How to Ride Elephant at Sunrise at Chiang Rai

Many people who have grown up in countries where elephant are not part of the wildlife cannot resist their charm. This is quite understandable as they are the largest land based mammals and coming face to face with them is truly a fantastic experience. When visiting countries with elephants, the ultimate exotic experience is not only to see, touch, bathe and feed elephants but to ride them as well. However many have come to realize that elephants do not automatically accept riders. They have to be rigorously trained to carry people on their backs.

Step 1: Getting Ready

Read up before visiting a country where elephants are found in the wild and are also domesticated. In places where they are part of the tourist industry take note of how elephants undergo hardships as they are trained to carry uncomfortable contraptions on their backs for hours and perform, causing them bodily harm. Also read up on places that offer refuge to mal treated elephants, the mahouts and their families and go visit these places where they roam free, to have that longed for elephant experience, to interact with them at various levels and to get to know them. Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, an ethically run elephant camp Thailand, offers an unbeatable series of elephant experiences that are suitable for every member of the family.

Step 2: Climbing on to an Elephant

In many places where elephants are a tourist attraction, getting a top one has been made easy by placing something like a step ladder alongside a standing animal where visitors who are ready to ride sit in a chair like contraption on top of the elephant that can seat a few people. This is secured under its belly and tail. Although getting atop is easy, riding will not be as the elephant tends to lurch and the people on its back are liable to get seasick. The other way to ride an elephant is to sit in a howdah, a luxury seating arrangement with ceremonial umbrellas for shade. However the correct way to ride an elephant is on its neck, Riders are supposed to sit astride here where they are sure of not slipping off. This is also where the mahouts sit. As an elephant's back is curved anyone attempting to sit there without a seat that is strapped under the elephant's belly will definitely fall off. Getting on to the neck without outside assistance is the most interesting part of elephant riding. The elephant is usually in a sitting position, with its fore legs extended. The rider gets onto one of its front legs, holds onto an ear, gets onto its forehead and then clambers on to its neck. Sometimes if it is standing, on the command of the mahout the elephant will wraps its trunk around riders and deposit them on its neck. This method is only for the very brave. The rider needs to get comfortable once atop. On the command of the mahout the elephant will lurch to its feet and the rider has to hold onto to the elephant for dear life. Once off the ground all that the rider needs to do is sit up straight, move in sync with the elephant's gait and enjoy the view that is about 10 feet from the ground. No wonder once only royalty rode elephants as there is no better way to show who the boss is. The slow measured pace of the elephant gives anyone a truly majestic aura.

Step 3: Riding an Elephant at Sunrise

Although visitors are offered elephant rides throughout the day riding an elephant at sunrise has its own mystical quality. It is one of the best times to ride an elephant. There is no substitute for swaying on the back of an elephant through jungle terrain in Chiang Rai when the mist is rising all around and getting to a hillock to see vast tracts of greenery spread out below, lightly tinged by the colours of the rising sun. It is also the coolest time to trek and all the senses are receptive to appreciating the beginning of a new day. The highlight of an elephant ride at this time is breakfast overlooking the Mekong River and gorgeous scenery. This is also the best time to see birds and other animals as they come out looking for food. Take time off to enjoy one of the most relaxing experiences in Chiang Rai.