Experience
Elephant's Habitat Visit
Starting at $175 USD
- Price applicable for groups of more than two people.
- Direct payment to the host
- Experience subject to availability
*The prices shown are in U.S. dollars (USD); please note that Viajera en Tailandia will never charge you for booking through our site.
The Essentials
What's included?
- Round-trip transportation from your accommodation in Chiang Mai
- A hike through the forest with local guides
- Elephant watching in their natural habitat
- A tour of the Ban Naklang community.
- An Introduction to the Kindred Spirit's work.
- Basket weaving workshop with community members.
- Accommodations in a private room with a Karen family.
- All meals during your stay.
What can you expect from this experience?
You’ll spend one night in the village of Ban Naklang, where you’ll share meals, conversations, and everyday moments with a Karen family. Mornings begin with a walk through the forest alongside the local team to look for elephants and follow them as they roam the area.
The elephants roam freely, and each visit unfolds differently, depending on the places they choose to explore, the food they find, and the interactions they have as a group. During the rest of your stay, you’ll have time to get to know the community, participate in activities such as basket weaving, and share in the daily lives of your host families.
What are you supporting through this experience?
Learn about the regenerative practices promoted by the host
Rooted in Place
The experience stems from the relationships between the Karen community, the forest, and the elephants of Ban Naklang.
Local Nourishment and Community
Karen families participate as hosts, generating income that stays within the community.
Collaboration and Collective Action
The project connects the Karen community, universities, and organizations to strengthen knowledge about elephants and promote peaceful coexistence with them.
Environmental Stewardship
Monitoring elephants helps us understand their needs and strengthen their coexistence with the forest,
Cultural Heritage and Living Wisdom
The Karen community shares its knowledge of the forest and its long-standing relationship with elephants.
About the host
The Karen families of Ban Naklang have lived in these mountains in northern Thailand for generations, forging a close bond with the forest, the land, and the elephants that are part of this landscape. Today, they welcome visitors into their homes, sharing meals, conversations, and aspects of the community’s daily life.
More than a decade ago, Cristina began working with elephants in Thailand, and years later, she began collaborating with the families of Ban Naklang to support an initiative based on coexistence between the community, the forest, and the elephants. As director of Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary, she supports the project as an ally and facilitator, promoting animal welfare and the relationships that make this experience possible.
Perhaps that is what makes this place special. Rather than simply arriving at a tourist destination, visitors are invited to become part—even if only for a few days—of the life of a community and the relationships that sustain this region. The elephants, the people, and the forest are all part of the same system that continues to evolve and care for one another.
Relationship with the territory
- Forest, community, and elephants
Also guided by
- Cristina, Director of Kindred Spirit
Starting and ending point
- Starting point from your hotel in Chiang Mai
- Drop-off point to your hotel in Chiang Mai
Why experience this in Mae Chaem?
Located near Doi Inthanon National Park, Mae Chaem is a mountainous region in northern Thailand where forests, rivers, and farmland are part of daily life for local communities. This area is home to a rich cultural diversity and has been inhabited by various ethnic groups, including the Karen people, whose traditions and knowledge remain closely tied to the landscape they inhabit.
Ban Naklang, a small Karen community where this experience takes place, is located on one of these mountains. Here, the forest is part of daily life, and elephants play an important role in local history and culture. During your stay, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know this environment through the community’s daily life, spending time with families, hiking forest trails, and experiencing a way of life deeply connected to the land.
FAQ
We answer your frequently asked questions
How long does the experience last, and where will I spend the night?
The experience lasts2 days and 1 night. During your stay, you’ll stay in a private room in the home of a Karen family in the community of Ban Naklang, where you’ll share meals and moments of daily life, offering an authentic immersion in the local culture.
How much does the experience cost?
The price is330 USD per person. If two or more people are traveling together, the rate is175 USD per person. The price includes round-trip transportation from your accommodations in Chiang Mai, lodging, all meals, community activities, and guidance from the local team throughout the experience.
Will I have direct contact with the elephants?
No. This experience prioritizes the elephants’ well-being and allows you to observe them as they move freely through the forest. There are no rides, baths, or activities that force the animals to interact with visitors. Each tour is different, as the elephants themselves set the pace of the experience.
Do you need to be in good physical condition to see the elephants?
It is recommended that you be in reasonably good physical condition to hike along forest trails for several hours. The trail runs through natural, mountainous terrain, so it is important to wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and clothing suitable for outdoor activities.
Where does the elephant-watching experience begin?
The experience begins with a pickup from your accommodations inChiang Mai. From there, you’ll be transported to the community of Ban Naklang, where you’ll begin the experience alongside the team at Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary and the Karen families. At the end of the second day, transportation back to Chiang Mai is also included.
How does the booking process work on Viajera en Tailandia?
Send your reservation request to Viajera en Tailandia , and the host will check availability for the selected date. Once confirmed, the host will contact you to explain the next steps. Payment is made directly to the host, with no additional fees for booking through Viajera en Tailandia.
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