Elephants & Water crossings - Hang Dong, Chiang Mai

On the outskirts of Chiang Mai, there is a 10-kilometer jungle trail with many water crossings that is great fun. You even have the chance to share the trail with elephants along the way.

The track starts (or finishes) at the Patara Elephant Conservation Center. This is a large facility with elephants and a café. We usually start the trail there with a drink and some food while taking pictures of the elephants.

At the beginning of the route, you may encounter tourists and elephants on a "safari" for the first few kilometers. It is quite impressive and cool to ride by these elephants. Rest assured, all elephants are handled by their respective mahouts for safety. Still, be considerate and get the "OK" from the handlers before riding close to the elephants. After that, you get onto a nice trail with over 30 river crossings. This is a great & memorable ride just outside Chiang Mai!

Note: Be aware that during the height of the monsoon season, the water depth may be too high.