Pon Elephant Sanctuary - Monk Trail - Doi Suthep Tour

This day trip from Pon Elephant Thailand starts on Doi Suthep, the mountain behind Chiang Mai, and ends with the elephants in the Mae Wang valley. It suits first-time visitors who want the city's most important temple and a proper elephant visit on the same day. There is no riding, and the elephants are not made to do anything.

The morning begins on the Monk's Trail, the forest path monks have long used to walk up the mountain. It leads to Wat Pha Lat, a quiet temple among trees, with a wooden tunnel and a stream running through the grounds. From there you continue up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the golden pagoda that overlooks the city. After the temples you drive south-west to the sanctuary for a half-day elephant programme: feeding, making herbal medicine balls, walking beside the elephants through the forest and bathing with them in the river. Lunch is a homemade Thai meal with a local family. You are back at your hotel around five.

Hotel transfers within the city, an English-speaking guide, all entry tickets, lunch, drinking water, travel accident insurance and the elephants' food are included. Showers and toilets are available at the sanctuary, but towels and a change of clothes are not, so bring your own. Dress modestly for the temples: shoulders and knees covered.