Roland Lefevre
As a top highlight for visitors touring Chiang Rai the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort offers a wealth of experiences for travellers. The camp's best activities are as follows.
Tipped to be one of the most coveted experiences on offer at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort visitors can now experience a day as a real life mahout. As one of the world's most intriguing human to animal communication techniques a mahout employs more than 70 specific commands and ear touches to guide gentle giants. Although the close relationship built on trust and understanding between man and beast takes years to cultivate visitors can experience a day in the life of a mahout by memorizing the basic commands. As a mahout-in-training visitors will learn how to guide an elephant through a number of situations, especially along a nature walk. Riding high above the foliage the trainee mahouts can then take part in bathing the majestic creature in a river.
As a hotel Chiang Rai counts among its most expansive hospitality establishments the elephant camp and resort includes a nature reserve no smaller than 160 acres. Littered with diverse landscapes including paddy fields, bamboo jungles and river banks there's no finer way to discover the breathtaking retreat than on a trek atop an elephant. Elephant treks during day takes visitors across the retreat's terrain to encounter bird species and other creatures that inhabit the enclosure while those who opt for a romantic sunset trek can travel across forests to the retreat's hill summit where a traditional style Sala is prepared to host the rides to an evening dining experience complete with canapés and drinks.
Ideal for health conscious travellers and yoga fanatics alike visitors can now perfect their yoga poses with the aid of the grace and rhythm of a gentle beast. Observing the movement and agility of one's elephant one can perform well-known postures on the elephants neck or enjoy a comprehensive yoga program in a Sala at the resort's Baby Elephant Camp.
Dubbed an E.L.E. Encounter the Elephant Learning Experience is an edutainment activity available in the resort with the aid of Think Elephants International researchers residing in the camp. Informing visitors of the various initiatives launched by the organization the educational tour also allows visitors to join the camp vet on a routine health inspection of the camp's elephants and take part in feeding and showering the friendly mammals.
Often regarded as one of the most memorable elephant related activities available at the Golden Triangle Camp an Elephant picnic is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most travellers. Armed with a gourmet spread prepared by the resort's chefs visitors can trek to the picnic destination of their choice atop a friendly elephant guided by a mahout. Enjoy a family style intimate picnic surrounded by nature with stunning views across the retreat at every turn. The picnic spread can also be custom made to one's preference while those looking or an eclectic dining experience can also indulge in a Dining by Design dinner encounter at the Baby Elephant Camp.
