Monday, October 10, 2011

Chiang Mai: Maesa Elephant Camp 清迈:美沙大象园林

One of the popular tourist attractions in Chiang Mai is Maesa Elephant Camp which is the home to about 78 elephants in the lush tropical jungle of Maesa Valley. Established in 1976 by Choochart Kalmapijit with his love and respect of the Asian elephant.

This way to the Elephant Show.
You will be truly amazed by the talents of the elephants.



The show (about 50 mins) with 20 elephants on parade followed by:
-Demonstration of how to get on and off an elephant
- Musical performance and dancing by the talented elephants
- How elephants sleep 
- Football matches
- Painting realistic pictures by eight elephants
- Demonstration of elephants massage by using their trunks
- Elephant stick picking competition
- Dart Game by little elephants
- Logging and lumber dragging demonstration

At the end of the show, the friendly elephants would get close and play tricks with the audiences. You can feed them, pat them, take pictures or talk to them

 Elephant Football Match

 Painting pictures stroke by stroke with their trunks.
  
Pictures painted by the elephants displayed for SALE. 
Proceeds are used for the conservation of the elephants.

Maesa Elephant camp was awarded "The Largest Painting by a Group of Elephants" by Ripley's Believe It or Not (Thailand) for its 12m long by 2.4m wide painting entitled "Cold Wind, Swirling Mist, Charming Lanna" by a herd of 8 elephants in 8 panels of canvas which was later sold for 1.8 million Baht. It was then donated to the Thai government as national treasure, setting a new Guinness World record for "The Most Expensive Painting by a Group Of Elephants" in 2005. 

If you love elephants and are interested in training them, you can sign up for a basic 1-3 days mahout course with a certificate upon completion.


MAESA ELEPHANT CAMP OPENING HOURS:
Daily: 8:00am – 4:00pm 
Show Time: 8:00am, 9:40am, 1:00pm (additional show for peak season) 

ENTRANCE FEE: in Thai Baht
Adult 120/Child 80 inclusive of elephant show

Elephant Rides: 7:00am - 2:30pm
800  for 30 mins/ 1,200 for 1 hour (based on 2 person per elephant)

HOW TO GET THERE: Maesa Elephant Camp, Mae Rim-Samoeng Road 
1. By Your Own: 
Drive north-west of Chiang Mai through Mae Sa valley (about 30 mins drive)

2. By Tour:
Half day tour (from 600 baht - check it out at travel agents around the city) 

NOTE:
Visit the camp early before show time to watch elephants take their daily bath in a nearby river and of course get the best seats for the elephant shows.

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