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Elephant Encounters -- One of Thailand's greatest treasures, the domesticated Asian elephant has worked alongside men since the early history of Siam, and these gentle giants are an important symbol of the kingdom. Elephant training culture is strongest in parts of Isan (the northeast) and the far north. In and around Chiang Mai alone, there are a grand total of 14 elephant camps that try to cash in on the popularity of these gentle giants. Not all elephant camps are pleasant: At shoddier camps, creatures are drugged to keep them placid, and conditions are grim. Choose your elephant camp wisely. Resort-run elephant camps, such as those at Anantara andFour Seasons' Tented Camp, occupying adjacent sites north of Chiang Rai in the Golden Triangle, are among the most humane. If you don't want to spend a fortune to interact with the animals, a visit to the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang is highly recommended. In and around the immediate Chiang Mai area, though, there are several camps to choose from. Just north of town in the Mae Rim Valley, a number of camps offer shows lasting an hour or so (with rides to follow) that are fun, especially for kids. Some camps offer a few hours of hill trekking on elephant back with two or three passengers to a howdah (elephant seat), followed by ox-cart rides to so-called "primitive" villages and even bamboo rafting back to camp. Maetaman Elephant Camp (535 Rimtai, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai 50180; tel. 05329-7060; www.maetamanelephantcamp.com) is one such place. They charge 550B per person, which includes the show, an oxcart ride, bamboo rafting, an elephant ride, and a simple meal.
Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/chiangmai/0074010020.html#ixzz2HzuTzfSc
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