THAILAND – Chiang Mai – Observe Elephants at Chang Chill

Description

A visit to Northern Thailand is often associated with seeing elephants. And while there is a plethora of options available, only a couple of places put the well-being of the animals first. Chang Chill is such a place, and thanks to their efforts, they were the first elephant sanctuary to gain approval from World Animal Protection. Guests will travel to a remote mountain area south of Chiang Mai to a small Karen community. They will begin their elephant walk and follow their guide into the forest to observe the elephants grazing and socializing while watching from a safe distance. Throughout the day, they have the opportunity to learn all about Asian elephants and also have the chance to prepare dietary supplements for these majestic creatures.

Selling points

• Ethical approach to experiencing elephants up-close
• Focus on observation, 100% hands-off approach
• Located in a beautiful, remote mountain area
• Authentic feeling, not overly commercialized

Level Of The Excursion

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Environment Impact

Economic Impact

Additional Information

Positive impacts

• Chang Chill prioritizes the well-being of elephants, providing a sanctuary for those previously abused and allowing them to live in a natural, stress-free environment.
• Guests gain valuable knowledge about Asian elephants, their behavior, and conservation efforts, fostering awareness and appreciation for these majestic animals.
• The sanctuary serves as an important source of employment for the local Karen community, contributing to their economic stability and encouraging sustainable livelihoods.
• The sanctuary’s commitment to environmentally sustainable actions promote conservation and responsible tourism, minimizing the ecological footprint of the activity.
• The hands-off approach ensures that the elephants can exhibit natural behaviors without interference, promoting their mental and physical well-being.

Negative impacts

• Although the approach is hands-off, the presence of visitors in the elephants’ habitat could still cause some stress or disruption to their natural behaviors if not managed carefully.

Sensitive character

• The activity involves captive wildlife. Strict rules are in place to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the animals as well as the visitors

Conclusion:

The visit to Chang Chill provides an ethically sound and educational experience centered around the welfare of elephants. By prioritizing animal care and supporting the local community, the sanctuary promotes sustainable tourism practices. While the activity is overwhelmingly positive, minor concerns regarding potential wildlife disturbance highlight the importance of maintaining respectful visitor behavior. Overall, this experience aligns well with ethical tourism and conservation efforts.

Time And Transportation

Duration

Full day – Join-in/Private (Including transfer time)

• Chang Chill Hillside: 08.00 -16.30
• Chang Chill Viewdoi: 07.30 – 17.00

Half day – Join-in/Private (Including transfer time)

• Morning Chang Chill Hillside: 08.00 -15.30
• Afternoon Chang Chill Hillside: 13.00 -17.30
• Morning Chang Chill Viewdoi: 07.30 – 15.30

Important Note: For Private – The program is not private in the sense of closing the camp, but the guide will look after the guests separately and privately.

Min pax

1

Max pax

20

How to sell it

• As a truly ethical elephant experience
• As an elephant activity for adventurous clients
• To promote sustainable values and to offer ethical excursions
• As a more intimate and authentic alternative to Elephant Nature Park

Why this activity

• To have more choice in terms of ethical elephant experiences
• To show our commitment to working with ethical suppliers
• To have more sustainable and ethical suppliers in our database

Do not combine with

• Any other full day activities
• Evening activities (it may make the program too full and too tiring)

Market suggestion

Competitor comparison

All major DMC’s work with this supplier.

Pros

• A truly hands-off experience
• Great for adventurous clients
• A well-established supplier, endorsed by the World Animal Protection (WAP)
• Suitable for any type of adventurous client, even children
• Option to operate as a private group tour with a separate area for lunch.

Cons

• Quite far from the city, a long drive to get there
• Basic fitness is required, not accessible for all travelers
• Infrastructure is quite basic, only for adventurous profiles
• No way to customize or make a special touch

Information

Full-Day program:

• 7:30 – 8:30 AM: Pick you up from your hotel. It takes one and a half hour from Chiang Mai city to ChangChill.
• 9:30 – 10:00 AM: Arrival and introduction to ChangChill’s past, present and future and the program’s schedule.
• 10:30 AM: Visitors begin their elephant walk and follow their guide into the forest to observe the elephants grazing and socializing while observing from a safe distance. Visitors will learn about ChangChill’s six resident elephants, learn some new facts about Asian Elephants, and meet the mahouts. While in the elephant area, guests will be able to ask questions, and guides will deliver a “live lecture” about elephant conservation, elephant behavior, and interesting facts about elephants like how much they eat, sleep, weight, etc.
• 11:30 AM: Visitors arrive at a rest station for traditional Thai refreshments – The rest station is above a mud pit, where the elephants love to bathe and play together on a hot day. Visitors enjoy their refreshments and watch from above, trying to avoid getting sprayed with bits of mud being thrown around from down below.
• noon: Visitors move down to the riverside sala, where they learn about enrichment and help fill feeding tubes with corn, sugar cane, grass, bananas, and any other supplementary food on hand. During and after lunch, visitors will enjoy the view of the elephants eating through the treats that were stashed in the fencing from the elephant observation deck.
• 12:15 PM: Visitors are having lunch; we serve Thai vegetarian food. (Half-day morning program finishes here)
• 1:30 PM: Traditional herb lesson, elephant supplement cooking class, mahout chat
• 3:00 PM: End of full-day program
• 4:30 – 5:00 PM: Drop off at the hotel

The order and timing of activities can change slightly, depending on the facility (Hillside or View Doi)

Alerts

• Not suitable for everyone:
  • Basic fitness is required (distance depends on where elephants are)
  • Only accessible for people with good basic fitness and mobility, especially during the wet months
  • Infrastructure is quite basic, not be suitable for high-end clients
• There are half day options available, but we should not offer them (too long driving for too little time on spot)
• Supplier: Chang Chill, Full day visit
• Pick-up 7:30-8:00
• Drop off 16:30-17:00

Important information

• Lunch on spot is vegetarian
• Option to operate as a private group tour with a separate area for lunch is available for those who have budget

Possible Extra

• Option to operate as a private group tour with a separate area for lunch is available for those who have budget

English

Observe elephants at Chang Chill

In the morning take a picturesque drive through agricultural Thai countryside to Chang Chill, Thailand’s first elephant sanctuary endorsed by the WAP (World Animal Protection). You will learn about how the place evolved from a traditional elephant camp into one of the most ethical establishments in the country. Chang Chill puts the elephants first as they are free to roam in the vast sanctuary. With a guide you will go on a short hike to observe them grazing, socializing while keeping a safe distance. You will also have the chance to ask any questions about these majestic animals and learn how to prepare nutritious supplements for them. Spending time in the remote mountains at Chang Chill is truly an unforgettable experience for any elephant lover.

Note: The program includes some walking, basic level of fitness and mobility is needed

French

Observer les éléphants à Chang Chill

Dans la matinée, un trajet pittoresque à travers la campagne agricole thaïlandaise mène à Chang Chill, le premier sanctuaire d’éléphants de Thaïlande approuvé par la WAP (World Animal Protection). Vous apprendrez comment ce lieu a évolué d’un camp d’éléphants traditionnel à l’un des établissements les plus éthiques du pays. Chang Chill accorde la priorité aux éléphants, qui sont libres d’errer dans le vaste sanctuaire. En compagnie d’un guide, vous ferez une courte randonnée pour les observer en train de brouter et de socialiser tout en gardant une distance de sécurité. Vous aurez également l’occasion de poser des questions sur ces animaux majestueux et d’apprendre à leur préparer des suppléments nutritifs. Passer du temps dans les montagnes reculées de Chang Chill est vraiment une expérience inoubliable pour tout amateur d’éléphants.

Note : Le programme comprend de la marche, un niveau de base de forme physique et de mobilité est nécessaire.

Spanish

Observar elefantes en Chang Chill

Por la mañana, realice un pintoresco recorrido en coche por la campiña agrícola tailandesa hasta Chang Chill, el primer santuario de elefantes de Tailandia avalado por la WAP (World Animal Protection). Conocerá cómo el lugar pasó de ser un campamento tradicional de elefantes a uno de los establecimientos más éticos del país. Chang Chill da prioridad a los elefantes, que pueden campar a sus anchas por el extenso santuario. Acompañado de un guía, realizará una corta caminata para observar cómo pastan y socializan manteniendo una distancia prudencial. También tendrá la oportunidad de hacer cualquier pregunta sobre estos majestuosos animales y aprender a prepararles suplementos nutritivos. Pasar un tiempo en las remotas montañas de Chang Chill es realmente una experiencia inolvidable para cualquier amante de los elefantes.

Nota: El programa incluye algunas caminatas, por lo que se requiere un nivel básico de forma física y movilidad.

Italian

Osservare gli elefanti a Chang Chill

In mattinata, un pittoresco viaggio in auto attraverso la campagna agricola tailandese vi condurrà a Chang Chill, il primo santuario degli elefanti della Thailandia approvato dalla WAP (World Animal Protection). Scoprirete come questo luogo si sia evoluto da un tradizionale campo per elefanti in una delle strutture più etiche del Paese. Chang Chill mette al primo posto gli elefanti, che sono liberi di vagare nel vasto santuario. Con una guida farete una breve escursione per osservarli mentre pascolano e socializzano mantenendo una distanza di sicurezza. Avrete anche la possibilità di fare domande su questi maestosi animali e di imparare a preparare integratori nutrienti per loro. Trascorrere del tempo tra le remote montagne di Chang Chill è davvero un’esperienza indimenticabile per ogni amante degli elefanti.

Nota: il programma prevede alcune camminate, è necessario un livello di fitness e mobilità di base.

German

Beobachten Sie Elefanten in Chang Chill

Am Morgen unternehmen Sie eine malerische Fahrt durch die landwirtschaftlich geprägte thailändische Landschaft nach Chang Chill, Thailands erstem Elefantenschutzgebiet, das von der WAP (World Animal Protection) anerkannt ist. Sie werden erfahren, wie sich der Ort von einem traditionellen Elefantencamp zu einer der ethischsten Einrichtungen des Landes entwickelt hat. In Chang Chill stehen die Elefanten an erster Stelle, da sie sich in dem riesigen Schutzgebiet frei bewegen können. In Begleitung eines Führers können Sie die Elefanten auf einer kurzen Wanderung beobachten, wie sie grasen und Kontakte knüpfen, während Sie einen sicheren Abstand halten. Sie haben auch die Möglichkeit, Fragen zu diesen majestätischen Tieren zu stellen und zu lernen, wie man ihnen nahrhafte Nahrungsergänzungen zubereitet. Ein Aufenthalt in den abgelegenen Bergen von Chang Chill ist ein unvergessliches Erlebnis für jeden Elefantenliebhaber.

Hinweis: Das Programm beinhaltet einige Wanderungen, ein gewisses Maß an Fitness und Mobilität ist erforderlich.

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