Half Day Elephant Care & Bamboo Rafting (4km)

Bamboo Elephant Family Care is a small family-run camp about an hour and a half north of Chiang Mai. It was started in 2016 by Burin Ampai, known as Bank, and his father, after a young elephant called Noi was passed to the family. The camp says it uses no chains or hooks and lets its small herd roam freely. There is strictly no riding. This program adds a gentle bamboo raft ride to the camp's half-day elephant visit. It suits families and anyone who wants a full morning with the elephants plus a quiet stretch on the water, without trekking or white water.

Pickup is between 08:00 and 08:30 from your hotel, and the drive north takes about an hour and a half. At the camp you change into traditional Karen clothing and hear about the history and behaviour of Asian elephants. Then you meet the elephants: you feed them by hand and spend time close to them, learn about the traditional organic herbal supplements the camp prepares for their diet, and finish by bathing and brushing your elephant in the river. Then comes the bamboo raft: about 40 minutes over 4 km, steered by a local boatman, with the forest on both banks. Lunch with fresh fruit and drinking water is part of the day, and you are dropped back at your hotel around 15:00.

Transport by minibus, insurance, an English-speaking guide and a Karen-style shirt are included. Bring water shoes, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, spare clothes, insect repellent and a dry bag for your phone. The tour runs as a shared group.