Always a controversial issue on whether to support exploitation of these animals or understand that your support prolongs their existence in this economic gloom. However this camp does look after their elephants well and there is a strong bond between them and their mahouts. The elephant trek is well worth through the natural terrain. Arriving early to see the elephants... More

While in Chiang Mai I went to Chiang Dao as part of a full day tour (cost AUD$ 95), the tour also included a long bamboo raft ride down the Ping River. As it was my first visit to an elephant park I found the ride and the show good. However, while in CM I also went to Maesa Elephant... More

This was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to Thailand. A bumpy but thrilling elephant ride. What an experience!

This was a wonderful day. We hired a van and driver (for 5 of us) from our hotel, for the interesting drive to Chiang Dao. The elephants are well cared for, the camp is not too touristy or commercial. we saw the show, had a very peaceful raft ride down the river, followed by an hour long elephant ride. Afterwards... More

We visited this elephant camp in April 2011. We had wanted to go to Elephant Nature Park but the concierge at our hotel pushed Chiang Dao on us, promising us that it was an authentic training camp, one of the oldest in Chiang Mai, and that the elephants are well cared for. We were tired tourists with an open mind... More

Not too expensive to ride. I believe it was approx. 85 dollars Canadian for the whole day adventure, because I was part of a group. I would recommend it because it did not seem as though the elephants were being abused or mistreated. They were well kept and clean. The whole experience was educational. It was so neat to visit... More

This was one experience I will never forget. I was completely shocked at how intelligent these animals could be. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the show in particular the part where they painted. The paintings were sold afterwards at around 3000-6000 baht, but if you go around the stadium to the souvenir shop you can find paintings for 1000-2000... More

This was the 2nd time I had visited the Chiang Dao Elephant Training Centre, previously 2002, and enjoyed most of the day as before.  The elephant painting was new and even though it's not really an 'elephant thing', it was still amusing.  The raft ride was still as tranquil, but what wasn't there before was the poor elephants who were... More

This is a great day out. Good honest fun and really who can resist handing bananas to an elephant. The people are so lovely and the elephants everything you hope they'll be.