Chiang Mai & Elephant Experience
Trip Code: TTAE
Why we love it
Meet elephants in a responsible environment when you hang out with the gentle giants of the ChangChill reserve, watching them eat, relax and socialise., Enjoy a live lecture from local guides to learn more about the elephants, the reserve’s sustainable tourism practices and conservation efforts in the area., See a different side of Chiang Mai, with authentic experiences and nitty gritty details all worked out for you. , Head to a cooking class with a local cook, who will teach you how to collect the best produce from the local market, then show you how to cook some of the most delicious Thai cuisine, which you'll enjoy together for dinner., Soak up this vibrant city with loads of free time and the flexibility to choose your own adventures, like wandering the street food markets in search of the yummiest local dishes., By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, EcoThailand Foundation. Donations help educate school children on important environmental issues like climate change, nature appreciation, conservation and sustainability.
Is this trip right for me?
On Short Breaks, you maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. You’ll have lots of free time and you won’t be accompanied by a Trip Leader. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local Intrepid partners, and these may operate independently from each other. The included activities and transfers will operate on a join-in basis, which means that you could have your Adventure all to yourself, or others may join you along the way. If you would prefer to travel in a group with a dedicated Trip Leader, just get in touch with your booking agent and they will take you through some alternatives.
Important information
1. This trip starts on day 1 at 7pm with a welcome meeting, the trip finishes on day 3 at approximately 12pm
2. This trip is operated by one of our local partners in Thailand and therefore you may be joined by a mixture of Intrepid-booked passengers and other travellers during activities.
What to bring/pack
What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags! Aim to keep your main luggage under 15kg.
Many travellers carry their luggage in a compact smaller suitcase or backpack with wheels. We recommend your bag has carry straps or handles so it is easy to lift and carry for the times you are unable to wheel it (ie. on rough surfaces or up steps).
If you are taking overnight trains, or primarily using public transport then the smaller your luggage the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful especially when travelling on public transportation as well.
You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, swimming suit, waterproof pouch/bag for phone, hiking shoes and jacket etc. when you’re exploring during the day.
Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list
Physical rating
2
Joining your group
De Charme Hotel, 28 Sriphum ,Singrat Road ,Muang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, THAILAND, Phone: 053 416799
Alternate Joining Point
Joining instructions
An airport arrival transfer is included. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure. If you plan to arrive earlier, this arrival transfer can only be offered in conjunction with pre trip accommodation booked through Intrepid.
If you have advised your flight arrival details, you will be met at Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign as you exit the terminal.
A taxi from the airport to your hotel in Chiang Mai costs about THB150-200. Buy a ticket at the taxi kiosk outside the baggage claim area in the airport.
De Charme Hotel is situated in the old city area and in the heart of the city of Chiang Mai, inside the City Moat and Old Quarter of Chiang Mai City, closed to the Sunday Walking Street (Ratchadamnoen Rd.), there are restaurant, Internet service, Tour information and swimming pool.
De Charme Hotel
28 Sriphum ,Singrat Road ,Muang
Chiang Mai
Phone +66 53 416 799
When the De Charme Hotel is fully booked, we recommend the following alternative hotels for pre/post accommodation.
De Lanna Boutique Hotel
44 Intawarorot Road T.Sriphum Muang,
Chiang Mai 50200,
Phone: +66 53 326 278
Should you need to contact our office for any Hotel pick up changes, please email Res_Thailand@intrepidthailand.com at least 48hours before the trip departure or for any urgent last-minute changes call +66 2 282 2863 during business hours. We also have an afterhours number +66 898 103 722. Please note that the afterhours number is only for emergency calls and is unable to take any last-minute joining point confirmations.
Finishing your trip
De Charme Hotel, 28 Sriphum ,Singrat Road ,Muang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, THAILAND, Phone: 053 416799
Alternate Finish Point
De Charme Hotel is situated in the old city area and in the heart of the city of Chiang Mai, inside the City Moat and Old Quarter of Chiang Mai City, closed to the Sunday Walking Street (Ratchadamnoen Rd.), there are restaurant, Internet service, Tour information and swimming pool.
De Charme Hotel
28 Sriphum ,Singrat Road ,Muang
Chiang Mai
Phone +66 53 416 799"
Meals & dietary information
Breakfasts included: 2
Lunches included: 2
Dinners included:
While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where and what to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility.
THAILAND FOOD:
One of the most popular take away foods in the world, you'll have a chance to try authentic Thai food, local and fresh, throughout this trip. Here's just some of what you can look forward to: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/best-food-thailand/
For vegans and vegetarians, you'll need to look out for ingredients like shrimp paste (often in curry sauces), fish sauce, dried shrimp and cooked egg added to stir fries and soups.
Travelling in South East Asia with a food allergy? We have some advice for you here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/travelling-food-allergies-south-east-asia/
Climate & seasonal information
SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
The Songkran Festival is celebrated to mark the New Year. The festival runs from the 13th to the 16th of April. Traditionally houses and villages are properly cleaned in preparation for the New Year, flowers are gathered to decorate Buddha images, young people pour water over the elders for good luck. Songkran Festival is often referred to as the “water festival” as it is now common to throw water over each other during the festival period. Our advice is to be prepared to get wet! Your group leader or local representative will discuss the festival activities upon day one at the group meeting.
In case of emergency
While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.
For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/
In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:
Available for phone call or WhatsApp call on +66 89 810 3722