general questions about the history of the Karen people and about their lifestyle, as it is very different from Thai culture/lifestyle.
Don’t be afraid to ask us anything! We love to talk about and share our culture.
Lunch time is also a good time to rehydrate. We always have tons of bottled water on hand, so don’t worry about asking for another bottle.
After lunch it will be time to bathe the elephants in the nearby waterfall! Walking to the waterfall does involve a small bit of hiking, but don’t worry; it’s not too far.
BATHING WITH ELEPHANTS
At the waterfall basin we will have the elephants lay down in the water so we can scrub all parts of their skin. This is to help with parasite prevention, but your tour guide can tell you more about that when you get there!
Watch out! The first thing our elephants will do after going to the river is re-dust themselves. This dusting helps prevent biting flies, ticks, and mosquitoes from landing on their skin. Try not to stand behind them when they do this or you WILL get a face full of sand!
After your time at the waterfall we will return to the camp for fresh fruit, snacks, showers, and decision-making for which of the following you want to do next.
There will be a 1-1.5 hour break in activities for guests to relax or nap. Guests are welcomed to explore the area, if they wish to do so!
TOUR OF OUR VILLAGE (Karen Hilltribe)
After rest time it will be time to visit our village (Karen Hilltribe).
In the village, your guide will lead you on a brief stroll to experience a glimpse of Karen tradition and to meet some of the villagers. Everyone is very friendly and we all love to teach people about our culture and way of life.
You will also be welcomed partake in freshly-brewed, organic coffee at one of our friend’s houses! His family members are in charge of storytelling and are some of the only remaining verbal historians for the Karen people. We encourage people to listen to some of the folktales and to learn about their slogan: “slow down for the Earth”.
They also have an incredibly vast, 150-year-old organic garden growing behind their house that has more than 87 varieties of fruits and vegetables- guests are encouraged to check it out to see what ancient Karen permaculture is all about!
After this it will be time for dinner.
NIGHT IN THE VILLAGE
You will likely be tired after such a long day, so it’s time to relax and have dinner at one of our local houses. For those of you who are cooking fanatics, you can help cook!
For everyone else, feel free to take a cat nap while you smell the delicious aromas of Karen-style food fill the house. Fair warning- the local cats and dogs are very friendly and will be more than happy to snuggle up to you while you’re relaxing!
After dinner you will be taken to your homestay for the night. If you are tired, feel free to go right to bed!
If not, your tourguides are always up for more socialization and banter (some nights you might be lucky enough to have a Karen-style family bonfire)!
The choice is completely up to you.
The next morning is flexible – usually breakfast will be ready around 7:30am, but you don’t need to wake up so early if you feel the urge to sleep in!
Home-grown Karen-style coffee will be provided at the breakfast bar. Feel free to join us in your PJs while you have breakfast at the homestay.
After breakfast it’ll be time to see the elephants again! Yes, again!!
This time the elephants will know who you are and will greet you even more readily than the previous day (if you can imagine that). You will again be able to give the elephants fruit and other snacks, and walk and take a few more photos.
From there? It will be time to return you to your hotel in Chiang Mai! It’s okay to sleep in the car on the way back; we have good drivers!
Any questions? Feel free to message us. We are happy to clarify your questions or concerns in advance of booking.
BOOK NOW!
You won’t be asked to pay online, we will send you a follow-up email soon.
Please note that : children 0 – 4yo visit for free, children 5 – 9yo visit for ½ price.
Schedule of the Overnight Elephant Tour in Chiang Mai
Overnight Stay 4,800THB/person (Food, Homestay, Transportation, and Insurance included)
8:30am Pick up from Hotel – stop at local market on the way
10:30am Arrive @ EFV
10:45am Intro. Presentation
11:15am Elephant Interaction – feeding at feeding barrier
1:30pm Lunch in the forest
2:15pm Elephant Interaction (take to the waterfall + trekking)
3:30pm Snacks at camp
4:00pm Rest time(/Nap time) OR Guests are welcome to explore the area
5:30pm Tour of our (Karen hilltribe) village + local coffee at a 150yo organic garden
6:30pm Dinner at a villager’s home
9:00pm Retire to Homestay
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7:30am Breakfast and coffee at homestay
8:30am Interact with elephants
10:30am Leave EFV and arrive in Chiang Mai around 12:30pm
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