Day 9: A moving connection with elephants

Day 9: A moving connection with elephants

Our day began with Limmy, our private guide, who I‘d found on Tripadvisor. When you land in a country, it takes a little while to get into your rhythm and build your confidence with certain decisions when not travelling with a structured tour. It is the same when you move from region to region. We had just got ourselves fluent with Bangkok’s Skytrain, ferry and tuk-tuk systems, then we felt displaced again in Chiang Mai. It’s tough to know which tours and drivers to trust, which will give you that unforgettable experience in the limited time you have in a place and how much you should be paying for it all. However, after finding some good reviews on Tripadvisor, I made contact with a local driver and guide, Limmy. A few WhatsApp messages back and forth and then he called me - which I was impressed with, particularly when he expressed himself so well in English. I’m sharing this as it might help someone to take the leap and find a tour guide via Tripadvisor and go for it. We did, and we had a fantastic personalised experience. Limmy arrived at our apartment promptly at exactly the time he had proposed to ensure we optimised our day. It was an early start, but it ensured we got the most out of our private tour day. Limmy greeted us with a warm smile and a comfortable air-conditioned van with a cooler full of ice-cold water, ready to whisk us away on a series of unforgettable adventures.

Zipline Adventure

Our first destination was a zipline course nestled in the lush jungles surrounding Chiang Mai. The thrill of soaring between treetops, with the wind rushing past and panoramic views unfolding beneath us, was exhilarating. The girls, initially apprehensive, embraced the experience with gleeful shrieks and huge grins from ear to ear. Adrenaline junkies both of them! The course was well-maintained, and the staff ensured our safety while sharing their enthusiasm for the natural beauty of the area. Achieving 31 ziplines through the jungle, it was a very physical activity, and this was just the beginning of our exciting day.

Bamboo Rafting on the Mae Wang River

Next, we ventured to the Mae Wang River for a bamboo rafting experience. The serene journey down the river, flanked by verdant landscapes and occasional glimpses of water buffalo grazing along the banks, elephants cooling off in the water and the evidence of the disastrous recent floods in this area (October 2024) on eroded river banks and houses too close to those banks now in a perilous state, there was a huge amount for the eyes to take in. Once we left the busyness of the entry point behind, the rafting was just us and one other raft, and it was a peaceful contrast to our earlier adrenaline rush. The gentle currents made it a relaxing ride, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the tranquil surroundings. The girls were thrilled to take turns guiding the raft, their focused faces (and excellent cores) navigating us carefully with the long bamboo poles.

Lunch and Elephant Sanctuary Visit

Our adventure continued with a visit to "New Elephant Home," an ethical elephant sanctuary renowned for its commitment to the well-being of these majestic creatures. Upon arrival, we were greeted by our host, Athiwat, a member of the Karen Hill tribe. She shared insights into her tribe's rich cultural heritage and their deep connection with elephants. We began with a delicious lunch featuring pad thai and tempura papaya, flavours that delighted our taste buds and provided a welcome respite. The gloriously abundant watermelon slices for desert.

After lunch, we spent quality time with the elephants, feeding them bananas and preparing vitamin balls—a mixture of nutritious ingredients rolled into treats. We really got our hands dirty with this and got stuck in, it was really good fun. But feeding them was simply amazing. They would nudge you and push you with their strong trunks searching for the next treat. Elephants feed almost constantly and eat a vast amount per day. Walking alongside these gentle giants in the river, observing their playful interactions, and participating in bathing them in the river was a genuinely humbling experience. And it was just our family group, not a large tour group to overwhelm the animal. The sanctuary's dedication to maintaining a natural and respectful environment for the elephants was evident, and it was heartening to see the animals free from chains, their ears flapping in happiness, young elephants playing and chasing each other, free to roam anywhere they pleased, in and out of the river.

The highlight was meeting Lucky, the 9-month-old baby who captured our hearts. He did not want to be too far from mum and big sister, but we enjoyed feeding Lucky and lavishing him with attention, until he decided he’d had enough and went to seek some shade. We played with a graceful and gentle 37-year old lovely big girl in the river. She loved the attention. We were told she was incredibly tall for a girl and so remained single and without children (too tall for the bulls to handle, if you know what I mean). She seemed content with her situation and adored her carers who you could see adored her back. Eventually, she padded off to ‘talc’ herself off with dry sand which acts as towel, sunscreen and anti-bug screen all in one. I definitely had a little ‘moment’ and have now become a devoted elephant fan. This was a truly memorable experience and done very sensitively we thought by this sanctuary.

Sticky Waterfall (Bua Thong Waterfall)

Our final stop was the Bua Thong Waterfall, affectionately known as the "Sticky Waterfall." The unique mineral deposits on the rocks create a non-slip surface, allowing visitors to climb directly up the cascading waters. The girls, ever the adventurers, eagerly scrambled up the tiers, their faces alight with excitement. The steps down and the climbing up nearly half-killed me and neither my knees nor my bare feet thanked me. Still it was a unique experience. The cool, clear water was refreshing, and the surrounding forest provided a serene backdrop to this natural playground.

As the day drew to a close, Limmy delivered us safely to our accommodation. Each activity had offered a unique perspective on the natural beauty and cultural richness of Chiang Mai, leaving us with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Gallery

An unforgettable day. Incredible Chiang Mai