Reviewed 04 Dec 2012 by Nicola Jane
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The highlight of the trip was, without doubt, the three days we spent getting up close and personal with elephants at Elephantstay (Ayutthaya). On arrival we were each assigned our own lady elephant, which (or should I say ‘who’) we helped to feed, water, wash and ride for the duration of our stay. It was a dirty job – cleaning out her sleeping area in the morning, riding into the river, wading through mud to collect food and scrubbing the dirt off her – but every moment was pure joy. It was a truly magical experience, and a privilege to interact so closely with such noble and intelligent creatures. Unforgettable.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The holiday is sold as a 'soft adventure', and is perfect for anyone who wants the excitement of an adventure without the risks of going solo. The trip was very well organised, and we were extremely well looked after from start to finish. Just one thing to bear in mind – the trip is technically suitable for all ages and abilities, but I would say you need a good basic level of fitness and health to get the most out of the holiday. The itinerary itself is not too demanding, as you can choose to opt in or out of any activity, and the busy days are interspersed with quieter days, but working with elephants requires a certain amount of agility. It would be hard to ride and wash an elephant if you have a bad back, for example, and the humidity in Thailand in November can be a bit draining. However, if you do have any health issues, don’t be put off. Just discuss it with the operator before booking and they will advise and accommodate you accordingly so you know what to expect. I have a health issue myself and they were very helpful indeed.
Another couple of tips -
1) Don't take too much luggage. It's easy to have clothes laundered very cheaply along the way, and you will most likely pick up a few bit and pieces in the night markets.
2) To avoid getting bitten by mosquitos and other bugs, take vitamin b supplements for a few weeks before you go and while you’re there. The bugs hate it, and it works a dream
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. I did not feel that we were following the usual tourist trail. We ate in local restaurants, stayed in small boutique inns, and had a lot of contact with local people. And the itinerary had a strong conservation theme.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The holiday was fantastic. You don't know what to expect when you go on holiday with a group of solo travellers, and I think everyone was a little anxious about what 'the others' would be like, but it couldn't have worked out better. We had a lot of laughs and it was great fun sharing the experience with so many like-minded people. In fact, we had such a good time that we are considering getting together the same next time year for another trip.
Reviewed 28 Nov 2012 by Hannah Wilson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Working directly with elephants at Elephant Stay in Ayatthaya and Elephant Nature Park in Chang Mai
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The suggested list of what to take was not helpful. No need for long sleeved tops. Need to pack far less than was suggested. Mainly wore shorts and strappy tops except for visits where covering up was essential.
Mossie spray was also essential applied three times a day. Several people got infected bites. Jet lag for the first few days was difficult.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - at both elephant parks the locla community benefitted from our work and from purchases we made where the money went to help the elephants. We also donated gifts to a local school in Chang Mai.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
For me this was an excellent experience which lived up to my expectations and more. Plenty of variety and personal challenge. An excellent tour guide/escort who was knowledgeable and lovely to have with us. Gave me a good understanding of Thai culture and close up working with elephants.
Read the operator's response here:
Thank you so much, Hannah, for taking the time to submit this review.
We're glad that you had such a fantastic time. There has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears to put together our trips, and they are a lot of work to run, so we always like to hear our efforts are worthwhile!
In regards to the packing list, in light of your comments, we will review it with the tour escort. However, we do recommend both long sleeved tops and trousers, partly for cultural reasons and partly to help avoid sunburn as well as mosquito and insect bites.
Reviewed 06 Jan 2012 by Julia Vick
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Being up close and personal with the elephants and sleeping in a bamboo hut at Elephant Nature Park with the sound of elephants, dogs, cats and insects for company!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you want a true volunteer holiday experience avoid this holiday and head directly to one of the elephant parks. Expect to spend a lot of time travelling in the first wk.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Only when staying at Elephant Nature Park.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Since this was an elephant volunteer holiday I was shocked to find that the Surin festival was on the itinerary. Not only did we witness elephants being made to perform tricks, paint and play football but baby's as young as 19wks were put under extreme stress. The founder at ENP has rescued several elephants from Surin and she works tirelessly to highlight the darker side of this festival.
Read the operator's response here:
Thanks for the feedback, as well as for filling in our own more detailed feedback form. We're really sorry that you felt the holiday was only 'OK'. Others on the same trip rated it as the 'holiday of a lifetime', which is what we aim for. Unfortunately, your trip in was soon after the worst weather Thailand had in 60 years, which did necessitate a bit of extra travelling at the beginning, but we hope this did not affect your enjoyment too greatly. Our tour leader did say you seemed to enjoy yourself on the holiday itself, so we really hope you did.
This trip benefits local people and the environment by supporting two elephant conservation centres, through accommodation (eg using a hotel which is a converted old mansion rather than a new-build in Bangkok) and where possible geographically, our private vans use natural gas rather than petrol or diesel. These are just some examples.
In regards to the Surin Elephant Festival, we (and elephant conservation experts we know in Thailand) feel it is an important festival. Surin is a poor province, with less work and fewer opportunities than elsewhere, and although many mahouts and elephants are from the area, it is the only time they can make a decent income in it. Many of the elephants are healthy and well looked after, especially given the challenges of the area. Not all of them are of course, but the situation in Thailand with elephants is very complex and support and education are key. It's not like avoiding the tourist camps (which we do): we feel avoiding such an important festival would be shortsighted.
This holiday is best suited for those who want a tour of Thailand and a soft adventure, rather than those who are looking for a pure volunteer experience. This trip includes 3 days volunteering at one sanctuary and 5 days at another, sandwiched between fun activities, sightseeing and relaxation. For those looking to spend 2 weeks volunteering, then we highly recommend the project in the Surin area run by the Elephant Nature Park. It can be booked directly on their website if you organise your own flights and transport to their meetup points. Accommodation there is very basic, but the experience will be highly rewarding for those inclined.
Reviewed 30 Nov 2011 by Lisse Caird
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Holiday was overall great - we moved about a lot so difficult to say the best bit but probably early mornings when everything was so quiet and having a cup of tea looking at elephants!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The operator gave lots of info so no tips to pass on - very quiet in evenings so a pack of cards could have been handy.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Not really - we did go to a local school and bought biscuits and bracelets and the elephant camps employed local people in the kitchens and for massages.
Reviewed 12 Jan 2011 by Vicki Biddle
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were so many - bathing with the elephants in the River Kwai, working with the elephants at the Elephant Park near Chang Mai, touring the Celadon factory in Chang Mai, the Elephant Festival in Surin and the massage!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take some old clothes to the Elephant Park, leave them there and shop for some new ones. Bring a few pairs of cheap light gardening gloves and leave them behind too. The park will donate anything left behind so you are still being ecofriendly. Don't forget your camera charger. I was glad I took my small netbook as there was often internet provided in my room. I also could upload my photos as I went and shared them with others using memory sticks easily purchased locally. I wished I had binoculars at Surin and the Khao Yai National Park.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely. Much of our accommodation was locally owned and run. We often used local transport. We volunteered our time at the Elephant conservation areas and visited a local school and factory. At all times our guide encouraged us to be ecofriendly.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Everything was so well organised. Our accomodation alternated rustic with luxurious. Our tour leader was highly professional, knowledgable, patient and helpful. Our tour operator went out of their way to adapt to our needs if necessary.
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