Slow Stay & Elephant Morning
A night at our river camp, and a morning walking beside elephants on their daily journey into the forest — with whole afternoons of nothing planned at all.
You're joining their daily routine, not a show made for visitors.
Arrive at noon, leave with the evening truck the next day. No rushing, ever.
Small on purpose. Some mornings it's just you and the herd.
Most guests are too busy to swim. Your whole first afternoon is for it.
This is their walk. You're the guest.
Next door to our camp lives a small herd looked after by Care for Elephants — run by our own family. The elephants spend their nights in the shelter near the village, and their days out in the forest, where elephants belong. Every morning they make the same journey along the Mae Taeng river to get there. That journey happens with or without visitors.
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This programme simply lets a few people — twelve at most — come along. From 08:00 to 10:00 you are part of the herd's morning: walking beside them at their pace, standing back while they graze, wade, and throw river mud over themselves. The walking itself is easy and unhurried — much of the two hours is simply being near them. Halfway, you'll look across the river and see the Elephant Nature Park herd on the far bank.
Why it works this way: forest time is what keeps these elephants healthy — and your seat is what pays for it. No performance is ever added for visitors, which is exactly why it feels like nothing else in Chiang Mai.
No riding. No bathing. No shows. No tricks. Just their morning, shared.
How the two days go
Day 1 — arrive & slow down
Van leaves Chiang Mai. You ride out with our regular tour group in a normal van or car (not a pickup truck) — eat lunch before you come.
Check in. Dorm bed or private pool villa — then the afternoon is completely yours: pool, waterfall, hammock, nothing.
Dinner at camp. Cooked in our own kitchen — tell us about allergies in advance. After dinner: a Thai massage from a masseuse in the village, if you like (฿350/hour, book at camp).
Day 2 — the elephant morning
The elephant morning. Two hours with the herd, 08:00–10:00, on their daily walk to the forest.
Breakfast back at camp. Then check out at your own pace — by 11:00. Luggage stays safe at our office.
Your call. Hang out at our riverside office, stroll the village, or add an afternoon adventure below. No plans? The group van heads home late afternoon — you're back in Chiang Mai around 18:30. In a hurry? Private car back any time, ฿1,000.
Day 2 afternoonsAdd one when you book your stay
- River tubing฿990 per person
Usually ฿1,690 — you're already here · float with our group · group van home after
- Rafting฿3,000 per person
Whitewater, 10 km · partner outfit · they drive you back to Chiang Mai
- ATV฿3,500 per person
3 hours · guided jungle trails · partner-run · back to Chiang Mai included
- Zipline฿2,000 per person
39 platforms · forest canopy course · partner-run · back to Chiang Mai included
- Sticky Waterfall฿1,990 per car
After checkout · private car for 1–4 · Bua Tong's climbable falls · then straight to your Chiang Mai hotel
Book at camp · evening of day 1
Thai massage฿350 per hourAfter dinner, by a village masseuse · pay her directly · every baht stays with her
Is this your kind of stay?
- You want to be near elephants without a single circus trick
- Your trip has been go-go-go and you need one day that isn't
- You'd rather have a pool, a river and a book than an itinerary
- You're visiting Elephant Nature Park and want a night nearby that means something
- You want action packed into every hour — our 2-Day Tubing & Overnight is built for that
- You're travelling with young kids and want a dorm — the dorm suits adults; families fit beautifully in the villa
- You need to be back in the city before noon on day 2
“Floating down the river with a drink in hand, surrounded by beautiful scenery and great people, made for some truly magical memories.”
“This was one of the best experiences I did in Thailand… I enjoyed every minute”
“Excellent, Tour guides and staff were amazing from start to finish!”
The fine print
Getting there & back
- Out: ride with our 11:30 group van from Chiang Mai — a normal van or car, not a pickup truck (meeting point sent after booking)
- Back: the evening group van, next day — in Chiang Mai around 18:30 — included
- Leaving early? Private car back to Chiang Mai any time — ฿1,000 per car, just ask
Food
- Included: dinner (day 1) + breakfast (day 2)
- Not included: lunch on either day — eat before the van on day 1; on day 2 you can add lunch at camp for ฿150
- Allergies: tell us when you book — our kitchen adapts
The elephant walk
- 08:00–10:00, at the elephants' own pace — easy walking, riverside path
- Max 12 people per morning, every morning
- If an elephant is unwell the camp tells us in advance — you choose a new date or your money back before travel
Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup — full refund
- Inside 48 hours the booking is charged in full, because your bed and your place on the walk are held for you
- Moving your date is always free, whenever you ask
- If an elephant is unwell we tell you before you travel, and you choose a new date or your money back
Children
- The dorm suits adults — we don't recommend it for children
- Families: take the villa — book right here: the big villa sleeps up to 5, kids 4–7 get ฿300 off their mattress, infants 1–3 are free (just tell us)
- Kids are welcome on the walk — it's easy ground at elephant pace
What to bring
- Walking shoes or strap sandals · swimwear · something warm for evening
- Small bag only — on day 2 you check out after breakfast (by 11:00); luggage stays safe at our office, where you can also hang out until the evening van
Where you sleep
- Dorm: air-con, privacy curtain, reading light & socket on every bed, hot showers
- Pool villa: the whole house to yourselves, king bed, private terrace — see the rooms
- Elephant morning walk · max 12
- Dinner + breakfast included
- Van out & back included
- Two full slow days
per person
for two · solo ฿5,990 · big villa sleeps 5
Pick your night
1When, and how many