This is a series of diaries highlighting animal rescues around the world and noting and celebrating the work they do to help animals who have no voices but ours to speak for them. I have decided to make this a daily series because there are so many wonderful rescues out there who need human help and weekly just doesn't seem to be enough. I have long wanted to start a rescue but lack the resources or time available to do so right now so this is my attempt to do my part. I hope that these rescues will benefit from the kindness and benevolence of the community here at Daily Kos. They are amazing organizations and worthy of Kossack attention and care.
I am here, alive and all around you
I have no voice
In your trees, your air, your fields, your oceans, your world
I have no voice
I am a mother, a father, a protector, a soul
I have no voice
I can walk, crawl, sing, fear
I have no voice
You must be my voice
Their Website Is Here
WELCOME TO ELEPHANT VALLEY THAILAND
We have been hard at work to build the first ever elephant sanctuary in Chiang Rai!
Covering 40 acres of land we have some fantastic lush elephant habitat on which we look after our six gorgeous elephants.
This is actually the second elephant sanctuary we have built and all of the work we do here is modeled on the incredible Elephant Valley Project, in Cambodia.
Our homestay is now open and we are excited to welcome you to come and relax, unwind, watch elephants and volunteer, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of our property ! Check it Out
To learn more information about what we do, please explore our website and if you are in or on your way to Chiang Rai then please feel free to book an elephant visit and come and learn about our AMAZING animals here at Elephant Valley Thailand!
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WELCOME !
If you love animals, then a visit to Thailand is not complete without a journey to our little piece of paradise.
Here at Elephant Valley we work hard to develop an incredibly special experience for our visitors and also for our precious elephants.
At our elephant sanctuary we allow elephants to experience a new life which is natural, stress free and unique in Thailand as we are completely orientated at giving them a full and satisfying life.
A visit here revolves around following the herd through their daily routine while your personal guide narrates their goings on, making the EVT the perfect place to relax, unwind and learn about these amazing animals up close.
RELAX, LEARN AND ENJOY!
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During your stay with us here you will be shadowing our family of former logging and riding elephants as they wander through the forest, graze in their very own grassy paddocks and relax in our unique location.
Proceeds not only go towards providing our herd with an amazing place to live, but will also go towards elephant conservation efforts that are geared to providing the species as a whole with a secure and sustainable future.
We work hard to make sure every penny you spend with us counts towards helping elephants as a whole, come visit and learn more about what kind of future for elephants we are building!
A TRUE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY
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We find that people’s initial reaction when they see an elephant is that they want to get up close and personal and give the elephant a hug, kiss or pat, however here at the EVT we like for the elephants to do that on their own terms.
What does that mean? To be honest it means that we keep interactions between visitors and elephants to a minimum as 90% of the time they like to eat quietly in a middle of a grass field while you watch on from a safe distance allowing the elephant to live its life how it wants to, it is an incredibly positive experience and very different to the majority of pay to play with elephant expereinces you find in thailand. You will see behaviour and experience elephants in a way that is just not possible elsewhere in Thailand!
As a true elephant sanctuary we don’t ride our elephants or make them perform in shows or do tricks such as painting, dancing to music, riding bicycles or swimming in rivers with visitors but instead we allow them to live undisturbed in their natural environment.
This is a rarity in Thailand where most elephants are used either in logging or in the tourist trekking industry.
So come and enjoy some time with our amazing elephants and help be part of an effort to make our sanctuary a destination for elephant care and conservation.
VISIT OPTIONS
We have various visit choices for nature lovers of all ages from 2 hours to 2 weeks+. You can visit us for a half or full day or if you are not in a hurry, stay for as long as you want in our renovated, dorm-style, homestay.
All options are all inclusive and feature the following :
- Pick up at 8.30am or 11.45 am from your accommodation or our city center shop.
- Full morning OR afternoon experiences with the elephants observing them roaming in the grass fields and forest and just being….well…. real elephants!
- Opportunity to feed the elephants their daily supplement of bananas or banana trees.
- Lots of time to relax in our calm and tranquil sanctuary and take some amazing photos.
- Incredible learning experience for those who want to know more about what our elephants are up to.
- Delicious Northern Thai style lunch that we can cater to your taste (vegetarian/vegan/pescatarian/gluten free and specific foods can be provided and all standard allergies can me catered for), so let us know what you would like to eat !
- Drop off before 2pm/5.00pm at the location of your choice : White Temple, Chiang Rai Night Market, bus station (1 and 2), your accommodation or even the Chiang Rai Airport (2pm/5.30pm) can be provided
ELEPHANT LOVERS (HALF DAY PROGRAM)
1,400 THB
Spend either a morning or afternoon with the elephants. Enjoy following, photographing and even
feeding these majestic creatures as they get to enjoy being elephants again.
We have various idyllic elephant habitats including bamboo groves, forest, grass lands
This tour is ideal for those who are in a rush and have limited time in Chiang Rai. This popular half day tour comes with lunch and drinks included as well as city center pick-up and drop off. Departures from the sanctuary are typically at 1 pm after lunch or after 4.30pm. Contact our team to find out more.
To book a visit with us and the elephants, please send an email to BOOKINGS@ELEPHANTVALLEYTHAILAND.COM or call095-4521-974
If you are a travel blogger or youtuber then please get in contact to find what discounts and options are available to you, we really want to get the word out there about the great work we are doing with elephants and need your help to spread awareness about our elephant sanctuary.
ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE (FULL DAY PROGRAM)
1800 THB
This full day visit is perfect for those who want relax and unwind watching elephants live the life they are meant to. If you love elephants then this is the tour for you and an unforgettable tour with elephants should not be missed!
You will get to meet the elephants in the morning and learn about their stories, history and future while trailing them in their natural habitat, followed by a delicious Lanna Style lunch. After Lunch you will again head out to relax and enjoy these amazing animals.
Often we find that when couples and or/groups come to visit not everyone loves elephants and sometimes people like to get dirty and help out onsite with some volunteering so also check out out volunteering option.
Contact our team to find out more
ELEPHANT VOLUNTEER (FULL DAY)
1800 TBH
The Elephant Volunteer Program is very similar to the Elephant Experience but you will spend your afternoon learning what it’s like to volunteer at the sanctuary by helping out onsite with a possible assortment of activities. Every week we have different projects underway from planting, growing and cutting elephant food to helping with our with the latest construction projects. Often though our team of fantastic staff just generally need a hand with whatever we are doing to make our place even more awesome for elephants!
Be prepared to get sweaty and dirty, so bring a long sleeve shirt, sturdy shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent and a spare water bottle and prepare for a really enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Please check out the video below to get an idea about whats involved or if you are using a phone click on this LINK
Please note that this is entirely optional and if after an hour or two you want to stop and go back to watching elephants with one of guides that completely okay too! The elephants are after all simply awesome.
OVERNIGHT OPTIONS
1400 BHT/per night (all inclusive)
Our new Elephant Valley Homestay is now OPEN!
We have worked very hard to renovate an old farmhouse on the property and have surrounded it with several acres of beautiful gardens and big strong elephant proof fence. Each room has views of the elephants as they walk past not to mention a plethora of wildlife that comes and goes. Each room has comfy beds, fans, mosquito nets and WIFI and shared bathrooms that have western toilets and hot showers. If you want to escape the city and spend a few days living with elephants then this is the perfect option for you.
All overnight stays include meals while on site and transfers within the Chiang Rai Area.
Please contact us for more details and availability and to enquire more about which optional package is best.
Tours of Chiang Rai
Welcome to the newly launched, Elephant Valley Travel Solutions (EVTS). Although our main focus will always be the elephants, we like to look for new ways to bring much needed extra revenue to our sanctuary so we can continue giving the creatures in our care the best life possible.
As we have a full tour agency license issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and are situated in one of Thailands most beautiful provinces, it makes sense for us offer bespoke full day options that combine time at the sanctuary with seeing some of the local attractions.
Our focus is on ethical activities that benefit the local community and promote responsible tourism rather than exploitation. Giving back to the animals and people that surround us are at the core of our ethos.
Temples Tour + Elephant Lovers (A self-guided tour with an English speaking driver)
2000 THB, all inclusive of transportation, food and Temple entrance fees/donations (2 pax minimum)
We currently have a full day tour option combining a morning tour of upto 3 temples, a ride on a longtail boat along the Kok river and the Elephants Lovers (half day afternoon) featuring lunch and all afternoon at the sanctuary.
Starting with a visit to to the stunning new Blue Temple, a long-tail boat ride on the Kok river to the ancient Buddha cave and then on to the world famous White Temple. This is followed by lunch at the Elephant Valley watching elephants graze in the fields followed by a guided tour of the sanctuary learning all about our rehabilitative work.
The proposed itinerary is :
Pick up 8.30am
Blue Temple
Bhudda Cave + boat ride on Kok River
White Temple
Arriving at midday for Elephants Lovers visit program with lunch at the sanctuary
Departure from the sanctuary at around 4.30pm.
To keep the day cost efficient, we have designed it as a “self- guiding tour” as the temples don’t really require a tour guide, but they’ll be an English speaking driver to assistant you and everyone else in your group. If you are a solo-travel and would like to join the temple tour let us know some possible dates so we can try and fit you in with a group.
Private Bespoke Full Day Combo Tours & EVT visits (self-guiding with English speaking driver)
2000 THB all inclusive of transportation and food (3 pax minimum)
Chiang Rai is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas also known as the Thai highlands. The province boasts incredible natural and cultural beauty featuring temples aloft green mountains, remote villages of colorfully dressed hill tribes and of course the mighty Mekong river, the lifeblood of South East Asia and so many of its inhabitants.
Fortunately these attractions are easily accessible in a day trip from Chiang Rai and can be combined with time at the sanctuary.
Possible attractions include
Doi Mae Salong
Doi Tung (entrance not inc)
Golden Triangle
Opium Museum
Chiang Sean
Please let us know the places you would like to visit and we can put together a full day itinerary, including sanctuary time, for you to consider.
Please note that a licensed English speaking guide can be provided but at extra costs.