Chiang Mai Travel Forum

Hi

I have a group of 7 pax (4 adults & 3kids).

(1) Is it possible to do a DIY tour for elephant ride & bamboo rafting? Would it be cost savings than joining a tour?

(2) I understand there are few options for elephant ride & bamboo rafting incl lunch.. Where is the best place to do the tour? My friend had 2 such tour with different agency last year when she was in CM. She said they brought her to different site for elephant ride & bamboo rafting and 1 is much more interesting than the other. However, she doesn't remember which tour agency nor the venue.

(2) Airport transfer - Do I need to book a van in advance for airport transfer to my hotel which is in town?

Thanks

There are guides who will take you. We found one when we got there and did a 3 day jungle trek - cheaper with no commission going to a tour operator.
Here is a one day trip on the internet you might want to look at http://www.chiangmai1.com/buddy/1-day.shtml

bj

hi

i think 1 day bamboo rafting and elephant ride tour is a good idea
when me and my gf made 1 day trekking covers them all + waterfall and 2 hours jungle trekking we ve booked at the guesthouse and we were only 6 with 3 more adults and a 7-8 yrs old child
the owner of the guesthouse drove us by his own pick-up so maybe you can just ask them for a private tour for the sum of the price that you had to pay per person anyway
i believe that should work

enjoy your trip

The city of Chiang Mai has a wide variety of activities to suit all ages and preferences.
It offers an exciting selection of unique and fun activities which can be arranged through any of the tour agents found scattered about town. White water rafting is popular on the Mae Tang river, offering first class rafting and kayaking. I’ve been recommended Siam whitewater rafting and kayaking Adventures as a certified and safe operation (info@siamrivers.com). There is a number of elephant camps where you can ride through the jungle. There are camps in Mae Sa, Chiang Dao, Mae Tang, Lampang and Mae Wang. Finding them is tricky so it's best to arrange a tour through your guest house, hotel or a tour guide. You can also arrange your entire trip to Thailand with the Tour Operator like Orient Flexi Pax: : www.orientflexipax.com. They will book airport transfers for you as well. In my opinion it is very important to book everything for advance when you are travelling with the kids.

1) Is it possible to do a DIY tour for elephant ride & bamboo rafting? Would it be cost savings than joining a tour?
----Yes is it possible to do in DIY. You save a lot

(2) I understand there are few options for elephant ride & bamboo rafting incl lunch.. Where is the best place to do the tour? My friend had 2 such tour with different agency last year when she was in CM. She said they brought her to different site for elephant ride & bamboo rafting and 1 is much more interesting than the other. However, she doesn't remember which tour agency nor the venue.

---There are several agencies do this, they also change the place often, depends on the water flow in that area. You will definitely find plenty of tour operators offering these tour, so you can decide after you land there.


(3) Airport transfer - Do I need to book a van in advance for airport transfer to my hotel which is in town?

---No need to book in advance, as soon as you arrive in the airport (if arriving international, walk to the domestic at the other end of the airport) you will find the travel counter for local transport, usually it is 120 Bhat onwards for one car to the city center (Chiang Mai Gate).

We just got back from a trip to Chiang Mai for the weekend and came across this great taxi driver, DJ. DJ speaks good english and is courteous. Great safe Toyota Camry, leather seats, and safe. DJ took us the great elephant sanctuary and village of the long necks.

DJ gave us the price for the elephant santuary and car for a day, which is the same as just buying an admission ticket to the elephant park. Not sure how it works out, but it is a great deal for us and you wont regret using DJ to see Chiang Mai! We went to Maetamann Elephant santuary and it was a great place and the elphants seemed very happy and good natured.

Dont worry about airport transfers they are only a few bucks from the airport taxi's or you can pre-arrange a taxi pickup.

Revised posting with contact details for taxi.

We just got back from a trip to Chiang Mai for the weekend and came across this great taxi driver, DJ. DJ speaks good english and is courteous. Great safe Toyota Camry, leather seats, and safe. DJ took us the great elephant sanctuary and village of the long necks (for lack of a better description).

Doungjan Pota
Mobile (089) 9975127
Home (053) 847364
pota-cm@hotmail.com

DJ gave us the price for the elephant santuary and car for a day, which is the same as just buying an admission ticket to the elephant park. Not sure how it works out, but it is a great deal for us and you wont regret using DJ to see Chiang Mai! We went to Maetamann Elephant santuary and it was a great place and the elphants seemed very happy and good natured.

Dont worry about airport transfers they are only a few bucks from the airport taxi's or you can pre-arrange a taxi pickup.