📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
GREENWAY / GREENLION THAILAND
💼 What the programme involves
Besides being notable throughout Thailand for its sensational scenery, Umphang is well known for its elephant population. Traditionally, these Asian Elephants have been known for carrying out farm work. Fortunately, the elephants are treated with a higher level of respect these days.
The project itself allows you to simultaneously experience interacting with elephants, (ranging from babies to fully grown adults) as well as discovering one of Thailand's most breathtaking landscapes.
The project offers the unforgettable experience of being able to spend time, bond and work with the elephants whilst they're in their natural habitat. You will ride, swim with, and clean the elephants on a daily basis. On the project site is a beautiful lake, where participants will ride the elephants whilst they are cleaned by mahouts and where you will also be able to do rafting.
Additionally, you will help with the preparation of food for the elephants. Typically, this comes in the form of Bana grass, sugarcane and banana plants. You will also assist with the health check-ups of these 'gentle giants' when required. You will be spending time alongside experienced mahouts, who spend their entire lives gaining an understanding of the elephants and how best to care of them.
Two beautiful waterfalls, the Nam Tok Tharark and Nam Tok Pha Charoen, offer the perfect place to visit and cool down for the day. These will be visited during your project.
The aim is to see the elephants in their natural habitat and to help maintain this lifestyle for them. No exploitation of the animals occurs at this project.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Our accommodation here is at a wooden cabin guest house and rooms will be shared on a 2 - 4 person, single-gender basis. The bathrooms come with hot showers. The guest house offers wifi and even a bar to enjoy in the evenings!
Three healthy and delicious meals will be provided each day, carefully balancing Thai food for the Western tongue.
📍 About the location
Umphang is the southernmost district of Tak Province in Thailand and is well known not only for its elephants, but also for its incredible landscapes and natural sceneries.
Set amidst numerous national parks, mountains and lakes, you will find yourself surrounded by nature and beauty at its finest. It offers a peaceful environment and a perfect setting to see the elephants enjoy their natural habitat.
There are Thai restaurants, bars, and shops located within walking distance from the accommodation as it's in the middle of a small yet lively village.
There is an ATM machine nearby at a 7/11.
Since our Umphang accommodation is set in such a beautiful and unspoilt natural environment, you can go for a trek and awe at the Thi Lo Su waterfall (you visit this on the program schedule), which is supposedly the largest waterfall in Thailand. While trekking in the area, you might also stumble across Karen hill tribe villages, originally Burmese people who have since spread across the Thai-Karen border.
Umphang village is home to 3 temples and you can always catch the monks and provide alms in the morning (around 6 am).
ℹ️ Additional information
Open all year, starting on Mondays, every week, participation fee 350€ per week. Culture week mandatory: 175€ to start the programme