Chiang Mai Elephant Tour Review: Long Neck & Sticky Falls

Thinking about visiting Chiang Mai and want to do something awesome, like, interacting with elephants, maybe checking out the Long Neck Karen village, or climbing some seriously fun waterfalls? I wanted to, too! You could do all of that, like, with the Chiang Mai Elephant Care, Long Neck, and Sticky Waterfall tour. It sounded amazing, which is why I booked it, and so I’m going to give you my honest take on what it was like, like whether it’s actually worth your time and money.

What to Expect: A Full Day of Adventure

Basically, the tour, that’s almost what it sounds like. So, what happens is they pack quite a bit into one day, and really early to be fair. Usually, you can expect them to come and get you from your accommodation bright and super early, so somewhere around 8 am, maybe? After that, it’s quite a drive into the mountains, and, honestly, the roads are sort of windy, a bit, so that’s worth bearing in mind if you’re prone to carsickness. Then comes the main event, where you will, seemingly, be with the elephants for a little chunk of the morning. You feed them, watch them have a bit of a play in the mud, give them a scrub in the river; that sort of thing. Afterwards, you have some lunch, which, if I remember correctly, comes as part of the package. Now that you have had food, you head off, basically, to see the Long Neck Karen village. Finally, the last stop will be the Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls before heading all the way back to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon, or early evening.

Ethical Elephant Encounters: Is it Really Ethical?

Ok, so that bit about seeing elephants? Arguably, it’s the most talked about thing that tourists want to see. If you’re thinking about doing this, then do check out which place you pick and ask, like, are they really looking after them, properly? There is a lot of chat about so-called “ethical” sanctuaries which still have tourists riding the elephants, and stuff like that. This wasn’t really the case here, that I could see. What you mostly do is watch the elephants, maybe hand them some food (bananas and stuff), and hang out near them. Nobody was, basically, riding them or doing anything which I thought looked unkind. As I was saying, do some checking, like before you commit, because some places really aren’t what they seem, really, alright?

Long Neck Karen Village: A Cultural Visit

Seeing the Long Neck Karen village can be, in some respects, a very weird experience. The women there, like, are from the Kayan people. Actually, they are refugees from Myanmar who are famous for their brass rings that makes, seemingly, their necks look longer. In short, the visit to the village is super quick. I would have like to, honestly, see a bit more and understand a little of their background but that wasn’t really what it was about, at the end of the day. So you walk around, basically, there are opportunities to buy some things that they have made, and then, like, that’s it.

Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls: Climbing Fun

To be fair, the Sticky Waterfalls were, arguably, my favorite bit of the whole day. The rock, clearly, has this grip, almost like it’s magnetic, and is so sticky that you can actually walk up them without, potentially, sliding. As a matter of fact, it’s really really fun. Because of that, the water is shallow, so it feels super safe and definitely something that the kids would enjoy, too, and stuff. So make sure you have your swimming stuff and are happy to, like, get wet, because you really can’t avoid that!

What Could be Improved

Ok, so now some downsides to it, that is something to consider, obviously. Basically, the tour does try to fit far too much in, in my view. Basically, everything feels a bit rushed, I felt. Seemingly, the time with the elephants is relatively limited, similarly with the village, and all this travelling around eats into the time you actually get to, in fact, spend at each stop, which, at the end of the day, could have been improved. Another issue that springs to mind is that there is more chat from the guides about the elephants. So, some background on the Kayan people would have been good, frankly, at the end of the day.

Tips and Recommendations

Okay, so some things I really advise you to bring include, seemingly, sunscreen, insect repellent, and swimwear for the waterfalls, which makes sense. Bringing a change of clothes, similarly, is a really good shout. I want to add, really, make sure you’ve got comfy shoes as you will have to do some walking, alright? As a matter of fact, take some money for souvenirs at the Long Neck Karen village, that is also worth baring in mind. Last of all, don’t forget to stay hydrated, as well, so, make sure you bring some water with you, obviously. Don’t take it too seriously, right?

Overall Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Well, so that’s the important bit, as a matter of fact. Did I think the day out was worth the money, or time? So it’s a qualified yes. I will say, the elephants were well cared for, and climbing those waterfalls was super memorable, which is good. All the same, I really did feel it was all very quick. Because of that, you could do better finding another experience, if you’re actually serious about really engaging with the elephants, basically. Yet, that depends on what you really value and whether you’re on a time crunch while you’re travelling, of course.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s included in the Chiang Mai Elephant Care Long Neck Sticky Waterfall Tour?

Typically, it’s all inclusive, something like, hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by an air-conditioned minivan, basically, an English-speaking guide, entry fees to all the locations, food for the elephants, and lunch, but still, check beforehand, literally.

What should I wear for the tour?

When all’s said and done, you’ll be a lot happier if you wear something comfortable. Something like, light clothing, comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, and maybe something respectful for visiting the Long Neck Karen village. It’s a must to protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen and a hat, honestly.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Potentially, yes, yet you need to take some precautions first. Basically, children do enjoy feeding the elephants and climbing the waterfalls. As a matter of fact, it would depend on the individual child. Be that as it may, be wary of the length of the day and the amount of travelling involved. Be sure to have kids within view for safety, as a matter of fact.

How long is the drive to each location?

For real, expect a little travel. So travelling between locations, which are pretty spread out, typically takes around one to two hours, give or take traffic and road conditions. But you also need to factor in getting to them as well, alright?

Key Takeaways:

• The ethical treatment of elephants is really paramount; ask what the venue’s specific policy on elephant well-being is.
• Be sure to get yourself prepared for a long day with lots of travel.
• If you like climbing things, those waterfalls really will blow your mind.

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