7 to 10 Day Thailand elephant safari with white water rafting in real jungle rain forest


by Randy Gaudet, Aug 13, 2008 | Destinations: Thailand
Riding elephants through the jungle in Thailand

Riding elephants through the jungle in Thailand

Riding elephants through the jungle in Thailand

Presented by
All Thailand Experiences

Most come to Chiang Mai first then travel with us to spend one night in Sukhothai visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Park and continue on to the starting point of the safari. To save time, you can also fly to Sukhothai or take the overnight train to Pitsanulok from Bangkok where we will greet you and take you to the starting point.

Tee Lor Su Waterfall

Because of the remoteness of the Wildlife Sanctuary everything we need will be transported by elephant. Daily supplies such as fresh food will be delivered by 4 wheel drive vehicle to a pick up point where elephants will then deliver them to us. Some waterfalls we will see have been discovered in 1989 and Thee Lor Su waterfalls is the largest in Southeast Asia and the 6th largest in the World. DAY ONE We will greet you at the airport or train station in Chiang Mai and transfer you to your selected Hotel or Guest House. Tonight at 7pm your will enjoy a Khantoke Dinner with Thai and Hill Tribe music and dance. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

DAY TWO This morning we depart at 9 AM for the Ancient City of Sukhothai with it's beautiful temple ruins dating back hundreds of years. We will first stop at the Asian Elephant Conservation Center and Hospital in Lampang then have a delicious all you can eat lunch of traditional thai food consisting of many wonderful dishes and local fruit in a garden restaurant. Tonight we will explore the Sukhothai night life and markets then enjoying a delicious dinner. This evening accommodations are in Sukhothai. (B,L,D)

DAY THREE This morning we wake up early to pay respects to the Monks. We will stand out in front of the hotel and give food as alms to the Monks as they pass by. Then after another hearty American Breakfast we then leisurely walk among the ruins in the UNESCO World Heritage Park in Old Sukhothai.and depart for Umphang stopping for lunch in Mae Sot and then a Hmong hill tribe village. Over night will be at a resort in Umphang in nice cabins with a delicious all you can eat dinner along the river. You will also meet and talk with the local guides that will be joining us on this adventure. (B,L,D)

DAY FOUR This morning enjoy an American Breakfast served on the banks of the Umphang River with it's beautiful morning mist and surrounding mountains. We then board the raft for a leisurely 3 hour journey through canyons with high limestone cliffs and many waterfalls. We will travel by 4 wheel drive to the forestry camp then walk (30 minutes) to Thee Lor Su Waterfalls, the largest in Thailand. Here we will have lunch then start our 3 hour (easy) leisurely walk through Bamboo forest and along a beautiful stream. Many colorful birds, butterflies and wildflowers are seen on this trail including Kingfishers and Flycatchers back to the Karen village and overnight. Dinner and evening will be in our own Karen style house so as not to disturb the people and fragile culture. Your bed will be again comfortable with mosquito nets and toilets and shower are available here. (B,L,D)

DAY FIVE We will ride elephants over the mountain and through the rain forest to the river then board the rubber rafts across the river to another Karen village for overnight. You can ride the elephants for a while and walk a while. Walking is faster and our experienced local guides will walk with you and tell you about the different plants, flowers, birds and wildlife. This village is where we get fresh supplies and you will have an excellent all you can eat family style Thai dinner prepared for you including fresh fish caught in the very clean river. Your accommodations are traditional bamboo bungalows. Toilets and showers are available here.(B,L,D)

DAY SIX This morning we go for an exciting 4 hours of white water rafting. The elephants will go on ahead to take the camping equipment to where the raft journey ends. We will also pass many beautiful waterfalls along the way. Wild animals such as elephant, tiger, gibbons, lemurs, deer and bear have been spotted while rafting this section. We will ride elephants to our camp site over night tonight in comfortable tents and have a delicious dinner beside the river or in a cave. Where we stay for the evening depends on the river conditions or weather (riverside or cave). (B,L,D) Day Seven There are no roads or villages in this area as it is in the UNESCO World Wildlife Sanctuary. For this reason, after breakfast, we will need to ride elephants and /or hike for 4 hours with lunch along the way to reach our camping spot along a clear stream with small waterfall excellent for wading and swimming. Overnight here. (B,L,D) Day Eight This morning we walk and ride elephants for about 2 hours to our pick up point then return to Umphang to shower and lunch then on to Mae Sot for the evening at Mae Sot. Tonight will be at a very famous Thai restaurant in an incredible garden setting with black swans on a beautiful pond, waterfalls and exotic plants. (B,L,D) Day Nine Today we return to Chiangmai visiting a hill tribe market and lunch along the way. Arrive in Chiangmai in time for your late 17:15 flight, TG115 to Bangkok. (B,L) -- End of Tour -- Special Instructions:
This is an eco-cultural friendly excursion. For this reason we have conditions that must be followed.

  • You can only get off the raft in designated areas.
  • No climbing on cliffs or waterfalls.
  • No picking of flowers or rocks etc.
  • You must ask before taking pictures of children and villagers.
  • No money can be given to villagers or children for pictures.
  • Candy cannot be given to children.
  • Soap, shampoo etc cannot be used when in rivers or streams or hot springs.

We hope you understand.