This is the second post in video contributor Kelley Ferro’s five-part video series on Thailand. Part one is here.
One of the perks of the Four Seasons Golden Triangle is that all guests are invited to participate in a half-day mahout training. Mahouts are the elephant trainers and caretakers. On property, there are four elephants rescued out of horrible living conditions and now given the chance at a more peaceful, healthy life. Each mahout cares for one elephant and they form a special bond and way of communication. I was beyond excited to get to spend the day with an elephant, learning about my particular girl’s past, how to interact with her and eventually how to ride her, which was mostly just hanging on as she ambled through the forest. This was an eye-opening experience and I’ll never forget the surprise at the end (watch the video to see what it was)!
In part 3: The hotel snob goes to the Four Seasons Chiang Mai.
For more on the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, visit fourseasons.com/goldentriangle.
Really?! Riding Elephants?!!
Geez, do your research please. Those same elephants you’re getting your jollies on are treated horribly during their “training”, and depending on the elephant were perhaps beaten just the day before your ride.
Elephants are very smart, emotional, and otherwise complex animals. None of these “riding” elephants were raised/trained without being cruelly tortured–but the people taking your money would never tell you the truth about it.
It’s really much more rewarding to go and work for a day at one of the elephant rescue places. And much more humane.
Please be more responsible with your posts.