Before I knew better, I rode an elephant...” Everyone who visits Thailand wants to ride an elephant. However, there’s a dark side to elephant tourism that many people aren’t aware of: carrying people on their backs all day leads elephants to permanent spinal injuries.
Fortunately, times and attitudes are changing. If you are heading to Chiang Mai and meeting with elephants is on your bucket list, you don’t have to scratch it off as there are now many new programs of “No Saddle-No Ridding” in Chiang Mai. These tours alow you to interact with the beautiful giants in a meaningful way.
If you would rather walk beside an elephant than ride on top of one, Elephant Nature Park is one of the greatest places to go. Home to 70 rescued elephants who are now free to roam, it is one of the greatest places to visit in Chiang Mai. For a day or a night over.
ELEPHANT NATURE PARK :
Rachamankha Road. Chiang Mai.
Tel. 053-272 855
www.elephantnaturepark.org
