Maesa Elephant Camp, Let’s Fall In Love With Elephants
Animal lovers, pay attention! What you will see here is not just an ordinary show that you can see elsewhere. At Maesa Elephant Camp, you can get up close and personal with many adorable elephants; feed them, hug them, and falling in love with them. After leaving the camp, you will gain more understanding about their lives and be amazed to see what this lovely animal can do.
Located at Maesa Valley in Chaing Mai, Maesa Elephant Camp is home to one of the largest assembly of elephants in Thailand. While protecting and conserving this rare species are the main objectives, the camp also provides us with opportunities to learn how smart and talented the elephants are. In fact, sustainable tourism programs at Maesa Elephant Camp are one of the most entertaining programs in Thailand. We really like it and would like to recommend you to give it a try.
Elephant shows are the most popular activity among visitors at Maesa Elephant Camp. There are about 10 performances in the show. Each of them will surely put a big smile on your face. Before the show begins, we would like to recommend you to go to the two bathing areas at the camp. Mahouts will take their elephant to take a bath there. So it is a good time for observing. Some performances that you will get to see include musical performance, dancing, and soccer matches by adorable and talented elephant; imagine those big bellies shaking back and forth, just can’t stop smiling.
Did you know the elephant can paint? The most eye-opening performance in the show is painting by elephants. Correct me if I am wrong, but this is probably the only place in the world that we could get to see the artistic side of this amazing creature. They can paint both abstract and realistic picture very beautifully. In fact, one of the paintings,“Cold Wind, Swirling Mist, Charming Lanna I”,was soldfor 1.5 million Baht and being recorded “The Most Expensive Painting by Elephants” on the Guinness World Record. The whole art work (12M (W) x 2.4 M (H))is consisted of two painting connecting with each other and also got recognition from Ripley's Believe It Or Not (Thailand) as “The Largest Painting by A Group of Elephants” as well. The second piece is now displayed at “Maesa Elephant Camp Gallery.”
The day is not yet over; you can still enjoy other activities such as Elephant Riding. This can be one of the most wonderful experiences for most Thais and foreign visitors since we do not get to ride on the back of an elephant through lush tropical jungle every day. Visitors can also choose route package that match with their lifestyles. If you are adventurous type, Forest Route is recommended.
Basic Mahout Course is another interesting activities provided for those who have time and in love with elephants. Each person will get to take care one elephant with a professional mahout. The course begins with an introduction on your elephant. Then you get to take them to bath and do more complex tasks such as painting afterward. There are many packages to choose from. If you go for more 2 or 3 days packages, Thai Cooking classes and accommodation are also provided.