THAILAND – Chiang Mai – Observe Elephants at Chang Chill

Description

A visit to Northern Thailand is often associated with seeing elephants. And while there are 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, 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

The elephant sanctuary aims to be a haven for elephants who have previously abused. Their approach is completely hands-off and they focus on environmentally sustainable actions in general. They are also an important source of employment for the local community.

Negative impacts

No negative

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

Time And Transportation

Duration

Full day visit, approximately 10 hours

Min pax

1

Max pax

15

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

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 – 8:00 AM: Pick you up from your hotel. It take one and a half hour from Chiang Mai city to ChangChill.
• 9:30 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

Alerts

• Not suitable for everyone:
  • Basic fitness is required
  • 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)

Important information

• Lunch on spot is vegetarian

• Product Photos