Smile Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

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When many people travel to northern Thailand, they immediately want to have an elephant experience. You may even wonder if you are physically able to manage an excursion of this kind. Here is my personal elephant adventure while visiting with Smile Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai. I’m sharing all of the highlights, and the difficulties I encountered, due to a previous leg and ankle injury. With the right tour, most anyone can make this a day to remember.

How I Chose Smile Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

I have to be honest and say there were at least 10 different brochures for elephant sanctuaries in the area. How to choose the best one? Luck played a part with my choosing Smile Elephant Sanctuary since I didn’t choose it at all.

There was a small tour company at the end of the street I stayed on. The lovely lady inside, Toom, noticed me looking at the brochures she placed outside the door. I went inside and asked her for some information about seeing elephants, and she suggested Smile Elephant Sanctuary. You’ll find out later why I’m so happy she did.

Learn more about Smile Elephant Sanctuary by clicking here.

Time to Hit the Road

This was a small tour group of 5 people and I was the first one picked up at my hotel at 8:00 am. Adam, my driver and guide, came inside to verify I was the right person and escorted me to the front seat of the large SUV.

As I was the first person in the car, Adam and I chatted on our way to pick up the others. He learned I was a former ESL teacher and for the rest of the day he called me Teacher. It was done in a respectful way and I was grateful for his interest and help later in the day. We discussed how he acquired his English language skills on the job as a tour guide. He also learned through television and YouTube videos, which is music to a former ESL teacher’s ears.

Getting the Other Tour Mates

We picked up 2 other couples for our tour. Each time Adam went inside to bring them out to the vehicle. This way everyone knew they were with the right tour for the day. One couple were from Chile and the other group from France. Once everybody was in, we headed off on our hour and a half drive out of Chiang Mai to the Smile Elephant Sanctuary. The air-conditioned SUV was comfortable for the ride out there.

Stopping Along the Way to Smile Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

Since it was a long ride out there, Adam made a pit stop at a gas station along the way. Gas stations along the highway in Thailand are like mini shopping plazas. There was a 7/11, several small food stalls, and even a Dunkin’ Donuts cart selling a variety of drinks and unique donuts. We purchased bug spray and got a drink or a snack for the rest of the ride. Toilets were also available for a quick break.

All About the Elephants at Smile Elephant Sanctuary

Once we arrived at Smile Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, we met the rest of our group. This consisted of a large Vietnamese family coming from Canada and Vietnam. Everyone sat at picnic tables in the pavilion. The open-air covered pavilion allowed us to get close to the elephants while being protected from the blazing sun.

 

We learned from our guides, Adam, Poppy, and their boss Dakky, that the elephants are protected. They are microchipped and tagged to be tracked by the government. There are serious consequences if anyone harms or kills an elephant. The area we were in, along the Mae Taeng River, was home to a multitude of sanctuaries. Most of the elephants in these sanctuaries were rescued from Burma (Myanmar) or Malaysia and were females. Males are usually too aggressive to interact with tourists and kept separated from the groups.

No Riding Elephants

Riding the elephants is not allowed. The sanctuaries protect elephants rescued or acquired from other places. These gentle giants lived peacefully now without being required to entertain or hold tourists on their backs. That fact made me happy.

Meeting the Elephants

The covered pavilion allowed us easy access to see the elephants, and allowed them easy access to try and reach any food nearby. It wasn’t unusual to see a long trunk stretching across the pavilion floor looking for a little snack, or two. We sat inside at picnic tables while the guides provided background information and how we would actually feed them next.

Our elephants were all female beauties.

🐘Boonthue, 35 years old

🐘Boja, 45 years old

🐘Boonsri, 45 years old (She somehow became my favorite of them all.)

Changing Our Clothes for Protection

Next, it was time to get ready to feed them some sugarcane. We were given protective clothing to keep us covered from the sun and our hands safe from the sharp sugarcane leaves. A hat, gloves, denim shirt and ankle length pants were passed out to everyone.

Now it was snack time for our 3 ladies. Off to feed them sugarcane.

Time to Feed Them!

The guides and handlers prepared several large piles of sugarcane stalks for us to feed the hungry ladies. Making sure everyone had their gloves on, they demonstrated the proper way to hand them the stalk so they could scoop it up with their trunk. We all had many chances to feed them and then it was picture time. With the photos completed, it was now time for their exercise.

 

The Jungle Trek of Doom

Since these elephants were not roaming in the wild, they needed daily exercise to stay healthy. Walking an elephant is rather like walking a dog, but the path was a bit unexpected. I knew we went on a “jungle trek” as described in the brochure, but I wasn’t expecting a nearly vertical path. This dusty trail consisted of loose stones, dry soil, and a steep pitch upward. I almost decided to stay at the pavilion and wait for the group to return. But Adam had other ideas.

Support from Adam of Smile Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

After my ankle injury, I never gained back full flexion in my ankle. This makes going uphill quite difficult for me. I also don’t trust my own stability sometimes, especially on loose, rocky, sandy soil. Adam was prepared by handing me a walking stick and offering his hand whenever I needed it. Which was often.

He helped pull me up the steepest parts and showed me where we needed to get to before the path leveled out and then sloped gently back down to the road. I felt dizzy a few times since it was nearly 100 degrees. There was also nowhere safe to lean against a tree, due to ants, or to sit down and rest. We had been encouraged to bring water and I drank thirstily. I can’t believe I actually made it through that trek.

It was an amazing experience walking with the slow gentle creatures, and without Adam’s help and guidance, I would have missed it all. 

I’m not going to lie, it was extremely hard for me physically. But I did it. The boost that activity gave me mentally was worth the one graceful slide down onto my butt. Just one. Brushed the dirt off and I continued down the path.

I Would Have Given Up

Honestly, I can say that I was determined to sit in the pavilion to wait for their return. An immediate thought of my physical limitations had me shutting down and saying no. I doubted myself and my abilities to make it up that hill.

Thank you Adam for your encouragement and support. You had more faith in me than I had in myself. Without you, I wouldn’t have experienced the walk and learned more about these amazing creatures. I appreciate all of your help, kindness, and understanding.

🐘🐘🐘 Book your own excursion with Smile Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai here. It is so well-worth your time for an excellent price. 🐘🐘🐘

Making Medicine Balls for the Elephants

Once we made it back to the pavilion after our 20 minute jungle trek, we removed the protective clothes. Now it was time for their medicine balls. Smile Elephant Sanctuary takes the elephants’ health seriously and supplements their diet with daily added nutrition. All of the supplies were out on the tables ready for us to prepare their tasty rice balls.

On one platter was the sticky rice mixed with black sesame seeds, and it was extra sticky! On the second platter were the added goodies we were placing inside the rice balls. The other ingredients were salt, brown sugar, tamarind, and small pieces of a bitter herb that helped their digestion. A bowl of water ensured we could shape the rice balls and get the sticky pieces off of our hands. Once we made all the balls we could with our ingredients tucked inside, the platters were brought out to the elephants and we fed them.

Got a lot closer this time since they had to grab the ball from our hand. I dropped my first one, but Boonsri managed to sniff it out and scoop it right up. I was prepared for the next few rice balls. Fantastic to get so close to them. But we weren’t done yet.

Time for a Bath

Not for me or my other tour mates, but the elephants. Although we were allowed to join them, we first had a little work to do.

Crushing the Tree Trunk

The guides informed us the chunk of wood sitting on the large tree stump was our sponge. How could that be?

A quick demonstration involving lots of hitting and crushing revealed a rectangular mass that soaped when wet. I couldn’t get my chunk of wood to stay on the tree stump. Every time I slammed it with the blunt object responsible for crushing it, the chunk bounced off across the floor. Thank goodness a tour mate helped me. She whacked that chunk until it started to resemble a fibrous sponge. I gave it a few more solid whacks for good measure, and it was ready. Once we were all finished, the guides led us to the water and the patiently waiting elephants.

Down to the Water

Our tour instructions informed us a change of clothing was suggested, and this was the reason why. We now watched a demonstration as that rectangular glob of wood became a sponge when dipped in the river. Scrubbing it along the elephant’s side created soapy bubbles, and soon it was our turn.

I removed my sneakers and socks to wade into the water and the bottom was a bit squishy. We weren’t too far out into the water but walking without shoes can be challenging for me. I would suggest a solid soled water shoe if you have difficulty walking barefoot. Unfortunately, I left mine at home. Lesson learned.

Scrubbing the Elephants at Smile Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

Step one was to use the handled bucket to scoop up some river water and toss it on the elephant’s back. This was a quick way to cool off, especially if you were on the other side of the elephant. Buckets of water flew over their back and right onto your head. It felt so good in the 100 degree heat. The river water was so cool and refreshing on our hot skin.

Step two was standing right next to the elephant and scrubbing their skin with our homemade sponges. It felt surreal to be actually scrubbing the skin of an elephant and resting your hand on them. They stood so calmly and enjoyed being soaked and scrubbed as the river continued downstream.

Floating in the River

Everyone who wanted to get into the river and scrub the elephants did so and then it was our turn to cool off. Most of us got into the shallow river and floated along with the steady current. After being out in the high heat the water felt absolutely amazing and I could have splashed around for hours. But I also would have been burnt to a crisp since there was no shade out over the water.

We slowly got out of the river and trudged up to the western-style bathrooms behind the pavilion. Here I changed into my second outfit. I forgot to pack a bra since I had come down in my bathing suit top, but my bathing suit was soaking wet. Braless for the rest of the afternoon was my only option. Now off for lunch.

Heading Out for Lunch

Our tour included lunch with the program, so we all packed back into the SUV for a short ride down the road.

Delicious Lunch Outside

Several covered picnic tables sat next to the same river we had been playing in just 30 minutes ago. Lunch was pad thai wrapped in banana leaves, mixed fresh vegetables, and some fried chicken breast pieces coated in a nice spice mixture. Plenty of water was available for everyone, but beer or soda could be purchased.

It was a relaxing half-hour eating lunch and then chatting with my other tour mates and the guides. Several elephants from another sanctuary were crossing the river and returning up a steep hill into the jungle. We also watched a young boy dive and swim in the water and I wanted to go back in there with him.

Buying Souvenirs

Right next to the outdoor dining area was an elderly lady selling souvenirs. I may have purchased a few things as gifts for people back home, but can’t mention it here. Hopefully they read my blog. Haggling on a price is not my thing, but I got some practice and got her down an additional 50 baht before agreeing to a price. May have paid too much, but it was all worth the experience I had that day.

On the Way Back from Smile Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

Once we wrapped up with our conversations and lunch, it was time to head back to the city. Before that, photos and videos were sent to our phones. More would be emailed later that night. Several of us took a bathroom break, and I also grabbed an ice cream before climbing back into the cooled off SUV.

Quiet Ride

The return ride was quiet since everyone was tired after an exhilarating, but hot day. We did hit some traffic as we reached the city of Chiang Mai, but we were back in the area dropping off people to their hotels within little more than an 90 minutes.

I Truly Appreciate Adam’s Help

This is a day I will never forget and I have Adam to thank for that. He pushed me beyond my own expectations, and it showed me I am capable of a lot more than I previously thought. I sincerely thank you and dedicate this blog post to you.

In Conclusion: The Best Experience in Thailand So Far

Visiting Smile Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai was my most enjoyable, and challenging excursion so far in my Thailand adventures. When you get to Chiang Mai, or other parts of the country that offers elephant sanctuary tours, make sure to experience this for yourself. The elephants are magnificent, the handlers very hard-working, and the guides are knowledgeable and kind. Definitely an excursion you do not want to miss.